WHERE IS JUILIN SANDAR? The Wheel of Time Skipped A Major Hero!

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Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8

Juilin Sandar was conspicuously missing from The Wheel of Time season 3, yet given the foundation laid for the forthcoming plot, his entrance into live-action isn’t likely to be too distant. A master thief-catcher and a pivotal ally to the main cast in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time book series, Juilin Sandar played a significant role in numerous installments. One such work was The Shadow Rising, the book that season 3 recently concluded adapting for television.

Julien Sandar played a secondary role during the Tanchico storyline in “The Shadow Rising.” Alongside Nynaeve al’Meara, Elayne Trakand, and Thom Merrilin, his character was involved in locating the Black Ajah and retrieving the male ‘dam, which was also being pursued by Moghedien. In “The Wheel of Time,” this storyline drew inspiration from “The Shadow Rising’s” Tanchico plot and featured several characters found within the book. However, it deviated significantly from its source material in certain aspects, one of the most significant changes being the omission of Julien Sandar.

Why Juilin Sandar Wasn’t In The Wheel Of Time Season 3

The Wheel Of Time Skipped The Book Where He Was Introduced

During their time in Tanchico, Julin Sandar accompanied Nynaeve, Elayne, and Thom. Using his abilities as a thief-taker, he assisted them in tracking down the fugitive Black Ajah members. However, it seems that the series omitted him from the storyline, likely due to alterations made to the original sequence of events. In actuality, Elayne, Nynaeve, and Egwene were first introduced to Juilin Sandar during their stay in Tear, which occurs in “The Dragon Reborn.” Due to the show’s transition from the ending of “The Great Hunt” straight into “The Shadow Rising,” the event introducing Julin Sandar was entirely left out.

It’s plausible that the show could still utilize him, given its history of shifting character introductions to various settings. However, placing him in Tanchico would have required significant alterations to his background, as he is deeply rooted in Tear. Moreover, Juilin Sandar’s significance in season 3 was reduced with the addition of Mat Cauthon and Min Farshaw, characters not involved in the book’s Tanchico storyline. Instead, Mat, a skilled fighter with a strong dynamic with Thom, proved to be a suitable replacement for Juilin.

The Wheel Of Time Season 4 Provides A Perfect Opportunity To Introduce Juilin Sandar

The Show Has Set Up Juilin Sandar’s Place of Residence As A Season 4 Location

An opportune moment to introduce Julian Sandar might arise when The Wheel of Time resumes for its fourth season. With all the chatter about Rand taking the Stone of Tear, it’s evident that although his possession of Callandor didn’t factor into season 3, it remains significant to the narrative. In the books, Rand wielded Callandor prior to venturing into the Aiel Waste, but the storyline is unfolding in reverse order. The third season of The Wheel of Time served as a hint that the Stone of Tear is still integral to the scheme, as Moiraine pointed out that Rand now commands an army capable of capturing it.

As part of several key characters from “The Wheel of Time” series preparing to visit the Stone of Tear soon, season 4 appears ripe for the introduction of Juilin. Since each significant location in the series introduces a fresh batch of secondary characters, it’s logical that Tear, being where Juilin Sandar lives and was born according to the books, will introduce him among them.

In other scenarios, the introduction may vary, yet it could still draw from the original storyline. In the novel, Juilin was employed by Nyaeve, Elayne, and Egwene before being subjected to Compulsion by Liandrin, causing him to deceive them. Although Liandrin won’t likely appear in Tear, a character skilled in Compulsion is set to play a role in Rand’s pursuit of Callandor – Rahvin, one of the 13 Forsaken from “The Wheel of Time.

In the final episode of season 3, Lanfear proposed a plan where Rahvin might set a trap for Rand at the Stone of Tear. This trap could involve Julin Sandar, who Rahvin might manipulate for his own purposes. Just like the book character, Julin Sandar could strive to make amends after gaining clarity, potentially becoming an ally to our main characters in the process.

Several Upcoming Wheel Of Time Stories Involve Juilin Sandar

Juilin Sander Is Needed For Nynaeve, Elayne, And Mat’s Stories

It’s true that Rand’s group has a unique advantage when it comes to meeting Julin Sandar compared to others, as they have strong ties with him. However, in the world of The Wheel of Time, his presence is crucial for an authentic portrayal of their upcoming narratives. Introducing Julin along with the city of Tear could facilitate this. To achieve this, it may be best if they assist Rand in securing the Stone of Tear, although currently there’s no setup for that scenario to unfold.

Instead, it might be Rand, Moiraine, Aviendha, or another character within their group who could dispatch Juilin to join Elayne, Nynaeve, Mat, Min, and Thom. Accompanied by them, he could reenact his book version by participating in various events such as tracking Moghedien, rescuing Brigitte Silverbow, performing in the circus of Ebou Dar, and experiencing the Aes Sedai uprising in Salidar.

Several stories presented in the series are either already established or seem imminent for adaptation. Given Brigitte Silverbow’s appearance as a Hero of the Horn in the finale of The Wheel of Time season 2, the show has the foundation to explore the tale where Mogehedien extracts her from Tel’aran’rhiod. Additionally, there are hints that the Ebou Dar arc might be introduced, as it was previously mentioned and thus confirmed as a location on the map during Elayne and Nynaeve’s storyline in season 3.

Beyond everything else, there’s the issue of Lady Amathera Casmir Lounault, the Taraborner noblewoman and Seanchan captive, who finds herself entangled in the exploits of Elayne, Nynaeve, Mat, and Juilin in Ebou Dar and Amadicia. Over time, she develops into Juilin Sandar’s primary romantic interest within the narrative of The Wheel of Time. Given the Seanchan’s significance in the show’s backstory and also crucial to the destinies of Elayne, Nynaeve, and others, Amathera could potentially make an appearance. If she does, it would be a pity if the renowned thief-taker, Juilin, were to remain unnoticed.

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2025-05-01 02:29