A scene in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 3, demonstrates a critical part of Perrin’s character that contributed to his plot twist in the Two Rivers. Marcus Rutherford plays Perrin Aybara in Prime Video’s Wheel of Time cast, bringing to life one of the main characters from Robert Jordan’s fantasy epic book series. While not the Dragon Reborn like his friend, Rand al’Thor, Perrin is still one of the characters who left the Two Rivers with Moiraine, and that makes him special in some way.

The Wheel of Time’s season 3 story adapts The Shadow Rising, one of the best in Jordan’s series that’s known for bringing out an exciting side of Perrin. Of the three main boys, Perrin is typically the least outgoing, making it all the more surprising that season 3 has seen him taking on a leadership role in his respective arc. Season 2 saw him following Ingtar, while he remained with Moiraine in season 1. This is Perrin’s first opportunity as the man in charge of his own plotline, and it’s going to be fascinating to see his development.

Perrin’s Ta’veren Role Explains Why The Two Rivers Folk Are Already Listening To Him

Perrin’s Influence As A Ta’veren Is More Powerful Than He Knows

Perrin returns to the Two Rivers in The Wheel of Time season 3 for the first time since the show’s opening episodes, and he’s a drastically different character than the one who left. Following the conflict in Falme, where Perrin killed Geofram Bornhald, the White Cloaks arrived in the Two Rivers looking for him, led by Geofram’s son, Dain Bornhald. Perrin helps the Two Rivers folk decide how to deal with the situation, taking on a new leadership role.

There’s an interesting moment where Perrin speaks and then pauses for a second, realizing that everyone has listened to him without question. This is because he, like Rand and his other companions from the Two Rivers, is ta’veren, meaning that the Pattern is weaving around him. Perrin’s ta’veren nature generally takes the form of human influence, with his words carrying additional meaning to those around him, causing them to follow him.

What Becoming The Two Rivers Leader Would Mean For Perrin’s Future

Perrin Is Being Put To The Test

Image via Prime Vide

Perrin has returned to his home village after life-changing events, but these are still the people he’s grown up with. Many of them, like Natti Cauthon and Marin Al’Vere, are his seniors by many years, and he’s not used to them listening to him and following his leadership. Given that the White Cloaks are there because of him, he’s going to have complicated decisions to make with consequences beyond what’s been in his influence before. Perrin is certainly going to be tested in The Wheel of Time season 3.