How did Elaida take control of the White Tower in The Wheel of Time season 3? Explored

Elaida's ascension to power during The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale, aired on April 17, 2025, is a significant plot turn for the Aes Sedai and the White Tower. Here, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, a dominant and ambitious Red Ajah Aes Sedai, stages a coup to overthrow Siuan Sanche, the incumbent Amyrlin Seat, which results in her assuming command of the White Tower.

The action is motivated by her long-standing feud with Siuan as well as her conviction that the White Tower requires firmer leadership. In The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale, Elaida is in charge of a faction in the Tower, leveraging discontent and politics to overthrow Siuan and assume the title of Amyrlin Seat herself.

Furthermore, Elaida is driven by her desire to dominate the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor. Her coup appears to be more than a victory for herself, though; it is a transformation of the balance of power of the Aes Sedai that leads to the next round of conflict in the book and series.

Elaida's return and political maneuvering in The Wheel of Time

Elaida returns to the White Tower after some time off, and with her comes a reputation as both a political adept and a powerful channeler. Elaida is presented as The Wheel of Time season 3's primary antagonist, with a history of clashes against Moiraine and Siuan.

Elaida begins to undermine Siuan's authority at once, challenging her judgments and pointing out the Tower's recent failures, including the disappearance of Elayne Trakand and the Black Ajah's increasing power. Elaida's influence over the Red Ajah, who have been discredited through past scandals, is crucial to her plan.

She persuades other Aes Sedai that the Reds must take their place at the forefront, that their strategy is required in an imminent crisis. By pitching herself as the answer to the Tower's ills, Elaida wins over the Sitters and other powerful members.

The coup against Siuan Sanche in The Wheel of Time season 3 finale

The coup itself is meticulously planned and carried out. Elaida employs her power to isolate Siuan by displacing her strongest allies from key meetings and controlling the vote for Amyrlin Seat. She also makes sure that only a handful of Siuan's friends are around when the vote is taken, resulting in a vote to strip Siuan of her title and quiet her, eliminating her capacity to channel.

This corresponds to her behavior in Robert Jordan's novels, where she uses unrest and controversy to overthrow Siuan in a similar fashion. In the series, Elaida's action is even more overt, with a public trial and execution carried out, which solidifies her power and public image, and sends a clear message to any would-be competitors.

Her ascension to the top is not merely a matter of personal ambition; it is also a matter of conviction on her part that the Dragon Reborn needs to be controlled by the White Tower and navigated through the impending chaos.

Elaida's vision and plans for the White Tower

After the successful coup, Elaida sets her sights on securing her power and advancing her agenda for the Tower. She demands a vote to send an Aes Sedai delegation to locate and "cage" Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn.

Elaida's leadership is characterized by her ability to do what she feels needs to be done for the greater good, even if it means using force or deception. Her actions also form new rifts among the Aes Sedai, as not all of the sisters share her vision or way of functioning.

This positions future conflicts in the Tower and with other groups in the world, as Elaida's reign will probably be contested by those who disagree with her ways.

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All episodes of The Wheel of Time season 3 are available to stream on Prime Video.

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