Wheel Of Time Theory Explains How Mat’s Most Iconic Fight Finally Happens In The Show

Summary

• Mat’s iconic fight with Galad and Gawyn may happen differently in season 3 due to recent developments in the show’s storyline
• Showrunner Rafe Judkins hints at big changes, possibly merging multiple storylines to adapt Mat’s character arc more effectively
• Mat’s trip to Caemlyn may replace his original Tar Valon story, setting the stage for a new dynamic fight scene with Galad and Gawyn.

A theory about The Wheel of Time season 3 provides a working explanation for how Mat’s most iconic fight from the books can finally happen in Prime Video’s TV series. In The Dragon Reborn, the third book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, Mat – using only a quarterstaff – enjoyed a memorable showdown with both Galad and Gawyn. The fight, which Mat notably won, has earned a reputation as one of the character’s best moments across the entire series.

With The Wheel of Time seemingly opting against giving The Dragon Reborn a full season adaptation in favor of The Shadow Rising for season 3, there’s obviously good cause for concern that certain storylines from the third novel won’t make it into the show. However, comments from Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins erase any doubts about it happening. That said, when it’ll occur, what the context will be, and the involvement of Galad or Galad are other matters entirely. The show has been known to make big changes before, and could do so again, hence why there’s been so much speculation about how the fight will be handled.

Why Mat May Not Fight Gawyn & Galad In Tar Valon

None of them may even go to Tar Valon in season 3

Recent developments with Mat create a new route for the show to take with the character, one that may block the fight with Galad and Gawyn from happening under the same conditions as the books. In the source material, Mat fought the pair with practice weapons to settle a bet at the Warder training yard in Tar Valon. Interestingly, though, the setup for The Wheel of Time season 3 and details about the story are signs that the series may send Mat elsewhere. If Mat doesn’t go back to Tar Valon, the show will be forced to make considerable changes to the fight.

What happened in The Wheel of TIme season 2’s ending, says quite a lot about whether Mat’s trip to Tar Valon in The Dragon Reborn is even necessary anymore. In the books, Mat had to go to the White Tower because Moiraine’s attempt to Heal him in The Eye of the World wasn’t a complete success. Ishamael trying to tempt him with the dagger hinted that the same was the case for the TV show, but then the series took a different direction by seeing Mat come up with a way to counter his attachment to the dagger. From the looks of things, Mat has overcome the dagger’s influence on his own.

Mat’s Fight With Galad & Gawyn Could Be Combined With His Other Dragon Reborn Story

Wheel of Time could merge two important stories from the books

Rather than use this particular storyline from The Dragon Reborn to facilitate the big fight with Gawyn and Galad, the show could instead lean on a different arc from the same book. After leaving Tar Valon, Mat met up with Thom and traveled to Caemlyn to deliver a message from Elayne Trakand to Queen Morgase. Theoretically, this could very well happen in The Wheel of Time season 3, considering that season 2 did end with Mat and Elayne at the same place (Falme). If the show takes this course, Mat’s trip to Caemlyn could get the lion’s share of his season 3 story.

Sending Mat to Caemlyn would give the series an easy way to streamline things when it comes to Gawyn and Galad. Since they’re part of the royal family, it would make perfect sense for the two to be in Caemlyn when Mat arrives. If so, they could be used as obstacles in the show’s adaptation of his entrance into the palace. In the book, Mat had to sneak inside to see the queen since he wasn’t allowed entry by the guards. In the show, this could be what pits him against Galad and Gawyn. Instead of it being the result of a bet, Gawyn and Galad’s team-up against Mat could be provoked by a perceived threat to the queen.

Why Mat Going To Caemlyn Is More Likely Than His Book 4 Story

Though the show is adapting the fourth book next, it may not use Mat’s Shadow Rising story

Admittedly, Wheel of Time has other options available when it comes to Mat’s season 3 journey. Another worth mentioning is his adventure with Rand in the Aiel Waste. Since this was the subject of his arc in The Shadow Rising, it would be the most obvious choice for Mat’s next story – were it not for the fact that its biggest contribution to the plot already happened. Going to the Aiel Waste led to Mat meeting the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn, who unlocked his memories. The TV character, on the other hand, already gained the memories of his past lives, thanks to drinking Ishamael’s tea and blowing the Horn.

The decision to have Mat acquire this knowledge in a different way (and before leaving Falme) raises a lot of questions about what the series has planned for him. What it implies is that Mat’s story no longer needs him to go with Rand to the Aiel Waste. In light of that, there’s a strong possibility that the show’s intention was to free up Mat for an adventure set in Caemlyn.

How Wheel Of Time Has Already Set Up Mat’s Win Over Gawyn And Galad

It’s already likely that Mat beats Gawyn and Galad

Although Gawyn and Galad haven’t had their live-action debuts, there’s already evidence that Mat – like his book counterpart – will win the highly-anticipated fight. Part of what makes Mat’s victory over the two such a special moment is how surprising and impressive it was for the character to overcome such unfavorable odds. Adding to the unfairness of it all with it being a two-on-one match, Mat was sick and lacking in the same level of training and experience that Gawyn and Galad had in fighting. They had the clear advantage in the book, but the blowing of the Horn of Valere proves that the TV version of Mat won’t be such a long shot to win.

The way in which Mat fought alongside the Heroes of the Horn in The Wheel of Time season 2 finale demonstrates the character’s remarkable talent for fighting. His use of the makeshift spear during the Battle of Falme makes Mat beating Galad and Gawyn feel like a realistic scenario, which fits in with Judkins’ interest in building toward a “believable” take on the fight with Galad and Gawyn. Whereas the book character wasn’t a known expert in this area, it’s now clear that two-handed stick fighting is what the TV version of Mat does best. While this could detract from the surprise factor of the book fight, this change will help justify Mat beating them.