After the massive data dump that was episode 4, comes in episode 5 titled "Tel'aran'rhiod", this episode has a way slower pace and that's is totally understandable but I know many would ask more from the series although I personally prefer it this way. Episode 5 shift focus from Rand's transformative experience in Rhuidean to expand on multiple story lines across different locations but one been the most impact is Egwene, giving us a broader view of this fantasy world while introducing us to the fascinating concept of the Dream World. There is a bit of action as usual but way more character development important plot progression, overall an episode worth watching although not the best one by far, its that kinda fill in episode to keep the story line moving on.
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The episode opens with Moiraine experimenting with the powerful sa'angreal she acquired in Rhuidean, channeling its immense energy until she nearly loses control, I really thought it was going to consume her as Rand gets blow up every time he channels. When Lan interrupts and asks what she saw in the rings, she initially think twice before sharing her visions since it is dangerous to reveal too much information to others but later told Lan the devastating truth, Rand only lives if she dies or at least that's what she saw, similar to Lin visions I think its not 110% accurate what she saw on the rings. This episode also teach a great lesson when Lan ask her "Do you die tonight?" because Moiraine turn all sad and was falling apart, she answers No and that's when he offers her a drink, what a simple way of not worry about something that has not happen yet. Egwene begins her training with the Wise Ones to harness her dream walking abilities, learning to navigate the dangerous realm of Tel'aran'rhiod where thoughts become reality and at the same time you can still die in real world if you are killed on the dream world. Between all this threads there was also Perrin's rescue mission in the Two Rivers, political games in the White Tower between Siuan and Elaida, and Mat's journey to Tanchico with Nynaeve and Elayne. Its obvious that some of this story lines will have more screen time and would be more interesting than others but the episode succeeds in moving each plot forward.
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Even though Perrin resque mission was the most action battle intense from the episode, my favorite moment was when Egwene starts dream walking into all her friends dreams, including Rand. From Nynaeve teaching her daughter from the Arches vision, Elayne channeling aboard a Sea Folk ship with Aviendha by her side as lovers, Mat surrounded by his family including his proud mother and Perrin working as a blacksmith with Faile and his wolf companion Hopper. All these dreams represent what for the most part each character has lost, in the case of Mat not even knowing his mother was killed, adding an emotional weight to the story, Egwene been one of the most powerful Aes Sedai, I can only imagine the monster power house she will becomes once master Dream walking. Towards the end of the episode surprise surprise, something that Rand has never told anyone and its his desire for Lanfear, Egwene finally watch them for what it is, both kissing each other and you can tell there is passion during that scene coming from both sides, I'm so curious of what will be Egwene reaction if she will defend Rand as he is her man or fall into drama queen mode since Rand cheat on her??
After the high dopamine dose episode 4 was, this episode inevitably feels like a bit of a tame down, which seems to be a pattern with middle episodes of any season, but its nice the breathing room it provided, taking it slow allow us to process more complicated matters like Rhuidean and still try to crack who is the missing member of the Black Ajah at the white tower and nobody has been able to figure out. There are some stunning visual effects on episode 5, from Egwene dream walking to the Sea Folk channeling to keep their ship flowing through the open sea.
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The Whitecloak fight in the Two Rivers, against Perrin and those with him, delivered some of the episode's most intense moments, particularly the revelation of Natti Cauthon's death; Mat's mother who we saw on his dream while Egwene was dream walking, something he will find out latter down the final episodes or next season when they all come together and Perrin tells him, I find hard Perrin will die even though he got hurt badly after his fight with Dain Bornhald, who is blood drunk because Perrin killed his father in battle they last time they saw each other. There is also the fight between Alanna Sedai and the Whitecloak when they figure out she was the one creating all the fog that would protect Perrin and the others while they sneak into the camp to save Natti and the girls, this fight was short but shows her resiliance and how strong she is surviving been shoot with multiple arrows and still put up a fight.
One aspect that is very interesting for me was Rand's reaction to Lanfear after seeing her in Rhuidean, since he now knows she was responsible for opening the Bore that released the Dark One, making me question when this desire for her will travel into the real world, going even further, will Lanfear at some point try to work with Rand and betray her oath to the Dark One?. Certaintly that moment when they kiss was probably the perfect ocation to create some distance between them, making things more complicated but that would also leave Lanfear alone having to go full dark side. I'm hoping there's a payoff to this relationship that justifies this choice and see her directly helping Rand to defeat the Dark One and not in this gray area where she is sitting at this moment.
I know there was more to this episode but we have seen this happen before where the focus remains Rand, Egwene and Moiraine, everything and everyone else becomes secundary and always feels like a fill in the empty space. They all have once again split going into different directions with different missions, although all with the same end goal and thats find ways to defeat those working for the Dark One. I would give this episode a solid 7/10 but no more than that because its almost like you could watch episode 6 without watching episode 5, its entertaining although not critical or that much significant for the story.
