Spoilers for season 1 of The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime, and books 1 and 2.
I wanted to write up and share a theory I have about season 2, based on two shots in the season 2 trailer. I grabbed these two stills from the shots in question.
To me, this scene seems interesting for two key reasons. I have been trying to reconcile all of this, and so this theory addresses that.
- The clothing Egwene and Nynaeve are wearing. Egwene is in white, and already in an apron as well. Nynaeve, however, is wearing what looks like her old Two Rivers outfit.
- The vibe I get from Egwene's hug. This looks either like a "I haven't seen you in so long" hug, or a goodbye hug. I'm leaning goodbye.
The Theory
After arriving at the White Tower, there is going to be immediate pressure for Nynaeve to take her Accepted test. There may be some sort of event to demonstrate her power, or there may not. What I think will happen is that Nynaeve is going to be struggling with her block. She will be afraid of her power, still carrying around her grudge over the alleged turning-away of the old Wisdom, and just generally stressed out over the whole situation.
I think with all of that going on, she will refuse to take the Accepted test. I think what we are seeing in this scene is Nynaeve saying goodbye to Egwene because she is leaving the Tower, planning to go home. Of course, that won't be the end of it.
Before she makes it out of the Tower she will be intercepted by Siuan (or perhaps Sheriam) and there will be another motivational discussion of some sort. I also think it's very likely that what she was told by the old Wisdom about being turned away was not true, and that the truth will be revealed to her here.
As a result of this conversation she will change her mind and go forward with the Accepted test.