The previous season finales of were certainly climactic, but the ending of season 3 put more characters’ fates in the balance than ever before, creating life-changing moments that will impact their journey in the most significant ways yet. Although Perrin got his own conclusion in the penultimate episode of the season, almost every other character found themselves at an important crossroads in the finale, leaving us with as many cliffhangers as triumphs.

Just to make sense of it all, and to make sure we know what to watch for in season 4, let’s take a look at each of the pivotal character moments, some of which differed significantly from what played out in the books, for better and for worse.

Mat inadvertently passed through the red gate to another dimension, one ruled by the Finn, creatures able to see the Pattern and even influence it. The Eelfinn are but one race of Finn, a fox-like people who are able to grant wishes, though not without cost. We witnessed in Elaida’s flashback that though she asked the Eelfinn to ascend to the Amyrlin Seat, she was defeated by Siuan Sanche those many years ago and is only now taking the post by force.

Mat likewise may not find that his memory problems have been “fixed” in the way that he asked, nor does he perhaps realize the power of his wish to be left alone by magical forces like the One Power. The Eelfinn both praises and chastises him for using his final wish to leave their realm, but he almost loses his life for it, as foretold by Min’s visions. Keep an eye on the fox medallion around Mat’s neck in future seasons of The Wheel of Time; it may prove useful.