“The Wheel of Time” is a mesmerizing saga flooded with various forms of magical arts and skills. Amidst the prevalent focus on the One Power and those capable of channeling it, other subtler forms of magic often get shadowed, leaving several enigmas to unravel as the series advances. The golden-eyed Perrin, played by Marcus Rutherford, exemplifies one such mystique, misunderstood by many within the realm. Yet, in Season 2, Episode 6 titled “Eyes Without Pity”, a novel form of magic, held by the Ogier, gracefully emerges: Treesinging.
Introducing a New Magic Form: Treesinging
The episode subtly introduces us to the ancient art of Treesinging, a lost craft held now only by the Ogier. Despite its disappearance from common memory, it resides profoundly in the world’s ancestral roots. The character Loial, played by Hammed Animashaun, unwillingly unveils his supernatural ability within this art, catching the audience’s intrigue.
Loial’s Unexpected Display of Power in Season 2
In a captivating scene, Loial, alongside his friend Ingtar, is coerced into servitude by the Seanchan elite. During a gathering, Lady Suroth demands a performance from Loial. Despite his hesitations and the cultural sanctity of Treesinging, his majestic, wordless song mesmerizes all, stimulating rapid growth in a small indoor plant. This extraordinary act, although met with applause, leaves Loial in evident discomfort and humiliation.
The Significance and Impact of Treesinging
The episode’s brief encounter with Treesinging reveals a deep, culturally rich, and respectful art form, lost to most of the world. Treesinging is the melodic encouragement of growth in living entities, typically trees or plants. By communicating with them through the Songs of Growing, treesingers can stimulate and shape growth, even crafting objects from “sung wood” without causing harm to the tree. Beyond the aesthetic and nurturing aspects, Treesinging contributes to the essential acceleration of crop growth, thus playing a crucial role in sustenance and survival.
Contextualizing Treesinging within the Series
The books, authored by Robert Jordan, the base for the series, offer further insights into Treesinging. They describe instances where Ogier, like Loial, revive dying trees, emphasizing the restorative and life-giving essence of this art, contrasted starkly with its trivialized display in the episode.
Understanding Treesingers in “The Wheel of Time”
Treesinging, though now exclusive to the Ogier due to their prolonged life and retained memory, once welcomed all – Aes Sedai, Ogier, and Da’shain Aiel, during the Age of Legends. This inclusive ceremony, known as Seed Singing, involved united singing to encourage abundant food growth. Despite its rarity in current times, the Ogier continue to practice and preserve this ancient art.
The Uniqueness of Treesinging
One remarkable aspect of Treesinging is its independence from the One Power. This feature allows Ogier like Loial to practice it without the risk of madness faced by male channelers. It elucidates why the Ogier, residing in steddings where the One Power is inaccessible, can still perform Treesinging. Despite this, mastery in Treesinging, known as “having the Voice” during the Age of Legends, is rare, making Loial’s forced exhibition even more culturally and personally offensive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Wheel of Time” masterfully weaves various magical strands, leaving viewers eager to unravel each thread. Among them, Treesinging stands out as an ancient, respectful, and essential art, revered by the Ogier and fundamental for both natural and societal growth. Despite its understated presence and Loial’s reluctant display, Treesinging’s significance resonates deeply, echoing the harmonious and nurturing aspects of the world that often go unnoticed in the series’ grandeur and conflict. Its introduction opens avenues for further exploration in the unfolding episodes, promising viewers a richer, deeper understanding of the world’s diverse magical spectrum. Continue exploring this intricate world as new episodes premiere Fridays on Prime Video.
