Rand intimidates one of his more antagonistic employees but unintentionally uses the One Power; Moiraine and Lan prepare to leave for the White Tower with Verin, Adeleas and Tomas; Liandrin steals a vial of crimsonthorn root with Nynaeve’s help.

The Wheel of Time: Season 2, Episode 2, “Strangers and Friends,” is the second episode of the second season of the American fantasy television series based on the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan. The episode was directed by Wayne Yip and written by Amanda Kate Shuman.

The episode picks up where the first episode left off, with Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) and Lan (Daniel Henney) taking the injured Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Nynaeve (Zoë Robins), and Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) to the White Tower in Tar Valon. Along the way, they encounter a group of Aiel warriors, who are suspicious of Moiraine’s motives.

In Tar Valon, Moiraine and the others are met by Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), the Amyrlin Seat, and Liandrin Sedai (Kate Fleetwood), a member of the Red Ajah. Siuan is skeptical of Moiraine’s claims that Egwene, Nynaeve, and Perrin are the Dragon Reborn, but she agrees to let them stay in the Tower while she investigates.

Meanwhile, Rand (Josha Stradowski) is still on the run from the Dark One’s forces. He meets a group of Tinkers, a nomadic people who live in caravans, and they agree to take him with them.

The episode ends with Moiraine and Siuan having a secret conversation. Siuan reveals that she knows that Moiraine is the one who helped the Dragon Reborn escape from the Eye of the World, and she asks Moiraine to help her find the Dragon Reborn before the Dark One does.

“Strangers and Friends” is a well-paced episode that introduces some new characters and sets up the conflict for the rest of the season. The episode also does a good job of exploring the themes of trust and friendship, as the characters are forced to rely on each other in a new and dangerous environment.