Tam al'Thor: A Wheel of Time Character Examination

Patreon: www.patreon.co...
Audible free trial link: www.audibletria...
Twitter: @blisnae
Music: / reflectionsofsound

[@Andrew-tz2wv]

"I was raised better this time." without Tam, Rand would have broken the world again.

[@paulgoodell7978]

That was my thought. And that's essentially Lews Therin saying, "Yeah, you raised me better than I was raised last time, despite all the wealth, privilege, and advanced technology available to my family in the AOL." I don't think it's possible to give a greater compliment.

[@MrDrProfessor4]

Like Logain, I thought Tam was a great character that deserved more "screentime".

[@waxy1277]

I have thought before, that a prequel book involving Tam, would of been, to me, better than the one with Lan and Moiraine.

[@kalaldin9154]

I hope that Tam getting more screen time is an adaptation they make for the TV show.

[@ChristmasLore]

Thing is, it makes it even more impactful when he does appear. Also, we do miss him almost as heavily as Rand does (even when not consciously). We do feel his absence. And it hurts, dearly.

[@bobbytang9924]

Logain should have faced off against Taim and Egwene against demandred :(.

[@0Arman0]

hint hint wink wink nudge nudge

[@KaitlinLuksa]

I want Sean Bean to play Tam in the show so that when he almost dies in the first episode everyone is like "what, seriously, already??" haha

[@sdube001]

That's why Sean Bean is my choice for Gareth Bryne instead.

[@KaitlinLuksa]

@@sdube001 But then everyone will know that Bryne dies ;)

[@sdube001]

@Kaitlin Luksa Too true. But on the plus side, it might actually be the longest living character in Sean Bean's career anyway.

[@josephnicholson2593]

I think Sean Bean could really pull off portraying Padan Fain

[@jwpdsrp693]

@@josephnicholson2593 i know this is old, but hell NOO, way too handsome.

[@singe0diabolique]

I liked Tam very much. His confrontation with Cadsuane was one of my favorite moments with Tam in it. Now, I love Caddy, but she really had it coming. If only she had gained a little more humility.

[@mhail7673]

Evil Monkey Cadsuane needs a warder...who has impressed her enough that she would ask him?

[@jacoblehnen4372]

Yep, I think he may have been the only character to get the best of Cadsuane.

[@xbaxdark]

After all Rand had been through, becoming so cold and hard he breaks down and begs Tam's forgiveness, that part choked me up. All of creation was saved from the dark one because Rand "was raised better". I know it's never said on the pages, but I always liked to believe Tam knew he wasn't truly lighting his sons funeral pyre, that he was in on the deception. I also like to take it a stretch further and hope that Rand can just 'will' Hopper back into the pattern. :(

[@mikelxanadu]

I really wish he could, too. But I think he’s limited to manipulating what is already there in the Pattern. Even post Last Battle, he’s not the Creator.

[@xbaxdark]

@@mikelxanadu In the wolf dream, death is final, and if wishes were fishes we'd all cast nets. :(

[@christianefiorito3204]

I also hope that, maybe one of the women tells him later and he knows his grandchildren and the new body of Rand.

[@jamesbrownii9508]

Wow! The message in the back. That’s cold af. Lmao.

[@Asmodean1911]

Had to read it twice. He's got bite son.

[@BigAlsBearDown]

SO DIRTY.

[@b2jutsao]

I'm gonna have to do that more often when thinking about student loans.

[@Asmodean1911]

@@b2jutsao Do what?

[@b2jutsao]

@@Asmodean1911 flame and the void

[@rune4769]

Man I totally lost it at the end of AMOL when Tam went to Rand's (not)grave and started crying and saying "you did so good"

[@CailinZwarts]

Tam lights Rand's funeral pyre, "You did well, my boy. You did so well."

[@gator7082]

The thing about the minor characters in WOT, is they are not minor at all. The cast of supporting characters is truly what makes the series so special.

[@crazyscotsman9327]

I think that Tam would also spend a lot of time in Caemlyn since you know Elayne is prego with Rand's babies and he as a good grandfather would want to spend time with his grand kids.

[@Jae20818]

Crazyscotsman if he knows about this. I don’t remember Elayne letting it be known. And am sure she wouldn’t until they are old enough to fight.

[@mattgreen7692]

@@Jae20818 actually she uses the information that she is carrying Rand's children to bolster her troops when they were getting over run right before Androl did his Crowning Moment of Epic.

[@joshuapearce7658]

@@Jae20818 she announced it to her soldiers in one of the battles

[@revan0890]

I like how Zen Rand confirms that in his current life he was raised better than in his previous lives.

[@ch3rlo_1]

what do you mean by Zen Rand?

[@revan0890]

@@ch3rlo_1 spoiler for end of book 12 I think. Been while since I did a reread.

[@ch3rlo_1]

I finished the series but i donn't know what Zen Rand means. But i suppose it refers Rand after Dragonmount epiphany?

[@revan0890]

@@ch3rlo_1 yes. Fan name for Rand when he has his epiphany. Darth Rand refers to Rand from around book 6 until he has his epiphany.

[@ch3rlo_1]

@@revan0890 Hahahaha Darth Rand is a funny choice. Thanks for info.

[@davidpatton5242]

I love the videos! Please keep them up. One of my favorite moments for Tam was during the Last Battle when he formed the point of the wedge. Lan confirming that Tam deserved his heron-mark sword was an awesome moment to read.

[@turinthalion8784]

I thought of Tam al'Thor as a Jonathan Kent type of character, a down to earth representation of a well-rounded yet every-day kind of person; he's wise yet simple and stoic. I really hope they choose well on this character and I would not be opposed to Kevin Costner playing this character as he did a great job as Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel.

[@b2jutsao]

Hear hear. Thankfully, there is no saving a dog/death by tornado in this story. That looked more like pointless and intentional suicide than martyrdom.

[@MarisuSedai]

Costner could do a good job portraying Tam’s personality, but not his physicality. Remember, Tam’s blademaster status certifies that he was at one point one of the most dangerous men on the planet, and by the end of the series it’s confirmed that he still is for the most part. I think someone like Sean Bean would be a better fit, or (from my lips to God’s ears) maybe Keanu Reeves.

[@MarisuSedai]

Amber Hoke You make a valid point lol. What about Keanu then?

[@brent9355]

Clearly Tam should be played by Denzel Washington

[@joshuameredith4281]

Personally I wanted him to face Demandred instead of Lan. The Forsaken was so bent on fighting Rand, it would have been appropriate for Tam to come out and take him out.

[@caseyself2524]

When Galad was defeated, I really thought that this was a possibility. It would have been very fitting for Tam, the father of the Dragon, to finish what his son couldn't. Although, Lans fight was also a good moment. Can't complain.

[@bradleywinters2903]

nearby, a black horse trotted up. its rider. Lan Mandragoran-----with standard-bearer and guards behind-----looked over the two rivers men. "I had long wandered" Lan said to Tam "about the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. epic scene

[@jacksons6377]

I always get giddy when Lan comes over to Tam during the Last Battle and acknowledges him as a blademaster.

[@mortycrock]

Very well executed. Since The end of the series is so fresh, I was very very happy that he was more prevalent towards the end, especially since that was when Rand needed him the most.

[@molliethomas2585]

Yeah😄, so happy that Tam is getting his own character video. He was a great example of the Badass Normal trope, and he was a good man who wasn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone who was being a dick, Cadsuane included. I agree with everyone else who says that without him there would have been another Breaking Of The World.

[@Violetsoul6]

Love the map!!! So glad to see it integrated into your video! finally! And great video. I love Tam. I think he is so powerful and every scene he is in, he just has this way about him that makes you feel kind of at ease. I never considered what you asked about Rand after AMoL. That would make for yet another new spinoff. The Adventures of the New Rand Peeking at Tam From Behind Trees. Interesting. lol

[@thewaterwarrior9817]

Is that one he made?? I dig it

[@TheDjMoo]

Tam is one of my favorite characters, though there are a lot of those. During my first read of the books I was waiting for when Rand would meet Tam again, hoping that Tam could bring Rand back to sanity. When they finally did meet again, and Rand almost kills him, it was a huge moment in my mind that gives Rand a much needed push. Tam's confrontation with Cadsuane was very satisfying, and really cemented just how powerful of a person he is, and not just with sword or bow or staff, but his personality. The scene of Rand and Tam's duel, and Rand crying on his shoulder, is one of those scenes that has stuck with me since I first read it. Without Tam, Rand would have lost in the Last Battle. But that can be said for so many of the other characters as well, which is part of the reason I love the Wheel of Time so much. As a side character that we rarely see, Tam still makes a massive impact on the books even when off-screen. From his teaching Rand the flame and the void and archery, to the gift of the heron-marked sword, to Tam's support of Perrin, and to his impact in the Last Battle Tam has been a solid character through and through. Of all the characters in the Wheel of Time, Tam would be one of my top picks for characters I'd love to get a drink with and a good smoke of some Two Rivers tabac. Second only to Loial.

[@Harldin]

I reckon the most important Character to get the right actor for the TV Show is Mat, perhaps the most complex Character of them all. Matt is insolent, cocky, consistently looked down upon by the major Female Characters, grumbles about it, is a Gambler who only ever wants to gamble , have a quite drink and dangle a lass on his knee in a out of the way place away from any trouble but is one of the best Fighters and only grudgingly the best General. Wants to get as far away as possible from Rand and the Aes Sedai yet he would be the first one to go save a friend irrespective of the Danger, complaining about it the entire time. Mats Character if they get it right could quickly become the most loved character in the series

[@leekelly2509]

Love Tam too, the scene where Rand almost kills him, and their duel/training session in MoL are 2 of my favorite WoT moments. Wasn’t there supposed to be a second Prequel novel that was all about Tam leading up to him finding Rand? Damn that would have been DOPE!

[@andrewsowl8696]

I always loved the mostly joke theory that was out before the last book saying that Cadsuane would marry and bond tam... He was the really only male (hell.. One of the only ppl of any gender) that she respected. And rand ends up with the stepmother from hell lol

[@DMR013]

Pierce Brosnan would be great as Tam. Taller than he is described but no doubt could bring life to the character. His recent work in the series Son was excellent.

[@red9delta877]

Tam actually would become THE ruler in Two Rivers. Since Tenobia and Bashere die in The Last Battle which makes Perrin and Faile the rulers of Saldea.

[@logansfury]

I'm almost done with another reread of the series, and catching up on these older videos is great fun while my interest in WoT is at it's peak. This was a fascinating coverage of Tam al'Thor. Thanks for the content!

[@Negentropy369]

I love Tam, scenes with him are really good at making me emotional even with such limited time getting to know him. He is also just so forking cool man, like he's almost as cool as Lan, which is incredible. Another note, I think Brandon Sanderson did a particularly good job with Tam. The scene at Merilor is one of my favorite scenes, and when he reunites with Awakened Rand, so powerful. (I'm assuming Brandon wrote those, it's possible they come from RJ though. I haven't studied what we know about who wrote what, enough to know.)

[@amandaodhner6446]

FillTheVoid I totally agree re Brandon Sanderson’s handling of Tam! Some of the very best scenes!

[@Harldin]

He is the perfect representation of a 2 Rivers man, loves the 2 Rivers, wants only a life of Peace for there Families but are willing to attack the gates of Hell to keep there Women and Children safe.

[@Goathill]

60's is too old, late 40's early 50's at the start of the series. The goodwives are trying marry him cause he is still young enough to start another family. If he was @30 when he found Rand that would make him @50 at the start of the series.

[@NaeBlis]

He joined the illian army in 957 of the new age. Story begins in 998 NE. He was a man at the time he joined, so minimum 16-20 years old, meaning around age 60+

[@Goathill]

@@NaeBlis Who laid out this timeline and when?

[@NaeBlis]

Those are the dates for the Whitecloak war my friend.

[@Adamdidit]

That adds up to late 50s on the low end at the start

[@johnforbes8282]

your wrong about the aeil war they weren't defeated, the 4 clans of the aiel fought to avenge the cutting down of avendosoara tree & once they killed the person who felled the tree their job was done so they returned to the three fold land.

[@sdube001]

I really wished we could have had a full back story about Tam. My personal theory about Tam's wife Kari, is she may have been Aes Sedai who may have been burned out, as memories of her always described her as sad, and there was never a reason given for her death as far as I can tell. Tam, aside from being a good man saving an infant, may have also brought Rand home in an effort to provide Kari the will to stay alive by raising a child, giving her the will to live. Much like Setalle Anan was able to do with her husband and children.

[@revan0890]

Huh. Neat.

[@KaitlinLuksa]

Wow. That's my new head canon from now on!

[@michaelhowze8198]

Definitely makes sense man I wish we could get more prequels so much.

[@abigailslade3824]

I love the nod between Tan and LAN on the fields of Merrior.

[@reydeownage]

One of the most emotional points in the story for me was when Tam and Rand meet again so long after that winters night. I wish there was more of Tam, but I think he was done very well.

[@Asmodean1911]

Making Tam's Father son relationship a key to hook in new fans seems a smart way to hit a large demographic. It's in line to avoid complications too. Who can get upset about a dad and his boy.

[@mephestopholes]

Appreciate your work. Peace favor your sword.

[@mephestopholes]

@BBB H I use that one often as well.

[@BedtimeBookworm]

I loved tam! I really hope Rand comes clean to him, that was one of my hang ups about the ending. I would love to know more about Tams past and his adventures in the aiel war

[@patrimcauthon478]

Mark Hamill for Tam , Clive Standen for Lan, Clint Howard for Padan Fain

[@facundogonza5740]

Something that people forgets about Tam and all Two Rivers archers. Is that they play an important role in taking down Demandred. Lan was charging intoa large column of Trollocs and Shaarans. But the Two River Bowmen are the BEST in the world, PERIOD. So they open a road for him to reach Demandred. It is a great moment, eclipsed by Lan beating Demandred, but great moment indeed.

[@notchbeard9007]

Tam is the anchor, the reminder of that boy walking down the Quarry Road in EotW when we are in AMoL.

[@thomasgrnlund1363]

I always thought of him as Jeffrey Dean Morgan. A tough man of few words but intense like the role he played in supernatural !

[@amandaodhner6446]

Oh my gosh! 6 years ago I “cast” every single character in the story for my mom, who was doing her first read. Then I gave her sheets for every chapter with pictures of each character in the order of appearance. Anyway, that was who I cast as Tam - Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He’s always been Tam to me. How funny. 🙂

[@thomasgrnlund1363]

Great minds think alike Amanda :) lets hope they make the right casting choices in the tv show. Would be wonderful to see it come alive

[@amberkelly3187]

Thomas Grønlund I just left the same comment. He would’ve been great.

[@redoctober00]

Tams story would make a great prequel tv series especially if they cross overs with other important events and people that had occurred

[@balazskiss9252]

Tam is wonderful. I liked him from the start. His last POV in the Epilogue of the AMoL was the ONLY time when this series got serious emotions from me (after Game of Thrones it's kinda hard), but then I was WHEEPING uncontrollably.

[@andrewsowl8696]

Tam marries Cadsuane... Stepmother from hell for Rand

[@Slacker42086]

Tam was one of my favorites, he should have had a bigger part in the story imho but i love the story anyways

[@GingerGigantus]

800th view and 100th like 😁

[@christianrapper]

I am not going to lie. I had to fight back tears when Rand regained his sanity and hugged his dad.

[@timothywalsh9637]

Please do Rodel Ituralde next! PLEASE!

[@arronjerden915]

If you have nothing to shoot then it doesn't matter how good your aim is.

[@thatrealba]

I have little to say aside from.. Tam is one hell of a father.

[@alexcavoli6191]

Dude im hating and loving that amazon is supporting you, they are (Im assuming) laying ground work and getting feedback through you.

[@Wattawalkka]

Unshakable should be the MAIN word for description. [The type of man a earthquake could not take of his feet] though solid is used constantly.

[@federicopaschetta8946]

Was there not a Tam pov also during the battle of merrilor? I remember him wondering about what was Mat up to. Anyway good work, i need to read the wot companion, lots of detail i didn't know :)

[@Justin-tz9jk]

He had a POV during the last battle when he took up the position of the tip of the spear when the two rivers archers ran out of arrows.

[@federicopaschetta8946]

@@Justin-tz9jk Yes, i forgot for a moment that scene. It almost was surreal, with him floating in the void

[@christopherpetty3320]

For what reason do you fight

[@johannsigursson5319]

I'm loving the artwork you showed this episode, I often don't pay attention to videos because I'm often doing some other stuff and listening, but I was paying attention this time and thought I should mention it

[@unoewho]

That whiteboard quote for this video...that's spicy.

[@Uhlbelk]

Think David Boreanaz would make a good Tam in the show.

[@justlilyanne]

Tam is always "present" from the beginning to the end of the story.

[@anthonyferguson9282]

Small mistake about Rand having left before Tam wakes up in the beginning. He left before he recovered, but he did regain consciousness soon enough to talk to Rand and gift him the blade.

[@Wattawalkka]

Tam Was the Wheel.

[@amberkelly3187]

I know Tam has been cast but I think Jeffery Dean Morgan would have been great. He can do sad past, mysterious, battle hardened, weary and emotional dad.

[@amandaodhner6446]

Great video, except remember Tam awoke before Rand left with Moiraine and Lan. Tam tells him to go with them, remember? FYI, I kicked everyone’s butt on WOT Trivia. 🙂. Can I play next time?

[@JayMoreau]

Stupid illustration. Tam should surely be Polynesian in the Amazon show.

[@hurricaneez1]

Loving the content man....keep it up!

[@Fromheroestoicons]

Well done. When you think of Tam you just want to cry. Such a cool dad. Lol. Currently on a reread of TWOT. On book seven. Gray channel 👍

[@RovyMedia]

Thanks for the basic “rewind”. Have been reading this series so often and listen to the audio books way too often. Tam is so very important and I’d wish he had been in the books much more.

[@randyinchesapeake8129]

Poor choice of words. The Aiel didn't "retreat" from Tar Valon, even though that's the way wetlanders prefer to see it. They had accomplished their purpose by killing Laman, so they went back home. It wasn't a "War" to them, it was an execution. They accomplished their goal, they were never defeated

[@siriusb22]

Tam clearing the path for Lan. Tam training and arriving on with an elite archer force of 4000. Tam finding Rand. Tam teaching rand to centre himself. Tam telling Cadsuane gfh. Tam forgiving Rand and keeping him humble. Perrin doesn't do his job in the last battle with no Tam to take over. Tam figuring out Bashirs decisions were dodgy. Tam teaching Rand to accept what he can't control and raisinghim to be humble. The man impacts the story so much. He's a effing boss.

[@Shad0hawK]

I have abit of a philosophical thought. Just because a character is not mentioned as much as others, does this really.make them minor? In the case.of Tam, the guy was a badass but grounded as well, I think this had a greatni.pact upon Rand. Also, isn't Tam of noble Manetherian Blood? I only ask because of the similarities of the surname with the last King of Manetheran.

[@richardlohne8595]

This video is awesome! Tam was always one of my favorite characters in any fantasy series and that's because of how consistently Robert Jordan wrote him! He was obviously a character that Robert thought a lot about.

[@joshuapearce7658]

I always wondered how and why it took Tam to come back into the series. Why didn’t he leave with Perin and the rest of the Manetheren army. Surely he was the most experienced soldier/leader and Perin would have appreciated the support. We know he and Matt’s dad went to see the witches to get their sons back so he clearly wasn’t afraid of leaving.

[@pstandlee]

Really like how this channel is growing. Started my re-read of WoT because of this channel. The story is so different from this side of life and can appreciate characters like Tam and Moraine better. Cheers.

[@neosharkey7401]

1:39 Thanks for the spoiler warnings but are also the reason that I can never watch any of your vids. I’ll be back.

[@shelly6524]

Great video! I always wanted more Tam in the books. And more Abel Cauthon and Master Luhan. It's a testament to RJ's writing that these small side characters are so intriguing and you can imagine their effects on the story.

[@otismckonky4245]

Am I the only one who thinks Tam was in two places at once in the books? I haven’t read them in forever, so forget the details. I’m sorry. I remember thinking it was a hiccup since the story was passed from Jordan to Sanderson. I think it was the last book or second to last book. At one point he was with Perrin, maybe? And then with rand’s armies or Mat? Anyone else remember him being in two places at one time?

[@fullmetalpoitato5190]

Thank you for recommending Audible. I never thought I would like listening to audio books but it's nice for background noise while I'm at work, and those narrators are really good at relaying the emotion and gravity of the WoT books. Just finished The Wheel of Time and currently enjoying The Great Hunt. Thank you again Nae'Blis!

[@pvigars2128]

By listening to your description, Josh Brolin immediately came to my mind for this character.

[@jktz122]

rand lived and they buried the dark one making believe they buried rand

[@bravery12329]

So I just finished all the books and would love to see a prequel show or graphic novel where tam is the focus

[@mlindloff]

Janduin may have been your father, boy, but he wasn't your daddy.

[@sea5063]

My question always is, did Tam know Rand was the Dragon Reborn? Did he know about the prophecies while Rand was growing up? I'd like to know what Tam really knew about his son, but it's also possible he didn't know. I just think he is so wise, how could he not have known? Also, the 2 people I really wanted to know Rand lived at the end was Tam and Nynaeve, my heart broke that they didn't know and those 3 smug nitwits did.

[@christianefiorito3204]

Tam is one of my favourite characters in the wheel of time

[@matrimcauthon1850]

Did he not also share some POV chapters during the last battle? Or at least part of that really long chapter

[@colbystade840]

no emotion in the flame and the void, can't draw back a bow without tension, if you know what I mean.

[@MarisuSedai]

Anybody else think Sean Bean would make a good Tam?

[@warlord733]

Where did it tell that the sword Rand gave to Tam was Justice?

[@christianefiorito3204]

I cry in almost all Tam al Thor scenes even after several rereads.

[@karlmiller7188]

I agree with you on your assessment of Tam.

[@Wattawalkka]

Who is tam to rand again ? Oh yes Only the man that taught him everything he knows. 935

[@chrisutz9521]

Dennis quad should play Tam

[@caveman7608]

Well done! Tam is one of my top 5 favorite people. The dude never loses it seems.

[@FnRenner]

Tam was a solid character. Best scene? All of 'em

[@tanner8324]

That white board is savage.

[@phlatbrim2732]

Just here for the WhiteBoard!

[@mortycrock]

I can watch this! Yes!

[@KJ-nv9uz]

Hard to follow along, as when i read the books(years ago ) i found that my pronunciation of names was so off by the time i finished the series. So, through no fault of your own, my brain is not connecting on some names/places. And the damned closed captioning doesnt help. 😁😁 Do you have a video on just name pronunciation or suggest a legit audio resource to help me fix my affliction?

[@NaeBlis]

Check out the audiobooks. Totally changed my pronunciations lol

[@misterjosephfloyd]

Well done video!

[@alanawrisley2860]

Your a J.W?

[@terrelljohnson5811]

I agree 100%

[@somersetbassett4580]

100% agree.

[@Lordo_Atlantis]

These maps are gorgeous!!

[@oscarfontana4]

Really? "Bookcloaks" not welcome? You just lost a sub.

[@NaeBlis]

Bye? Lol

[@grafffuller3265]

Loved this video. Yes, Tam is solid. Yep, went grey when he realized that Rand is the Dragon Reborn.