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The Wheel of Time Wiki

Tam al'Thor is one of the main characters in The Wheel of Time. He is portrayed by Michael McElhatton.

Tam is a shepherd who lives on the edge of the Two Rivers with his son, Rand.[1]

History[]

Early life[]

Tam was born and raised in the Two Rivers, but left town when he was young, with no-one from the region knowing where he went.[1] He became a blademaster worthy of wielding a heron-mark sword, and married an outlander woman called Kari. During the Aiel War, Tam served in the Illianer Companions as Second Captain, and was present on the slopes of Dragonmount during the Battle of the Shining Walls. During the battle, he came across a mortally wounded and heavily pregnant Maiden of the Spear, Tigraine Mantear, in the throes of labor. He spared her life and helped deliver the baby.[2]

Tigraine died from her wounds, but Tam and Kari raised the baby, Rand, as their own. Soon after the war, the al'Thor family returned to the Two Rivers.[2] Kari died not long after their return, and he subsequently raised Rand as a single father.[1]

Season 1[]

Tam and Rand take the road from their farm to Emond's Field with the wool and brandy on Winternight, growing wary of the increasing presence of wolves, and Tam reminisces about Rand's childhood affection for Egwene. They arrive at the Winespring Inn, where he delivers the apple brandy to Bran al'Vere, joking about the drunken merriness of the Coplins and Congars. In the evening, two mysterious visitors arrive: Lan Mandragoran, presumably a Warder, and an Aes Sedai, Moiraine Damodred. Rand and Tam stay at the inn for the night, and Tam discusses the Aes Sedai and the wars across the land with Bran and Marin before leaving Rand and Egwene to finish the dishes.

In the morning, Tam is served breakfast by Egwene, and he tells her that Rand is already gone, knowing about an argument they had the previous night. He returns to the farm for Bel Tine with Rand, and they light a lantern for Kari. When Rand asks if they should be in the village, Tam says that it doesn't matter where they are. They discuss reincarnation, and Tam says that the Wheel of Time will keep turning no matter what they face, and that the point is to do better than the last time.

The farm is attacked by a Trolloc, to the surprise of the al'Thor family. Tam tells Rand to run, and sheathes his heron-mark sword to attack the Trolloc, though he is wounded in the fighting. Rand helps fight off the Trolloc, and while Tam urges him to go, Rand promises to take him to Nynaeve in the village for healing.[3] On the road to Emond's Field, a fevered Tam begins talking to someone whom he believes to be Kari, relating the story about finding Rand on Dragonmount, though he is actually talking to Rand, who is left deeply confused by Tam's words.[2]

Tam and Rand arrive in a scarred Emond's Field, and Nynaeve is believed dead, but Moiraine Heals Tam of his poisoned wound using the One Power. The Aes Sedai then tells Rand, Mat, Perrin and Egwene that one of them is the Dragon Reborn, and that they need to come with her immediately or risk an even more fearsome horde of Trollocs attacking the village, and Tam nods at Rand while seeing him leave the Two Rivers.[3]

Physical Appearance[]

Tam al'Thor is a man in his fifties with light skin and graying hair.

Appearances[]

Tam al'Thor appears in the following episodes:

The Wheel of Time appearances 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Season 1 episodes m m
Season 2 episodes f

Quotes[]

All we can do is the best we can with the life that's given to us. And take comfort from it. That no matter what happens, what... ...pain we face... ...what heartbreak... ...even death... ...the Wheel keeps turning. Always. And we try again. Maybe do a little better than the last time.

Tam to Rand.

Changes from the book series[]

Gallery[]

Promotional stills[]

Other images[]

Navigation[]

Characters

Padan FainLiandrin GuiraleAlanna MosvaniLogain AblarMaksimIhvonMin FarshawLoialSiuan SancheLeane SharifIshamaelVerin MathwinSeleneAnvaere DamodredDain BornhaldAviendhaGitara MorosoMoghedienSeason 1 charactersSeason 2 characterssee all

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Official X-Ray for Prime Video: The Wheel of Time, under the "Characters" section (login required), section labeled "Tam al'Thor". Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 7: The Dark Along the Ways.
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 1: Leavetaking.
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