The 10 most powerful looks from The Wheel of Time season 2

4. Those creepy damane mouth-stoppers

For my money, those little mouth-stoppers the demane are forced to wear are the single most effective design element of The Wheel of Time season 2. The way the Seanchan treat women who can channel is very disturbing and upsetting. They’re viewed more like especially smart dogs than humans, and the Seanchan do not spare the rod.

The mouth-stopper is an incredibly effective, direct way to express this dehumanization. They leaves no room for doubt: the word of a damane is not respected. They do not speak, they do not contribute. They do as instructed, and if they don’t, they are punished.

It’s especially upsetting to see Egwene, a character we’ve come to sympathize with, wear one of these things. It’s so simple, but it completely changes how we react to her. The mouth-stoppers are a very emotional piece of costuming. Whenever I see someone wearing one, I want to smack it out of their mouth and wage war on the Seanchan.

3. Siuan Sanche: Bow down, b*tches

There’s no doubt in my mind that the outfit Siuan Sanche wears when she arrives in Cairhien is the best garment to appear on The Wheel of Time season 2. I mean, just look at it. The draping, the patterns, the train, the headpiece…this must have taken a team of designers a long time to make. Every inch looks hand-crafted with love.

But a great garment isn’t the same thing as a great look. As the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche is accustomed to wearing expensive, elaborate gowns; that’s just part of the gig. Looking at her in it, you get the idea that she’s used to this kind of thing; wearing this isn’t a moment for her. In fact, knowing Siuan, she’d probably be happier in a simple fisherwoman’s shift.

That’s part of why the look is interesting; there’s a bit of a melancholy feeling to it, because of how Siuan wears it…although it’s also just eye-poppingly beautiful. Don’t worry, we don’t have to overthink things too hard.