Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6
After a new twist in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books have long demonstrated, the Dragon Reborn is capable of all sorts of feats, but some of these involve weaves that Rand doesn't know how to do at this point in the timeline of the show.
This fact has been even recognized by the character. Learning how to use the One Power properly is not something he can accomplish easily, considering that women can't teach men how to channel, thus ruling out Moiraine as a possible mentor. He received some guidance from Logain Ablar prior to The Wheel of Time season 2's ending. What happens in The Shadow Rising - the book season 3 is primarily adapting - dictates that Rand will soon receive the help he needs, but the show may be making a massive change to how that plays out.
Asmodean's Role In The Shadow Rising & The Fires Of Heaven Explained
Asmodean Helped Rand Learn More One Power Weaves In The Fires Of Heaven
In The Shadow Rising, Rand was on a quest to find one of the access keys for the Choedan Kal, one of the strongest sa'angreal in The Wheel of Time's world. His efforts pit him against Asmodean, one of the 13 Forsaken. Asmodean had infiltrated the Tuatha'an, the group of traveling pacifists who follow the Way of the Leaf. The Shadow Rising wrapped up with a fight between Rand and Asmodean in the city of Rhudiean, which Rand ultimately won.
Interestingly, Rand ed on his chance to kill Asmodean, and instead found a use for him. Lanfear shielded him, and at her direction, Rand decided to keep Asmodean alive so that he could have someone help develop better control over saidin, the male half of the One Power. Asmodean, having little choice in the matter, agreed to become Rand's instructor and remained at his side over the course of the following book, The Fires of Heaven. During the story, Asmodean emerged as a surprisingly useful ally to Rand, even Healing wounded soldiers at one point.
Asmodean had been put in a position where he had no choice but to be on Rand's side - there was no going back.
Of course, that's not to say that Asmodean redeemed himself or changed his ways. The Fires of Heaven was ambiguous about this, as it was unclear where Asmodean's true loyalties lay. He was genuinely helpful to Rand's cause, but it was also understood that in becoming Rand's teacher, he had inadvertently alienated the other of the Forsaken. Asmodean had been put in a position where he had no choice but to be on Rand's side - there was no going back.
Why Sammael May Be Replacing Asmodean In The Wheel Of Time Season 3
Sammael Could Teach Rand How To Channel (If He's Still Alive)
While it's possible that Asmodean is hiding in The Wheel of Time season 3's cast somewhere, perhaps under a different name, it's important to note that the show hasn't offered any direct setup for his showdown with Rand in Rhuidean. That leads me to wonder if a different character - namely Sammael - will be taking his place. Earlier in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6, Lanfear warned Moiraine that she was sending something Rand's way, and that she shouldn't interfere.
In The Shadow Rising, it was Lanfear's idea that Rand take Asmodean on as his teacher. That fact gives weight to the notion that Lanfear may have similar designs on Sammael in the TV version of the story. She wants Rand to live, so she obviously wasn't trying to kill him. She's clearly preparing him, so it would make sense for her to send him someone to help Rand unlock his full potential as the Dragon Reborn. As a male channeler, Sammael could fulfill that purpose - in place of Asmodean.
The Wheel of Time's TV show has seven confirmed Forsaken: Ishamael, Lanfear, Moghedien, Semirhage, Graendal, Rahvin, and Sammael. The other six are Demandred, Mesaana, Aginor, Balthamel, Be'lal, and Asmodean. By the show's own rules, it only has room for one more of these to the fold.
Going in this direction would explain why Sammael's ambush happened at all. The fight appeared to be a partial adaptation of the attack that Sammael orchestrated against Rand at the Stone of Tear, except Sammael didn't actually go in person. It would be surprising for The Wheel of Time to send Sammael to the Aiel Waste just for him to die. Sammael surviving the battle and becoming Rand's teacher would make perfect sense of Asmodean's absence thus far.
With Asmodean being the final opponent of Rand al'Thor in The Shadow Rising, there was naturally some expectation for him to be a major factor in the story, or at least one of the characters to show up at the Forsaken meeting in season 3's third episode. What's more, the series hasn't named him as one of its eight Forsaken. The Wheel of Time ittedly does have one unrevealed Forsaken member left, but with other important characters in the group also not being mentioned yet, such as Demandred and Mesaana, the odds of Asmodean appearing in the series have certainly dropped.
What Sammael Taking Asmodean's Role Would Mean For Rand's Story
Rand Would Struggle To Keep Sammael In Line
Sammael replacing Asmodean could have a significant impact on the show going forward. Firstly, it would result in a different student-teacher dynamic than what Rand had with Asmodean in the books, as Sammael clearly shares a deep-seated hatred of the previous Dragon, Lews Therin. With that in mind, getting Sammael to instruct Rand could be significantly more difficult, and keeping that partnership in tact would most likely be a consistent challenge.
Believe It Or Not, Moghedien Is The Wheel Of Time's Weakest Forsaken
Moghedien has shown her true power in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6 - but incredibly, she's actually the weakest of the Forsaken.
There's also the matter of what him standing in for Asmodean would mean for the role Sammael is supposed to play. Book 7, A Crown of Swords, focused on Rand's journey to Illian for a faceoff with Sammael. The Wheel of Time's willingness to put Sammael at Rand's side would be an indication that it has no plans to adapt Rand's conquest of Illian in A Crown of Swords, and may skip that particular book in favor of another installment in the series.
The Wheel of Time
- Release Date
- November 18, 2021
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Rafe Judkins
Cast
Moiraine Damodred
al'Lan Mandragoran
WHERE TO WATCH
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
- Main Genre
- Fantasy
Your comment has not been saved