Summary
A flashback inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 could be a sign that the biggest scene from the books isn’t going to happen in the TV series. In some form or another, Prime Video’s show has covered a multitude of moments from the first two installments inRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebookseries, but has admittedly left more than a few out. Arguably its biggest omission from those novels is actually the very first story: the prologue of book 1,The Eye of the World.
The prologue ofThe Eye of the Worldis a crucial part of Jordan’sWheel of Timesaga, as it introduces the historical figure the entire narrative revolves around: Lews Therin Telamon. The original Dragon and the person Rand reincarnated from, Lews Therin met his end centuries ago, with his final moments being explored inThe Eye of the World’sprologue. Through this story, the book provides insight into Lews Therin’s state of mind, his conflict with the Shadow, and his command over theOne Power inThe Wheel of Time.
What Ishamael’s Banishment Scene Could Mean For Wheel Of Time’s Missing Lews Therin Moment
InThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 finale, it’s revealed that during the Age of Legends, Lews Therin sealed Ishamael away at Shayol Ghul as a form of punishment for his misdeeds. Lews Therin could have killed him, of course, but it was explained that the Dragon intended to ensure that Ishamael didn’t get reborn again later.This scene suggested that this was the end of Ishamael’s personal rivalry with Lews Therin, thus raising interesting implications about the show’s plans forThe Eye of the Worldprologue, which sees the two characters interact at a later point in the Dragon’s lifetime.
After developing Madness, Lews Therin went from a celebrated hero to the tragic figure who brought about the Breaking of the World. There with him toward the end was Ishamael, who succeeded in Healing Lews Therin of the Madness. What he did wasn’t out of kindness, though; rather,Ishamael wanted Lews Therin to see and understand the lives that had been lost because of him, including that of his wife, Ilyena, and his children.
Regardless of what happened to Ishamael during the Age of Legends in the TV version ofThe Wheel of Time, the Breaking of the World is confirmed to have occurred in the show’s history. But while there’s no confusion over that, it’s not altogether clear if Ishamael had any role in the events leading up to it.It’s possible, based on what happened in the season 2 finale, that Ishamael wasn’t on hand at all and never Healed Lews Therin.After all, there is a sense that the scene in the show was their last meeting.
How Wheel Of Time Can Still Adapt Ishamael’s Eye Of The World Prologue Scene
Despite the impression provided by the season 2 finale, it doesn’t definitively rule out Ishamael’s role inThe Eye of the Worldprologue from happening onscreen inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3or beyond. Theoretically, The Wheel of Time could reveal that Ishamael’s banishment was short-lived. It could be that he escaped between then and the Breaking of the World, allowing him an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his book counterpart and Heal Lews Therin.
Alternatively,The Wheel of Timecould have him use the One Power to reach out to Rand while sealed. All things considered, it’s not technically implausible for Lews Therin and Ishamael to have another flashback scene set after the season 2 finale’s cold open, but it would undermine the feeling of finality it offered to their relationship.
A Different Forsaken May Have Healed Lews Therin
Perhaps the most realistic scenario forThe Wheel of Timeat this point is that it adapts The Breaking of the World with a different character antagonizing Lews Therin. The show taking this direction feels logical for multiple reasons. Firstly, the show may struggle to do it with Ishamael in a way that won’t contrast with the relationship season 2 crafted for the characters. Ishamael was presented as someone who valued Lews Therin as a friend, even after he was reborn as Rand - it would be hard to see him in the same light if it becomes known that he Healed Lews Therin out of cruelty.
With Ishamael taking satisfaction from Lews Therin’s heartache inThe Eye of the World, it does feel a bit out-of-character for the TV version. However, it wouldn’t be for several other members of the13 Forsaken inThe Wheel of Timebooks, given that most are morally reprehensible characters with little affection for the Dragon.
Letting a different Forsaken take Ishamael’s place in the show’s take onThe Eye of the Worldprologue would also help the series appropriately juxtapose it with its current narrative. Based onwhich Forsaken are expected to appear inWheel of Timeand which ones are likely to clash with Rand, Asmodean, Demandred, and Rahvin are all characters the show might be eyeing for this role. Taking this route would add further depth to the history between Rand and one of the upcoming villains.
When Will Wheel Of Time Finally Show The Eye Of The World Prologue?
While its prolonged absence is surprising, it’s hard to imagineWheel of TimeomittingThe Eye of the Worldprologue entirely. It may take parts of it out, but it’s integral to the wider story and what’s at stake. With that in mind, the series would be best served keeping the scene - and featuring it sooner rather than later. The show has succeeded in illustrating the risk of man using the One Power via Logain, but won’t be able to fully capture its impact on Rand personally until it delves into the first book’s prologue.
As Rand’s journey continues, his fears about his sanity are likely to receive greater focus. While Logain serves an example to him - and to viewers - of what he could become, his character only scratches the surface of Rand’s potential for destruction. Seeing the person Rand was before accidentally wiping out his family and bringing about an apocalyptic event will help put into perspective exactly what people inThe Wheel of Time’sworld are afraid of when it comes to Rand using the One Power.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
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.
