Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6
The ending ofThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 6 carries potentially massive implications, in that it seemingly kills off a member of the Forsaken. As the show confirmed early on in the season, Prime Video’s adaptation ofRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooksfeatures eight Forsaken, as opposed to the 13 that appear in the source material. The TV show version of the group consists of Ishamael, Semirhage, Lanfear, Sammael, Graendal, Rahvin, Moghedien, and one unknown character.
One of the eight - Ishamael - met his end after menacing Rand al’Thor and his allies for two seasons. Apparently, Ishamael’s death left the series with seven Forsaken to challengeThe Wheel of Time’smain cast, with Moghedien and Lanfear posed to be the main villains of season 3. But ultimately, it was an entirely different character who was thrust into harm’s way in the sixth episode. Sammael, the villain of a book the series has yet to adapt, made a surprise attack against Rand, seemingly on Lanfear’s orders. The ambush likely went as Lanfear planned, but the same can’t be said for Sammael.
Sammael Was Crushed Under Debris
Image via Prime Video
During the Forsaken meeting, Sammael voiced his interest in going after Rand directly, and it would seem that he finally got his wish. Lanfear warned Moiraine earlier in the episode that she was sending Rand something, and that Moiraine should allow him to “deal with it.” Clearly, she was talking about Sammael’s ambush; he made his move in the midst of Rand’s breakup with Egwene.Rand, channeling the One Power, brought a building down on top of the villain. From the looks of things, he was crushed under the debris.
As no body was shown, it’s hard to say definitively what happened to Sammael. Rand’s epic use of the One Power created the initial impression that he had slain the Forsaken, and were he just any normal channeler, there would be little reason to doubt his fate. However, Forsaken are extremely hard to kill, as proven byLanfear recovering from a fatal woundin season 2. But assuming that Ishamael truly is dead,it’s not implausible that Rand has added another Forsaken to his kill count.
A Main Character Easily Killing A Forsaken Wouldn’t Be Unprecedented
Not All Forsaken Have Huge, Long-lasting Roles In The Narrative
On one hand, it would seem reasonable to suggest that the show wouldn’t kill one of the Forsaken that quickly. After all, they are the main antagonists of the series, aside from the Dark One himself. But, if the show follows in the footsteps of the books, at least one ofthe eight Forsakencould indeed much such a fate. In fact,the books had a tendency to give unceremonious, fast deaths to certain Forsaken before they could receive any development.Be’lal was balefired by Moiraine immediately after his introduction, and Balthamel died in a duel with the Green Man.
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The Wheel of Timedispensing with these characters so abruptly generally served a purpose; in killing Aginor inThe Eye of the World, for instance, Rand demonstrated just how powerful he really was as the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon aka The Dragon. For the series, giving Rand this win over Sammael would accomplish a very similar goal. Admittedly, Rand does need a victory of that magnitude, especially since he didn’t beat Ishamael without help inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 finale.
Wheel Of Time Killing Sammael Would Amount To Massive Change To The Books
It Would Be A Sign The Show Is Going To Skip Rand’s Illian Story
While it’s true that there is a precedent for a Forsaken dying so suddenly, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Sammael isn’t just any Forsaken. Sammael is far more significant to the Dragon Reborn saga than Be’lal, Aginor, and Balthamel, therefore his death coming as early as the events ofThe Shadow Risingwould mark one of the show’s biggest surprises yet. Unlike those three characters, Sammael is the overreaching villain of aWheel of Timebook, namelyA Crown of Swords.
The seventh installment in the series,A Crown of Swordsfollowed three plotlines,with one of the three being about Rand and Min Farshaw’s journey to Illian. Their goal was to defeat Sammael, who had previously seized control of the kingdom. The story culminated in a face-off between Rand and Sammael at a familiar location - Shadar Logoth fromThe Eye of the World. The prize of their fight was the titular Crown of Swords, which grants the owner rulership of Illian.
If Sammael is dead, that would indicate thatA Crown of Swordsis among the stories the show intends to skip.
Were Sammael to die, it would call into question the show’s plans for the story that transpired inA Crown of Swords. Given that there are14 books in theWheel of Timeseries, it naturally won’t be able to give each of them a full-season adaptation, hence the show’s move to skip over most ofThe Dragon Reborn. If Sammael is dead, that would indicate thatA Crown of Swordsis among the stories the show intends to skip. If that’s the case, Rand and Min may not be paired for an adventure anytime soon - if at all.
The Wheel Of Time May Have Replaced Asmodean With Sammael
Despite Sending Sammael, Lanfear Clearly Expected Rand To Beat Him
Another possible explanation forThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 6 pertains to the role ofAsmodean inThe Shadow Rising. In the book, Rand and Asmodean engaged in a heated showdown that ended with Asmodean’s capture. Afterward, Asmodean was shielded and forced to become Rand’s instructor in channeling the male half of the One Power. Interestingly, Asmodean’s existence InThe Wheel of Timehas been hinted at, but he’s not been confirmed as of yet.
Asmodean is one of several possible candidates forThe Wheel Of Time’ssole remaining mystery Forsaken, with others including Mesaana, Demandred, and Be’lal.
Considering the timing of Sammael’s ambush and the fact that he didn’t attack Rand inThe Shadow Rising, there’s a chance that he’s the show’s replacement for Asmodean. If he survived the battle, Rand could force Sammael - and not Asmodean - to teach him about channeling. That would actually make a great deal of sense, especially since that would tie in well with Lanfear’s plan. In the book, Asmodean teaching Rand was what she wanted; that may very well have been the reason she sent Sammael after Rand inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3.
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.
