Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 4
Summary
Logain's new role as Rand's teacher in season 2 of The Wheel of Time brings a significant shift to the narratives of both characters. Being mentored by Logain enables Rand to tap into his channeling abilities and become a more formidable force earlier in his journey compared to the events depicted in the books.
Logain's increased prominence as a key character in the TV series has the potential to replace the narrative involving Asmodean, one of the Forsaken.
The introduction of Logain as Rand's mentor in season 2 of The Wheel of Time signifies a significant alteration to the arcs of both characters. Previously, the False Dragon had expressed his lack of interest in instructing Rand al'Thor in the methods of the One Power. However, a recent development has provided Logain with fresh motivation to assume this role in Amazon's adaptation of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time novels.
What Being Trained By Logain Means For Rand's Power Level
In episode 4 of The Wheel of Time season 2, titled "The Daughter of the Night," Moiraine pays an unexpected visit. She offers Logain the chance to end his own life and promises to assist Rand in achieving his aspirations. Assuming Logain agrees, he will be able to support Rand on his path to becoming the Dragon Reborn. Despite losing his ability to channel due to the Aes Sedai's gentling, Logain's knowledge of the male half of the One Power should make him an effective teacher. However, the outcome of this arrangement remains unknown, as it diverges from the events depicted in Jordan's novels.
Rand, as the reincarnation of the Dragon, surpasses all other channelers in The Wheel of Time books in terms of strength. However, his television counterpart falls short of matching the immense power that Rand achieves in the books. It is evident that Rand has a long way to go before reaching the pinnacle of his abilities. To reach that level, the original character had to undergo significant growth over time. Due to the inability of men to be taught by female channelers in the Wheel of Time world, Rand relied on his instincts and past experiences whenever he needed to channel. The scarcity of male channelers in this world forced Rand to rely on these sources of knowledge.
Logain's New Role Makes A Major Forsaken Story Unlikely
Rand's journey towards becoming a skilled channeler took a significant turn in The Fires of Heaven, the fifth book in the series, when he finally encountered Asmodean, his very first guide. This fortuitous encounter resulted in a tremendous growth of Rand's abilities as he gained the invaluable assistance of someone who not only taught him how to craft weaves effectively but also showed him the art of combining and harnessing the threads of said weaves. With Logain, an esteemed channeler, overseeing his progress, Rand had access to the necessary knowledge to refine his raw power. This early acquisition of expertise ensures that Rand, in season 2, will transcend the level of channeling expertise achieved by his literary counterpart at this point in his narrative, making him an exponentially superior channeler overall.
The significance of having Logain as Rand's channeling instructor cannot be overstated, not only due to the resources brought forth by the False Dragon. If Logain assumes this role, there will be no necessity for Rand to later appoint Asmodean with the same responsibility. In the novels, Asmodean belongs to the Forsaken, a group of ancient channelers who serve the Dark One. Rand's capture of one of the Forsaken and his subsequent utilization of him to enhance his own power constituted a crucial narrative thread in the books. However, it is uncertain whether this plotline will be explored in the TV series.
An ally of the Dark One who begrudgingly guides the Dragon Reborn has immense potential for storytelling. However, it seems increasingly likely that Asmodean will be among The Wheel of Time’s casualties as the story progresses. This decision aligns with the early indication in season 1 that there will only be eight Forsaken. With the removal of five of them from the narrative, it is highly possible that Asmodean will be sacrificed, paving the way for another character, particularly Logain, to take on his role.
The Wheel Of Time Is Making Logain A Major Character
While Moiraine's choice in The Wheel of Time might result in sacrificing any potential storyline for Asmodean, it does bring good news for Logain. In the books, Logain appeared sporadically, participating in certain adventures but missing out on others entirely. Although he occasionally had intriguing moments, he never quite attained the status of a central character. However, the TV series has taken a distinct approach. Unlike the books, the show depicted the battle in which Logain was captured, the event of his gentling, and other significant moments that the books merely touched upon.
In The Wheel of Time season 2, Logain's character development is evident, highlighting the show's commitment to him. This progression ensures that Logain becomes an essential figure in the story instead of being absent for extended periods as seen in the books. Depending on Rand's circumstances, Logain can contribute to the impending conflict against the Seanchan and engage in significant events that he was not involved in within the original literature. Watch the new episodes of The Wheel of Time on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.