Unveiling the Dark One: A Closer Look at the Wheel of Time Villain
Unravel the enigmatic existence of the Dark One in the Wheel of Time series Discover the secrets behind this iconic villain and delve into their intriguing story and uncertain future Brace yourself for a journey that transcends the boundaries of imagination
Summary
The Dark One in The Wheel of Time remains a mysterious and hidden antagonist, capable of appearing in dreams and manipulating events from behind the scenes.
Despite being imprisoned, the Dark One possesses an extensive network of allies and subordinates, effectively executing his plans and establishing himself as a formidable adversary. His primary objective revolves around annihilating the Wheel and reconstructing the world according to his own likeness. As the series unfolds, his influence will steadily intensify, presenting a significant peril to the main protagonists.
The enigmatic villain in Amazon Prime Video's series is known as The Dark One in The Wheel of Time. Viewers have long been curious about his true identity. Even into the second season, this main antagonist remains shrouded in ambiguity, with a complex history and an army prepared for a grand showdown. His formidable nature makes him a formidable adversary for the key characters in The Wheel of Time, ensuring his ongoing importance throughout the series. This classic fantasy tale, based on Robert Jordan's 14-novel saga, revolves around the age-old struggle between good and evil.
The story centers around Moraine Damodred and her group, who are on a quest to find the Dragon Reborn. This prophesized individual is destined to confront the Dark One and prevent the catastrophic Breaking of the World. However, when Moraine eventually discovers her chosen Dragon Reborn and confronts the Dark One, it becomes clear that she has mistaken one of his lieutenants for the true antagonist. As the series progresses through its second season, the Dark One remains a concealed enemy, a lurking danger that the characters of The Wheel of Time have yet to encounter directly. Nonetheless, his influence hangs over the narrative, steadily increasing as the story unfolds.
Everything We Know About The Dark One So Far
The Dark One Mostly Remains A Mystery
The first season of The Wheel of Time barely scratches the surface when it comes to uncovering the true nature of the Dark One. While his minions diligently carry out his orders, it becomes apparent that he possesses an extensive web of allies to accomplish his grand schemes. The sightless Fade leading the pack of Trollocs towards Emond's Field serves as just one example of the arsenal at the Dark One's disposal. Despite his imprisonment within a millennia-old jail crafted specifically for him, it is evident that these assets hold immense value in the execution of his plans. Although the Dark One cannot directly manifest himself in the physical realm, he effortlessly infiltrates the dreams of numerous individuals.
In season 1, episode 2 of The Wheel of Time, the Dark One appears in the dreams of Rand, Perrin, Mat, and Egwene. He is depicted as a charred figure with flames in his mouth and eyes, and he violently attacks Rand after he pulls a dead bat from his mouth. Upon waking, Rand and the group discover that the ground in front of their camp is covered in bats, indicating that the Dark One, despite being imprisoned by the Aes Sedai, still has the ability to influence their lives.
In the conclusion of the first season of The Wheel of Time, this became even clearer. When Rand and Moiraine enter the Eye of the World, they encounter someone they believe to be the Dark One, marking his first actual appearance in the series. However, it is revealed that this character is Ishamael, one of the Forsaken who serves the Dark One. Throughout the entire first season, Ishamael has been impersonating the Dark One, meaning that the show has been purposely withholding the true presence of the Dark One until later in the series. In the second season, it is unveiled that the Black Ajah have pledged their loyalty to the Dark One, solidifying his impending arrival.
HOW TO WATCH: Stream Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Video
Who Is The Dark One In Wheel Of Time Books?
The Books Reveal The Dark One's True Name
In The Wheel of Time book series, fear of summoning the Dark One's presence prevents people from speaking his true name, Shai'tan. As a result, he is called by various other names such as Father of Lies, Sightblinder, Soulsbane, and Lighteater. Although he is mistakenly referred to as Ba'alzamon in the books, that name actually belongs to one of his allies. Like the Creator, the Dark One is an ancient being with the desire to destroy the Wheel and reshape the world according to his own image.
At the start of The Wheel of Time series, the Dark One is confined, but his restraints are weakening. He strives to escape and initiate another Breaking of the World, aiming to reconstruct the Wheel's world according to his desires. He had previously clashed with the last Dragon Reborn, Lews Therin Telamon, and it is suggested that he has faced many Dragons throughout history. However, now that he is imprisoned, he must confront the current Dragon indirectly through his agents - the Forsaken, Trollocs and Fades, and Darkfriends.
Dark One’s Story & Future In Wheel Of Time Explained
The Wheel Of Time Series Changes A Lot From The Books
Throughout a great deal of The Wheel of Time, the characters in the series battle against Shai’tan's allies. Despite their efforts, the Dark One continues to invade their dreams and tries to recruit them to his cause. With promises of unimaginable glory and riches, the Dark One and his Darkfriends attempt to seduce the Dragon Reborn to the side of evil and disrupt the balance of the world. Despite significant changes in The Wheel of Time adaptation, it appears that the essence of the Dark One's narrative will remain unchanged.
The Dark One's appearances in The Wheel of Time are limited, as demonstrated in the first season which purposely uses misdirection to maintain his mystery. In the initial novel, The Eye of the World, the Dark One is not physically present, but he does engage in a confrontation with Rand towards the climax of the story. In their quest to find the Eye of the World, Moiraine, Rand, and their companions venture into the Blight, a region under Shai'tan's control. Within the Eye of the World lies one of the seven seals that imprison the Dark One, and it is there that Rand encounters two of the Forsaken, Aginor and Balthamel.
During this encounter with the Forsaken, who serve as the Dark One's most trusted allies, Rand confronts the Dark One directly in battle for the first time. As the compelling world of The Wheel of Time spans across 14 novels, there will be numerous future confrontations as the Dark One gathers more power to resist the Dragon Reborn and his allies. While the primary antagonist of The Wheel of Time may not yet have a significant physical presence in the series, his malevolence will be experienced (and witnessed) through the myriad ways in which he attempts to eliminate and tempt those who support the Dragon Reborn.
