Unveiling The Enigma: The True Desires of the Mysterious Woman in Wheel of Time Season 2

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episodes 1-3 and The Wheel of Time books

Summary

Selene's true identity as Lanfear, one of the Forsaken, is unveiled in season 2 of The Wheel of Time, shedding light on her enigmatic behavior and intentions.

Lanfear accompanies Rand due to his status as the reincarnation of her former lover, Lews Therin, and she detects resemblances between him and her lost love. Yet, her comprehension of the depth of their bond remains uncertain.

Lanfear's presence with Rand may be a result of Ishamael releasing her and directing her towards him, suggesting that the Forsaken are actively monitoring the activities of the Dragon Reborn.

In the world of The Wheel of Time season, a mysterious woman named Selene displays a strong interest in Rand al’Thor. Natasha O’Keeffe portrays this character who, in episode two, is revealed to be Rand's lover and landlord. However, Rand confesses in episode three that he is uncertain about her motivations for assisting him.

Selene’s True Identity in The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Explained

The events of the second and fourth books, namely The Great Hunt and The Shadow Rising, provide insight into Rand's current situation in the show. Leaving Fal Dara, Rand and Loial embarked on a quest to find Padan Fain and the Horn of Valere. Along the way, they encountered the alluring and enigmatic Selene. Although their relationship remained platonic in the book, there was an undeniable tension as they journeyed together, much like Rand's current location, Cairhein, in the TV adaptation. Eventually, they became separated towards the end of The Great Hunt but were reunited in The Shadow Rising. It was then that Rand discovered the true identity of "Selene" - Lanfear, one of the 13 Forsaken disguised as the mysterious woman.

The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Already Revealed Why Selene Is With Rand

The Forsaken, a group of immensely powerful channelers bound to serve the Dark One, were elucidated in the show. Many centuries ago, they were incarcerated, much like the Dark One. Among them resided Lanfear, a woman who had previously been romantically involved with Lews Therin Telamon, the original Dragon. Astonishingly, after obtaining her freedom in the present era, she discovered that Rand is the rebirth of Lews Therin and cleverly assumed the identity of Selene to win his affection.

While Rand remains oblivious to Selene's past, she has already divulged the motive behind her presence by expressing her fondness for him in a somewhat indirect manner. Selene admitted in episode 2 that she finds solace in Rand because he evokes memories of her beloved. She confessed that when he walked away, it shattered her, and he still possesses her heart entirely. Selene further stated that when she is in Rand's company, she can pretend he is the one she lost. Interestingly, Lanfear's background uncovers the fact that Selene's statement is a considerable understatement, as it conceals the true reason she clings to him. After all, Rand exceeds the mere resemblance to her former lover; he is that very person.

If the show adheres to the books, it is evident that Lanfear is fully aware of Rand's true identity as the Dragon. However, if Lanfear is genuinely pretending that Rand is her ex-lover, there is a possibility that she has not yet realized the complete connection between them. It is plausible that she only knows Rand as a male channeler and recognizes certain traits of Lews Therin within him. Considering the numerous changes the show has already made from the books, it is theoretically possible that Lanfear has limited knowledge of Rand's backstory in The Wheel of Time season 2.

Wheel Of Time Season 1’s Ending May Explain How Lanfear Found Rand

The reason why Lanfear ended up in Rand's company initially is likely connected to the conclusion of The Wheel of Time season 1. The exact outcome of Rand's presumed killing of the Dark One was not explicitly clarified at that time. However, Moiraine provided further details in The Wheel of Time season 2. During her conversation with Lan, she revealed her understanding of the poem she received from Bayle Domon. Moiraine now comprehends that rather than killing the Dark One, Rand actually broke the seal that imprisoned Ishamael, one of the Forsaken. She speculates that Ishamael is likely seeking to release the rest of the Forsaken.

Lanfear's presence in the show suggests that she may have already set free at least one of them since the conclusion of season 1. If that's the case, it could have led to her meeting Rand. Ishamael, being aware of Rand's true identity, might have guided Lanfear towards finding him in Cairhien. This theory aligns with what Ishamael mentioned during the opening scene of the premiere, stating that Rand "thinks he can hide. He can not." With Lanfear by Rand's side, it explains why Ishamael is confident that they can monitor the Dragon Reborn's actions.

How Powerful Is Lanfear in The Wheel Of Time?

While Lanfear currently seems more interested in spending time with Rand than posing a threat to the main characters, her true power becomes evident in the books. When she inevitably clashes with Rand, Moiraine, or others, her formidable strength with the One Power proves just how dangerous she can be. Among the Forsaken, she ranks as one of the two most powerful members, alongside Ishamael. According to The Great Hunt, she holds the second highest power level among the Forsaken.

At this point, Lanfear is the only character in The Wheel of Time whom Ishamael cannot beat in a fight. Despite Nynaeve being considered the most powerful female channeler known to the Aes Sedai, she is still weaker than Lanfear. Even Rand, as the Dragon Reborn and the future strongest channeler, would likely lose to her in a fight at this moment. Although he has the potential, Rand has not yet fully mastered his abilities. Consequently, it is logical to assume that Lanfear could indeed fulfill her threat to kill Rand if she truly desired to do so.