Unveiling the Enigmatic Yellow-Eyed Figure in Wheel of Time: Perrin's Implicit Association Revealed

Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episodes 1-3

Summary

The arrival of Elyas Machera, a enigmatic stranger with yellow eyes, in The Wheel of Time has profound consequences for Perrin's narrative. Elyas, much like Perrin, is a Wolfbrother who possesses a psychic bond with wolves, enabling them to communicate and collaborate seamlessly.

Elyas's appearance in the show presents an opportunity to delve into Perrin's abilities and further develop his character arc, specifically in relation to his role in combating the Dark One.

The introduction of a mysterious stranger with yellow eyes in The Wheel of Time has significant consequences for Perrin Aybara's narrative. Portrayed by Gary Beadle, this new character from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time novels makes a dynamic entrance in the season 2 premiere, joining the quest to locate the elusive Padan Fain. Referred to as a "sniffer" by Ingtar's group, his involvement suggests a crucial role in Perrin's future endeavors.

Elyas Machera Is A Wolfbrother In The Wheel Of Time Books

It became clear, rather quickly, that Perrin had a connection of some kind with the new character, Elyas Machera. While Perrin's eyes flashed yellow in moments of intensity, Elyas' eyes remained permanently yellow. His enigmatic comments to Perrin and the sudden appearance of the wolves in episode 3 only added to the evidence that his introduction brought forth much-needed answers. The books themselves confirm the significance of Elyas' debut, despite him being a minor character in the source material; it marked the beginning of Perrin's journey.

It was revealed in Jordan’s Wheel of Time novels that Perrin possesses a remarkable ability known as Wolfbrother, granting him a deep psychic connection to wolves. He discovered this unique trait through a fateful encounter with Elyas Machera, a fellow Wolfbrother. In the Eye of the World, Elyas clarified that being a Wolfbrother predates even the existence of the Aes Sedai, and contrary to popular belief, it is not related to the One Power. Although they do not possess the ability to channel, Elyas and Perrin do possess extraordinary attributes. As Wolfbrothers, they share the gift of communicating with wolves. In turn, wolves instinctively recognize them as kin and treat them as integral members of their pack.

Elyas aided Perrin in gaining insight into the dynamics of their relationships with wolves. Rather than being "tame," Elyas emphasized that the wolf companions he travels with are his "friends," albeit friendly. These companions value his presence because wolves had not hunted alongside humans for quite some time before him. Additionally, wolves and humans share a common adversary: the forces of the Dark One. Elyas disclosed that wolves detest Trollocs and Fades even more than they despise darkfire. This particular information effectively positioned the wolves as crucial allies for Perrin in his mission to assist the Dragon Reborn in conquering the Dark One.

Why Elyas Machera Is So Important To Perrin’s Story

The arrival of Elyas in Amazon's Wheel of Time show is a significant development, particularly for Perrin. While the books delved into his abilities midway through The Eye of the World, the show has only hinted at them. The reasons behind the wolves' protection and the enigmatic occurrence of his yellow eyes, although familiar to book readers, remain unclear in the show. Given the scarcity of Wolfbrothers in the world of Wheel of Time, it's unsurprising that the show hasn't been able to fully address these questions. Without Elyas present in season 1, there was hardly anyone capable of explaining this to Perrin.

With Elyas by his side, Perrin's mysteries in The Wheel of Time can finally be unravelled. Elyas, like in the book, will likely offer him insight into his current situation and guide him in utilizing his wolf connection to his advantage. This not only resolves lingering questions but also allows for the advancement of Perrin’s character arc. The foundation of his role in the overarching narrative of The Wheel of Time lies in his bond with wolves, which drives his contributions to the fight against the Dark One.

Once Perrin embraces his true identity and nurtures his relationships with the wolves, he can employ them for tracking and hunting his enemies. Elyas provides Perrin with a clear path towards achieving this significant milestone in his story. Additionally, there is a possibility that through Elyas, Perrin will gain knowledge about the Wolf Dream, also known as Tel'aran'rhiod. Tel'aran'rhiod is primarily a realm wherein Aes Sedai and channelers of the One Power can meet in their dreams, but as a Wolfbrother, Perrin is capable of accessing it as well. His exploits within Tel'aran'rhiod form a significant part of his story and may be set in motion by his future interactions with Elyas.

Elyas Machera’s Story Has To Be Different From The Books

Aside from the impact on Perrin's journey in Wheel of Time, it is intriguing to consider what lies ahead for Elyas in the show, especially considering the limitations imposed by the novels. While the conversation between Elyas and Perrin, where the Wolfbrother powers are explained, can still be included as it appears in The Eye of the World, it is essential to acknowledge that the show has already surpassed the point where Elyas was significant. In the books, Elyas is encountered when Perrin and Egwene meet the Tuatha'an, after which he goes his separate way and does not participate in the events depicted in the second season, which is loosely based on the second book, The Great Hunt.

In fact, Elyas does not reappear until the eighth book, The Path of Daggers. Considering this, any storyline that Wheel of Time creates for Elyas in the second season, beyond him informing Perrin about being a Wolfbrother, will have to diverge significantly from the source material. Since Elyas was never intended to be part of this specific narrative, it becomes much more challenging to predict what will happen to him compared to other characters. This grants the show a considerable amount of freedom in crafting his arc. As a relatively minor character in the story, Elyas could potentially be killed off once he fulfills his main purpose. Alternatively, he could evolve into an unexpected yet capable ally.

Surprisingly, The Wheel of Time has cleverly integrated Elyas into its adaptation of The Great Hunt by assigning him the role of a crucial supporting character. In the original storyline, the party responsible for locating Padan Fain received assistance from Hurin, a character described as a "sniffer" (a term also used to describe Elyas in the series). Renowned for his exceptional tracking skills, Hurin's primary responsibility was to locate Padan Fain. Considering Hurin's limited presence in the books, it is logical for Elyas to take his place, as he can significantly impact the narrative due to his connection with Perrin.