Summary
The Wheel of Time season 2 introduces a twist regarding the Forsaken, revealing that they cannot die and their bodies regenerate after death.
The show's decision to modify the Forsaken's immortality likely replaces the idea of reincarnation from the original books, making it easier for viewers to follow without confusion.
Attention: The following contains spoilers for episode 4 of The Wheel of Time season 2.
A significant revelation about the Forsaken in The Wheel of Time season 2 brings about substantial alterations to the original story, while simultaneously resolving a significant issue. In Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time book series, the Forsaken comprise a collection of thirteen individuals who possess the ability to channel, and they faithfully serve the Dark One. Serving as primary adversaries throughout entire books in the series, the Forsaken pose as the most substantial menace that the Dragon Reborn and his comrades will encounter until the eventual emergence of the Dark One himself.
The Wheel Of Time’s Forsaken Reveal Replaces A Major Power From The Books
The Forsaken possess an additional formidable ability, which the main characters must be cautious of during their upcoming battles. In the fourth episode of season 2 of "The Wheel of Time" titled "Daughter of the Night," it is revealed that the Forsaken are immortal. Despite Moiraine seemingly killing Lanfear in a surprise attack, she explained to Rand that it is impossible to permanently eliminate a member of the Forsaken. This is hinted at in the final scene, as Lanfear's body begins to regenerate itself.Although the concept of the Forsaken being able to return from death is present in the books, its portrayal in the show diverges significantly from the original novels. Initially, it was believed that once a member of the Forsaken perished, they were permanently gone. However, it is revealed that the Forsaken are actually reborn into new bodies, creating the need for Rand and his companions to confront them once more. This ability to reincarnate grants the Forsaken the opportunity to assume entirely new identities, including different genders. Consequently, the books utilize this mechanism to reintroduce previously vanquished villains as fresh obstacles for the protagonists to overcome.
Why Reincarnation Would’ve Been Confusing For The Wheel Of Time
: Amazon's Wheel of Time show seems to have taken a different approach to the Forsaken's immortality. Unlike the books where they cannot regenerate after death, it appears that this adaptation has introduced a new power that acts as a substitute for reincarnation. As a result, certain storylines from the books may be altered or completely omitted. Consequently, characters like Moridin and Cyndane, who are reincarnated versions of Ishamael and Lanfear respectively, may never be featured in the show.Abandoning reincarnation in The Wheel of Time series would make a lot of sense for the show's future. While this move may take away some moments from the books, it would be a practical decision. With a reduced number of Forsaken, there would still be numerous characters for viewers to keep up with, especially if they all remain alive and well simultaneously. Replacing reincarnation with a different means of immortality would eliminate the complexity of tracking who is who when they are reborn with new names and bodies. By adopting this approach, The Wheel of Time can ensure that the same actors continue portraying the Forsaken, preventing any unnecessary confusion.
The Wheel of Time releases new episodes on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.