Unveiling The Ultimate Villain: Wheel of Time Season 2 Takes Book Revelations to New Heights

Summary

The Wheel of Time season 2 presents a surprising twist by revealing Barthanes Damodred as a Darkfriend, improving on the book version of the character.

Barthanes' origin in the television series is a fabrication; nevertheless, it contributes profoundness and sentimental significance to his plotline.

The portrayal of Anvaere, Moiraine's sibling, in the second season of the TV show is among the most commendable enhancements, offering a superb character moment.

Spoilers alert: The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 7 unveils an improved twist on a villain plot borrowed from the books. Titled "Daes Dae'marr," this episode introduces a surprising revelation regarding Barthanes Damodred, a recently introduced character. Contrary to his initial portrayal as an innocent nobleman, Barthanes is exposed as a Darkfriend.

The Wheel Of Time’s Barthanes Twist Is Completely Different From The Books

- Moiraine’s nephew isn't the first character in the Wheel of Time to be revealed as a follower of the Dark One. Season 1 introduced Rand and Mat to the innkeeper, Padan Fain, who turned out to be a Darkfriend. More recently, Liandrin was also exposed as a servant of the Shadow. These individuals, including Barthanes, were enticed by the Dark One and his generals, the Forsaken, to carry out their evil plans. It seems that Barthanes, motivated by the promise of political power for House Damodred, succumbed to the temptation and became a Darkfriend at some unspecified time.

While Barthanes appeared to hold Moiraine in high regard and put on a friendly facade, discovering his true nature as a villain didn't catch readers off guard. In The Great Hunt, just like in the TV show, Barthanes Damodred was exposed as a Darkfriend when Rand accepted an invitation to a party at his residence in Cairhien. Prior to their encounter, Rand had limited knowledge about this enigmatic nobleman, but their conversation quickly revealed Barthanes' allegiance to the Dark One. Confirming his loyalty, Barthanes relayed a message from Padan Fain to Rand.

The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Greatly Improves Barthanes’ Story

The events between Rand and Barthanes in the Amazon live-action adaptation differ greatly from the original story. However, both characters are members of House Damodred, suggesting that the book character is likely related to Moiraine in some way. It should be noted that their relationship is not relevant in the book, as Moiraine and Rand are in separate parts of The Wheel of Time's world during that time. Furthermore, the character Anvaere does not play a role either. Essentially, Barthanes' entire backstory is a creation of the show, but one that fits well within the series.

In contrast to his brief arc in The Great Hunt, Barthanes' character carries emotional weight in the TV series. In the novel, it was unimportant that Barthanes was a Darkfriend, especially since he was just a recent acquaintance of Rand. However, the show was able to portray this in a more meaningful way by incorporating Barthanes and his mother into Moiraine's story in season 2. This development was particularly significant because Barthanes was introduced in episode 5, allowing the series enough time to make the audience genuinely fond of the character.

Wheel Of Time’s Barthanes Change Makes Anvaere One Of Season 2’s Best New Characters

: The sincerity of his affection for Moiraine added an unexpected dimension to the character of Barthanes, elevating him beyond the portrayal in the books. This untapped depth generated doubt about his allegiance as a Darkfriend in the TV show. Notably, Barthanes played a pivotal role in breaking through Moiraine's icy demeanor, which had persisted since her return to her family home. Moiraine even apologized for her previous mistreatment and expressed her belief in Barthanes' potential to be a benevolent ruler for the people of Cairhien, commending his kindness. These developments only intensified the tragedy of Barthanes' narrative in Wheel of Time season 2 episode 7, as it becomes increasingly inevitable that Moiraine will discover the heart-wrenching truth.

The discovery of her nephew's plot to kill her has had a profound impact on the narrative, even though Moiraine is still unaware of it. This revelation particularly affects Anvaere, who is known as Moiraine's sister in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books. However, Anvaere never made an appearance in the novels and was only briefly mentioned in the prequel, A New Spring. While the books presented Anvaere as just a name from Moiraine's past, the TV show's portrayal of her has already proven to be an excellent addition to season 2.

What Happens To Barthanes In The Wheel Of Time Books

Through her interactions with Moiraine, Anvaere's character has been fully developed, revealing that she is much more than just a noble seeking social and political advancement. Anvaere's anger towards Moiraine was justified, as she had no knowledge of Moiraine's true mission to find the Dragon Reborn. Despite this bitterness, Anvaere's love for her sister outweighed her resentment, leading her to provide Moiraine with much-needed advice. Anvaere's decision to have her own son arrested and give up the opportunity to restore House Damodred's reputation showcased her exceptional character.

Adding to the tragedy of Barthanes’ storyline is the implication it has on his fate in the series. By aligning the show with the books and revealing him as a Darkfriend, it becomes increasingly likely that he will suffer a similar fate as his literary counterpart. After Rand encountered Barthanes, Thom informed him of the nobleman's murder in his bedroom by a gholam, a creature of the Shadow. Since Barthanes failed to fulfill Liandrin's orders, the stage is set for him to meet his demise at the hands of one of the Dark One’s minions.

Barthanes is running out of time. His value to Moiraine and their relationship were the only things keeping him useful, but now that his loyalties have been revealed, it's likely that his masters will discard him. The 13 Forsaken in The Wheel of Time have little patience for failure, so it's very possible that Barthanes will meet a sudden and unceremonious end. While his death was easily forgotten by Rand and the others in The Great Hunt, it could have emotional consequences for both Moiraine and Anvaere in the future of The Wheel of Time. Catch new episodes of The Wheel of Time every Friday on Amazon Prime Video.