Rafe Judkins, showrunner on Amazon’s hit series The Wheel of Time, has allayed fears that the fan-favorite character Loial the Ogier was not killed off in the season one finale. Quickly proving itself one of Amazon Prime’s most successful series to date, the inaugural season of Wheel of Time recently wrapped up with a surprising episode that offered viewers several surprising reveals. Sharing the same name as the first book in Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series, the show’s eighth episode The Eye of the World saw events come to a head when the Dark One’s legions attacked the borderland city of Fal Dara, while Rand and Moiraine traveled to the Dark One’s prison in the heart of the Blight.
Offering viewers a number of twists, including the introduction of the Dragon himself Lews Therin Telamon, fans were stunned when Loial’s character was apparently struck down within the walls of Fal Dara by Padan Fain and his fellow Darkfriends. Portrayed by Hammed Animashaun, Loial is a member of a non-human species known equally for their imposing size and intense love of knowledge and peace. First introduced in the show’s fifth episode, Loial’s apparent death in the Wheel of Time season 1 finale was a shock especially given his significant role in the source material.
Thankfully, for both old and new fans alike, it would seem that Loial will still live to see another day with Judkins confirming that the character will survive the attack which left him unconscious and bleeding. In a recent interview with CBR, Judkins was asked about Loial’s fate and the show’s departure from the books, but told worried fans to “rest easy”. Check out his comments below:
I can't wait to kill surprising people that are going to really pain book fans in their deepest heart of hearts, but Loial is not dead in the finale of Season 1.
The attack on Loial wasn’t the only surprising change from the source material, with readers somewhat mystified by the decision to not only have Rosamund Pike’s Moiraine cut off from the One Power but also the choice to remove all reference to the Green Man who protected the Eye of the World in the original book. Of course, given both the size and complexity of the original tale, it is inevitable that changes to the story would take place in the process of adapting it for the screen. From Judkins’ comments regarding his desire to “really pain book fans in their deepest heart of hearts”, it would also seem fans can also expect a lot more changes to come over future seasons.
Thankfully, however, it would seem that killing off Loial is not on the cards just yet, and his beloved character will still have a chance to document the exploits of his new ta’veren friends. Given that the finale also revealed Egwene’s ability to heal and rescue Nynaeve from the clutches of death, the beloved Ogier may not have to suffer a slow and natural recovery process, and could also be back on his feet in no time. Meanwhile, fans of The Wheel of Time will have to wait until season 2 to see what other surprises Judkins has in store for them.
Source: CBR