Amazon’s Wheel of Time show is set to introduce viewers to one of the deepest and most complex worlds in the fantasy genre. The release of the trailer finally provided a close glimpse of what the long-awaited TV adaptation will look like.
Scheduled to release its first episode on November 19, 2021, the Amazon original series will bring Wheel of Time to life on the small screen with an eight-episode first season. The streaming platform made a clear statement about its confidence in Wheel of Time by renewing it for season 2 months in advance of its series premiere. Based on what’s been revealed about the show’s production and what was seen in the trailer, Wheel of Time promises to be Amazon’s most ambitious project ahead of its Lord of the Rings show.
Based on a New York Times best-selling series of 14 fantasy novels and a world created by Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time is built around a number of important concepts, many of which being on display in the trailer, such as the Aes Sedai, the legacy of the Dragon, the One Power, and more. Here’s what you need to know about Wheel of Time before it arrives on Amazon Prime.
Wheel Of Time's Story: The Dragon Reborn Explained
Wheel of Time is centered on the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn, which is essentially a story about reincarnation. Thousands of years ago, the world was saved by Lews Therin aka the Dragon, who became a celebrated hero. Unfortunately, his life took a dark path when he went insane and transformed into the world’s biggest threat. Long after he died, it was foretold that one day the Dragon would be reborn as someone else. Because of his past and potential for destruction, people have long feared the rise of the Dragon Reborn, even though he’s also their best of hope of beating the all-powerful villain known as the Dark One. So in a way, the Dragon Reborn is considered to be both a savior and an enemy at the same time. Many of the Wheel of Time characters are divided over what to do about the Dragon Reborn, as some want to help him and others - particularly the villain and his agents - want him dead.
The World of the Wheel: Where Wheel Of Time Takes Place
Despite all the lore surrounding Wheel of Time, the world where the books and shows are set doesn’t have an official name, though may fans have dubbed it “The World of the Wheel”. Similar to the fantasy worlds depicted in Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons, the World of the Wheel comes complete with deep and fully-realized civilizations and races, such as the desert-dwelling Aiel, the monstrous Trollocs, the nature-loving giants called the Ogier, and more. The different peoples of Wheel of Time live in various nations, which all have their own political structures and cultures.
Wheel Of Time's Main Characters
Wheel of Time is very much an ensemble story packed with dozens of important characters who all have major roles in the Dragon Reborn’s journey. The two who set it all in motion are Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) and Lan (Daniel Henney), who travel to the village of Emond’s Field to find the Dragon Reborn. The three primary suspects are blacksmith Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), prankster Mat (Barney Harris), and farmboy Rand (Josha Stradowski). Rand al’Thor (the main protagonist of the series) eventually stands revealed as the one they’ve been looking for, but the other two continue to be central to the story in the books.
Also entangled in these events are two of the women from the village, Egwene (Madeleine Madden) and Nynaeve (Zoë Robbins), who turn out to be powerful characters in their own right. Other key players worth mentioning are the aging bard Thom (Alexandre Willaume), the Ogier named Loial (Hammed Animashaun), and Min (Kae Alexander), who sees visions of the future. These are all people who are expected to cross paths with Rand, Mat, Perrin, Nynaeve, and Egwene in the early chapters of their adventure. Major characters who may be introduced in future seasons include Elayne, Aviendha, and Juilin Sandar.
How Magic & Powers Work In Wheel Of Time
Everything that happens in Wheel of Time hinges on the concept of the One Power, which is the name used to describe the energy source that certain characters can tap into for a variety of effects. All usages of the One Power come from one of the five elements in the World of the Wheel, which are Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Spirit. Those who possess the One Power can channel it to heal others, create magical flames called Balefire, manipulate emotions, generate illusions, teleport across long distances, and experience prophetic visions, amongst other things. Some of these abilities were shown in the Wheel of Time trailer.
The One Power can be used by both men and women, but their capabilities with it are far from equal. Men are naturally several levels above women when it comes to their strength in the One Power. But, men who are capable of accessing it are a lot less common than female channelers. That’s actually a good thing, because men who have the One Power aren’t able to control it well at all. In fact, a man who has the One Power is a threat to everyone around him. Those who have it typically become mentally unstable after a period of time. That’s ultimately why the original Dragon lost his sanity, and why women are the only ones who can be trusted with using it.
The Aes Sedai
To safeguard their world from the misuse of the One Power and to combat evil threats, female channelers formed a sophisticated organization called the Aes Sedai that follow a strict set of rules and hierarchy system. The Aes Sedai are broken up into seven branches, with each one represented by a different color. Every faction of the Aes Sedai have their own viewpoints and goals. Moiraine’s group, for instance, is the Blue Ajah, who are devoted to preserving the greater good. Another example is the Red Ajah, who hate all men and religiously seek out all male channelers so that they can be purged of the One Power. Most branches of the Aes Sedai (but not all) are allowed to be “bonded” with Warders. Warders are male warriors tasked with protecting their Aes Sedai and accompanying them on their missions. Aes Sedai share deep, physic links with their Warders. Blue Ajah members can only have one, while a character of the Green Ajah can have multiple Warders. In Wheel of Time, Lan is Moiraine’s Warder.
The Dark One, The Forsaken, & Darkfriends: Wheel of Time’s Villains Explained
Wheel of Time has as many villains as it does heroes. At the head of them all is the Dark One, who goes largely unseen for most of the series. For millennia, the Dark One has been sealed away, unable to wreak havoc on civilization following his defeat at the hands of Lews Therin. During the timeframe of Wheel of Time, the Dark One is waiting to be set free by his 13 most powerful minions, who are referred to as the Forsaken.
Over the course of the books, the main characters are pitted against each of the Forsaken, who are determined to bring down the Dragon Reborn by any means necessary. The Forsaken are often aided by Darkfriends, human fanatics who have pledged their lives to the service of the Dark One. If Wheel of Time season 1 follows the events of the first book in the series, the show’s first major antagonist is most likely Padan Fain, one of the most devious members of the Darkfriends.