Note: This article contains spoilers for season 3, episode 5 of The Wheel of Time and Robert Jordan’s original Wheel of Time series.
The battle against the Black Ajah has unveiled some traitors lurking within the White Tower, yet several Darkfriends remain hidden in The Wheel of Time’s third season. As the narrative unfolds, numerous characters from Robert Jordan’s expansive universe have turned out to be Darkfriends—individuals who have pledged fealty to the Dark One. This pervasive infiltration exemplifies the far-reaching influence of the Dark One across the various factions within the Wheel of Time world.
The adaptation by Prime Video appears to faithfully mirror the source material, illustrating just how deeply the Darkfriends have permeated different segments of the Wheel of Time landscape. Key characters, including Barthanes, Joiya, and Liandrin, have already been unmasked. However, the books suggest that at least three additional characters within the cast of The Wheel of Time season 3 are also aligned with the Dark One and the Forsaken.
Alviarin Friedhen
Alviarin’s Revelation as a Black Ajah in A Crown of Swords
Image via Prime Video
In season 3, episode 5, the search for a Black Ajah spy became a central theme of the story, centering on the character of Elaida. Interestingly, while Elaida confronted Siuan Sanche, she was shown discussing her suspicions with a member of the White Ajah, who stated their allegiance to “logic and reason.”This dialogue hints at the intricate political maneuvers within the White Tower.
As the narrative develops, the groundwork is laid for Elaida to potentially usurp Siuan’s position, with Alviarin positioned as a manipulative force behind the scenes. The subtle tension during their interaction showcases Elaida’s reluctance to oppose Siuan, an attitude likely disguising her ambitions. In the books, Alviarin was chosen by Elaida as her Keeper of the Chronicles but secretly served the Black Ajah, aiming to control the White Tower from within. This complex web of deceit is ingeniously woven into the series, hinting at future power struggles.
Galina Casbin
Galina’s Unmasking as a Black Ajah in Lord of Chaos
It seems that Galina is not the sole Black Ajah member within the ranks of the White Tower this season. In episode 3, a character identified as “Galina,”hailing from the Red Ajah, suggests her darker affiliations. Like Liandrin, Galina is another Darkfriend who, under Alviarin’s orders, sought to capture Rand in book 6, The Lord of Chaos.
Though some fans speculated that Jaret Byer, a Whitecloak spoken to by Eamon Valda in episode 5, may also be a Darkfriend, this has yet to be confirmed. Galina has served as a recurring antagonist throughout the novels, and while the series has yet to directly reveal her Black Ajah ties, the narrative’s setup involving the Red Ajah’s pursuit of Rand points to the series hinting at this critical arc from the original books. With Elaida pushing for a resolution to capture Rand, there is potential that this storyline may soon materialize.
Melindhra
Melindhra: A Darkfriend in The Fires of Heaven
Melindhra, identified as a Maiden of the Spear, initially appears to be an ally in Rand’s quest to unite the Aiel. However, her character arc may echo the betrayal she executed in The Shadow Rising, where her involvement with Mat Cauthon led to manipulative attempts to pull him away from Rand.
Notably, Mat and Melindhra’s paths in season 3 diverge significantly, with Mat currently in Tanchico rather than the Aiel Waste. The show possibly replaces Mat’s role in Melindhra’s narrative with Lan, thereby introducing new dynamics that could create friction within Rand’s faction. Moiraine might even aim to disrupt the budding connection between Lan and Melindhra, paralleling her previous attempts to undermine the bonds between Rand and Mat as the plot thickens in the forthcoming episodes.