Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 6
The Wheel of Time’s Adaptation: A Potential Skip Ahead
In the wake of Sammael’s fate, it appears that The Wheel of Time may be poised to bypass another book within Robert Jordan’s extensive series. The live-action series on Prime Video has already notably diverged from the source material by jumping from the conclusion of the second novel, The Great Hunt, directly to the narrative of The Shadow Rising at the start of Season 3. As a result, it seems increasingly clear that the third book, The Dragon Reborn, will not receive a traditional full-season adaptation.
The trajectory for the show following the conclusion of Season 3 remains uncertain. It is plausible that further storylines will need to be merged or even skipped entirely, particularly with the complexity of adapting a series containing 14 books. Although it’s challenging to pinpoint which narratives will persist, recent developments suggest that A Crown of Swords may not be included in the show’s long-term strategy.
Sammael: The Antagonist in A Crown of Swords
Sammael’s Delayed Conflict with Rand
Continuing from the exciting events of Lord of Chaos, A Crown of Swords serves as the seventh installment in Jordan’s epic narrative. The plot intricately weaves together several storylines, prominently featuring Rand al’Thor’s struggle against Sammael, one of the notorious 13 Forsaken. This book follows Rand and Min as they march with a band of male channelers to the kingdom of Illian, on a mission to confront the usurper Sammael, who has taken control and claimed the Laurel Crown. Rand’s objective is to dethrone Sammael and liberate Illian.
Despite Sammael’s earlier minor appearances in the series, his character significantly influences the plot within A Crown of Swords. Rand ultimately faces Sammael in an epic confrontation set in Shadar Logoth, where their mastery of the One Power is tested. Whereas some Forsaken endure beyond their battles, Sammael’s confrontation marks the end of his arc in Jordan’s vision.
Risks for A Crown of Swords in Season 3’s Plot
Rand’s Journey to Illian at Stake
In Season 3, Episode 6, the plot fast-forwards the tension between Rand and Sammael, leading to an early confrontation that diverges sharply from the books. While Sammael orchestrated attacks early on in the source material, he did so from a distance, never risking direct engagement. The show’s portrayal, however, has Sammael directly confronting Rand, a choice that undermines the essence of the character’s role. The episode concludes with Rand seemingly victorious, crushing Sammael beneath debris.
The future of Sammael’s character remains ambiguous, but the apparent victory suggests that Rand may have killed him, positioning him as the second Forsaken to fall to the Dragon Reborn. This raises significant questions regarding how the series will handle A Crown of Swords, particularly since Sammael is integral to Rand’s journey in the book. Should Sammael be permanently removed from the storyline, it stands to reason that the show might entirely bypass this book.
Theoretically, the series could substitute another Forsaken for Sammael in a potential adaptation, but the likelihood of that is slim considering the reduction of Forsaken from 13 to 8 in the show. The characters Graendal and Semirhage don’t seamlessly fit into the narrative required for A Crown of Swords, as they have their own distinct arcs.
It’s still within the realm of possibility that the show might reveal Sammael survived, yet such a revelation may not sufficiently restore the narrative’s flow. By distancing him from Illian, the adaptation removes Rand’s motivation to pursue Sammael, raising the prospect that the show could leverage him for another role, perhaps mirroring Asmodean’s influence in The Fires of Heaven.
Implications of Excluding A Crown of Swords from the Show
Potential Changes in Narrative Direction
Eliminating Sammael from future arcs could create substantial shifts in the storytelling dynamics of the series. Primarily, Rand’s anticipated conquest of Illian would be negated. Throughout The Wheel of Time, Rand’s triumph over Sammael is crucial for establishing his power; however, the narrative could still thrive without this particular conquest if it intends to delve into the Storyline of The Fires of Heaven in a subsequent season. This fifth installment portrays Rand as he claims the territory of Cairhein, a location already introduced by the series.
In this scenario, Rand’s conquest in Illian becomes redundant. If adequately developed, his takeover of Cairhein will serve as a fitting portrayal of his character as a ruler and conqueror, justifying the exclusion of Illian.
Moreover, bypassing A Crown of Swords could streamline the narrative, especially regarding Mat Cauthon, who had minimal involvement in this segment of the story. Without adapting this book, the show can avoid the complications of integrating Mat’s character into the ongoing plot. Additionally, the other significant storylines featuring Nynaeve and Elayne in Ebou Dar, alongside Egwene’s struggle against Elaida, can be directly transitioned into The Path of Daggers—reinforcing the series’s approach of merging several narratives as seen in Season 3.