Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 8
As we look forward to Season 4 of The Wheel of Time, it appears that up to fifty percent of the Forsaken will significantly impact the storyline. While Robert Jordan’s original series includes 13 Forsaken, Amazon’s adaptation features only eight, with six of these characters still alive by the conclusion of Season 3. Notably, three Forsaken have yet to be officially introduced to the audience.
Similar to the themes in the novels, the Forsaken are anticipated to remain as the main antagonists throughout the show’s progression. Season 2 introduced key confrontations with Ishamael and Lanfear, leading to Ishamael’s demise and expanding the threat landscape by adding Moghedien, Sammael, and Rahvin. Following this trajectory, Season 4 may adopt a comparable approach, showcasing four Forsaken as the central villains.
Lanfear
Lanfear is Set to Become a Primary Villain in Season 4
Throughout Season 3, Lanfear’s portrayal suggested an alliance with the Dragon Reborn, a scenario that always seemed precarious. The season finale underscored this uncertainty as Rand’s dismissal of her placed her on a destructive path bent on vengeance. Now aligned with Rahvin, her character’s intentions are far from benevolent.
Lanfear’s actions in the latest episodes foreshadow a more adversarial role in the upcoming season. While her manipulative traits have always been at the forefront, her previous non-hostile stance toward Rand is eroding. With her motives increasingly self-serving, she now poses a significant threat, especially without any obligation to aid his journey toward destiny.
Rahvin
Elayne Recognizes “Gaebril”as a Forsaken, Thanks to Thom
Despite his immense power in the source material, Rahvin has not played an active role in Season 3, opting instead to work behind the scenes. His conversations with Lanfear hint that he is wielding Compulsion to manipulate those around him, especially in Andor. Thom Merrilin’s observations have revealed that Rahvin has made Elayne believe they share a long-standing acquaintance.
In the books, Rahvin’s devious plot involved usurping Queen Morgase Trakand in Caemlyn with the help of Compulsion. With Elayne now aware that “Lord Gaebril” is an alias for Rahvin, and his intentions to confront Rand at the Stone of Tear, he is poised to surface as a formidable antagonist in Season 4.
Moghedien
Moghedien’s Path is Set for a Showdown with Nynaeve
Mirroring the threat levels of her Forsaken counterparts, Moghedien remains a significant danger in The Wheel of Time series. Following the plotlines from Season 3, her storyline with Nynaeve is expected to escalate further. In the fifth book, The Fires of Heaven, Nynaeve and Elayne utilized Tel’aran’rhiod to chase Moghedien, who was attempting to seize control over the Dragon Reborn.
Season 3’s conclusion, which left Moghedien in possession of crucial artifacts from the Domination Bands, aligns well with the storyline trajectory in the books. Since Moghedien represents an ongoing threat to Rand’s fate as the Dragon Reborn, her ambitions remain crucial to the overall narrative.
Despite her classification as the weakest Forsaken, Moghedien’s cunning and strategic prowess cannot be underestimated, especially with Liandrin as her new ally. This character’s ambition to ascend to Forsaken status could lead to an intriguing power play, further complicating matters as she potentially navigates betrayal.
Graendal
Graendal is Likely to Be the Villain in Perrin’s Season 4 Arc
A conversation in Season 2 hinted at Graendal’s presence within the ranks of the Forsaken. Season 3 continued this thread when Rahvin indicated he would relay insights from the Forsaken meeting to her. With Season 4 approaching, Graendal’s official introduction seems imminent, particularly regarding Perrin’s unfolding narrative. Following Perrin’s capture by the Whitecloaks, the series appears to set up plotlines that correspond closely with the events described in Towers of Midnight.
Towers of Midnight is the thirteenth book in the series, laying the foundation for significant character development. In the novel, Perrin is put on trial for alleged crimes while Graendal schemes against him from within the Whitecloaks’ stronghold. As the series now aligns with these events, it offers exciting potential for character interaction and conflict.
Ultimately, these dynamics may force Perrin and Dain Bornhald to collaborate as they face Graendal’s devious schemes, promoting a fresh narrative of unity against emerging darkness.