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The Dark One looms large as a pure force of evil in The Wheel of Time series and its Prime Video show. The debut season, comprised of eight episodes, launched on Prime Video on November 19, 2021.
Even before the first season aired, the show got the green light for a second season. The second season kicked off on September 1, 2023. The show secured a third season in July 2022, more than a year before the second season started. However, the villain of The Wheel of Time is a constant subject of fans' interest. The Dark One is not just a regular villain; he's a cosmic threat. His evil plans could tear apart the universe itself.
The Wheel of Time: What role does the Dark One play?
The Dark One has a motley of scary names. Moreover, people rarely say his real name, Shai'tan, because it's dangerous. He also goes by Father of Lies, Ba’alzamon, and Sightblinder. Each name adds to his sinister character.
In The Wheel of Time, the Dark One isn't just a villain. He's a cosmic force locked up since the beginning of time. Furthermore, his ambitions are catastrophic. This is because he seeks to annihilate the wheel of time itself.
The baleful villain aims to carve the universe according to his own twisted imagination. There is a quest for power and a fundamental challenge to the natural order. Thus highlighting the cosmic battle between light and darkness.
How the Dark One in The Wheel of Time is a cosmic evil force
The Dark One's powers are vast and terrifying. He commands a multitude of dark creatures, like Trollocs and Myrddraal. These creatures serve as his foot soldiers in his grand plan. Even while imprisoned, he can reach into the world through dreams, affecting the minds of key characters and attempting to corrupt them.
So, his influence is not just physical but psychological, making him a villain of both body and soul. Almost every villain has an arch-enemy. So, standing against this cosmic villain is the Dragon Reborn.
Dragon Reborn is a prophesied warrior destined to be the Dark One's ultimate nemesis. The Dragon Reborn is the last line of defense against the Dark One's insidious plans. The series follows the journey of Moiraine Damodred, who believes she has found the Dragon Reborn, as she prepares him for the ultimate confrontation.
Even the name of the Dark one, Shai'tan, is a clever play on the Arabic word "shaitan," which translates to "devil." This adds another layer of depth to the character, tying him to real-world mythologies and beliefs. Moreover, the Dark One is often symbolized by a black flame, a fitting representation of the malevolence and destruction he embodies.
How was the villain portrayed in The Wheel of Time book?
In The Wheel of Time books, people call the Dark One Shai'tan but avoid saying it to prevent summoning him. He goes by many names, like Father of Lies and Sightblinder. People wrongly call him Ba'alzamon, a name for his ally. Like the Creator, he aims to destroy the wheel and reshape the world.
In Prime Video's series, the Dark One starts imprisoned but is breaking free. He wants to cause another world-breaking event. He fought the last Dragon Reborn, Lews Therin Telamon, and has battled many Dragons. Now, he fights the current Dragon through his agents: the Forsaken, Trollocs, Fades, and Darkfriends.
Rand first fights the Dark One when he confronts the Forsaken, the Dark One's top allies. The series spans 14 books, promising more battles. Although the Dark One isn't physically present in season 1, his evil influence is clear. He tries to kill and tempt those helping the Dragon Reborn.
A brief synopsis of the second season of the show
In the second season, Rand al'Thor is The Dragon Reborn. He's a historic figure who could save or break the world. A group of powerful sorceresses works to protect him from the Dark One.
They struggle with his growing power and possible madness. The season explores the characters' struggles. Moiraine, who guided them initially, can't help them anymore. They seek new sources of strength in each other, themselves, or darker powers.
The season introduces new characters. Ceara Coveney plays Elayne Trakand, a White Tower novice. Ayoola Smart plays Aviendha, a Maiden of the Spear from Aiel. Natasha O'Keeffe and Meera Syal join as Lanfear and Verin Mathwin, respectively.
The Dark One is more than just a character; he's a cosmic-level villain with plans that go beyond anything you can imagine. Watching him on the show will help you understand why The Wheel of Time is such a gripping story.
