There’s no denying thatThe Wheel of Timetook liberties in the adaptation process. Of course, adapting the sprawling fantasy series was always going to be a challenge based on the sheer amount of material. With 14 books, Prime Video had to make adjustments throughout its three-season run, and while some were confusing, others served the show well.Season 3 in particular made dramatic changes, notably killing off several long-standing characters. The penultimate episode tragically took outLoial (Hammed Animashaun)with a heroic sacrifice and also showedEamon Valda (Abdul Salis)receiving brutal justice. Then, the finale added two more characters to the list, unexpectedly killing offSiuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo)andSammael (Cameron Jack). Each of these choices would have had a ripple effect throughout the rest of the story, were it not for the show’s sudden cancellation. However,one of these changed deaths actually makes a lot of sense.
Sammael’s death at the hands of Moghedien (Laia Costa) is a terrifying moment for the series as it explores just how far the Forsaken will go to achieve their own ends, raising the stakes in the process. Even so, it is still a dramatic deviation from both characters' book storylines that throws off later events. The fallout from the change is difficult to predict exactly, but with potential cuts and other members of the Forsaken to fill in the gaps,The Wheel of Timecould have justified the change as it highlights the most important part of the Forsakens' story: the fact that they are not a unified team.
Part of what is so odd about Sammael’s death is that it happens suddenly. After he attacks Rand (Josha Stradowski), Sammael is held prisoner, where it is revealed thatMoiraine (Rosamund Pike)has a particular plan for him. She approaches Sammael while he’s shielded and threatens him with death and irrelevance to get him to train Rand, as Sammael understands the male half of the One Power and is not mad, making him uniquely qualified for the task. This hints at a larger role for the Forsaken, but Moghedien has a different idea. She has the ability to set him free and could even use his capture as a bargaining chip to gain his help, but instead, she wants to experiment on him. The Forsaken are notoriously hard to kill, and Moghedien wants that skill, so she seizes the opportunity while Sammael is powerless to learn it, turning him inside out.The series always madeMoghedien frightening, but this moment takes it to a new level.
It’s a horrific scene, but it’s more than shock value. WhileThe Wheel of Timemay have changed the events of Sammael’s story,his death highlights an important theme among the Forsaken: their animosity for each other.ShowrunnerRafe Judkinsexplainedthat the scene was meant to show that “the Forsaken are fighting each other just as much as they’re fighting our leads” because that fact is important when they are so much more powerful than the heroes.The Wheel of Timeincluded much discussion over their battle to beNae’blis, but without any actual consequences, it is just talk. By including this scene, the series raised the stakes among the Forsaken, escalating their competition and showing the audience just how divided they are.
Looking Back, ‘The Wheel of Time’ Was Right to Introduce This Character Earlier Than the Books Did
The show may have ended prematurely, but her story was just beginning.
Sammael’s Storyling in Prime Video’s ‘The Wheel of Time’ Is Drastically Different From the Books
Not only does the series kill off Samael much earlier than the books, buthis story is almost unrecognizable.In the books, Sammael takes over Illian, and though he does work withLanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe)andRahvin (Nuno Lopes), as the series shows, they are joined by their fellow Forsaken, Graendal, and the goal is to turn Rand to the Shadow. Not only are his intentions in the series more deadly, but Sammael’s methods are also different. While he survives untilBook 7,A Crown of Swords,he focuses on ruining Rand’s reputation by manipulating the Shaido Aiel to attack, while most nations believe all Aiel are tied to Rand. Eventually, Rand does confront him, battling the Forsaken in the deserted city of Shadar Logoth, where the evil of the place kills him.
Interestingly, Sammael’s death is similar to an event from the books that involves different characters. Rather than Sammael,Asmodean is the Forsakenunder Rand’s thumb, and he does try to train Rand, as Moiraine expects Sammael to in the series. After Asmodean’s attempt on his life, Rand cuts the Forsaken off from the Dark One, and Lanfear assigns him to train Rand, shielding him in the meantime. This leaves a near-powerless Asmodean vulnerable when Graendal later kills him.Sammael’s story inThe Wheel of Timeis much more like Asmodean’s than his own, but because it still comes somewhat from the books, it fits.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Could Have Justified Sammael’s Death With More Seasons
WhileThe Wheel of Timerewrote Sammael’s role entirely, there is something to be said for the way they did it.This unexpected and graphic death perfectly demonstrates the Forsaken and their hate for each other, showing how terrifying they can be. That threat could have carried intoSeason 4and beyond, if the show had continued, making Moghedien and all the other unpredictable Forsaken that much more concerning. However, with the cancellation, the series will never get to build on this twist (unless, of course, thefans' efforts succeedin earning the series a miraculous revival).
Without more information, it’s impossible to know howThe Wheel of Timewould have covered Sammael’s absence later, making itone more question left unanswered. Yet one of the reasons this diversion works is that the Shaido are already working against Rand, so there is no need for Sammael to be around to push them into betrayal. Plus, some elements of the original story would be lost anyway, and Sammael’s storyline could simply be written out entirely. With these workarounds, and plenty of other Forsaken to replace him if the need arises,The Wheel of Timecould have justified this change with more seasons, because, even though it is starkly different from the books, it highlights the all-important dynamic between the Forsaken.
The Wheel of Time
