Summary
Warning: This article contains spoilers forThe Wheel of TimebooksThe Wheel Of Timeseason 2 added another major departure from the Robert Jordan novels, teasing a future story long before its book appearance. This alteration relates to Verin, the Aes Sedai played by Meera Syal, who was introduced in the second season. Verin will have a significant role to play in thepossible Black Ajah conflictthat may arise as soon as season 3. Her part in this storyline will involve a shocking twist for her character, and it’s something thatThe Wheel Of Timehas already alluded to, several seasons before it occurs in the books.
Novel readers will know thatVerin is a member ofthe Black Ajah,the evil faction of the Aes Sedai who serve the Dark One in secret. Verin is tragically redeemed in the 12th book in the series,The Gathering Storm,when she reveals thatshe has actually been serving as a double agent,gathering crucial intel on other Black Ajah members. While it may seem too early to delve into this Verin arc, having only covered the first two books in the series so far, introducing this crucial plot point sooner will work better for Amazon’sThe Wheel Of Time.
Wheel Of Time Sets Up A Different Version Of Verin’s Black Ajah Reveal
Her Work As An Undercover Spy Will Be Shown From Her Perspective
The hint that Verin is already aware of Black Ajah among the Aes Sedai ranks is subtle enough thatviewers who haven’t read the books won’t get the wider implication being made.When their investigation into the girls’ disappearance leads Yasicca to conclude that“Black Ajah really exists”,Verin shows no sign of shock. Nor would she –Verin has been Black Ajah for decadesat this point in the book timeline. Her"scatterbrained"nature, played so well by Syal, allows Verin to escape suspicion.
The small hints dropped in season 2 already created a fascinating dynamic between Verin and other Aes Sedai, particularly Sheriam and Liandrin
The teasedoesn’t alter Verin’s book storyline,it just introduces it early, though this doesn’t mean thatThe Wheel Of Timewon’t make some alterations to her arc going forward. Significant departures from the books are already likely. Theseason 2 Mat twist will change the circumstances of Moiraine’s disappearancein the books.Egwene’sWhite Towerarc may need to be altered in season 3if the series wants to preserve its accuracy. The only difference inThe Wheel Of Time’sportrayal of Verin is thatwe are already shown her point of view.
Why Showing Verin’s Black Ajah Journey Makes More Sense For The TV Series
The Early Reveal Will Add An Interesting Layer To Her Character
Television is a format that allows for multiple character perspectives at once. Novels restrict the reader’s knowledge by showing one view at a time. Both of these can be manipulated to great effect by talented writers.The Wheel Of Timeviewers will learn of Verin’s Black Ajah connectionbefore other characters, adding an interesting layer to her interactions. The small hints dropped in season 2 already created a fascinating dynamic between Verin and other Aes Sedai, particularly Sheriam and Liandrin,whose Black Ajah connections have also been implied.
Showing Verin’s plight as an undercover agent onscreen will have its own advantages.
Television is also a more concise format than literature. Any adaptation will abridge some storylines, and cut some out altogether.The Wheel Of Timeseason 3 will skipThe Dragon Rebornnovel entirely, jumping straight to the fourth book. Beginning Verin’s Black Ajah journey so soonputs the show in a good position to explore this arc in later seasons.It will also add continuity so that when her true identity is revealed in the show it won’t appear to have come from nowhere.
The only concern withThe Wheel Of Timestarting Verin’s Black Ajah arc so early is that it will undermine the big reveal, one of the book’s most memorable twists. The line, “By the way, that dress you are wearing is green,“won’t pack the same punch if viewers already know thatVerin, as a Black Ajah, can lie.Showing Verin’s plight as an undercover agent onscreen will have its own advantages, though. It will give Syal more to play with as she navigates her dual allegiance to the dark and the light,making her final sacrifice even more tragic.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
