Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episodes 1-3 as well as The Wheel of Time book series.

Throughout the initial two seasons of Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time, our beloved Two Rivers characters faced numerous threats; however, the Season 3 premiere intensifies the tension with the introduction of even more Forsaken, signaling a darker turn in the narrative. Robert Jordan‘s epic saga introduces a total of 13 Forsaken, yet the television adaptation has so far only alluded to eight, with five having made their on-screen appearances. The prominent figures from Season 2 include Ishamael (Fares Fares) and Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe), alongside Moghedien (Laia Costa), who emerged at the season’s conclusion. The opening moments of Season 3, Episode 3, unveil two additional Forsaken: Rahvin, also known as Lord Gaebril (Nuno Lopes), and Sammael (Cameron Jack). While Rahvin’s actions are briefly showcased, Sammael remains shrouded in mystery — prompting the question: who is he truly?

Discover the Newly Introduced Forsaken Character in ‘The Wheel of Time’ Season 3

Examining the television adaptation alone, our knowledge of Sammael is limited to his identification as one of the freed Forsaken and the insights gleaned from a fleeting moment in Season 3. In a dimly lit cellar, Lanfear convenes a meeting with Sammael and Rahvin. Although Sammael’s role is secondary in this gathering, it serves to reveal Rahvin’s cunning nature while allowing Lanfear to underscore Moghedien’s potential threat. Throughout this scene, Sammael is depicted as a formidable figure, characterized by his serious demeanor, a distinct scar on his face, and a rigid uniform that hints at his past and persona.

As he observes Lanfear’s concerns, Sammael, with his burly presence, dismisses the meeting’s significance, sneering at her apprehensions regarding Moghedien, derisively labeling her a “spider.” This interaction reveals that Sammael is deemed the “weakest” of the trio, with Lanfear suggesting that Moghedien would likely target him first, placing him lower in the Forsaken hierarchy. To truly understand Sammael’s role within the The Wheel of Time universe, delving into the original novels is essential. Please proceed with caution if you wish to avoid potential spoilers, as adaptations can often diverge from their source material.

Unraveling Sammael’s Character in ‘The Wheel of Time’ Book Series

Sammael, originally known as Tel Janin Aellinsar, was a celebrated champion in a non-lethal sword combat sport during the Age of Legends. He was known for his competitive nature, favoring aggression and decisive actions over diplomatic negotiations. During the War of Power, Tel Janin ascended to become a prominent general for the Aes Sedai forces aligned with the Light, even fostering a friendship with the legendary Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon (Alexander Karim). However, when Lews Therin was appointed as the supreme commander over Tel Janin, jealousy brewed within him. This bitterness ultimately led to his treachery, resulting in his allegiance to the Dark One alongside Graendal, another Forsaken referenced in the series. Following his betrayal, he adopted the name Sammael, marking a significant transformation in his character.

In stark contrast to his portrayal in Prime Video’s adaptation, Sammael is regarded as one of the most powerful Forsaken in the original novels. He is strong enough to compete for the esteemed title of Nae’blis alongside Lanfear and Ishamael before the Forsaken were imprisoned in Shayol Ghul, indicating a significant downgrade in the series. Sammael governed his territory with a militaristic approach until he and the other Forsaken were captured by Lews Therin, who had inflicted the scar across Sammael’s face—a reminder of his past failures that he chose not to heal. Upon the Forsaken’s release in the novels, Sammael masqueraded as a Lord in Illian, gaining control over the Council of Nine, which governed the nation. He becomes a persistent thorn in Rand’s (Josha Stradowski) side, ultimately confronting him in the seventh book, A Crown of Swords, where their clash in Shadar Logoth leads to Sammael’s demise at the hands of the deadly fog known as Mashadar.

Anticipating Sammael’s Character Development in Prime Video’s ‘The Wheel of Time’

As Season 3 of The Wheel of Time adapts the fourth installment, The Shadow Rising, it is intriguing to note that Sammael does not physically appear in Jordan’s novels until the fifth book. During the third and fourth books, he is referenced in name only, orchestrating his influence over Illian from the shadows. His formal introduction in the fifth novel occurs in the prologue, during a clandestine meeting that parallels the opening scene of Season 3, Episode 3. In the novels, Sammael is joined by Graendal, as they devise strategies to manipulate Rand and draw him to the Shadow. Similar to the series, the Forsaken exhibit a profound distrust of one another, collaborating only out of self-interest.

Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time has several potential paths for adapting Sammael’s narrative now that he has been introduced at this early stage. The storyline could be expedited, allowing us to witness his character arc unfold in this season. The series may foreshadow his burgeoning influence while he operates in the background, causing trouble for Rand through raids and credibility attacks. Alternatively, there exists the possibility of the series crafting a wholly original arc for him. Despite Lanfear’s assertion that Sammael is the weakest Forsaken in comparison to her and Rahvin (which still suggests a formidable level of power), he remains a significant threat that the Two Rivers group must be wary of — an ever-looming danger characterized by a soldier’s relentless aggression.

New episodes of The Wheel of Time Season 3 premiere every Thursday on Prime Video.

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