The Dark One is an antagonistic cosmological force in The Wheel of Time television series. The Dark One is part of the mythology of the series, representing evil, chaos, and destruction, and he aims to remake the world in his image,[2] or destroy it entirely.[3]
The Dark One is widely rejected by the people of the Westlands, as he's in opposition of the Light. Moiraine Damodred searches for the Dragon Reborn to ensure they defeat the Dark One.[4]
The side of the Dark One is collectively known as the Shadow or the Dark. His armies consist of creatures called Shadowspawn, such as Trollocs and Fades. The Dark One has human followers who have sworn their souls to him, called Darkfriends. A select few human followers are the Chosen, more commonly called the Forsaken by those who follow the Light, and the Dark One has granted them immortality.
The Dark One is known as the Great Lord by his followers, who also refer to him as My Lord. He is referred to as the Dark One by both his followers and by those who follow the Light. Other names for the Dark One are Shaidar Aan, which means Dark One the Old Tongue,[5] and the Father of Lies.[2]
History[]
Age of Legends[]
During the Age of Legends, the Dark One was able to touch the world. During this time, he gained many followers, called Friends of the Dark, and selected extremely powerful channelers to serve as His Chosen, known as the Forsaken by opponents of the Shadow. The first Shadowspawn constructs were made to serve the Dark One during this time.
At the end of the Age of Legends, there was a battle at the Eye of the World, and the Dark One was sealed away in a prison there by Lews Therin Telamon and a group of male Aes Sedai.[6] During the attack, the Dark One corrupted the One Power, causing any man who channeled the One Power to go mad.[7] This lead to the Breaking of the World and the collapse of civilization, leading to the beginning of the Third Age.[8]
The Third Age[]
As the Dark One remained imprisoned at the Eye of the World, from his prison spreads the Blight, a toxic rot that creates a toxic vine-covered forest.[6] During this time, followers of the Shadow still caused devastation such as the Trolloc Wars,[9] and Darkfriends act in the Dark One's interest such as purging records from the White Tower.[10]
At some point, prophecies arose that the Dragon Reborn would either defeat the Dark One or join him.[11]
After about 3,000 years in prison, the Dark One's strength began to grow and he could affect the world again.[12][13]
When the Shadow learned that there were five ta'veren in the Two Rivers, Padan Fain started visiting there every Bel Tine with the intention of bringing them to the Dark One, and turning some or all of them to the side of the Shadow.[14] The Dark One's armies begin to use the Ways to get around the Westlands undetected.[15]
Season 1[]
The Dark One's army attacks the Two Rivers in pursuit of the five ta'veren there. Moiraine leaves with Egwene al'Vere, Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Mat Cauthon, and the Dark One's army pursues them. Shortly after, the four begin having nightmares featuring a man with burned skin and fire in his eyes and mouth.[16] The Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, tells Moiraine that she's been having dreams of the Dark One at the Eye of the World, and he's weak and could be defeated if they strike now.[17]
Moiraine leads the group through the Ways where they are attacked by a Trolloc, and they realize that the Dark One is using the Ways to move his armies.[15]
Moiraine and the Dragon Reborn Rand al'Thor head through the Blight to the Eye of the World to confront the Dark One. As they rest for a moment in the Blight, Rand falls asleep and dreams of the same burned man that's been in his dreams since the attack on the Two Rivers. The figure changes his appearance into a man, and he tries to have a conversation with Rand. In the dream, Rand kills himself to force himself to wake up. He tells Moiraine that the Dark One visited him and he doesn't believe a word he says. At the Eye of the World, Rand recalls memories from his past life of fighting the Dark One there, but the Dark One looked like a man -- the same man Rand saw in his dream. When Rand touches the symbol on the floor, he's pulled into an hallucination and tempted with a possible ideal future with Egwene, and the man tries to convince Rand to side with the Shadow to make it happen. During the hallucination with Rand, the man also appears before Moiraine and cuts her off from touching the One Power. Rand rejects the Dark One, and blasts the man with the One Power, apparently pushing him back into his prison. This leaves the cuendillar stone symbol at the base of the Eye of the World cracked.[6]
Season 2[]
Moiraine comes to realize that she and Rand did not defeat the Dark One at the Eye of the World. She comes to understand that the man was actually Ishamael, one of the Forsaken and the strongest lieutenant of the Dark One. She also now knows that he was fully set free at the Eye of the World instead of being defeated.[18]
After being freed from the Eye of the World, Ishamael frees Lanfear, another of the Forsaken. In a conversation between Ishamael and Lanfear, Ishamael reveals the reason that the Dark One speaks only to him, rather than to all of the Forsaken. Unlike the others, who joined the Dark One for power or their own petty reasons, Ishamael believes in the very essence of the Dark One: to destroy everything created and stop the Wheel of Time itself, sparing more suffering in the world.[3]
Servants and followers[]
- Shadowspawn
- Darkfriends[9]
- The Black Ajah
- The Forsaken[20]
- Dreadlords[21]
Reasons for following[]
There are various reasons for why someone might choose to follow the Dark One, including:
- Balance - Some believe that supporting the Dark One is necessary for balance.[22] Padan Fain states that they need the Dark for balance.[23]
- Immortality - The Forsaken followed the Dark One in exchange for the promise of eternal life.[22][24]
- Riches and power[22] - Dana indicates that she'll rise in power for serving the Dark One.[25]
- Better world - Dana suggests that she serves the Dark One because he'll remake the world and end suffering.[26]
- Scandalousness or boredom - Some swear oaths to the Dark One to be scandalous or out of boredom, and do not realize what they're committing to.[27]
Quotes[]
Season 1 quotes[]
The Dark One is waking. His whispers are already in the backs of our minds.
Moiraine Damodred, season 1 episode 1 Leavetaking
If we turn back here, if we do not stop the Dark One now while he is still weak, the whole world will turn to darkness. Armies of Trollocs and Fades a million strong will wash across the land, killing and eating every person they find. What they did to your village is nothing compared to what they will do. The earth itself will burn. And when a new Age comes, it will be built upon the ashes of the places and people we love.
Moiraine on what the Dark One will do if they fail to stop him, season 1 episode 6 The Flame of Tar Valon
We have a chance here to do something that's never been done before-- to cage the Dark One, to stop His influence from touching this world ever again.
Lews Therin Telamon on his plan to attack the Dark One, season 1 episode 8 The Eye of the World
Today, Tarwin's Gap will fall. And then this city will fall after, no matter what we do. And then His armies will pour through the Gap and raze every city we know the name of and more we don't. The whole world will burn. The Dark One is waking. Tarmon Gai'don is here. The Last Battle.
Lord Agelmar on what the Dark One's armies will do, season 1 episode 8 The Eye of the World
Season 2 quotes[]
Three Fades hunting a single Aes Sedai? The eye of the Dark One is upon you, Sister.
Verin to Moiraine, season 2 episode 2 Strangers and Friends
We didn't defeat the Dark One, we set his strongest lieutenant free.
Moiraine to Lan, season 2 episode 2 Strangers and Friends
- Ishamael
- Lanfear
- Ishamael
- — Season 2 episode 5 Damane
Because, alone of all the Chosen... I actually believe in the Dark. I believe the only way to stop all this suffering... is to stop the Wheel itself. Stop everything.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Changes from the book series[]
The Dark One is based on the cosmological figure of the same name 
(book spoilers!) from the book series.
[]
| Characters |
|---|
        Padan Fain • Liandrin Guirale • Alanna Mosvani • Logain Ablar • Maksim • Ihvon • Min Farshaw • Loial • Siuan Sanche • Leane Sharif • Ishamael • Verin Mathwin • Selene • Anvaere Damodred • Dain Bornhald • Aviendha • Gitara Moroso • Moghedien • Season 1 characters • Season 2 characters • see all |
References[]
- ↑ The characters refer to the Dark One using he/him pronouns throughout season 1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Prime Video listing for The Wheel of Time, under the "Explore" section, under "Mythology". Retrieved January 1, 2022. "The Dark One. The Father of Lies. Names for an incomprehensible, infinite force of evil, chaos, and destruction. One so evil it's believed that speaking his true name aloud brings with it grave misfortune. Currently imprisoned, he aims to break free so that he can destroy the soul and spirit of mankind, spreading darkness and turmoil throughout the world — ultimately remaking the world in his image."
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 {{Cite episode|208]}
- ↑ Expressed throughout season 1, and Moiraine and Siuan have a direct conversation about it in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 6: The Flame of Tar Valon.
- ↑ The words "Shaidar Aan" appear in the first trailer 360 view at about 0:48.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ Stated by Thom in: The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 4: The Dragon Reborn.
- ↑ Opening monologue in episode: The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 1: Leavetaking.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety.
- ↑ Moiraine states that Darkfriends purged records of the Eye of the World from the White Tower in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ Stated by Siuan in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 6: The Flame of Tar Valon.
- ↑ Moiraine: "The Dark One is waking. His whispers are already in the backs of our minds." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 1: Leavetaking.
- ↑ Moiraine: "Three years ago, it was miles from Tarwin's Gap. It's just another sign that the Dark One's strength is building." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ Padan Fain tells this to Perrin in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 7: The Dark Along the Ways.
- ↑ The dreams begin in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 2: Shadow's Waiting.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 6: The Flame of Tar Valon.
- ↑ {{Cite episode|202]}
- ↑ Rosamund Pike. Live Q&A with Rosamund Pike. November 19, 2021.
- ↑ Mentioned in The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 5: Blood Calls Blood. Lan states, "The Forsaken sold their souls to the Dark One for eternal life."
- ↑ Dreadloards are mentioned (but not defined) in The Wheel of Time Origins, episode 2: The Fall of Manetheren.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 From Prime Video's listing for The Wheel of Time, under the "Explore" section, the section for the lore is labeled "Mythology". Retrieved December 30, 2021. "Darkfriends are human supporters of the Dark One. Some have been tempted by promises of riches and power, others seek immortality, while some believe that supporting the Shadow is necessary to keep the world in balance. Most Darkfriends keep their support of the Dark One secret, meaning anyone, anywhere could be a Darkfriend."
- ↑ "We need the Dark. We need balance." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ Lan says, "The Forsaken sold their souls to the Dark One for eternal life." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 5: Blood Calls Blood.
- ↑ Dana: "Doesn't matter who I am. What matters is who I'm gonna be. The last time someone brought the Dragon to the Dark One, we still remember his name 3,000 years on. Ishamael. And to think, of all the people who serve the Dark, from fishermen to queens, it'll be me who brings you to him this time. Me." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety.
- ↑ Dana: "He wants you to save us. Can't you see that? The Wheel keeps turning, and people keep hurting. Every man who comes to this shite town has a story. Flood, drought, war, sisters murdering their brothers, children killing their parents. But the Dragon... the Dragon has a chance to change all that. Break the Wheel. Make it stop." The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety.
- ↑ Prime Video trivia for The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety.. "Originally in the Age of Legends, people who dedicated themselves to the Shadow were known as “Friends of the Dark” and were promised immortality when the Dark One broke free of its prison. In the current Age, most who swear oaths to the Shadow are looking to be scandalous or are bored. Typically, these so called “Darkfriends” are only looking to experiment and don’t realize their vows are binding in this life and sometimes the next."