Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episodes 1-3

Summary

  • The Wheel of Time season 2 has replaced two book characters, Vandene and Hurin, with Verin and Elyas respectively, in order to consolidate characters and streamline the story.
  • The show's decision to introduce Verin and Elyas in different roles makes sense, as they are more significant characters in the books and can advance the story in a meaningful way.
  • There may be another character, Myrelle, who could potentially be replaced in Lan's arc, but it is unclear at this point if she has been cut from the series.

Despite only being three episodes into the story, The Wheel of Time season 2 has already replaced two characters from the books. Given the hundreds of characters that occupy The Wheel of Time’s world, it’s no surprise that Amazon’s live-action adaptation doesn’t intend to include everyone who crossed paths with Rand, Moiraine, Perrin, and all the others. While it’s made room for dozens of key players associated with the Dragon Reborn’s journey to defeat the Dark One, it’s become clear that not everyone from the source material will get to play a role in the story.

Because the show has been known to move things around in of the timeline, characters who weren’t encountered at the same time as their book counterpart can technically show up later. One example of this is Min, whose meeting with Moiraine’s group was moved from the beginning of the story to the end of season 1. There’s also Elayne and Elyas, who showed up in The Eye of the World, but have since had their introductions delayed until the events of the second book, The Great Hunt. In the case of some characters, though, changing their debuts makes it unlikely that they’ll ever be used.

The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Replaced Vandene With Verin

Verin in Wheel of Time season 2.

In the span of just one episode, The Wheel of Time removed the need for two book characters to appear. In the premiere, it was revealed that Moiraine and Lan were staying with two Aes Sedai sisters named Adeleas while doing research on ancient prophecies involving the Dark One. This event happened in The Great Hunt, but with one huge difference – the sisters were Adeleas and Vandene. From the looks of things, Verin has taken the place of Vandene, who appears to have been written out of the story altogether.

Like the character in the show, Verin provided advice to Moiraine and figured out that she found the Dragon Reborn. However, she was a separate character in Moiraine’s story in The Great Hunt. By all indications, The Wheel of Time has condensed the number of characters in season 2 by cutting Vandene and reworking Verin into Adeleas’ sister. Since Vandene is a relatively minor character in the books, using her original role to introduce Verin – a much more important figure in the books – makes a lot of sense for the show.

The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Replaced Hurin with Elyas Machera

Elyas in The Wheel of Time season 2.

The approach the show took to introducing Verin is not unlike what happened with Elyas Machera. In the books, Ingtar’s party was ed by Hurin, a “sniffer” who specializes in tracking. Because of his expertise in finding people, he was hired to help them track down Padan Fain. Instead of letting Hurin fulfill the same task in the TV series, The Wheel of Time has apparently elected to give his job to Elyas. The fact that he too was described as a “sniffer” practically confirmed that he has taken Hurin’s role in the hunt for the Horn of Valere.

Although Hurin was a major character in The Great Hunt, taking him out of the TV version of the story is a sensible move. After all, it’s worth noting that Hurin was not important to the books beyond The Great Hunt. With that in mind, his exclusion is a change that only impacts season 2. Picking Elyas specifically to take Hurin’s place feels like a good decision, especially since using the former serves a special, narrative purpose. In contrast to Hurin, Elyas is capable of advancing the story, in that he shares Perrin’s wolf powers. Like the book character in The Eye of the World, Elyas is needed so that Perrin can develop an understanding of who he really is.

The Wheel Of Time Season 2 May Have Replaced A Third Book Character

Alanna drawing on the One Power in The Wheel of Time

Additionally, the series may be in the process of replacing a third character as well. In The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 2, Moiraine left Lan in the care of Alanna, claiming that the Green Ajah Aes Sedai may take his “bond by force.” This calls back to the books when Moiraine arranged for the bond to to Myrelle Berengari in the event of her ing. Lan was opposed, but had no choice in the matter. Judging by this exchange, it looks like The Wheel of Time may allow an existing character to take this role in Lan’s arc, rather than create a new one.

Like Alanna, Myrelle is a Green Sister, so this scenario is possible. But, there are significant differences in these storylines, plus The Wheel of Time has yet to reach the point in the story where the bond es to Myrelle. For the time being, at least, it’s hard to say for sure if Myrelle has actually been cut from the series. She was involved in events that occur at the White Tower, such as the Aes Sedai rebellion, so she could still be relevant going forward.

The Wheel of Time releases new episodes on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.