The following contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 2, Episode 4 “Daughter of the Night,” which is streaming now on Prime Video.
The Wheel of Time Season 2 is well underway and fans are deeply invested into the evolving world of Aes Sedai and the Dragon Reborn. Both fans of the books and newcomers to the series were given a delightful surprise when the Forsaken character of Lanfear was introduced in Season 2, Episode 4 “Daughter of the Night.” She was not only a lover for the original Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon, she is also a dangerous adversary for Rand Al’Thor and Moraine Sedai. Her presence on The Wheel of Time can only mean that the Last Battle is drawing closer for the Dragon Reborn.
During the Breaking of the World, the Dark One had many servants in his war against the Dragon. Among his greatest servants were the Forsaken. These were powerful beings who were sworn to the Dark and fought against Lews Telamon. One of these Forsaken was Lanfear. She was one of the most powerful channelers in the Forsaken and more powerful than many of the current Aes Sedai who are alive. Her presence in the life of Rand will only complicate matters as she manipulates and controls him to bring him over to the side of the darkness.
Lanfear and the Dragon Reborn
Lanfear, formerly known as Mierin Eronaile, has a complicated history with the Dragon Reborn. In the years leading up to the War of Power in the Age of Legends, Lanfear was a lover of Lews Therin. She adored him and the prestige that being with him brought her. He eventually left her for his the woman who would become his wife. This was because Lews sensed that Lanfear cared only for the power and influence that being with him brought, rather than actually caring about him. Lanfear was bitter at the breakup and continued to try to seduce Lews, but she never succeeded in pulling him away from his wife. In return, she poured herself into her research, which lead to the War of Power beginning.
During her research, Lanfear thought that she had uncovered a new Source that was outside the One Power. While the One Power is divided between male and female channelers, this new Source was not. What she didn’t know was that she had actually just rediscovered the True Source, the power that was directly connected to the Dark One’s prison. Lanfear bore a hole into the Dark One’s prison and released him onto the world. This started the War of Power and lead to the Breaking of the World. While Lanfear was already one of the most powerful channelers of her time, pledging herself to the Dark One gave her even more power and brought her closer to getting Lews back for herself.
Lanfear was most known for psychological torture. She would enter people’s dreams and torment them. She was an expert Dreamwalker and very much considered the realm of dreams to be her domain. She and Ishmael were constantly at odds and vying for the honor of being the Dark One’s favorite. While Ishmael seemed to always win, Lanfear didn’t stop from putting countless plots into action to bring her lover Lews to the side of the Dark One. When Lews finally sealed the Dark One away again, he also sealed Lanfear and the rest of the Forsaken away also. It wasn’t until Rand released Ishmael, that Lanfear and the other Forsaken were released to walk the world and serve the Dark One again.
What is Lanfear’s Role in The Wheel of Time Saga
In The Wheel of Time on Prime Video, Lanfear is shown to be hiding behind an alias of Selene. She has been manipulating Rand and starting a romantic relationship with him. Lanfear is hoping to draw the Dragon Reborn back to the darkness by seducing Rand when he is alone and weak. She even fakes surprise and outrage when Rand reveals that he can channel when he attacks a Fade. Of course Lanfear must have summoned the Fade to force Rand to reveal himself to her. Lanfear is desperate to succeed in this life where she failed and lost in her previous life.
While Ishmael is steering the Seanchan into conflict with the Aes Sedai and Perrin Aybara, Lanfear is hoping to win favor by bringing in the Dragon Reborn early. Ishmael may have been the one that freed Lanfear, but the two are likely still fierce competitors. When the Last Battle comes, the Dark One will choose a Forsaken to be the new commander of his forces. While Ishmael had that “honor” in the first war, Lanfear desperately wants to be the leader this time. Yet, just as Lanfear almost had Rand under her control, Moraine interfered and stopped Lanfear, even if only temporarily. In the books, Moraine frequently stands between Lanfear and Rand. Moraine knows how powerful Lanfear and her influence is on the Dragon and knows that Rand will have a hard time resisting her attempts. In the series, Moraine will have an even harder time defending Rand from Lanfear since Lanfear has already established a deep connection with him.
The Wheel of Time will be building up the tenuous relationship of Moraine and Rand as she continues to protect him from Lanfear. Lanfear will not want to disappoint the Dark One again. She was responsible for freeing him and starting the first War of Power, yet she was not valued by the Dark One. Now she has a second chance and she will not waste it. Rand a.k.a the Dragon Reborn will belong to her, what she always wanted with Lews Therin but never got. The forces of darkness will never stop hunting Rand and the Forsaken are some of the most dangerous people that Rand has to look out for.
The Wheel of Time Season 2 streams new episodes on Thursdays on Prime Video.