The Wheel of Time Trailer Asks Who Will Defeat the Dark One
The first big trailer for The Wheel of Time introduces the unlikely heroes who must leave their simple lives behind to triumph over evil.
As the November 19 premiere date for The Wheel of Time gets closer, more and more details are emerging about the central quest of the series. Even for those who have not read the Robert Jordan novels upon which the show is based, the premise presented by the latest trailer is recognizable. An evil army is on the rise, and there are forces of history, tradition, prophecy, and destiny that determine what players need to be in place to defeat the ultimate villain: the mysterious shadowy figure known only as the Dark One.
In the Prime Video adaptation of The Wheel of Time, the character of Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) takes center stage as the wise woman tasked with finding the Dragon Reborn, the reincarnation of the only one powerful enough to defeat the darkness that threatens to destroy the world. “I didn’t choose this path,” Moiraine says in the trailer, “but I will follow it.” That journey takes her to the town of Two Rivers, where “the old blood runs deep,” increasing the likelihood of finding the fated hero she’s looking for.
Moiraine appears to put her faith in five inhabitants of the small town: Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoe Robins), and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris). “The Dark One is waking,” she tells them, “but there will be one who can stand against him, and it’s one of the five of you.” How she knows this to be true is a mystery only the Aes Sedai like Moiraine understand.
The Wheel of Time trailer then gives us our first look at the approaching army which will threaten the simple lives of those Moiraine visits. “Your life isn’t going to be what you thought,” she tells the young ones before her as beastly fighters descend upon the Two Rivers. She weaves her channeled magic into a powerful defense, saying, “If we do not stop the Dark One now, the whole world will burn. I can’t allow it.”
A chosen one leaving childhood behind to protect the ones they love? It sounds like the classic epic fantasy journey is just beginning in The Wheel of Time, and it’s certain to change everything for the five young people driven by destiny. It’s very telling, then, that at the end of the trailer, Perrin asks Egwene, “Do you think we’ll ever go back?” and she answers, “Home? No.” Viewers are nevertheless ready to embark on the adventure ahead along with them.
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Michael Ahr is a writer and multimedia producer at Den of Geek with a focus on science fiction television. Elsewhere, he teaches video production to high…