What is the Gray Man in ‘The Wheel of Time’? Moghedien’s Assassins Explained

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In the world of ‘The Wheel of Time,’ a new threat has stepped out of the shadows in season 3, and it’s got everyone talking. The Gray Man, a chilling figure tied to the Forsaken Moghedien, made a creepy debut on the TV show. These assassins aren’t just random killers—they’re a key part of the story, pulled straight from Robert Jordan’s massive book series. Let’s break down who they are and why they matter, both on screen and in the novels.

The Gray Men popped up in the season 3 premiere of the Prime Video series, which kicked off on March 13, 2025. They’re not your typical bad guys. These are humans who’ve given up their souls to the Dark One, turning them into near-invisible killers.

In the show, one of them nearly takes out Nynaeve, played by Zoë Robins, in a tense moment that had us all on edge. It’s clear they’re working for Moghedien, one of the 13 Forsaken, portrayed by Laia Costa. She’s the sneaky one, dubbed ‘The Spider,’ and she’s already proving to be a major headache for Rand and his crew.

The TV Twist on Gray Men

Here’s where the show shakes things up. In the books, Gray Men don’t belong to just one Forsaken—they’re used by several of them, like Ishamael or Demandred, depending on the mission. But in the series, the writers made a bold call.

Lanfear, played by Natasha O’Keeffe, drops a line saying only one Forsaken can create them, and all signs point to Moghedien. This change ties the Gray Men tightly to her, making her stand out among the Forsaken as the mastermind behind these eerie assassins. It’s a smart move—it gives her a clear edge and sets her up as a bigger threat right away, even though fans of the books maybe won’t be pleased.

We see this in action at the end of episode 1, ‘To Race the Shadow.’ Moghedien corners a Whitecloak named Jaichim Carridin, played by Jared Doreck, and transforms him into a Gray Man. She’s cold and calculating, muttering her creepy catchphrase, ‘Softly, softly, from the shadows,’ as she works her dark magic.

It’s a standout scene that shows how she turns regular people into these soulless weapons. On screen, they’ve got gray skin and dead eyes, making them look like walking corpses—perfect for blending in until it’s too late.

How They Work in the Books

In Robert Jordan’s novels, the Gray Men have a bit more mystery. They first show up in book 2, ‘The Great Hunt,’ when one tries to kill Rand in Fal Dara. The books call them ‘Soulless,’ and they’re humans—mostly men, though women pop up rarely—who’ve handed their souls over to the Dark One. This deal makes them almost impossible to spot. People can look right at them and not register they’re there. It’s not invisibility, exactly, but a trick that messes with your mind, letting them slip through crowds or past guards unnoticed.

Their zombie-like vibe comes from that soul loss. They’re average-looking, with no flashy traits, just blank stares and pale skin. In the books, they’re deadly because of this stealth. One might stab you in broad daylight, and witnesses wouldn’t even clock the killer. They’re not Constructs like Trollocs or Myrddraal—those are made from scratch by the Dark One’s power. Gray Men start as regular folks who choose this fate, though we never get the full scoop on how it happens. It’s hinted they go to Shayol Ghul, the Dark One’s stronghold, for the ritual.

Moghedien’s Role in Both Worlds

Moghedien’s link to the Gray Men is stronger in the show, but she’s no stranger to dirty tricks in the books either. Known as Lillen Moiral before she joined the Shadow, she was a spy during the Age of Legends, sabotaging the good guys from within. She’s not the strongest Forsaken when it comes to raw power—others like Lanfear or Rahvin outmatch her there—but she’s a genius at manipulation. In the novels, she uses the Gray Men sparingly, preferring to work through disguises and her mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod, the dream world.

The show leans into her as the Gray Men’s boss, which makes sense for her character. She’s all about control from the sidelines, and having a squad of undetectable killers fits her style perfectly. In season 3, she’s already targeting Nynaeve, hinting at a rivalry that echoes the books. There, Nynaeve eventually takes her down a peg, even collaring her with a Seanchan a’dam to force out her secrets. I reckon the show’s building to something like that, but with the Gray Men as her opening move.

Why They’re a Big Deal

What sets the Gray Men apart is their stealthy, surprise attacks. In the books, they target crucial figures such as Rand, Mat, and Egwene, usually without success but always causing turmoil in their wake. The television adaptation maintains this danger by associating it with Moghedien, providing a distinct villain to keep an eye on while also personalizing the threat. Nynaeve’s brush with death in the premiere wasn’t coincidental—it was Moghedien demonstrating her strength.

For me, the Gray Men are a cool bridge between the books and the show. They bring that dark, gritty edge of Jordan’s world to life, and the TV twist adds a fresh spin. Whether you’re a longtime reader or just hooked on the series, these assassins are a reminder of how deep the Shadow’s reach goes. With Moghedien pulling the strings, season 3’s only getting started, and I can’t wait to see where this creepy crew takes us next.

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2025-03-18 14:33