Elaida Sedai’s Power Play: The Red Ajah’s Threat in S3

by

Elaida, known as Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan among the Aes Sedai, is a prominent member of the Red Ajah, demonstrating significant power as a channeler and wisdom as an advisor to Morgase Trakand, the Queen of Andor. Played by Shohreh Aghdashloo with great gravitas and cunningness, Elaida plays a crucial role in season three of ‘The Wheel of Time’, her character’s literary history being vital for upcoming events.

Here’s some insight on Elaida and her potential role within the “The Wheel of Time” TV series:

Elaida, a significant character in Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” saga, is expected to play an integral part in the upcoming television adaptation. Known for her strong-willed nature and unwavering devotion to the White Tower, Elaaidas influence on the series’ events will undoubtedly be profound. As the Amyrlin Seat, the highest authority among the Aes Sedai, she wields immense power and is often embroiled in political intrigue and conflict. The audience can expect to see her complex character unfold as the story progresses within the TV series.

Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan’s Wheel of Time Book History, Explained

It became clear that she was Elaida, the Aes Sedai. All at once, he felt relieved that he hadn’t sought her aid, no matter which sisterhood she belonged to. An austerity more severe than Moiraine’s emanated from her. On occasion, he had imagined Moiraine as steel beneath velvet; with Elaida, the velvet seemed merely a façade.” – Rand al Thor, The Eye of the World

In Rand’s initial encounter with Elaida, he finds himself in Caemlyn, the heart of Andor. Unwittingly, he stumbles into the palace grounds and is subsequently escorted before Queen Morgase, her kin (which includes Elayne), and her council to present his argument.

During the same interaction, Elaida’s ability of Prophecy is also revealed. She declares, “I am prophesying… and I vow by the Light that I speak no clearer. From today, Andor moves towards suffering and discord. The Shadow has not yet reached its darkest point, and I can’t tell if the Light will follow. Wherever there has been a single tear shed, there will be thousands more. I am prophesying… I am also prophesying that suffering and discord will spread across the entire world, and this man is at the center of it.

In my viewpoint, Elaida’s ominous prediction about Rand proves to be remarkably true throughout the series. As the taint of his power takes hold, he grapples with insanity, clinging to the hope that he can confront the Dark One in the Last Battle. Initially, Elaida appears only briefly in the first book, but her significance grows significantly in the third book, The Dragon Reborn, and beyond, as she resumes her position at the White Tower after decades of advising Morgase.

RELATED ARTICLE

THE WHEEL OF TIME Showrunner Teases Singing and Book Changes Ahead for Season 3

Elaida desires to maintain a close relationship with Queen Morgase and the Andoran royal family, as she believes they hold significant influence for the upcoming Last Battle based on her own prophecies. Additionally, Elaida aims to be admired and influential among the Aes Sedai sisters. She feels that staying within the Tower of White would have allowed her to achieve greater status and power, a goal she intends to pursue upon her return as well.

In the novels, Morgase harbors mistrust towards the Aes Sedai, stemming from their ambiguous handling of her daughter Elayne’s enigmatic vanishing (followed by an unexpected return). As novices, Moiraine and Siuan found Elaida to be a particularly stern teacher, with another senior Aes Sedai stepping in to correct her. However, the origins of this animosity remain unspecified. Yet, it is certain that this antipathy will significantly influence Elaida’s behavior in the series as well.

Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan’s in The Wheel of Time TV Series

Rafe Lee Judkins, the creator, mentioned that the television series follows the fourth book of “The Wheel of Time” series titled “The Shadow Rising“. In this novel, Elaida makes her way back to the White Tower following several years as a key advisor to the Queen of Andor, Morgase Trakand. On the show, Elaida is present in the White Tower to monitor Elayne closely. Additionally, she becomes privy to the Amyrlin Seat’s strategies involving Moiraine.

In her role within the Red Ajah, Elaida is determined to seize the Dragon Reborn, Rand al’Thor, following his declaration in Falme. She harbors suspicions about the Amyrlin Seat’s hesitance to act and find the Dragon, believing that Siuan and Moiraine may be hatching a secret plot. As one of the most influential and powerful Aes Sedai, Elaida also aspires to claim the position of the Amyrlin Seat. She has amassed both allies and enemies within the Tower and beyond its walls. These tensions will reach a climax in this season.

The influence and backing of the Amyrlin Seat among the Aes Sedai is becoming uncertain. This uncertainty has grown significantly following the disclosure of the Black Ajah within their ranks, which has everyone on edge. This tense atmosphere presents an ideal opportunity for Elaida to gain additional supporters.

The primary source of disagreement among Elaida, Siuan, and their associates revolves around the question of how to handle the Dragon Reborn. Many Aes Sedai, particularly those from the Red Ajah, argue that once the Dragon Reborn claims his title, he should be utilized as a tool against the Dark One in the impending Last Battle. Elaida, on the other hand, advocates for keeping the Dragon Reborn under complete Aes Sedai control. Some believe it was the Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon, who shattered the world long ago. Siuan tends to favor giving Rand the freedom to chart his own course. However, her faith in Moiraine’s strategy momentarily falters at the end of the second season.

As Elaida goes back to the White Tower, it appears she’s doing so to oversee Elayne and her brothers Gawyn and Galad more closely, but her exact intentions remain somewhat unclear at this point. It seems that through a prophecy, she foresees herself serving as an influential advisor to Andor’s Queen. Despite this, she feels remorse for not holding the position of Amyrlin Seat within the Tower, a role she believed she could have excelled in. This regret will likely stir up some turmoil during her return, much like it did before. Elaida harbors grudges against Siuan and Moiraine, which may complicate their efforts to keep Rand from reaching the White Tower.

It’s unclear what actions Elaida may take once she has amassed power through her connections with other Aes Sedai. However, it’s certain that these moves will significantly impact the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, Moiraine, and Rand al’Thor, the Dragon, as Elaida is eager to locate him swiftly.

Read More

2025-03-13 16:06