Includes SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6, and potential events from the books.
A deadly new object called the Domination Bands, the male version of the a'dam, have come into play in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The show is beginning to live up to expectations from the book series, with a sprawling assortment of storylines, factions, and cultures progressing around the central notion of the Dragon Reborn's arrival.
With Rand al'Thor proclaiming himself as The Wheel of Time's season 2 ending, everyone in the show's world is going to have to make a choice about how to handle it. Moiraine wants to use Rand to defeat the Dark One in the Last Battle. Lanfear wants Rand to fulfill his destiny and rule the world with her. The Red Ajah want to capture and gentle any male channelers, as they did with Logain. The Black Ajah have their own intentions in the service of the Dark One, and it connects the Domination Bands.
Wheel Of Time's Domination Bands Can Be Used To Control The Dragon Reborn
They Work Similarly To The Seanchan's A'dam From Season 2
The Wheel of Time season 2 introduced ter'angreals called a'dam, a combination of collar and bracelet that can be used to control a channeler. They're used by the Seanchan to control Egwene, forcing her to fight for them briefly in the Battle of Falme. The Domination Bands are a male version of these devices, which would allow for the control of a male channeler. This is especially threatening to Rand, given how powerful we've seen him become in season 3.
The male half of the One Power is incredibly strong, but due to being tainted by the Dark One, it's far more challenging to control due to its instability.
Rand al'Thor is the Dragon, making him the most innately powerful channeler in the One Power is incredibly strong, but due to being tainted by the Dark One, it's far more challenging to control due to its instability. Rand can be extraordinarily strong, but the more he uses the power, the more likely it is to take over him. His autonomy is a significant element of The Wheel of Time's story, as the only way for him to defeat the Dark One is to find a balance between strength and control.
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If Rand were to be controlled by the Black Ajah using the Domination Bands, the factor of him going mad would still be something for his controllers to be concerned about. Notably, the Dragon Reborn would also be able to control the woman after some time, making them an incredibly risky device to use. While it sounds like a useful tool for the Black Ajah, it comes with its limitations. It's still their best chance right now to shift Rand over to the Dark One, and it's better to strike while he's vulnerable.
How The Domination Bands Are Different From The Seanchan's A'dams
The Domination Bands Are Built With Two Bracelets For Two Female Channelers To Control
As with most things related to The Wheel of Time's magic, the Domination Bands differ from the regular a'dams in a similar way to how the two sides of the One Power differ. Saidar, the female half of the One Power, is far more stable and reliable, while saidin, the male half, is described as a raging storm. The Seanchan's a'dams are fairly straightforward. The wearer of the collar (damane) is controlled by the wearer of the bracelet (sul'dam). This is typically done with a combination of women.
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A female channeler could attempt to control a male channel with an a'dam, but it would prove difficult due to the inherently stronger power of saidin. This is how the Domination Bands differ in mechanics, as they involve two bracelets and require two women to operate. As shown by the scenes with Logain in The Wheel of Time season 1, containing a powerful male channeler is incredibly difficult, and though a ter'angreal would help, there's still a heavy burden for the women to carry.
As mentioned before, the Domination Bands don't allow the bracelet-wearers complete control, as the male is still subject to their potential to become mad. The male channeler can also end up wrestling for control of the power in their circle. These aspects pertain to the characteristics of saidin and saidar, with women looking to "surrender" to the saidar and men needing to "dominate" the saidin. Examining the qualities of the One Power can also help explain characters' motivations at times in the books and show.
A "circle" or "link" is a combination of channelers that s their access to the One Power together.
The Domination Bands Provide Setup For A Missing Forsaken Member
We Could See Semirhage Sooner Than Expected
Many of the Forsaken have been introduced in The Wheel of Time TV show, especially after Ishamael freed them before dying in The Wheel of Time season 2 finale. Among these characters is Semirhage, a Forsaken who isn't introduced until The Fires of Heaven in the book series. She was confirmed to be in the TV series in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 2, which could suggest a connection to the Tanchico plotline sooner than later. Especially with Moghedien arriving in Tanchico in episode 6, we could see even more Forsaken there before the season ends.
In the novels, Semirhage works together with a member of the Black Ajah, Elza Penfell, to use the Domination Bands to capture Rand in Knife of Dreams. This is book 11, so much later in the series than where we're at in the show right now. However, the TV series has been known to jumble events around. For example, Sammael was killed by Rand al'Thor in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6, when he doesn't become a major antagonist in the books until A Crown of Swords. The same could happen with Semirhage.
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The Prime Video TV show is condensing many of the book events, which will allow them to avoid having fourteen or fifteen seasons of TV. It's possible that Semirhage could end the season with the Domination Bands or find herself in possession of them as soon as season 4, allowing that plotline to occur sooner rather than later. The show's goal is currently to have eight seasons, and they seem to be whipping through the Forsaken rather quickly. Lanfear might already be out of the way by The Wheel of Time season 3 finale.
The Wheel of Time
- Release Date
- November 18, 2021
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Rafe Judkins
Cast
Moiraine Damodred
al'Lan Mandragoran
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip
- Writers
- Amanda Kate Shuman, Dave Hill, Rohit Kumar, Justine Juel Gillmer, Celine Song, Rammy Park, The Clarksons Twins, Katherine B. McKenna
- Franchise(s)
- The Wheel of Time
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