Wheel of Time Season 2: What Exactly Is Black Aja?

Nothing is going well for our heroes in Season 2 of The Wheel of Time. While Maureen (Rosamund Pike) still hasn’t regained her powers, Ishmael grows closer to Rand, and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) is captured by the Seanchan much to Nineveh’s (Zoe Robbins) dismay, viewers discover her true colors. Member of the White Tower.

Fans of the literary saga know from the start that Liandrin (the Red Aes Sedai played by Kate Fleetwood), who hates men to the highest degree, is actually part of the Black Ajah. This secret brotherhood is sworn to the dark and works with it.

The black color is not explained by the color they wear – as they are officially members of one of the 7 orders (red, blue, green, yellow…) – but by the fact that they have gone from the dark side.

The presence of the Black Ajah implies that their members are betraying the three oaths they took to the Oath Staff when they became Aes Sedai. Here they are as a reminder:

• They cannot lie

• They should never make a weapon that a person can use to kill someone

• They cannot use force as a weapon, except in cases of force majeure (self-defense or to preserve life)

We quickly learn that Liandrin has betrayed his oath and his values. He lied to convince Egwene and Ninaeva to leave the White Tower and hand them over to the enemy. He also used his power on Sheriam Bayanar to alter her memories and force her to change her registry.

The mention of the Black Ajah makes the Aes Sedai shudder as it has only been a rumor until now. In episode 7 of The Wheel of Time, airing on Prime Video this Friday, September 29, the channelers discover that Liandrin has been unfaithful all along. In the novels, Red Aja is not the only one who is part of this brotherhood. But the other members are yet to be introduced in the second season…