The Wheel of Time changed Ingtar’s role from the books

Greg Chilligirian plays Lord Ingtar Shinowa on The Wheel of Time, Amazon’s adaptation of Robert Jordan’s massive book series. Ingtar is a Shienaran nobleman who accompanied Perrin, Loial and several other Shienarans in The Wheel of Time season 2 as they searched for the Horn of Valere, which Padan Fain had stolen from the city of Fal Dara.

Like the rest of his crew (save Perrin, who escaped), Ingtar was captured by the Seanchan early in the season. He was taken to the city of Falme, which was attacked in the season finale. He dies during the battle buying time for Perrin and others to escape.

All of this is more or less accurate to what Ingtar gets up to in the books, with some changes. For instance, in the books, Ingtar spends time with Rand, whereas in the show he mostly hangs out with Perrin. Still, in both versions he dies fighting Seanchan soldiers in a narrow pass in Falme. However, there is one BIG twist involving Ingtar that the show left out.

Ingtar’s role was changed on The Wheel of Time

SPOILER incoming: In The Wheel of Time books, Ingtar is a Darkfriend, someone who had sworn themselves to the Dark One. However, he feels bad about it. Right before he sacrifices himself, Ingtar confesses his true allegiance to Rand. He repents, rejoining the Light right before he defends his friends.

Obviously, this did not happen in the show. It’s possible that Ingtar was a Darkfriend and we just didn’t know it, but no one had any conversation to that effect. So far as we can tell, he’s a Shienaran warrior who goes down fighting in the Battle of Falme.

That said, the way his death scene is filmed, you get the idea it’s supposed to be mean something; there are some close-ups and dramatic music. It makes you wonder if maybe the show did include Ingtar’s Darkfriend confession but it got cut for time?

Some outlets believe that the show was setting up a turn for Ingtar. For instance, Screen Rant pointed to a dialogue exchange early in the season where Ingtar encouraged understanding for Padan Fain, who had killed people at Fal Dara before absconding with the Horn of Valere. “Perhaps Padan Fain had a reason for doing what he did,” he told Perrin.

Was this foreshadowing for a twist that was planned to happen but got cut, or just an errant moment that we’re reading too much into? Perhaps the producers will speak out one day. For now, all we know is that Ingtar won’t be coming back for The Wheel of Time season 3.

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