Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8
Although set up to appear early on in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books still missing from Prime Video's live-action adaptation. However, it has been confirmed that he exists in its world.
During Elayne's talk with Lord Gaebril a.k.a. Rahvin before her departure from Tar Valon, it was mentioned that Gareth Bryne had lost his position as the kingdom of Andor's Captain-General. This event does occur in the universe of the books, and for a seemingly similar reason, so this appeared to be setup for Gareth Bryne getting a book-accurate story later on, possibly in season 4. Unfortunately, that's now an impossible task in light of Siuan Sanche's death in the season 3 finale. Gareth Bryne's story has been irreversibly changed.
Siuan Sanche Is Integral To Gareth Bryne's Story In The Wheel Of Time Books
Gareth Bryne Became A Main Character As A Repercussion of Siuan Sanche's Escape
Image via Prime Video
In contrast to the events that played out in The Wheel of Time season 3 finale, Siuan Sanche was stilled and imprisoned as part of her sentence, rather than executed. Afterward, she teamed with Logain Ablar, Min Farshaw, and Leane Shariff to stage an escape from the White Tower. During their travels outside Tar Valon, they crossed paths with Gareth Bryne. After seeking shelter in his home, an accident led to damages to his property. As punishment for their actions, Gareth Bryne made them become servants.
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As time ed, Gareth Bryne learned Siuan Sanche's true identity and the pair became close, even developing a romantic relationship. Gareth Bryne also became a staunch ally to Siuan, using the men at his command to her in the Aes Sedai rebel camp at Salidar. Bryne maintained a strong presence in the series, appearing as a character in multiple storylines, generally in Siuan Sanche's company and eventually, as her Warder.
Siuan Sanche's Death Is A Bad Sign For Gareth Bryne's Future
Her Death Adds To The Evidence That Gareth Bryne Has Been Cut
Image via Prime Video
With The Wheel of Time putting so much emphasis on the love story between Siuan and Moiraine, the former getting romantically involved with Gareth Bryne has long seemed unlikely. However, a platonic relationship built on mutual respect where Siuan is humbled by having to become Gareth Bryne's servant didn't appear to be outside the realm of possibility for her post-Amyrlin Seat story. Of course, The Wheel of Time has now taken that off the table, and changed Gareth Bryne's future in the process. At this point, it's worth wondering if season 3's Gareth Bryne name-drop was nothing more than a nod to a major book character.
Siuan Sanche's death signals that the Salidar plotline will have much less relevance in the TV version of the story and isn't something it plans to devote a multi-episode, onscreen arc to in the forthcoming seasons.
Siuan Sanche's death signals that the Salidar plotline will have much less relevance in the TV version of the story and isn't something it plans to devote a multi-episode, onscreen arc to in the forthcoming seasons. If that's the case, there may be much less for Bryne to do, if he appears at all. It's highly plausible at this point that in cutting Siuan Sanche's story, the show has effectively removed Gareth Bryne from the narrative as well.
How The Wheel Of Time Could Replace Siuan Sanche In Gareth Bryne's Story
Gareth Bryne Could Forces With Morgase Instead
Alternatively, the show could make a book-accurate take on Gareth Bryne's arc without Siuan Sanche. After all, a different but somewhat similar situation in the books provides for a dynamic akin to the one that Siuan and Bryne share. In The Fires of Heaven, Queen Morgase Trakand went into exile after Rahvin successfully orchestrated a takeover in Caemlyn. Much like Siuan, Morgase had her fair share of adventures while getting accustomed to her loss of authority. It could be that The Wheel of Time has cut Siuan's storyline but will keep Morgase's, and could use that to facilitate a role for Gareth Bryne.
The book version of Gareth Bryne made his first appearance in the series' first installment, The Eye of the World, when Rand al'Thor met Elayne in Caemlyn.
Such a scenario shouldn't be ruled out, considering that The Wheel of Time has already been laying the groundwork for Rahvin to claim the Lion Throne. Rahvin has clearly been using Compulsion to gain influence within Andor's court. That means it's only a matter of time before he makes his move. This will either result in Morgase facing an early death as well or the character going on the run. If the show goes with the latter option, it could be that she'll have a tense reunion with her former captain-general.
The Wheel Of Time Season 3 May Have Set Up A Completely Different Story For Gareth Bryne
Gareth Bryne May Help Elayne Defeat Rahvin
Another path for the series to take with Gareth Bryne may have presented itself when Thom Merrilin tipped Elayne Trakand off about "Lord Gaebril" being a member of the Forsaken in The Wheel of Time. Because this doesn't happen in the books, it could very well open the door for an all-new plotline to unfold. Now that Elayne has been warned of Rahvin's treachery ahead of time, the series may send her on a journey back home to Caemlyn. If the show entertains a season-long storyline set in Caemlyn where Elayne tries to unravel Rahvin's plans, there should absolutely be an opportunity for Gareth Bryne to appear.
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After all, Gareth Bryne's dismissal is a known consequence of Rahvin's plotting. He wanted Bryne out of the way due to his influence on Morgase. With that in mind, it would make sense for him to be personally motivated to help Elayne stop Rahvin and his tracks and thwart any attempt on Queen Morgase's life. He may no longer have any real power in Andor, but as someone who spent decades of his life serving the queen, he most likely still has some noteworthy connections he can lean on to disrupt Rahvin's influence.
If the show leans in this direction, Gareth Bryne could be a major ing character in the story the show is setting up for Rahvin, who is now a prime candidate for The Wheel of Time season 4's main villain. This would be drastically different from what the source material offered him, but would still be consistent with who he is as a person in Robert Jordan's books.
The Wheel of Time
- Release Date
- November 18, 2021
- Network
- Prime Video
WHERE TO WATCH
- Showrunner
- Rafe Judkins
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