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Warning: Spoilers for Wheel of Time’s first three episodes
Despite his relevance to the plot, Gareth Bryne has thus far been absent from The Wheel of Time’s third season. In Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books, Gareth Bryne is among a handful of characters associated with the court of Andor. After introducing Elayne Trakand in season 2, the series finally took a deep dive into this corner of Jordan’s fantasy universe in The Wheel of Time season 3’s first three episodes, which featured the long-waited debut of Caemlyn, the capital city of Andor.
Wheel of Time season 3 brought in five characters with ties to the Lion Throne of Andor, the most important of which being the queen herself, Morgase Trakand. Plus, it introduced the queen’s two sons, Gawyn Trakand and Galad Damodred, the queen’s two sons. Also on hand is Wheel of Time’s Elaida, the queen’s Aes Sedai advisor, and Rahvin, a member of the Forsaken who had infiltrated the court to become Morgase’s lover. However, the show hasn’t included everyone in connection with this storyline, as two were noticeably missing in these scenes.
Wheel Of Time Explained Why Gareth Bryne Hasn’t Been In Season 3 Yet
Gareth Bryne Wasn’t Part Of Morgase’s Entourage In Wheel Of Time Season 3
In the books, Gareth Bryne begins the story as the Captain-General of the Queen’s Guard and gradually evolves into a major ally to Wheel of Time’s main characters. For some time now, whether or not he’d be in the show at all was open to speculation, but the series seemingly put that to rest by confirming his absence. Rahvin, in his guise as Lord Gaebril, mentioned Gareth Bryne by name in a conversation with Elayne in season 3’s second episode. When describing “challenges at home,” Rahvin said that “Captain-General Bryne” had been dismissed from his position.
Normally, there would be an expectation for Bryne to be part of the queen’s inner circle in the series, but his off-screen expulsion from the military – an event that does indeed occur eventually in the books – accounts for the character not being around.
Were Wheel of Time to leave out Gareth Bryne for the remainder of season 3, the show would now have a working explanation for that. Normally, there would be an expectation for Bryne to be part of the queen’s inner circle in the series, but his off-screen expulsion from the military – an event that does indeed occur eventually in the books – accounts for the character not being around. It was revealed that Bryne was forced out of the military at the beginning of book 5, The Fires of Heaven.
Gareth Bryne’s Absence Hints At Rahvin’s Plan In The Wheel Of Time Season 3
Bryne’s Explusion Proves Rahvin’s Plan Has Already Begun
Wheel of Time’s reference to Gareth Bryne does more than offer a reason for why he hasn’t appeared yet. This line actually holds a much greater meaning, as it serves as an early hint at what Rahvin is up to in the show. In the books, getting rid of Gareth Bryne was the work of the villian, who had developed a convoluted scheme to take control of Andor. In the books, he used a One Power ability known as Compulsion to gain influence over Morgase, and used that to further his plans.
To control Morgase, it was important that he silence others who had Morgase’s ear, and that included Gareth Bryne, who was one of her closest confidantes at the time. Using Compulsion, Rahvin arranged Gareth Bryne’s dismissal. With him gone, Rahvin presumably found it easier to manipulate things in his favor. All of this led up to Rahvin putting his plan into motion in The Fires of Heaven, when he overthrew Morgase and proclaimed himself king.
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The fact that Bryne has left Queen Morgase’s service prior to season 3 goes to show that Rahvin’s plan has already been enacted in the TV version of the story. Exactly how far along the scheme is in the show remains to be seen, but the unrest in Andor that Rahvin mentioned indicates that trust in the kingdom’s leadership has already been placed in a weakened state, just as Rahvin intended in the books. This means that Rahvin’s takeover of Andor may play out before season 3 ends, rather than stretch out into season 4.
Wheel Of Time Has Already Set Up Gareth Bryne’s Book Story
Gareth Bryne Could Be A Key Character In A Future Siuan Sanche Arc
Although his place in The Wheel of Time’s world is no longer in doubt, it’s unclear exactly when Gareth Bryne will enter the picture. But as things stand, he’s still on track to get his book story, even though his debut will come much later than it did for his counterpart from Jordan’s novels. In The Fires of Heaven, Min Farshaw and Siuan Sanche’s group encountered Gareth Bryne after their escape from the White Tower. Powerless without the ability to channel, Siuan became a servant to Gareth Bryne, giving her group a new place to go.
With that in mind, there’s a good chance Wheel of Time will follow the same course, given that Siuan’s story is currently headed in this direction now that Elaida is accumulating power. In the books, Siuan ultimately lost her position as Amyrlin Seat to Elaida and fled with White Tower with Min and Logain. They formed a group of Aes Sedai rebels and found a capable ally in Gareth Bryne, who used his experience as a military leader and the men at his command to help the rebels accomplish their goals.
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All things considered, the timing of Gareth Bryne’s debut will most likely depend on the progression of the show’s White Tower arc. Since Siuan is still the Amylrin Seat by the end of episode 3, it could be that the rebellion storyline won’t begin until season 4. If that’s the case, this could be when the show plans to bring him into the fold. If that happens, he could be a major character in The Wheel of Time season 4, which could make his relationship with Siuan a focal point of her story.
In the source material at least, Gareth Bryne is Siuan’s main love interest. Due to the emphasis on Moiraine and Siuan’s romantic history in the show, it’s hard to say if the show will ever head down that road with her and Bryne. But even if it doesn’t, their interactions, regardless of whether they lead to romance, give the show plenty to work with; being in servitude to Gareth Bryne would place the former Amylrin Seat into an ususual position of vulnerability, setting up some fun exchanges between the two characters in The Wheel of Time’s future.
