Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6

Very subtly, Jordan's Wheel of Time books has introduced dozens of names associated with the source material, but due to the sheer size of the character lineup, so many remain absent. After all, there are several key ing characters that arrive somewhat late in the journeys of Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, Mat Cauthon, and the others.

Season 3 has brought in a number of key players essential to the overarching narrative, including Elaida of the Red Ajah, Queen Morgase Trakand, Galad Damodred, Gawyn Trakand, and Faile Bashere. The latter is Perrin's primary love interest in the books, but also someone who opens up a whole new corner of The Wheel of Time's world by paving the way for new storylines (and characters) from her family and homeland. One of them was directly referenced in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6.

The Wheel Of Time Season 3, Episode 6 References Davram Bashere, An Advisor To Rand

Davram Bashere Made His First Appearance In The Fifth Book, The Fires Of Heaven

When Faile was trying to console a wounded Perrin in The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6, she offered an adage that she said came from her father: "A leader can either take care of the living or weep for the dead. Not both." She mentioned her father again when explaining her backstory, claiming that both of her parents were generals. Part of this is true of the book character, as Perrin's mother was not a Darkfriend nor was she a general. Her father, on the other hand, was indeed a general. Specifically, Davram Bashere was the Marshal-General of Saldaea.

In addition to being Faile's father in The Wheel of Time books, Davram Bashere is the uncle of Tenobia si Bashere Kazadi, the queen of Saldaea.

As Faile's father, Davram Bashere was integral to Perrin's Wheel of Time arc, but as Marshal-General, he was also an important factor in Rand's adventures. In The Fires of Heaven, Davram swore an oath of allegiance to Rand al'Thor on behalf of both himself and his men, giving the Dragon Reborn an additional army to lead in his efforts to overcome the Dark One in the Last Battle. As someone with a great deal of clout and military experience, Davram emerged as a valued advisor to Rand.

The books established that Davram was one of the "five great captains" of the Third Age, thus highlighting the character's usefulness as a military asset. Rand evidently recognized Davram's worth, eventually trusting his counsel on a number of important matters. As a result of this trust, Davram Bashere held roles in several books, often at the helm of some of the Dragon Reborn's forces. He appeared in multiple installments beyond The Fires of Heaven, such as The Path of Daggers, A Crown of Swords, and of course, the final book, A Memory of Light.

"Five great captains" is a term that refers to the men revered as the best military leaders in the Westlands. The other four are Gareth Bryne, Pedron Niall, Agelmar Jagad, and Rodel Ituralde. Like Davram Bashere, Gareth Bryne has been confirmed to be part of the show's canon via an exchange between Elayne and Rahvin.

Given the size of the character roster in the books, it's unfortunate but inevitable that some don't get the live-action treatment. The show's cut characters could even include those with long-lasting runs in the books, but the direct reference to Davram Bashere should help alleviate those concerns, at least when it comes to his role in particular. The show pointedly referencing him twice in one episode reinforces the idea that it's inching toward a proper introduction for Saldaea's Marshal-General.

The Wheel Of Time's Davram Bashere Reference Suggests He'll Be Book Accurate

Davram Bashere Was A Competent And Wise Military Leader

Not only does Davram Bashere look primed for an appearance in The Wheel of Time season 4, but it looks like he'll be portrayed accurately. The nature of the show's reference to the character is evidence of that; Faile's aforementioned Davram Bashere quote is a very slight rewording of a line that she similarly attributed to him in Jordan's books. When trying to advise Perrin, Faile claimed that her father once said, "a general can take care of the living or weep for the dead, but he cannot do both."

...the quote itself exemplifies who Davram Bashere is as a person and why Rand trusts him so much in the books.

In offering this line, The Wheel of Time season 3 simultaneously weaves a Perrin-Faile moment from the books into the show and creates an image of its Davram Bashere identical to the one conveyed by the source material. After all, the quote itself exemplifies who Davram Bashere is as a person and why Rand trusts him so much in the Wheel of Time books.

As one of the "five great captains," the Marshal-General is a tactical mastermind and a much-needed ally to Rand's cause. But talent and experience are only part of the equation; Rand knows he can lean on Davram Bashere because he can also be wise and practical, but not to a degree that he disregards human life. Davram Bashere genuinely cares about his men, but also understands the need for sacrifice. This is a lesson that Rand himself has had to learn over the course of the series, and in this manner, the two have a lot in common in the way that they think.

The Wheel Of Time Has Already Made One Change To Davram Bashere's Future

The TV Show's Davram Bashere Unknowingly Started A Family With A Darkfriend

The Wheel of Time's take on Davram Bashere may be every bit the wise and fearless military commander that his counterpart from the books is, but the challenges he has to face are already guaranteed to differ from the source material. Season 3 has revealed that Davram's wife was a Darkfriend who killed one of her sons, which is in stark contrast to how she was depicted in the novels.

Deira Bashere wasn't a warrior, but she shared her husband's commitment to the Light. She even accompanied Rand and Davram at times and enjoyed some lighthearted moments with both characters, plus Perrin and Faile. In Deira, Davram had a devoted partner he knew would him, but it would seem that the TV version of the character won't have the same luxury. The pain of understanding that he was married to a Darkfriend is a struggle that the Davram Bashere from The Wheel of Time books never had to grapple with.