Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3 and for the Wheel of Time novels that the show may draw from in future seasons.
A brief, easy-to-miss villain cameo in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books is whipping through the source material, trying to cover as much of the massive volumes as possible in an eight-hour television season. That includes speeding through the Forsaken, the primary agents of the Dark One who serve as antagonists throughout the novels. Ishamael was already killed in season 2, and Sammael seems to have died in season 3.
The television adaptation of The Wheel of Time seems to have limited Lord Gaebril, the Forsaken Rahvin in disguise, was shown earlier in season 3, setting up one of the central antagonists for season 4, but the series also briefly hinted at another Forsaken's potential appearance, a detail only book readers would have caught.
Jaret Byar's Cameo Helps Set Up Graendal For Wheel Of Time Season 4
A Side Character Was Briefly Referred To As "Child Byar"
In The Wheel of Time, season 3, episode 6, readers see the build-up to the Battle of the Two Rivers, which later happens in the season's penultimate episode. The Children of the Light have been secondary antagonists throughout the series, with Eamon Valda being one of the most malicious among them. While their organization was formed to combat the Dark One, like Valda and their profound hatred for the Aes Sedai make them incredibly dangerous, making them a prime target for the Forsaken to influence.
We've seen agents of the Dark One influencing powerful organizations multiple times on the show so far.
We've seen agents of the Dark One influencing powerful organizations multiple times on the show so far. Elandrin is part of the Black Ajah who infiltrated the White Tower, Padan Fain infiltrated the White Cloaks in the Battle of the Two Rivers, and Lord Gaebril, a man with powerful influence over the Lion Throne of Andor, is a Forsaken in disguise. In season 3, episode 6, Eamon Valda is speaking to a White Cloak and refers to him as "Child Byar," setting up the character Jaret Byar from the novels.
Wheel Of Time Season 3's Siuan Change Is Really Bad News For This Huge Book Character
The events surrounding Siuan Sanche in The Wheel of Time season 3's finale are shocking, and it may set up a similar fate for another character.
Jaret Byar is another sadistic, violent White Cloak who becomes an unforgettable antagonist to Perrin, so it's no wonder he was briefly established, especially after Valda's death. More importantly, Byar is believed to be an agent of Graendal, one of the Forsaken, and either intentionally or inadvertently furthers her cause in Towers of Midnight, book thirteen of The Wheel of Time saga.
Why Graendal Is Probably The Main Villain Of Perrin's Season 4 Story
Perrin's Season 4 Story Could Be Adapted From Towers Of Midnight
Image via Prime Video
Skipping from book four, The Shadow Rising, straight to book thirteen, seems like a drastic stretch for the TV series to make, but there are several clues in The Wheel of Time season 3's ending that indicate Towers of Midnight will be one of the main books season 4 adapts. After the Battle of the Two Rivers in the books, Perrin stays in his hometown to recover rather than going with the White Cloaks, leaving his rivalry with Bornhald to be settled all the way at the end of the book series. Perrin then doesn't appear in book five.
Since the TV show had Perrin agree to his arrest and trial under the Children of the Light, it looks like they'll be taking a piece of Towers of Midnight to make up for him not being in book five. That way, the actor can remain on the show. The conflict between Perrin and Bornhald will reach its climax much sooner than in the novels, which could also mean Graendal's appearance, influencing events through Byar. This subtle hint in The Wheel of Time season 3 established the precedent for an important villain reveal.
The Wheel of Time
- Release Date
- November 18, 2021
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Rafe Judkins
Cast
Moiraine Damodred
al'Lan Mandragoran
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip
- Writers
- Amanda Kate Shuman, Dave Hill, Rohit Kumar, Justine Juel Gillmer, Celine Song, Rammy Park, The Clarksons Twins, Katherine B. McKenna
- Franchise(s)
- The Wheel of Time
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