[Harry Lime]

Spoiler!

There are two things that are missing in relation to the sword. The first is the connection to Rand's father. It establishes that Tam Al'Thor is an important figure even outside of the familial relation. It also creates a sense of displacement for Rand in the story. I can see why they left some of this behind. If they want to play up the 'mystery' element, it doesn't help that Rand would be established as being at least half of an 'outsider' to the Two Rivers. So far he is the most bland character in the television series.

The second thing that I am missing in relation to the sword is that random people noticed it in the books. He would go into a tavern and someone would go to mess with him and Mat, and then see the sword and back off. He would be given undeserved respect, and it deepened the character, as that would follow him later in the story. Did he deserve all of this? It bothered me a lot that Lan did not mention the heron on the sword right away. Lan himself carries the Malkier sword of kings that has the same properties as a heron mark blade.

It weakens the story a bit to not have these little depth pieces.