I understand; I just don't think making Elaida a Darkfriend automatically or necessarily does that.

Almost no-one who does things that are judged to be evil views those things in that light, because, as Sheev Palpatine said to Anakin, "good is a point of view", and that truism would exist even in a world where Absolute Good and Absolute Evil exist in equal measure (at least in my opinion).

Genuine question time: would you mind giving me some examples? I think the degree to which this is true depends on what you think Jordan's thematic aims are/were (which is a subject I have no real position on given that I didn't like the WoT books that I've read).

Which, from my personal point of view, would be as equally valid a choice as the alternative and still offer avenues for exploring the overall thematic nature of the story. But, again, to each their own.

@Elder_Haman To each their own. I personally think that there's absolutely a world in which the 'Tower Schism' storyline could work and be compelling, nuanced, and thematically resonant with one side of it representing the Light and the other representing the Shadow.

@SinisterDeath @Elder_Haman Making all of the Sisters - including Elaida - who were directly involved in deposing and executing Siuan Darkfriends would be a narratively simplistic decision that alleviates the question of how the 3 Oaths apply (they wouldn't), gives a clearly delineated moral objectivity to those opposing Elaida's actions (even from afar), and makes it very simple for a character like Moiraine to at least temporarily step into any storylines that involve bringing Elaida down one way or another. I'm not necessarily explicitly saying that Rafe and his team did any of this, but don't think that it's entirely inconceivable that they could/might have.

I want to clarify that when I talked about every person who was complicit in Siuan's deposing and death being a Darkfriend, I was including Elaida.

Siuan was accused and convicted, but with only the most base air of legitimacy... hence my statements from earlier about how none of Elaida's actions in ascending to the Seat actually hold up under scrutiny and about why it's not inconceivable that every person who was complicit in Siuan's deposing and bore witness to/was present for her execution is a Darkfriend.

If Josha doesn't announce something at the Con he's appearing at this weekend in Europe, Amazon is holding its Upfronts presentation on May 12th, which would be, in my mind, the absolute latest we'd hear something one way or another.

Siuan's words might have momentarily rattled Elaida, but the key word there is 'momentarily'.

Perceived conflict resolution on Siuan's part, like I said. None of Elaida's actions in ascending to the Amrylin Seat would honestly pass intense scrutiny, which is entirely the point from a Meta perspective.

It is for me. It wouldn't be that outrageous of a thing to do - in terms of narrative simplicity - to make every person in the Hall at the time of Siuan's execution - including Elaida - Darkfriends. What's confusing about it? Siuan chose to view it as conflict resolution; Elaida didn't.

Mentioning something and then immediately moving away from discussing it further is the literal opposite of 'going down a rabbit hole'. Re: the Three Oaths, I'm of the opinion that trying to get extremely granular and precisely parse what does or doesn't count as a violation of any of them is just a waste of time. The fact that we've seen Aes Sedai do things with the One Power that seem like they shouldn't be able to do based on the Three Oaths is, for me, all the proof that is needed that said actions are not in fact a violation of said Oaths. Having just said all that, though, there is a very simple explanation to justify Alvieren being able to execute Siuan in the way that she did: she (Alvieren) is a Darkfriend herself.

When/if we get more seasons, Moiraine's death is still coming, and it's still most likely going to be permanent once it happens.

It's not my definition; it's the definition. So whether or not you agree with it is irrelevant.