I’m curious, what recent podcast? I’m not current with the podcast scene

I seem to remember that in both cases of compulsion and turning, there is an exception (although rare) that allows for the victim to resist the force projected at them. The most obvious example probably logain regarding turning, and I think maybe nyneave was able to resist compulsion somewhat. Something like the stronger ones sense of self the more they are able to resist. I wonder if that is why the shadow doesn’t simply attempt to turn Rand by force? I’m sure there are many more nuances involved but I don’t recall this tactic ever being used on Rand or for that matter, if the resources are available and most people are susceptible, why it’s not used more

Bea Arthur from the golden girls 🤷‍♀️😂

Mat and Cadsuane…did they ever interact?

Admittedly I’m not to the end yet, but it strikes me as I reread that so many fans are opposed to BS and his writing of the final 3 books. As I said, I haven’t completed my first reread yet, but I have to say, even if fans hate me for it, I think BS is doing a fine job with the task he’s given. What causes the opposition within so many fans about BS and his writing/conclusion to the series?

Yes I am a spiritual seeker so a lot of my thoughts about WOT are me projecting that on the narrative and seeing things through that perspective. Good catch, @Aan-Alone

I love everything you point out here

My two cents on the question posed by OP is this. The characters may be frustrating and downright agonizing to read about their headspace and how they behave at times, but I don’t see any reason to make the assumption that this means they are badly written characters. I think they’re actually exquisitely written characters, because they’re so exquisitely human.

Agreed with what you say about how much RJ wove into the story and I don’t think it’s possible to pick up on so much of it the first time through. Especially in my case since I devoured the series back to back so ravenously without the forced break between books that the OG crew went through and gave them time to think about things more. I am not sure if I know what the significance of Cabriana Sedai or the apple farmer is yet. Can you enlighten me?

Everything you say here makes total sense and checks out. I will admit though, in my case, only in hindsight. When I was reading the first time through, I thought Taim was Demandred. I devoured the books back to back after the series was already completed so there was no waiting between books and no time for me to think past what was on the page. That’s just me though. It sounds like you’ve only read the series once as well, so let me just say that I admire your skill as a perceptive reader! Your insights come across to me like someone who has read the books more than once.

I love that you want to name your daughter in some way derived from WOT! I hope you find something that feels right and that you will share it in the forum when you do. I liked the idea mentioned above where you might use a name as inspiration to make something unique

I felt overall frustrated with how much Taim was able to get away with and how it seemed like Rand coulda shoulda been more engaged and aware of the goings on, compelling him to do something about it. On the other hand, I feel like Taim was very good at giving Rand just enough to let his guard down and necessarily deprioritize something on his overflowing plate. For example, he appears to turn over one of the seals from the dark one’s prison right off the bat and he plays a significant role in rescuing him at Dumai’s wells, among other things. As clear as it is to the reader that Rand should have caught on sooner or at least checked in and had more involvement with the BT, I can see how Taim managed to lure him into his complacency.

One more thing @Aan-Alone, I just wanted to say that I have sincerely enjoyed reading every post of yours that I’ve seen and always come away with positive feelings from your insights. Plus you’re kind and considerate and thoughtful, the world (and the internet) needs more people like you 🙂

You are a precious gem and I humbly appreciate your considerate words. No apology necessary, I only meant to convey my admiration for readers such as yourself who pick up on the intricacies and nuances that so far have escaped me. It’s not you, it’s me 😉

I agree with you. I think that’s why I like the books…the characters are simply human and I can relate to that! I’m flawed and annoying as s**t to myself as well lol

Thanks for pointing that out. I am rereading the series and still miss so much of what you described as being explained outright or what is intended to be “intuitively obvious” to the perceptive reader. Despite my lack of ability to pick up on the underlying implications within the text, I absolutely love reading it and foresee myself rereading until I wake from the dream 😉

I like your style haha and good call….im relatively new enough that I never had to wait to read on to the next book. I often wonder how the OG fans managed the wait between books. Although maybe I have some idea as a fan of ASOIAF lol. Welcome!

Something occurred to me in my reread. I’m not as familiar as the OG fans with the intricacies of everything that has happened and has already been discussed and explained, so please forgive my ignorance. Anyway, I don’t understand how nyneave was able to get the best of moggie in FOH by using the a’dam and forkroot in TAR. We have already been privy to her apparent knowledge, skill, experience and ease in the dream world, especially but not exclusively by her handling of birgitte. I would think she would have known that she could have undone the situation nyneave put her in simply by employing her knowledge of how the world of dreams works. Anyone who can help clarify this for me?

Nah. I don’t think so. I always got the sense that I was supposed to see them and most of the characters as I would any other person, myself included. Simply as human. Whether or not they see themselves that way is irrelevant to me, and a reason why I resonate with the series. No one, as I see it, not even the dragon reborn/savior, is above having human flaws. Which explains why they are so infuriating at times 😂 and also so relatable. That’s just my 2 cents.

I’m working my way through the final few books of the series, my second read through, and a question occurred to me. I haven’t reread the series enough to know off hand, but is it mentioned that seanchan ogier have steddings and the same longing for them as the ones in randland? It struck me this time around when reading that ogier within the seanchan structure seem very different than what we know about their core nature in randland. The ogier we see within seanchan culture are engaged and prevalent in society, at least within the military, and come across to me as stoic soldiers. I don’t notice any portrayal of what I perceive as the distinctive, characteristic traits that seem to define the culture in my perception in randland. Patient, wise, soft yet strong, peaceful, thoughtful and somewhat separate from human tendencies and the affairs of human society. Additionally they have a true affinity and need to be in a stedding, or at least go back for periodic reboots. Is seanchan culture so different that ogier there seem to be almost a fundamentally different species, or am I missing/forgetting something ?

Just wow. Thank you for sharing! It feels exquisitely authentic and I got the impression that it could have been seamlessly incorporated as one of the pieces we read in the books before or after the official narrative, in the introduction or the conclusion. Like how there will be excerpts of prophecy or literature, I immediately thought how well your piece would have fit into the actual books that way.

Whoa, that’s a helluva threesome! Excellent point 😂

Meeeee….. that is all. Me

Just frivolous fun, I’m going through Harry Potter again and I can’t help but think about what would happen if mcgonigall and Cadsuane met. Friends or foes?

Min would often have situations in the books where she knew what the visions showed were certain to occur but didn’t know how to interpret the greater context, the why or the how. I dont want to be too specific in order to avoid spoilers, but for example the one regarding Cadsuane and Rand or Alivia and Rand. She knew what would happen but until they actually played out it left a lot of the meaning up to interpretation. And there could be many conflicting ways of interpreting.