I like the Black Ajah hunters; it was one of my favourite minor plot arcs. I really wish it didn't completely fizzle out because it foreshadowed that Pevara's secret Asha'man warder would be playing a critical role therein. The Kin and the newly gathered novices by the SAS were also interesting side plots that ultimately went nowhere. Nicola in particular was underused.

To (perhaps) break down the politcal moves more clearly: Gareth Bryne gives Egwene advance notice about the army in their path Egwene sends her minions to start fanning flames among the Andorans and the SAS Egwene waits for Romanda and Lelaine to set up the meeting so it looks (to them) like it was their idea The Andorans (partially due to the prompting) don't take the SAS leadership seriously Egwene makes the deal to diffuse the situation (by Travelling before they reach Andor) The Hall, annoyed that they weren't take seriously, not realising Egwene set the whole thing up, and unclear on the legal specifics, vote to give Egwene more power (FWIW I liked this arc.)

I agree, but apparently it was still an option. Given that Galad uses the Damodred name, the simplest explanation is Tigraine took it. Another is that Tigraine and Taringail gave Galad the Damodred name, and would have given a daughter the Mantear name, since only the daughter could take the Lion Throne.

At one point one of the Cairhienin lords (maybe Dobraine, but I forget exactly where it happens) complains that Elayne should have been Elayne Damodred, that Taringail should have insisted that Morgase marry into Damodred rather than him marrying into Trakand. Given that it sounds like the choice of name is a somewhat political thing and not entirely enforced by tradition, it's possible that Tigraine chose to marry into Damodred.