Useful ways Rand could have gone dark: One last rant before ToM comes out
newyorkersedai Send a noteboard - 02/11/2010 03:37:30 AM
Before the new book comes along to change anything, I'd like to get in one last kick...
Our hero, Rand al'Thor, beat up his pop, and nearly disintegrated Tam. The Dragon threatened to murder Cadsuane, a powerful force for good. Then nearly attacked the borderland army, one that hadn't struck first. Finally, he considered vaporizing whole cities of innocents, before turning his sickly hatred at the world.
That's a pretty sucky road to travel, isn't it? That's full of lots of insanity, and/or losing every basic bit of control. I hate how much I've lost sight of our old plucky and clever adventurer, Rand.
I think it would've been nice to see our hero lose control in useful ways. Remember (SPOILERS) in TSR, Rand killing that group by the fire? He was crazy when he did it, but he was still right. There's no moping or whining in those moments. There's no narcissistic destruction. And minimal self-pity.
But I could still see lots of ways that Rand's natural preoccupations could've combined with his insanity and his downward emotional spiral. Well, look at my list:
1. Rand could've gone to the Black Tower with the CK, put a shield on Taim. Rand would then beat Taim senseless in front of all the ashaman and dedicated and soldiers.
"There's a reason that Taim was your teacher!... He can't DO anything! He's just a filthy darkfriend and murderer!" Rand shouts triumphantly. "I am the Dragon, you mother-cup-drinking goats!" Cackling, al Thor opens a gateway into Taim's prone body, then strides away from the BT after charring his own name into the grounds, 30-foot wide.
Better than vaporizing Ebou Dar, right?
2. Rand could've gone to the nearer parts of the Blight and shot a massive blast of BF toward, but not at, SG. Hell, it couldn't hurt, and it would've still been the wrong thing to do.
3. Gone to the Tower and Compulsed Elaida secretly. She would go and get the WT to give in to Egwene's reign. Pretty dark...
4. Traveled to Tear, rediscovered flying. Speeding through the air, Rand laughs like the Joker. He flies over the western coast of Randland, destroying every Seanchan ship. He doesn't check to see if only Seanchan are there.
5. Rand could've used his ability to find Mat. Then asked Mat about Tuon, pumping his buddy Cauthon for information. Wearing a maniacal grin, Rand disguises himself and slips through the Ebou Dar palace. He slaps an adam on Tuon - the kind Elayne made - and tells her that she's about to understand why she should make a treaty with him. Then he opens a gateway into the Southern Blight. End TGS.
Can you see better ways for Rand to have finally lost it?
Also, an alternate, 6 - Rand could've gone to the BT, asked to see Taim in private. Then made a lava-monster that ripped him to shreds. Dark, handy, and a nice call-back.
Our hero, Rand al'Thor, beat up his pop, and nearly disintegrated Tam. The Dragon threatened to murder Cadsuane, a powerful force for good. Then nearly attacked the borderland army, one that hadn't struck first. Finally, he considered vaporizing whole cities of innocents, before turning his sickly hatred at the world.
That's a pretty sucky road to travel, isn't it? That's full of lots of insanity, and/or losing every basic bit of control. I hate how much I've lost sight of our old plucky and clever adventurer, Rand.
I think it would've been nice to see our hero lose control in useful ways. Remember (SPOILERS) in TSR, Rand killing that group by the fire? He was crazy when he did it, but he was still right. There's no moping or whining in those moments. There's no narcissistic destruction. And minimal self-pity.
But I could still see lots of ways that Rand's natural preoccupations could've combined with his insanity and his downward emotional spiral. Well, look at my list:
1. Rand could've gone to the Black Tower with the CK, put a shield on Taim. Rand would then beat Taim senseless in front of all the ashaman and dedicated and soldiers.
"There's a reason that Taim was your teacher!... He can't DO anything! He's just a filthy darkfriend and murderer!" Rand shouts triumphantly. "I am the Dragon, you mother-cup-drinking goats!" Cackling, al Thor opens a gateway into Taim's prone body, then strides away from the BT after charring his own name into the grounds, 30-foot wide.
Better than vaporizing Ebou Dar, right?
2. Rand could've gone to the nearer parts of the Blight and shot a massive blast of BF toward, but not at, SG. Hell, it couldn't hurt, and it would've still been the wrong thing to do.
3. Gone to the Tower and Compulsed Elaida secretly. She would go and get the WT to give in to Egwene's reign. Pretty dark...
4. Traveled to Tear, rediscovered flying. Speeding through the air, Rand laughs like the Joker. He flies over the western coast of Randland, destroying every Seanchan ship. He doesn't check to see if only Seanchan are there.
5. Rand could've used his ability to find Mat. Then asked Mat about Tuon, pumping his buddy Cauthon for information. Wearing a maniacal grin, Rand disguises himself and slips through the Ebou Dar palace. He slaps an adam on Tuon - the kind Elayne made - and tells her that she's about to understand why she should make a treaty with him. Then he opens a gateway into the Southern Blight. End TGS.
Can you see better ways for Rand to have finally lost it?
Also, an alternate, 6 - Rand could've gone to the BT, asked to see Taim in private. Then made a lava-monster that ripped him to shreds. Dark, handy, and a nice call-back.
This message last edited by newyorkersedai on 03/11/2010 at 02:18:00 AM
Useful ways Rand could have gone dark: One last rant before ToM comes out
- 02/11/2010 03:37:30 AM
815 Views
*NM*
Re: Useful ways Rand could have gone dark: One last rant before ToM comes out
- 02/11/2010 01:14:53 PM
340 Views
I dig that. I'll cede my point, but 3 of those might've scared him back to his senses... =) *NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:19:15 AM
140 Views