First off, I thought this prologue was fantastic. The pacing was excellent. The sense of ominous doom that RJ had said he was trying to convey was finally tangible. Plus, we get some fresh new insights into the plans of the Shadow.
Most people on the site seem to think Masema's vision was proof of either Demandred or Moridin's manipulation, but I believe you are all forgetting Graendal's POV. She casually thinks to herself that she knows everyone's plans except Demandred's, that Moridin's "two minions, Cyndane and Moghedien, occasionally showed their faces there [the south]. They spent their time rallying the Darkfriends and occasionally trying follow Moridin’s orders that the two ta’veren—Perrin Aybara and Matrim Cauthon–-be killed." Given this piece of information, the appearance of a vision of the Dragon, in flowing white, sounds much more like Cyndane/Lanfear than it does Demandred or Moridin (who still does not seem very serious about actually killing Perrin or Mat). He doesn't send any heavy hitters after them, his minions only "occasionally" try to follow his orders and he waited 10 books to even mention them to the other Forsaken. Of course, Lanfear knew all about them and how to locate them in the Pattern. Appearing as a vision (it may have even been in a dream) is also in accordance with her style. Mat was almost killed by some street thug darkfriends, which sounds more like Moghedien's style to me.
As for Demandred and his "my rule is secure," I am not sure we can necessarily conclude too much. He sounded a bit defensive, and I agree that the Borderlands also do not seem quite right. But does Shara sound better? Last we've heard, it is in utter chaos, hardly a secure rule, but it could provide adequate and surprising armies for the Shadow. Of course, making a whole empire, one shrouded in orientalist mystery, fight for the Shadow would seem at odds with RJ's multicultural portrayal of good and evil. Is he ruling the Asha'man? Is he ruling Murandy? Is he consolidating power in Shara? Is he doing nothing and just trying to confuse Graendal with Moridin's blessing?
Most people on the site seem to think Masema's vision was proof of either Demandred or Moridin's manipulation, but I believe you are all forgetting Graendal's POV. She casually thinks to herself that she knows everyone's plans except Demandred's, that Moridin's "two minions, Cyndane and Moghedien, occasionally showed their faces there [the south]. They spent their time rallying the Darkfriends and occasionally trying follow Moridin’s orders that the two ta’veren—Perrin Aybara and Matrim Cauthon–-be killed." Given this piece of information, the appearance of a vision of the Dragon, in flowing white, sounds much more like Cyndane/Lanfear than it does Demandred or Moridin (who still does not seem very serious about actually killing Perrin or Mat). He doesn't send any heavy hitters after them, his minions only "occasionally" try to follow his orders and he waited 10 books to even mention them to the other Forsaken. Of course, Lanfear knew all about them and how to locate them in the Pattern. Appearing as a vision (it may have even been in a dream) is also in accordance with her style. Mat was almost killed by some street thug darkfriends, which sounds more like Moghedien's style to me.
As for Demandred and his "my rule is secure," I am not sure we can necessarily conclude too much. He sounded a bit defensive, and I agree that the Borderlands also do not seem quite right. But does Shara sound better? Last we've heard, it is in utter chaos, hardly a secure rule, but it could provide adequate and surprising armies for the Shadow. Of course, making a whole empire, one shrouded in orientalist mystery, fight for the Shadow would seem at odds with RJ's multicultural portrayal of good and evil. Is he ruling the Asha'man? Is he ruling Murandy? Is he consolidating power in Shara? Is he doing nothing and just trying to confuse Graendal with Moridin's blessing?
TGS Prologue - your thoughts (part 1) *spoilers*
16/09/2009 04:56:20 AM
- 5250 Views
My comments so far
17/09/2009 05:42:58 AM
- 1425 Views
So has no one really read it yet or
17/09/2009 06:55:52 AM
- 992 Views
Re: So has no one really read it yet or
17/09/2009 07:00:16 AM
- 1178 Views
Slow down the Seanchan invasion maybe?
17/09/2009 07:07:08 AM
- 1028 Views
Re: Slow down the Seanchan invasion maybe?
17/09/2009 07:15:35 AM
- 1086 Views
Re: Slow down the Seanchan invasion maybe?
17/09/2009 07:18:12 AM
- 1100 Views
First move in a full blown assualt.
17/09/2009 09:37:00 PM
- 1107 Views
If they leave no survivors, Rand will probably be blamed, thus slowing his plans to make peace.. *NM*
17/09/2009 11:28:02 PM
- 498 Views
Well, spoilers obviously...
17/09/2009 06:59:01 AM
- 1437 Views
Maybe it was Demandred.
17/09/2009 07:01:53 AM
- 1148 Views
Demandred
17/09/2009 08:57:11 PM
- 1112 Views
Re: Demandred
17/09/2009 09:00:31 PM
- 1123 Views
I don't think Shara is an option
17/09/2009 09:10:49 PM
- 1058 Views
Goes in with the whole Mat betraying Rand idea
18/09/2009 12:33:09 AM
- 952 Views
Not to metion is might help explain Masema, since he's been around that area for ages. *NM*
18/09/2009 12:19:18 PM
- 579 Views
Faile and Moridin biggest points of interest
17/09/2009 07:16:10 AM
- 1229 Views
Re: Faile and Moridin biggest points of interest
17/09/2009 07:23:15 AM
- 1190 Views
Cruel and shady?
17/09/2009 07:24:34 AM
- 1164 Views
Any idea who in Rand's group leaked the Semi capture, old Dark Friend or new? *NM*
17/09/2009 07:32:22 AM
- 626 Views
How the intelligence war has changed and tables turned. No more ignorant forsaken, but...
17/10/2009 02:22:31 PM
- 1195 Views
A few thoughts
17/09/2009 07:31:05 AM
- 1167 Views
Re: A few thoughts
17/09/2009 07:53:41 AM
- 1191 Views
It was Brilliant. A review. (Horrible spoilers and some quotes!)
17/09/2009 08:02:15 AM
- 1264 Views
Re: It was Brilliant. A review. (Horrible spoilers and some quotes!)
17/09/2009 08:13:07 AM
- 877 Views
Ummm... why?
17/09/2009 08:17:59 AM
- 1080 Views
I think Min gets toasted
17/09/2009 09:34:35 AM
- 948 Views
Doubt it
18/09/2009 02:15:57 PM
- 827 Views
What about Tam? *NM*
18/09/2009 05:59:38 PM
- 605 Views
Ash'aman?!
17/09/2009 03:51:09 PM
- 1024 Views
Moridin's servants are usually Zomoran.
17/09/2009 04:22:16 PM
- 1267 Views
But maybe not here... maybe
17/09/2009 04:30:40 PM
- 1051 Views
The logistics make it impossible...
17/09/2009 04:36:27 PM
- 1148 Views
Some major questions (The prologue has really got me psyched)
17/09/2009 08:27:29 AM
- 1292 Views
Re: Some major questions (The prologue has really got me psyched)
18/09/2009 03:04:40 AM
- 1158 Views
Demandred, Moridin, or Lanfear? *spoilers*
17/09/2009 03:31:41 PM
- 1299 Views
Forsaken chapter analysis
17/09/2009 04:19:07 PM
- 1146 Views
Was it Brandon?
17/09/2009 04:31:07 PM
- 1041 Views
Thoughts on Graendal's POV
17/09/2009 07:31:04 PM
- 934 Views
Completely enjoyed it. (Obviously spoilers)
18/09/2009 01:01:54 AM
- 1041 Views
Tylee
18/09/2009 05:51:18 AM
- 1013 Views
That was my hope.
18/09/2009 06:35:41 AM
- 891 Views
Thought on Mesaana
18/09/2009 01:13:48 AM
- 990 Views
Question. (Or random thought that could become a theory from someone smarter)
18/09/2009 04:40:42 AM
- 1167 Views
Re: Question. (Or random thought that could become a theory from someone smarter)
18/09/2009 05:04:50 AM
- 989 Views
Re: Question. (Or random thought that could become a theory from someone smarter)
18/09/2009 06:19:32 AM
- 882 Views