Yes, but that was the whole point. imho.

It was a mega plot device (or as we used to call it in rasfwrj, a sa'plot device) to contrive a semi-plausible way - within the narrative framework - for Egwene to achieve her position.


The problem, once again, imho, is that RJ lost control of the narrative and his obvious agenda of placing each our Young Heroes in positions of power went astray. It was evident he lost control of his pacing, so he kept adding side plots (e.g "the Too Young Sitters?" "the Faile Abduction" escapade, "The Siege of Caemlyn" ) and silly one-off quests (e.g. "The Bowl of the Winds" ) to keep them busy so they'd all catch up to each other until.


Unfortunately, he let the plots all unspool and now BWS is scrambling and condensing away to make sure that they are all in proper place for Tarmon Gaidon.

All of which is to say that I agree with your central point - it was a lot of drama and hoo-ha to get Egwene in place, and it could have been done a little tighter and more compact.

imho, of course.