Fact is, people don't enjoy reading about doom and gloom.
Lord Haart Send a noteboard - 01/12/2009 04:33:35 PM
I found Rand's downward spiral demoralising enough to read.
On the other hand, I agree that the Shadow has lost much of its menace. I'm hoping that in ToM, we'll see much more of Taim, Fain, Slayer, Demandred and Aran'gar, all of whom I still consider to be quality villains.
On the other other hand, think of the best case scenario for the Light - a unified WT and BT, Rand getting support from all the nations, all the armies acting as one, an alliance with the Seanchan (and an end to damane), the Sea Folk having no leadership struggle, the population of Tremalking still alive, no rampant starvation in the lands, normal weather patterns, rulers acting selflessly and in their nation's interest.
I see none of the above happening, at least on a significant scale. Rand's conquest has left a wake of destruction (even if he thinks he left the other countries better off, I have my doubts about that). Even if the Shadow is not winning, it is certainly not impotent.
Sure, some of the challenges faced by the Light come from good guys - but in the same vein, the Shadow is often weakened by its own followers or their faults. I think this is what makes WoT a compelling universe - nobody is pure evil or pure good, everyone is just acting in very human ways based upon their personalities, values and circumstances.
On the other hand, I agree that the Shadow has lost much of its menace. I'm hoping that in ToM, we'll see much more of Taim, Fain, Slayer, Demandred and Aran'gar, all of whom I still consider to be quality villains.
On the other other hand, think of the best case scenario for the Light - a unified WT and BT, Rand getting support from all the nations, all the armies acting as one, an alliance with the Seanchan (and an end to damane), the Sea Folk having no leadership struggle, the population of Tremalking still alive, no rampant starvation in the lands, normal weather patterns, rulers acting selflessly and in their nation's interest.
I see none of the above happening, at least on a significant scale. Rand's conquest has left a wake of destruction (even if he thinks he left the other countries better off, I have my doubts about that). Even if the Shadow is not winning, it is certainly not impotent.
Sure, some of the challenges faced by the Light come from good guys - but in the same vein, the Shadow is often weakened by its own followers or their faults. I think this is what makes WoT a compelling universe - nobody is pure evil or pure good, everyone is just acting in very human ways based upon their personalities, values and circumstances.
Shadow win?
- 01/12/2009 04:20:36 PM
1022 Views
The Shadow kind of has a big trump card
- 01/12/2009 04:30:38 PM
794 Views
If the Dark One wins, and destroys the Pattern, becomes the Creator and the Creator becomes the DO
- 01/12/2009 06:36:47 PM
590 Views
I used to hope for that, but the DO quotes and his choice of followers make it hard to like him. *NM*
- 01/12/2009 07:21:01 PM
260 Views
Fact is, people don't enjoy reading about doom and gloom.
- 01/12/2009 04:33:35 PM
863 Views
Yes they do. They're called the Malazaniacs ... They love emo to the max ...
- 02/12/2009 06:57:42 AM
608 Views
The DO is the real threat
- 01/12/2009 04:46:32 PM
674 Views
This is why fanfiction of soap operas and comics can be more entertaining than the real thing.
- 01/12/2009 06:09:17 PM
658 Views
Only if the DO isn't quite what we think he/it is.
- 01/12/2009 07:19:44 PM
705 Views
No, there is no sense that the Shadow can or will win.
- 01/12/2009 09:23:47 PM
609 Views
And RPA Reiterates Part of My Response.
- 02/12/2009 12:10:40 AM
724 Views
Beowulf did end badly, though
- 02/12/2009 05:40:52 AM
808 Views
With the Deck So Heavily Stacked in the DO's Favor, the Rest Just Makes Things Competitive.
- 02/12/2009 12:24:18 AM
725 Views
I always had the sense that the DO's minions are really just meant to be distractions
- 02/12/2009 06:30:27 AM
602 Views