I think what I found most annoying about the White Tower story line is it seemed to be side story and not part of the main story line. I actually liked it at first then I just wanted the story to move. Same thing with the Seachan. Really cool at first then just bloat. The whole thing got bloated but at least when they he was following Rand it felt like the story was moving.
That and the White Tower story defended to be a drawn out Glare fest.