Re: I never said that's all they were - Edit 1
Before modification by darius_sedai at 03/06/2010 12:55:24 PM
Actually Rand can do without all of those things. Min's viewing is useless to everyone, and has never helped a character in the series. It's more vague than Foretelling. Aviendha didn't bring the Aiel - Rand did that. He just happened to find an Aiel he fell in love with. Elayne definitely never brought the AS - Rand is more estranged than ever. The three individuals may have a combined function for a later stage, but I tend to think that the foretelling has more to do with the fact that the three are with him after TG than anything metaphysical.
Note what I said to Cannoli, I meant this in a figurative sense not a literal one. Min represents his connection to the common people, Elayne to AS and Aviendha to the Aiel. He needs these connections as reminders of his humanity (IMHO).
I think Min's problem is that her ability is practically overwhelming. She has all these visions of people she doesn't know and cares nothing for and therefore does her best to block them out rather than try and puzzle with them. Not to mention the few times her visions could help they were ignored. Siuan could have been better prepared if she had taken Min's visions more seriously, but instead she basically ignored "what she couldn't control" and wound up completely unprepared for the situation.
Please show me where I mentioned that OP strength was an issue, or even a consideration. You've mentioned that Elayne's contribution to Rand was that she links the AS to him, but you find it unlikely that Rand would benefit from women who know about the other side of the OP, or can relate to his own gifts. As for looks, since when is it unlikely that a man would find looks relevant while seeking out a mate?
Naturally when you mentioned Mieren the entire board's brain goes straight to her OP strength, which you've gone on and on about over the years. The very fact that you'd even postulate that such an obviously flawed individual could have been a "candidate" for this "job" implies that surface beauty and OP strength are the reason you would put her forward. If accomplishment is what makes someone a "candidate" then LPD or Graendal would have both been far more ideal candidates for the Dragon's Mate than an obscure researcher who hadn't even managed to earn a 3rd name.
That's all she is now, but she wasn't always that way. Obviously after serving the Shadow for so many years she's been stripped of any virtues or humanity she might have had. Before the Bore she was merely susceptible to the Dark One - she was not nearly as cultivated in evil as she is now.
So people are the same forever? Is it inconceivable that she was once a relatively accomplished woman with a little too much ambition who was pulled by the promises of power by the Dark One?
I will never understand why you feel this need to romanticize any of the Forsaken! There is absolutely nothing in the text or in RJs comments to lead us to believe that Lanfear was ever anything but a selfish child. What little we know of her prior to the Bore points this out. It's clear that she is a massively flawed individual whose "mere susceptibility" to the DO took her to a level of evil only a handful of others could achieve. We have never seen a single thing that even approaches a redeemable quality in any of the Forsaken!
Lanfear wasn't "seduced", she (like the rest) leaped at a chance to gain more personal power and reveled in the fear they inspired. What you are suggesting is as silly as saying "if you ignore the 30-odd people he slaughtered without remorse, Ted Bundy was a normal guy". I'd be willing to bet that there are some dead kitties and puppies in Lanfears childhood.