Getting my hopes up that RJ improved his portrayal of villains, yes.
Shannow Send a noteboard - 26/09/2012 09:20:50 PM
I guess I don't see how this adds to Demandred's character development at all. This says almost nothing about Demandred and a lot about Rand. We already knew that Lews Therin was arrogant. It doesn't give Demandred any less of a cartoon bad guy reason for becoming what he has become.
Demandred is still the comic book character that went over to the Shadow because his pride couldn't stand being in Lews Therin's shadow any longer. So what if Lews Therin was kind of a prick in the way he kept outshining him? Demandred's motivation for trying to bring about the end of all creation as we know it is still that Lews Therin was a little bit better than him and a prick.
Demandred may turn out to be a highlight in the book, but only because he has perhaps laid some awesomely competent plans, not because his backstory is suddenly richer.
Demandred is still the comic book character that went over to the Shadow because his pride couldn't stand being in Lews Therin's shadow any longer. So what if Lews Therin was kind of a prick in the way he kept outshining him? Demandred's motivation for trying to bring about the end of all creation as we know it is still that Lews Therin was a little bit better than him and a prick.
Demandred may turn out to be a highlight in the book, but only because he has perhaps laid some awesomely competent plans, not because his backstory is suddenly richer.
Getting my hopes up of seeing a bit of a Sandor Clegane or Jaime Lannister arc in Demandred's story.
You're right. RJ doesn't do that. With him it's 100% bad and no redeeming qualities. No return from the dark side.
Sigh.
But still, Sanderson seems to see that lack in RJ's work, and although I am very critical of Sanderson's general writing skills, in this one aspect he is perhaps a bit less archaic than Jordan, and a bit more Martinesque or Erickson like.
Even if it is just to acknowledge the shortcoming with a little self reflective passage from Rand on Demandred's motivation for turning.
Jaime Lannister says there are no men like me, there is only me. Talk about arrogance.
And yet he is still revealed as a complex character, despite chucking little boys from tower windows. I guess it's too much to expect the same in Wot.
Despite all these years, I still hope for more.
This message last edited by Shannow on 26/09/2012 at 09:21:44 PM
AMOL chapter 1: Demandred
- 26/09/2012 05:56:20 PM
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I found this utterly refreshing. A Forsaken who isn't 100% villain, and LTT who wasn't 100% the hero
- 26/09/2012 06:50:40 PM
1218 Views
I think you are getting your hopes up unjustifiably.
- 26/09/2012 07:59:37 PM
879 Views
Getting my hopes up that RJ improved his portrayal of villains, yes.
- 26/09/2012 09:20:50 PM
1079 Views
I agree, I would love to see Demandred throw a coup and become ultra-badass Naeblis
- 27/09/2012 04:03:02 AM
704 Views
I think you're going to be disappointed
- 27/09/2012 07:17:30 AM
1104 Views
Undoubtedly I will be...
- 27/09/2012 07:59:46 AM
922 Views
Re: Undoubtedly I will be...
- 27/09/2012 09:16:29 AM
994 Views
The duel with Lanfear killed hundreds of innocent bystanders?
- 27/09/2012 03:40:14 PM
844 Views
Re: The duel with Lanfear killed hundreds of innocent bystanders?
- 27/09/2012 03:45:22 PM
855 Views