Technically he does burst free in the words of the text but it's hard to assume that would have happened if Rand hadn't, to quote the book, "pulled the Dark One into the Pattern". Also it is heavily implied pages beforehand that the DO cannot destroy the pattern or harm humanity unless they allow him to and his power is to break mankind and rely on others, which is why he needs his army of Dhadowspawn and Forsaken
As you said, the text clearly states the DO burst free. Now, if Rand hadn't been there to drag him in, the DO wouldn't have sent the entirety of himself into the Patter before destroying it, as he doesn't like being subject to time. That doesn't mean he wouldn't have been completely free to do as he wills.
And no, the Dark One doesn't need others to do his final act. He needs DFs and Foresaken to help free him. Once free, he doesn't need them, as he can destroy the Pattern, or remake it as he wills.
That's never really definitely qualified in the text, and Rand's Argument with him implies otherwise, as does logic (why else bother with the distraction of TG itself). Everyone in universe, none of whom know what might happen as it clearly CAN never have happened before, is just guessing based on no information at all and pure supposition (a bit like us really) except Moridin who is mad, wants to be told that's why the DO will do and the DO is seen to manipulate his underlings by lying to them. Unless RJ has spoken on the matter, which he may have as that would be his kind of thing, in which case I am wrong and I apologise.
As for the wording, it's just that "pulled into the pattern" strongly suggests to me that he wasn't in it until Rand actively pulled him in. I accept that the sentence beforehand confuses this by stating something else which is highly unhelpful of Sanderson. However, my pedantry is pointless here as you are quite right in that whatever her reasons or logic, Egwene was correct to insist the Seals were not broken too soon
So, is anyone else thinking that ending was a bit of a dick move....
10/01/2013 04:40:55 AM
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Because, to quote the series...
10/01/2013 05:01:51 AM
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It's not so much about him not telling as cutting loved ones out of his life altogether *NM*
10/01/2013 05:47:14 AM
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I could be wrong, but...
10/01/2013 06:16:02 AM
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Except...
10/01/2013 06:54:04 AM
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Re: Except...
10/01/2013 06:56:43 AM
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That was my interpretation as well. I think it was an attempt at showing Rand's humility. *NM*
10/01/2013 08:17:52 AM
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If the World finds out he's still alive
10/01/2013 08:05:18 AM
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I can agree with keeping it secret from just about everyone, BUT his father and closest friends.
10/01/2013 10:56:58 AM
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Re: I can agree with keeping it secret from just about everyone, BUT his father and closest friends.
10/01/2013 04:00:57 PM
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Re: I can agree with keeping it secret from just about everyone, BUT his father and closest friends.
11/01/2013 02:34:16 AM
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Re: I can agree with keeping it secret from just about everyone, BUT his father and closest friends.
13/01/2013 09:01:38 PM
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I got the impression Egwene knew releasing the Source would instantly kill her.
14/01/2013 11:42:03 AM
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Re: I got the impression Egwene knew she was dead the moment she released the Source.
14/01/2013 05:59:21 PM
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Even if she would just have been burned out there was no reason to think it permanent.
14/01/2013 06:49:00 PM
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Where do people get that only Rand was right on the Seals?
14/01/2013 10:03:19 PM
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One point- the DO didn't break free, Rand dragged him out into the Pattern, specifically to kill him
15/01/2013 03:03:43 AM
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Nope..
15/01/2013 03:19:02 AM
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Re: Nope..
15/01/2013 03:33:06 AM
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If that were the case Taim certainly would have smashed the seals right away
15/01/2013 08:54:14 AM
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Re: So, is anyone else thinking that ending was a bit of a dick move....
10/01/2013 07:13:52 PM
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You don't think Nakomi did it?
10/01/2013 07:54:20 PM
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Maybe
10/01/2013 09:46:39 PM
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Re: Maybe
10/01/2013 11:08:32 PM
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I thought it was largely believed that Nakomi is an avatar of the Creator. *NM*
10/01/2013 11:19:43 PM
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It's one of the dominant theories, not sure it's the one favoured by the majority, but maybe *NM*
10/01/2013 11:55:46 PM
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IDK, I thought the body switch was a side-effect of the link between them
11/01/2013 02:38:33 AM
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*NM* *NM*
11/01/2013 06:51:10 PM
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Re: IDK, I thought the body switch was a side-effect of the link between them
11/01/2013 06:52:29 PM
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Re: So, is anyone else thinking that ending was a bit of a dick move....
11/01/2013 12:01:09 AM
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Re: So, is anyone else thinking that ending was a bit of a dick move....
11/01/2013 07:45:26 AM
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He realised that both he and LTT were not peace rulers several books ago
11/01/2013 12:25:37 PM
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Re: He realised that both he and LTT were not peace rulers several books ago
11/01/2013 10:39:33 PM
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I've a suspiscion that the Rand scene of Epilogue was probably drafted already
12/01/2013 12:11:13 AM
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Re: I've a suspiscion that the Rand scene of Epilogue was probably drafted already
12/01/2013 12:58:01 PM
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I think you need to re-read that last section
15/01/2013 09:19:41 AM
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I agree. Rand carries a man out of SG who he didn't bring there- logic dictates he is Forsaken *NM*
15/01/2013 12:44:18 PM
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That makes a great deal of sense.
15/01/2013 07:45:55 AM
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Re: That makes a great deal of sense.
15/01/2013 09:37:47 AM
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It is something we just had to expect when Sanderson came in to finish the series.
15/01/2013 11:24:06 AM
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Impossible to say, but I doubt he intended to keep his inner circle perpetually in the dark.
14/01/2013 11:25:47 AM
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Re: So, is anyone else thinking that ending was a bit of a dick move....
25/01/2013 03:53:05 PM
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