Really enjoyed the Rand/Tam sword practicing scene.....very nicely done.
Yes, the empty skin of the super fade was definitely implying that he was the DO's essense or something (kind of like the Mouth of Sauron).
Above I mentioned that I agreed that there was too much battle. I mean the hand to hand combat stuff, not the scale and scope which was excellent.
Speaking of Moiraine, did I miss something, but was there any sort of Moiraine/Lan reunion scene. I never saw one and even looked back for it. I remember her, Lan, and Rand talking, but it was very matter of fact. That was a little strange.