Rand / LTT and Ishamael/ Moridin are my two favourite characters, basically from the opening scene, (I had hopes that the closing scene Jordan had in mind from the get go had the two of them again, either with Moridin redeemed or showing up again with the 'its never over!).
I do feel that the way Sanderson finished the series did weaken it, and makes it harder to recommend, even if it is still my favourite series (mainly due to books 1-6 and certain later scenes, I enjoy a good story irrespective of quality of writing / depth of all characters).
I do wonder what it would have been like if Jordan had been able to finish it.