Well, yeah. I agree with that. - Edit 1
Before modification by BlackAdder at 19/11/2009 08:22:46 PM
Two things come to mind, that I don't think the Rebels/Egwenists/War Hawks can defend.
1. Did Egwene and the Rebels cause Elaida's downfall?
2. Did Egwene and the Rebels expedite Elaida's downfall?
I don't see any way that anyone can truthfully answer "yes" to either question.
For 1) I think it is is a mix of Elaida's own undoing and ultimately the Seanchan death blow.
For 2) there is nothing. Nothing that Egwene and the Rebels did caused sped up the process in any way.
So... what exactly did the whole side-plot accomplish? Even if Egwene and the Rebels had just went along and conceded, Elaida would still have been captured in her sleep, at exactly the same moment.
Seems like a rather lengthy aside to to put a specific person (Egwene) on the Amyrlin's Seat.
1. Did Egwene and the Rebels cause Elaida's downfall?
2. Did Egwene and the Rebels expedite Elaida's downfall?
I don't see any way that anyone can truthfully answer "yes" to either question.
For 1) I think it is is a mix of Elaida's own undoing and ultimately the Seanchan death blow.
For 2) there is nothing. Nothing that Egwene and the Rebels did caused sped up the process in any way.
So... what exactly did the whole side-plot accomplish? Even if Egwene and the Rebels had just went along and conceded, Elaida would still have been captured in her sleep, at exactly the same moment.
Seems like a rather lengthy aside to to put a specific person (Egwene) on the Amyrlin's Seat.
When Rand went to meet Tuon, he tried very hard to "force" her into a truce. (Recall how he threatened to turn the Pattern to his will and kill Cadsuane earlier? ) Rand was trying to do just that very thing to get Tuon to comply.
However, through her own force of will, Tuon resisted, and thus set the stage for the Seanchan raid on the WT that ultimately put Egwene on the Amyrlin Seat. Say what you want, but the Pattern demanded that result and it got it.