Rand al’Thor (The Wheel of Time) - A Character Examination

[@graceannpierce4302]

Just love seeing the "shine" in your eyes when talking the "Wheel of Time" and Rand al'Thor. All I can say is - YES - MORE !!

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

I'm on it!

[@papaaeon7210]

One of my favorite sequences with Rand is when he’s in the box, so much pain and fury, it’s so interesting to read

[@boosterprime5757]

And then when he gets out...

[@zerocrutch]

@@boosterprime5757 that was such a satisfying moment.

[@powerfrenzy]

Book 4/5 Rand was my favorite. I got the sense that he finally stopped running and tried actively grabbing his destiny in his own hands. It's like, "You want a saviour? Fine." I also liked that he all his confidence is just a front. People like Egwene and Mat think he's just become super arrogant but he is just putting on a show because he knows that what people will expect and respond to.

[@LagMasterSam]

In book 4+5, I don't think it was a front of confidence, it was undisguised impatience and a lack of concern for what people think. That's not the same thing as confidence, because a person can lack confidence while still exuding impatience and not caring what other people think.

[@lordofdarkness4204]

I don’t why but I really liked Rand in book 12.

[@yoavshamir9055]

In book 4 he says( in his pov) , that he has tu put up this show so that the nobles will listen with him, or moriane wont control him (and I partially agreed with him), but doesnt really become that arrogant

[@wintersking4290]

The scene on the Dragonmount makes all the other Rands worth it. What he becomes is the best and how he becomes that is what makes it so good.

[@alexanderbutler2989]

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Acceptance. Peace. The arc of any change.

[@SRosenberg203]

I always read Rand's tendency to obsess over controlling everything was a specific rebellion AGAINST the destiny that he was forced to accept. He can't control whether or not he is the Dragon Reborn, and he's accepted that, but he's damn well going to control EVERYTHING else in order to escape the feeling of terrified helplessness that having this destiny thrust upon him has created. Great video though, these analyses are awesome.

[@AngryGoats555]

It’s pretty interesting how Rand’s levels of development kinda mirror the 5 stages of grief

[@phillipallen3468]

That was exactly the unformed thought skulking about in the back of my brain as I was listening. Not until I actually saw your words here did it all suddenly blaze into clarity, allowing me to understand what that unclear thought was trying to be. As you point out, it does not fit precisely into the model of grief; but it is certainly reminiscent of that model. Perhaps it could be seen as, not the grief process, but the personality-maturation process? Close, but different? Just thinking out loud. Still, I do appreciate the clarification. At least now, I'll be able to get to sleep without having this gnawing away at me, keeping me awake, trying to figure out what this is. So, thanks!

[@trielt1]

Maybe he was unconsiously grieving his own death.

[@AngryGoats555]

trielt1 Could be. It also could be that he was grieving the loss of his agency, his fate that he could not escape no matter how much he wanted to

[@j.paul.joseph]

I think our author of was writing through how PTSD is experienced and healed. Vietnam!

[@TealTheDropster]

5 stages of grief are a pseudo scientific rambling, and i'm tired of seeing praise when a story 'loosely hints at it'

[@artoriosvii6801]

I'd say Rand is my favorite wheel of time character with Mat as a close second, primarily because of Rands character in the last two books, that Rand has some of the absolute best moments in the series

[@rememberussliberty1822]

His dialouges with lews therin were awesome

[@jn2292]

In a Strange way, Rand stays sane because of Lews Therin.

[@iamsmilingjack]

In the end, I always did regret that it didnt end with Rand singing 'the song'. Creating life with his body's dying breath. I so much expected it that I find it hard to let go.

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

I think that was kind of the point. Robert Jordan consistently used the themes of information changing and evolving over distance (temporal and spacial) so that the "known" truth isn't always the whole truth or the truth at all. The Tinkers were always in search of "The" song, and knew that finding it would bring the world to peace. When Rand enters the ter'angreal in Rhuidean we find that the ancestors to the Tinkers, the Da'shain Aiel, sang songs along with the Ogier and Nym to grow trees (including Chora trees which gave a sense of peace when sitting under them). However, I never really interpreted this as a specific song that was needed, it was more intent mixed with a form of magic or some other ability separate from the One Power that enabled people to sing with that particular outcome. With the breaking of the world, all this information was passed along verbally resulting in one of the longest games of telephone I've ever heard of resulting in A song that the Tinkers believed used to be sung which brought peace to all. It wasn't so much that a particular song would accomplish this, as they believed, but they were truly, if unknowingly, seeking the return of the Seed Singing ability that seems to be natural to at least some Ogier. Anyway, there's my own likely over thought two cents.

[@calebmauer1751]

@@afilthycasualplays4007 Yeah, the song didn't exist, just a misunderstanding over the millenia. Still, it would have been cool if they regained that magic somehow. Maybe in a few more ages.

[@jn2292]

Rand did sing in the last book, just not at the end.

[@PsyrenXY]

Rand 2 ("Cocky/Controlling Rand") is a bit more justified than you mention here. This is a Rand who is constantly being prodded on all sides - by the Aes Sedai, by the Wise Ones, by the nobles he has conquered, and above all by the Forsaken, *especially* Lanfear. He is forced to close himself and his plans off from everyone, both to keep everyone guessing and to protect those closest to him; at this point in the story, his friends wouldn't stand a chance if the Forsaken truly took an interest in him or the people around him. Mat didn't have the amulet yet, Perrin didn't accept the wolves, he had no Asha'man, and none of the channelers on his side were full strength either. He protected them the best way he knew how, by keeping his plans secret and his enemies (who are constantly haunting his dreams) off balance.

[@LegacyTCG1]

Thom Merelin, this seems to be mandatory

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

I am angry at myself for not doing him first..... damn it.

[@LegacyTCG1]

Daniel Greene it's all good, I'm glad you made this, your videos have been a big help for me getting my wife to read/listen to this series, she is finally on Memory of light and Rand just waved to Avi

[@wintersking4290]

@@DanielGreeneReviews do that character soooooon.

[@reighniz4488]

Stone Rand us the one I can understand the best. He becomes bitter for another reason: almost nobody cares about him as a person except for Mat, Perin, and Min. All anybody wants is to control The Dragon Reborn and could not give two shits less about him as a human being. He goes cold and it makes sense. He knows there are good people out there somewhere and that is why he us willing to do what he must. All the Aes Sedai just want to control The Dragon and don't care how much he suffers. The leaders of kingdoms and nations are exactly the same too. Honestly I would not have been surprised if he started just killing everyone who wants to use him.

[@casinferneycf45]

Well. And Elayne, Aviendha, Thom, Loial... Etc.. I would almost say that they cared more for Rand than Mat. I love Mat, but he was busy dealing with his own thing. Atleast Perin thought of Rand. Mat just kinda fell face first into adventure and Tyllan's bed.

[@robertm.8653]

Wow, Rand is the Dragon Reborn and does so many cool things! Can't wait to see him grow on the screen

[@jonathancox8956]

Crazy to see the evolution of Rand and Daniel lol

[@meis1385]

I love it dude! I just finished the series and Rand is my absolute favorite character of all time, so I'm dying for content like this haha. I think you nailed his arc. You maybe could have talked about his mental battle with LT more. Their relationship just adds to the complexity of Rand's character and some of their interactions were so epic and convincing that they were almost disturbing.

[@SoapSoapCrayon]

Awesome. ***SPOILERS*** You mentioned that Semirhage forced rand to "almost" kill Min. I read that (and the following chapters until Dragonmount) actually did kill min, and as he Balefired both Semirhage and the black sister with her, he brought her back. Brandon Sanderson didn't actually make it super clear, so it could go either way. I think it just makes you understand Rand's mental place as he forges himself into cuendillar.

[@benlister5477]

Interesting, never thought about that before. When Mat and Aveindha where brought back by balefire undoing their deaths, they seemed to have some awareness of having died. Min doesn't show any of that.

[@bigshortstop1931]

Rand can sometimes be a huge douche but when you are quite literally the chosen Champion of the Light against the greatest evil that has or ever will exist....oh and by the way if you lose everyone and everything loses....to say I place no blame on him is the hugest understatement. I think Robert Jordan has perfectly portrayed the Chosen One type of hero especially with how it affects ones psyche. Imagine the beyond crushing weight that must bring upon someone.

[@Nickfor20]

Started 2 months ago while in my semester… starting the fires of heaven, maaaan this series is so awesome

[@TreeFolkDruid]

I loved post Semirage rand and his change to post dragonmount rand

[@Grab_001]

SPOILERS I like to refer to Post-MoL Rand as GleeRand since my headcanon is he explores the world as a Gleeman

[@mikahkilgore4972]

I would flaming love this! I think Rand could be very successful with that.

[@milesdavis607]

I personally gave rand a couple points for sticking it to the nobles. His friends, no bueno, but his disregard for nobility was when I first began to really relate to him.

[@milesdavis607]

@ being a noble is inherently a bad thing. You are not above others. Sticking it to any noble, "good" or no, is instant brownie points from me.

[@Violetsoul6]

Excellently done. I would love to see you do Mat. I think he is would be interesting.

[@joannfletcher633]

Daniel Greene..

[@joannfletcher633]

Thanks.. I love your reviews on Wheel of Time I love the books and you somehow bring them to life...

[@justlilyanne]

When I strip down The Wheel of Time series it's a masterpiece of what happens when those in power are true believers in their own assumptions (Egwene, anyone?) and the failure to communicate is on a level of world ending danger. How can you really analyze Rand without a discussion of the crisis of Lews Therin and his final failure to integrate into the Dragon's new persona of Rand? Additionally, Rand also had to function within a culture that absolutely feared his rebirth and not just due to Tarmon Gai'don but feared for himself alone.

[@vanphoenix676]

Maaaaan . Great video. Reminded me how much Rand changed through out the series. Also reminded me how much Rand struggled till the Dragon mount moment.

[@captbrownbeard1599]

I think you are downplaying the voice that rand heard. He doesn't hear voices, he hears one voice, the voice of the conciousness of his past life. This is the same place he gets a lot of his more powerful weaves from. When Rand becomes "Zen Rand" his consciousness and the consciousness of Lews Therin become one. He now has past experience from two lifetimes completely at his disposal, which makes him a lot calmer because he has significantly more knowledge at his disposal among other things. The invading consciousness of Lews Therin is also part of what made Rand go through his other phases. He felt like and believed he was going insane, that it was the taint on Saidin affecting him. Also, the thing about angry Rand is that he is not being shown the respect that he is due. He is expected to lay down his life for the world and yet the whole world keeps trying to play him. Everyone thinks they know better than he does, and maybe some of them do, but when almost everyone is trying to play you, you stop listening to everyone until you know deep down if someone is being honest, fair and giving you the respect you deserve.

[@MrJamesDuck]

Also many of the people who wanted to play him, even when it was to help him, were super disrespectfull and sometimes out right mean. Also often ignoreing the giant burden on his back. No wonder he wanted them to fck off for a while :D

[@Hostilehippie13]

One of my favorite Rand moments was when he just turns to ice and says “do you believe, truly, that the Pattern itself would strike you dead here and now if I so much as willed it to happen?” Like holy shit Dark Rand was intense

[@jacksonpayne3477]

@@Hostilehippie13 I forgot that, who did he say that to?

[@Hostilehippie13]

@@jacksonpayne3477 I believe it was right before he went to Dragonmount and became zen Rand, he says that to two or three different characters in a couple little “evil god complex” type rants. Mostly when he was trying to exert his power and influence in the Pattern over people. I believe his first meeting with Tuon describes it pretty well from her perspective

[@f4lconwing]

@@jacksonpayne3477 It was to Cadsuane in the chapter A Warp in the Air in tGS. It's just after Semirhage almost made him kill Min and as he is exiling Cadsuane from his sight.

[@timjackson4387]

I think one of the most interesting aspects of Rands character is the fact that his personality issues were suppressed by the simple life he had growing up and as his duty presses down on him he snaps. Even without the taint he definitely had some hidden Aussie IMO.

[@bonniehowell6604]

Thank you for a succinct ,overview of Rand’s story/ character arc. You covered all the bases & made comprehensive points.

[@Jesse-B]

The turning point was when he almost killed Tam.

[@chichawkins2932]

Exactly

[@papaofthejohns5882]

Not really, the turning point was when he almost destroyed an entire army of 200,000 allies because they didn’t show him the respect he thought he deserved. Without Nynaeve, he would have.

[@Jesse-B]

@@papaofthejohns5882 I was referring to Rand travelling to his birthplace in horror after almost killing Tam, and the turning point in his attitude. That was his defining moment.

[@papaofthejohns5882]

JB Oh yeah, I thought you meant turning point in regards to finally crossing the line into evil. Using balefire to kill a Forsaken and her braindead puppets is one thing, that can be justified, but using the Access Key on the Borderlanders... not so much.

[@Jesse-B]

@@papaofthejohns5882 That was a pretty shocking scene.

[@carolbriscoe9337]

Thanks for this. Truly explains Rand very well. Still on my first reading of the series, so this explanation really helps.

[@ianmcleod44]

Now that the Wheel of Time will become a series beginning in November 2021, time to revisit the Wheel of Time in detail. Nice analysis of Rand al'Thor, perhaps one of the greatest characters in the history of high fantasy.

[@JustinBarlow]

I think, as much as I'd love to see more WoT content, it would be cool to see a video like this about Vin, from the Mistborn series!

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Thats a great idea! She is certainly worth adding.

[@JinxedMagician]

I started reading this series after watching the first episode on Amazon Prime. I finished it, n then I hated the Amazon prime series. But I downloaded n listened to all ur videos. N in today's time, ur videos have become the go to video which I listen to while sleeping.

[@tidusgreen9709]

This video alone earned a subscription.

[@Historical_Vagabond]

This is excellent, glad I found your videos.

[@roolenoir3183]

Could you do a bit about Cadsuane? Her goal was to make Rand cry and laugh again and I don’t see her doing that. Or anything except being nasty to everyone.

[@aquaticpunga1247]

But she did succed in doing it, if unintentionally and indirectly. By pushing the confrontation with tam rand ends up on dragonmount and he starts to laugh again

[@R3ligion_On_Trial]

the way i see it, the world pushed him off a cliff and he had to figure it out by himself. In that split second, it was either he would think one way or another way, whatever he would have chosen would not have been wrong for me. If he chose to off the world and have the wheel turn again, good for him, and if chose what he chose in the book, the way of love; seeing the wheel turning as another chance to be with Ilyena, cudos to him too. For me i simply wouldnt mind either of the choices.

[@victorvannatter312]

Zen rand was so cathartic

[@Frossboss05]

Just discovered you and have watched a bunch of WoT videos. Thank you for your passion.

[@Taveren]

In the third book i saw rand as a difficult problematic kid hating the idea of havung to do what they are told by people who see him as a tool and a object so hes reflexively biting back and reasserting control. Not judt insecurities but true fears about the future and doubts about peoples intentions

[@matthewdutrow392]

Please continue this series, I love it!!!!

[@Ghasthund]

I just finished MoL, and I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about the whole series, but I don’t want to go on an essay rant comment so I won’t talk about that. What I will say is, Rand is probably my favorite character of all time. In many ways he feels like a main character that was written just for me, he is everything I wanted to see happen, and it happens. I think he’s as perfect as a character as someone could put to page. I love him in ways I haven’t even thought of other characters as. If there was anything WoT did right from start to finish, I’d would put all of my money on Rand. I love the series as a whole and it might be my favorite series ever, but I have some conflicting feelings about the ending so I need to work through those before I could definitively say.

[@revan0890]

Then book shelf looks nice.So I bought the Gardens of the Moon today. I'm glad to have a new series to read. Thank you!

[@JohnPatrickAlexander]

Just came here from Reddit. I really dig how you went about analyzing Rand. You've got a good cadence to your voice and are obviously excited about your subject. Subscribed and going through your backlog. :)

[@finghinmccarthy5021]

Id like to see one on althalus from the redemption of althalus. It was my introductory book to fantasy and holds a special place in my heart. Also none of my friends have read it so i cant talk to them about it.

[@ML-HS]

Rand's character perfectly described. You mentioned Min. Any chance of doing examnation of her character since,out of all lovers,she has most personality.

[@GnarledStaff]

This was very well done. Loving these a lot. Thank you!

[@sfgiantsfanmike]

Always love seeing you in my subscription list!

[@GPBA89]

I am currently writing an ongoing fantasy book series where a divided empire is attacked by an invading horde of monsters. For the main character, I drew inspiration from several fantasy heroes like Rand al'Thor. Like Rand, my main protagonist has multiple love interests, wields immense magical power, is a leader of nations, and is the one who fights the main villain in the final battle.

[@arancourt5623]

When rand is sitting on dragonmount contemplating whether it’s worth it to just end it all, it damn near broke me as a reader. It hits hard and doesn’t pull any punches

[@wintersking4290]

For those unfamiliar with Norse/Baltic myth Rand is effectively the god Tyr. Perrin is Thor/Perun. And Matt, for reasons I can't explain without spoilers, is Odin.

[@chrissleeping65]

Im going through the Wheel of Time for the first time rn and I'm on book 7 A Crown of Swords. I'm about half way through it. I just wish the Aei Sedai and Ashomen and everyone in general would just follow and communicate with rand against the forsaken and the dark one Seriously the characters in this series need to learn how to talk to one another, I feel like @ this point in the series 80% of the main characters issues would go away if they just worked with one another instead of playing all these politics game's

[@nickthomas6923]

You made me cry. Damn. Thank you x

[@hanklewis769]

pretty awesome series so far, having read the prequal and 1/2 way through book 10

[@nediojon749]

Finally caught up going from newest to oldest and one thing I must say I hope the writers of the tv series watch these or has Harriet there to explain the nuances of theses characters

[@keithstallworth8593]

No dude. He’s not dismissive of Nobles out of insecurity or being a prick. Much more simple and clearly stated than that. He doesn’t trust them. Nor should he. Any one of them would kill if they could. They follow him because they MUST not because they want to. He’s a commoner. A “shepherd”. “A farm boy” When He’s with Min he can be his true self. His guard comes down. He’s not a prick to her….most of the time. You see Rands true nature through the people he loves. No one one loves the Nobles of Tear. They Shady AF.

[@Blarg6306]

How about Moiriane, Dazen Guile, and Karris Whiteoak?

[@Skabanis]

So I read this series in 1990 and picked up first print hard cover every year they were available. The main reason is I loved DKS the artist...you should do a series on best artists in fantasy genre

[@SarahDuke01]

Can I say you look exactly like Rand Al’Thor should!

[@nicokaisertron3385]

Samwise Gamgee next? Maybe the best example of an unlikely hero. Even through the first book you never really expected much from Sam, but by the end he became possibly my favorite character.

[@DStudden]

Came here from the wot subreddit and definitely subscribing!

[@z7zyn]

Great video! I am currently reading the series and I don’t feel you spoiled anything for me.

[@anneesippinen1006]

he is perfect own my, he gives and he doing great job Somebody needs to tell him that and u r strong don`t give up! U can do this and stay strong!

[@TheRealFastLaneReno]

This was fire 🔥 i can’t wait for more

[@gabeduran2871]

Im going to call the transition from Stone Rand to Dragon Reborn Rand "The rebirth at DragonMount".

[@jimzimmer2048]

rands most impressive feat is taking the v-card from 3 differant women

[@nikolapetrovic4814]

Wheel of time was one of the most fascinating fantasy series i have ever read. I actually started reading A song of ice and fire at the same time, got bored in the middle of the first book and went back to Wheel of time.

[@kght222]

the album "metallica - and justice for all" follows the plotline of the books pretty well. you should check it out. certainly wasn't intentional, but the album seems to follow the same feelings as the series.

[@Killem-Dafoe]

Just here from reddit. Subbed bc why the hell not?

[@jobobminer8843]

"no more WOT videos?" - Ya right.

[@PodcastoftheFallen]

Is there any chance you could do a video ranking all the WoT books?

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Already did a video reviewing them all! Just check the rankings

[@TRUc972]

Brilliant video. Loved it.

[@dylanking2039]

'If I could find a way to change my destiny, do I deserve to?'

[@crazyymonkey]

Yeah, it's kinda sad when it comes to Rand. All I was thinking was that he was so close to becoming a FORSAKEN!!... then I thought... Shit, did all of the current FORSAKEN go through what Rand went through.. but made a different choice?

[@elementsboo]

that is a very interesting theory, I like this train of thought.

[@frking100]

Late reply but it is implied that most of the forsaken heard the whispers of the Dark one in their minds. I believe Ishamael copied the Dark One style of mental manipulation during Eye of the World.

[@sstsaldana24]

I agree with most of what you are stating about rands character analysis. Inthink he had a few reasons for being an ass. One most of the nobles/highborn see him as a country bumpkin and look down on him for being Aiel. They plot and scheme Behind this back. Most of Aes Sedai want to use and control him for what they see is right and will go to any lenghts to do it. His mistrust of them is proven right when they put them in a Box. He comes to the realization that everyone is using him, most so he can save them. But being used sucks either way. furthermore, the inner conflict that he Is going through having just found out that that Tam isn't his biological father. Then learning that he can channel and will suffer side effects from the taint. He's already beginning to feel in the way of hearing voices. I see it as him not knowing how to deal with all the pressure that comes from the duties that hes been thrust in. I just tried to put myself in the character's shoes and see how I would react. Anyway sorry for being so long Winded. I enjoy your content brother keep up the great work

[@yankoyotov6382]

Rand is the most relateble character in fantasy for me and I've read allmost all good fantasy series.

[@MattChristians]

I just caught this series, but I'd love to see your take on the evolution of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden.

[@jackipenny9919]

I love me some Harry Dresden!

[@ansalo]

I've recently finished Wheel of Time for the first time a couple weeks ago and I'm in a bit of a void of where to go. What book series would you recommend for someone who's looking to find another good story?

[@sKyWIperzzz]

Ansalo mistborn by brandon sanderson, also the stormlight archives, but that is unfinished, pretty much all of sandersons work is great

[@SuperMarkotheking]

The gentleman bastards

[@otiswhitt1129]

Malazan books of the fallen by Steven Erikson

[@derekneach7975]

I second the malazan series. Very deep story.

[@GgGg-te2dn]

Eddings Belgariad series, Brett Demon Cyrcle, Nix Abhorsen (more young adult book but really good) Everything Sanderson, Pratchet, Gaiman

[@wanted007ism]

I was doing a reread and I thought Rand showed a lot of restraint even during his tortured and depressed stage especially after the beating in the box scene as he could have been more violent towards other sisters and Alana and Cadsuane. Moreso towards cadsuane during her entry in the novel and her casual treatment of Rand, considering what he has gone through she was really lucky that he didn't stilled her on spot. Ithink that part was not really handled well in the novel. My two most hated characters were Cadsuane and Egwene, both were power hungry and thought they knew everything. Cadsuane has had some experience but egwene thought that just by being amrylyn she was more knowledgeable and powerful even than Rand who is fucking LTT reborn.

[@calebmauer1751]

I thought Cadsuane's character arc was handled faithfully in the last books. She was trying to do the right thing, work with him without being controlling like the other Aes Sedai, more trying to replace Moiraine. She just didn't handle it well or adapt to the reality of who Rand was at that time. I think she was a great character honestly.

[@thechadnerd8562]

Do you by chance remember the description of Laman’s sword AFTER Rand puts a more functional hilt on it? I feel like that’s the one that’s a katana, not Tam’s sword.

[@otiswhitt1129]

It would be nice to see someone do, Fiddler from the Malazan Books of the Fallen

[@archietrinidad2663]

Yeah.. Me too love Lady Envy and seguleh

[@vincefisch6583]

Oof, Bookshelf Roast series is going to hit different after this.

[@korbinpeterson5962]

You should do a Dalinar character arch!

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Believe me I plan on it!

[@wilsonaish]

Awesome video! Make one about Moiraine, Mat, or Nyneave.

[@תוםאברהםקורנפלד]

We need more on rand new books on his life with the new power afgher the last battel

[@IbnShisha1]

My problem with Rand (and Perrin, and Wax, and Kaladin, etc, etc) is that self loathing/pity/hatred is the least interesting thing to read (for me). I blame Joseph Campbell for this. This is why, particularly in the middle books, I was mostly just enjoying Mat and Min POVs.

[@Celvinbell]

The character you called Stone Rand I always referred to as My Chemical Rand al Thor, because he was such a little emo.

[@tyler420durdenAk]

Pretty damn great video

[@speedyprocrastinator]

Ermergerd. I love you already!

[@myerr21]

Min was the real MVP

[@Nickfor20]

I have to say.. I read GoT, LOTR, the witcher, percy jackson, harry potter, eragon, etc.. I think (maybe I have recency bias) that WoT is the best universe of them all. Of course, you can’t steal anything from these other universes, particurally GoT and LOTR that have bibles like the Silmarillion and Fire and blood. But this universe is so beautiful, the caracter developments are amazing and for a 24 y/o kid like me, it’s a whole lot more readable then LOTR which is written almost in verses lol

[@derekneach7975]

I wonder how Lews therin handled being the first dragon. It was no cake walk for sure.

[@mist7295]

He was not the first dragon

[@Kikilang60]

Thanks. I liked Rand in the beginning, and his character, became difficult endure later. When I read the series, I loved the world more than Rand al'Thor. I kind of want him to turn bad, and saved the world by being killed. Where was you're channel when first read the works?

[@signaltome]

Voices? Isn't it primarily the voice of Lews Therin Telamon, his former self mostly? I am not arguing, it HAS been a while since I read one on my favorite book series, I just seem to remember that. As for savior Rand, as I read it ta'veren events are neither good nor evil and while not random the events can usually be either for everyone, but as the Dark Ones grip on the world got stronger Rand, as the most powerful ta'veren in this age got left with the pure good events since the dark one turned it all to hell. Not that I have just written the longest sentence in history of man I think I'll end it there. ;-)

[@Tempestan]

Yes, the voice was Lews Telamon.

[@אביקורנפלד-ז7ת]

What about the end? With the pipe

[@kght222]

6:59 after that incident he has realized that has has the ability to use the power that lanfear tapped into that fateful day several thousand years ago. he freaked out lews therin enough that his own at this time independent psyche realized that he was becoming a very bad person. it took his father to remind him that he can't fix problems by force. that goes back to the first book, his dad wouldn't want him telling other people what to do then beating them if they don't do it.really simplistic but i'm trying not to spoil much.

[@armoduesgrimlock7677]

It's definitely way more than that. Not only did that event reaffirm his distrust of the Aes Sedai because of their blunder in protecting that certain item that caused the incident, it was about who he did it to. Rand knew that the majority of the world despised him simply because of what he was, and that he would be forced to sacrifice his life for these people, with less than a handful of individuals that actually cared about him as a person. Min being the only one among those select few that actually stayed with him. Min was basically the only thing keeping him sane at that point, so after all of this happens and he sees that she subconsciously fears him as a result now, that she is actually afraid of him and flinches when he reaches to comfort her is what hardens him. Cadsuane said it herself. That was when he went from being a stubborn but good-hearted boy to the most dangerous person she had ever met.

[@johnmclellan2257]

You forgot claustrophobic Rand, after he gets thrown in a box

[@shauntempley9757]

Part of Mad Rand. In fact, I would say a big element of that version of him.

[@joemckee6947]

can u do a character study about bayaz from the first law?

[@rhondaserges5136]

Awesome .. Nynaeve i s always interesting ..

[@WWIIKittyhawk]

I read most of the books 20 years ago. Just started the show.. I might read the books again. My favourite series after magician and the rift war series. The question is… who would be more powerful? Rand? or pug? from magician…

[@archervance3191]

Great stuff man!