I wanted to comment on the general impression that nothing BIG changes with each turning of the Wheel, i.e., history repeats itself. It’s mentioned in the books and has been confirmed by RJ in interviews. I take issue with this, however. The Dark One can influence the world AND he is outside the Pattern and the turning of the Wheel. History doesn’t repeat for the Dark One. In his quest to break the Wheel, why would he repeat the same steps over and over again, knowing they don’t work? He remembers and learns with each turning of the Wheel. Because of this, I feel that the possibility exists that something “different” could happen, and that perhaps this something “different” might happen at the end of this series. No one really agrees with me, though. : (
I wanted to answer this one, since there has been a lot of talk about Warbreaker on the blog lately, and I wanted to do something for the Wheel of Time readers. Don, you’re actually quite right. The Dark One CAN stop the Wheel from turning. Indeed, this is his goal. So far, history has repeated for the Dark One—but only because he has failed at his attempts to unravel the Pattern. Now, the theory websites can go into all of this in much more depth (and specificity) than I can. I’m no replacement for Robert Jordan when it comes to continuity and cannon within the Wheel of Time world. (Except where it comes to the last volume.) Many questions and thoughts like this are better sent toward Bob at the Encyclopedia WoT or on the forums at Theoryland or Dragonmount (or on any of the other excellent websites.) However, this particular topic was one I decided I needed to delve into during my research for the final books. If I didn’t understand the Dark One’s motivations and goals, I didn’t think I could do the Last Battle justice. And so, I can state with reasonable authority that the Dark One is indeed capable of doing what you say. Though, it should be noted that in many cases, the Dark One’s actions will repeat themselves—he will try the same ploys, though I can’t speak for certain on how much he has varied those over the years. But I can promise that just because he has failed in the past doesn’t mean he will fail again. This series could end with the Dark One breaking the Wheel and destroying the Pattern. That is what is at stake.
The reader mail was referring to this RJ quote , in which RJ states that there is “nothing different” about this turning of the Wheel (see context). It’s a hot topic of debate on the forums as to exactly how far the implications of the quote can be taken. Brandon is (unknowingly) contradicting RJ here (RJ himself was always rather open about the fact that fiction generally requires a suspension of disbelief because you know the good guys are going to win). So theoretically the Dark One COULD win this turning, but we know he’s not going to.
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