Yeah, there's a part of me that finished up this post, looked at the second outline, and thought, "that could have been cool." Really, one of the greatest flaws in the series is that as the structure started falling apart, Rand started seeming less and less like the main character. Which would have been interesting if that seemed like deliberate thematic commentary, a deconstruction of the notion of the Chosen One -- but no, it was just the plot sprawling in too many directions at once.

I've stopped reading Martin for now, too. I may pick up the books again when they're done, but not before. I can see too many of Jordan's errors being repeated there, with bonus grit.