As someone who only read the series a year ago I loved hearing these older theories.

I mentioned it in chat, but to build off the ‘Mieriana Jones’ theory that Lanfear visited the Finn before the bore. I wonder if she went to the Finn and asked how she could be in the best position / get the most power or something like that. I think if she did, they may have said she needed to stay connected to the soul of Lews (ie Rand). That would then also help explain part of why she was so obsessed with him specifically...amplifying her previous obsession... In the end her staying close/involved did ultimately get her free of the Dark One + she is the only 'free' Forsaken + she’s still one of the most powerful + she has the knowledge of the age of legends.. + everyone thinks shes dead... Can't get a much better set up to be the most powerful..

Shows start at 2:40

Long time book fan (I think I first started in 1996) and I had no idea all these fan sites and discussions took place! Man, I could have had so much fun. Perhaps this won't be seen, but I theorize that Lanfear actually cannot truly ever allow the dark one to win. To her core, she seeks supremacy and power. The DO represents remaking reality in his image and he would become an active, real supreme being that Lanfear is always below. The turning of the wheel allows for infinite chances to get what she wants, with the creator not interfering. She is incredibly clever and would manipulate and scheme to the utter destruction of the wheel, right to the last moment, until there was no chance of accomplishing her desires. But ultimately, she cannot give up. In the one moment of, perhaps, truth for her, she tells Rand this information, when he has a chance to strip her bare and where she would utterly surrender her free will. So he can see if she is good. Her response? "I cannot". To me, that's telling. It's not that she cannot have Rand know, it's more that she cannot completely give up her ability to plan and seek her goals. She is incapable of utterly surrendering her free will and any chance associated with what the wheel turning represents, so she cannot allow the DO to win.

I loved the Verin is a pawn of Lanfear one. I hadn't heard of that before, but I can totally see it!

Brilliant! I love how these theories are still so awesome even if they have been confirmed/denied. My favourite is that Lanfear was supposed to be involved in sealing the DO back up: cyclical, balance, still in it for herself. First time I heard it here and now I NEED that ending!

Both the Verin as Lanfear's Pawn and Lanfear's Time Loop theories were intuitive to me as a reader. I never spent much time theorizing probably because I never had anyone to discuss the books with.

My favourite Lanfear fan theory is that not only did Lanfear survive into the fourth age (as confirmed) but she lives for a full turning of the wheel .. and she is/was/will be Mierin in the next 2nd age, just like she was already Lanfear in the previous 2nd age, from the previous turning of the wheel. All the background info was just a smoke screen.

I’m so glad we got the Lanfear fooled Perrin theory in the books. This was a nice touch.

I think the Verrin one makes a lot of sense if you change it up a bit. I feel like they worked together more than being her pawn. As good as Verrin is I doubt she could totally hide that she was up to something from the forsaken, but Verrin could probably tell that Lanfear was more on her own side as well. So they could make a surprisingly good team working together towards the their own interests instead of the dark ones.

This has been my favourite day of Lanfear week so far! I found out so much about her. She's always been so intriguing

I really like the Verin theory! I always pictured Verin as her own puppet master. Imagening her as someone else's puppet gives it so much more dimension

My favorite is the artificially enhanced theory. Although the Verin and the Perrin theories are right behind it. SPOILERS.... If her connection is broken to the DO post 3rd age, and with More gone, is her mind trap still there but just not controlled by anyone, or is that link/trap broken now as well? If there is no definitive answer on that, then my head canon is that she is free of the mind trap now too, cause Lanfear is gonna Lancer.

Artificially enhanced was the only theory on the list that I remember thinking was obvious. Clearly I need to spend more time theorizing!

I feel like the glamour could be an elaborate version of the mask of mirrors.. seeing as it reflects the personalities of rand, perrin and loial

Ishmael was the first but waited a few years before his announcement at the hall where he was branded Betrayer of Hope.

Mat was always lucky. But when the Pattern needed it, he got even more "lucky" (not always good luck, but chances definitely twisted around him). Mat's luck was his ta'veren "gift". I never considered this Lanfear theory while reading. When I first learned of it I liked the idea because she was around and meddling (and it gave her some more complexity).

Lanfear using Verin...this has captured my attention since I am currently on my 3rd re-read of TSR. And I am perplexed about how this could relate to Alanna. Why would those two be sent on a recruiting effort - odd to me. If a ruse, whose ruse is it? Why did Alanna disappear twice in Two Rivers? Why would she think it would be acceptable to bond a Ta'veren? Someone is pulling her strings - maybe she was being compelled by Lanfear?

I like the theory about Lanfear using Verin as a pawn without knowing because it actually still makes sense she could have done it! ✌️

Lanfear fooling Perrin blew my mind!

Lanfear wanted Lous Theron back and win against the dark one and reign togwther with him as her junior Partner.

I love the artificial enhanced theory, but I think the idea that she went into Finnland and gained power. And the cost was she could never reach where she wanted, so they could always feed on her loss

Lanfear/Selene /Cyndane survives the last battle so maybe she did help in some way.

What is 3 2 1?

Yeah De-MAN-dread pronounced as written.