Thomas Covenant Expectations

[rdhopeca]

So, I realize that a lot of us (me included) have waited for TC to return to the Last Chronicles. Some of us want this as a way to make the story readable, others because we miss him, etc etc.

But I was wondering today as I sat there, that there was a somewhat dramatic change in TC from the First to the Second Chronicles, based on ten years passing and his experience in the First visits to the Land.

I am wondering, just how much of a change in Covenant the character we can expect to see after 3500-4000 years of time in the Land. Might he not have lost many of the characteristics that made us love (and in some ways loathe) him in the first place? He could end up being a radically different person after 4000 years as the TimeWarden.

If that's the case, I am wondering how many of us will be disappointed...thoughts?

[lurch]

..I am anticipating,,a dimensioning of the " Love" concept to beyond the 3000+ years TC has had to contemplate the idea.

[dlbpharmd]

I expect him to be a very passive character - a "just along for the ride" kind of guy. He won't want the ring back because he won't want to use power. He'll have vast knowledge but now that he's out of the Arch of Time he won't be able to predict the outcomes of Linden's choices.

[Relayer]

But I was wondering today as I sat there, that there was a somewhat dramatic change in TC from the First to the Second Chronicles, based on ten years passing and his experience in the First visits to the Land.

I am wondering, just how much of a change in Covenant the character we can expect to see after 3500-4000 years of time in the Land. Might he not have lost many of the characteristics that made us love (and in some ways loathe) him in the first place? He could end up being a radically different person after 4000 years as the TimeWarden.

Indeed. And this is one of the things that made Roger's impersonation believable. Even though many of us knew something was off (and so did Linden), much could be explained away by being dead, part of the Arch, the Timewarden, etc.

I'm not sure what I do expect... and I'm sure SRD will do something different

[drew]

wouldn't it be cool if TC, after being dead and in the Land for the last ten years, decided that the Land REALLY isn't real?
Like it's his own personal heaven/hell/purgatory...and his unbeleif comes back into play?

[matrixman]

I expect him to be a very passive character - a "just along for the ride" kind of guy. He won't want the ring back because he won't want to use power. He'll have vast knowledge but now that he's out of the Arch of Time he won't be able to predict the outcomes of Linden's choices.

I was going to say I hope Covenant won't end up like Gandalf the White in Peter Jackson's The Two Towers, just going around dispensing sage advice in a solemn voice. Obviously I expect something more interesting from Donaldson, but I'll go along with your prediction that Covenant will be more passive than he was before. I don't see how we could go wrong with such a general statement.

[Borric]

I suspect he will have lost his memory of his time in the arch.
Otherwise he would be way to powerful.
So he may be the guy we knew at the end of the 2nd chronicles.

[danlo]

As long as he's not in an Elohim coma or pissing and moaning in his chambers for days on end I'll be happy.

[Mr. Broken]

You could also look at it another way, Covenant has now had thousands of years to agonize over the friends, and loves he has lost, the crimes he comitted, and the crimes of Foul. That may make him more dangerous than ever, and more interesting.

[kevinswatch]

I say he comes back as a zombie. And tries to eat Linden's brains. But when finding she has none, is sad.

-jay

[Auleliel]

Nice one, jay.

[Endymion9]

I'm picturing he and Roger having a Return of the Jedi style Father/Son fight before deciding to make up. They will then both feed the Elohim to the Worm of the World's End causing it to have a full belly and go back to sleep.

[Plissken]

I think Covenant's conversation with The Creator at the end of PTP is going to figure greatly in his use of power, but I'm not sure that it will lead to his use of restraint.

[ninjaboy]

Well he's probably going to be the one who sorts out those Sandgorgons so they don't cause too much trouble..

He's probably going to be the one who saves his ex-wife somehow..

And hopefully he beats the sh*t out of Linden for bringing him back. Absolute WORST thing that's happenned to him.

[drew]

And hopefully he beats the sh*t out of Linden for bringing him back. Absolute WORST thing that's happenned to him.

Would of made the next book kinda boring though....

[Cord]

I'd watch out for Ravers if I was him - they'd be keen to take charge

[Wolf Shadowclaw]

I hope for the sake of the series that Covenant is not drastically changed and still retains the majority of his old self. I can empathize with Linden because... well we all read from her viewpoint, however that doesn't change the fact that she failed in so many ways. I'm personally glad that TC is back, regardless of the worm. I expect him to be the epic hero he used to be, otherwise I shall be greatly disappointed.