Fullmetalyoyo

Maya/Adolin are catching some serious splash damage with this one. They have one of my favorite relationships in the Cosmere and it's not at all cheapened by Adolin having an entire wife. Re:male loneliness epidemic stuff, yes, if the only reason guys can think of to talk to women is that they might get a girlfriend, and platonic relationships don't make them less lonely because they can only be emotionally vulnerable with someone they're sleeping with, that DOES sound like a recipe for misery! Fortunately, both of those can be solved without having to be in a relationship.

I just meant that I expect Syladin to end with the same result that we've had with Shalladin (so far). That is, they get a couple of semi romantic moments but ultimately never have an actual romance. I'll probably be happy with however it goes as long as Syl doesn't die. Mine and Kaladin's emotional state would be permanently wrecked.

I think there are definitely hints here, but I see it going the way of Shalladin. I just don't see Brandon taking it all the way due to how careful he is about representation. Syl is so tied up in Kaladin's struggle with depression and suicidality that I think Brandon will be very wary of people over simplifying the message to "if you're depressed just get a girlfriend".

So I haven't seen anyone talk about this yet (sorry if I missed it in my skimming!), but why is Kaladin so certain that "listen to the bondsmith" means Dalinar? He ain't the only game in town anymore.