Comparison of 1/m dσ/dt − (dΩ_rot/dt)_evo (red curve) with (dΩ_rot/dt)_tides for a retrograde mode (ℓ = 2, m = 2, k = −2, n = 30, Ωrot = 0.2 Ω_crit; left) and a prograde mode (ℓ = 2, m = −2, k = 2, n = 20, Ω_rot = 0.05 Ω_crit; right). Forcing frequencies have been normalised by the dynamical timescale, τ_dyn. Blue segments represent unstable mode regions; orange curves represent stable regions. Arrows show the direction of mode evolution and spin trends. Red dots mark resonance locking points. Animated versions of this figure illustrating the various possible initial configurations and outcomes are provided in Appendix F.