The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 7 Review – "Goldeneyes"

After devoting an entire episode to the Aiel Wastes and the trials of Rhuidean in “The Road to the Spear,” The Wheel of the Time gives the Battle of Emond’s Field the same treatment with “Goldeneyes.” Unfortunately, that focus isn’t nearly as rewarding here. While “Goldeneyes” has some powerful moments and an excellent performance from Marcus Rutherford, the spectacle feels a bit too much like a retread of the season 1 finale.

As Emond’s Field prepares for war, the arrival of the Tuatha'an proves powerfully resonant for Perrin, who badly wishes he could give up violence and follow their pacifist ways. There are also echoes of the tragedy that split the Tinkers and the Aiel in how Aram, already bristling against his people’s traditions, breaks their oaths in a moment of desperation. Bain and Chiad’s contempt for the Tuatha'an demonstrates how closely the secret of their kinship is guarded. Perrin’s grim understanding of the stakes of the battle to come makes his respect for the Tuatha'an even more important – they can’t help in the fight, but they can ensure that at least some of the people he’s fighting for survive if he fails.

Alanna got the army she was looking for and does her best to help them prepare for a fight that seems hopeless. The mourning ritual of wearing Ihvon’s ashes on her face has looked cool throughout the season, and served as an indicator of the passage of time and her own healing. There’s just a tiny bit left on her cheek at this point, signalling a new phase in the messy way Alanna and Maksim have handled their shared grief – which has been one of the highlights of this season.

Taylor Napier and Priyanka Bose have incredible chemistry in “Goldeneyes.” Maksim’s playful humor meets Alanna’s transparent exasperation whether he’s breezily telling the Aes Sedai that they’re going to die or getting her hopes up about a decent meal. Their passion is electric as Maksim’s teasing turns sensual, the pair finally reconciling and repledging themselves to each other as they find a new way to be together without Ihvon.

Isabella Bucceri has quickly established an equally strong spark opposite Rutherford, and Faile’s fierce determination helps motivate the reluctant blacksmith to become the leader the Two Rivers needs. Faile always has a cocky smile, contrasting Perrin’s more subdued expressions. They compliment each other nicely both psychologically and in combat, where the tiny Faile is fast and deadly with her blade and Perrin slams through the fight armed with his axe and hammer.

Perrin wants to see the best in everyone, but Faile is right that they’d be better off just murdering Dain Bornhald. The Whitecloaks are worse than useless, unable to recognize that they’ve been infiltrated and manipulated by the Darkfriends they ostensibly are sworn to fight. The only good thing to come out of their arrival at Emond’s Field is that Mat’s sisters get their chance at vengeance against Eamon Valda. Perrin’s decision to surrender himself to the Whitecloaks despite the fact that they provided no material help in the battle is a noble one, demonstrating his desire to avoid violence whenever possible and solidifying the reverence his people now have for him.

While “Goldeneyes” is a strong episode for character growth and romance, it often feels repetitive. Trained Aes Sedai linking with novices, including an unnamed channeler who will die to prove the situation is serious, was also key to the strategy in the battle at Fal Dara in the season 1 finale. Similarly, Mat’s sisters saved Alanna from the brink of death twice in two episodes. “Goldeneyes” also has multiple scenes of misplaced chivalry, with Perrin trying to persuade Faile to run away and Loial doing the same with Bain and Chiad through a particularly unsatisfying game of Maiden’s Kiss. Perrin’s fear for Faile’s safety is at least in character, but Loial should know better than try to get two Aiel Maidens of the Spear to avoid a fight against Trollocs.

Instead, Loial, Bain and Chiad go on a critical mission to seal the Waygate and prevent the Trollocs from getting reinforcements. Again, the writing doesn’t quite do justice to Loial’s intellect as he spends way too much time pounding on the gate with a hammer despite it being immediately obvious that the tactic isn’t working. Given that the book Loial left behind indicates that he anticipated this was a suicide mission, the pointless hammering feels more like it was filling screentime and building false tension than part of his actual plan. Loial makes it to the Last Battle in the books, so if this really is the end for him, it would be a significant departure from the source material – and a warning to readers that no character is necessarily safe. Season 1 also ended with Loial seemingly dying in battle, so as much as I’d miss Loial if he’s gone, I’d be even more disappointed if this was another fake-out by the writers.

Perrin leads a stirring song of Manetheren before battle, and it’s more effective than any motivational speech. It encourages the people of Two Rivers to remember their shared history as they prepare to protect their home together. But Maksim comes close to being just as inspiring as he argues in favor of “being too dumb to know when you’re beaten” when it becomes clear that the battle has already turned against them. The courage of the Two Rivers is also on full display as the Women’s Circle fiercely holds the line to give the Tinkers a chance to escape with their children.

The storm that Alanna conjures looks amazing and demonstrates the true power of the Battle Ajah. Unfortunately, the CGI is a lot worse for the Trollocs, which are fearsome when the practical effects are shown in closeup but cartoonish in motion. Padan Fain is also a bit underwhelming in “Goldeneyes”: His explanation that the attack isn’t personal but just driven by the Dark One’s desire to hurt Rand is delivered with cool cruelty, but I would have expected Fain to have some trick up his sleeve when he was taken down by Perrin.