REVIEW: ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Season 3 Episode 7 — “Goldeneyes”

The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 gets its epic battle moment with “Goldeneyes,” and it is, perhaps, the most grandiose action set piece the series has accomplished until now. Taking place largely during the day as the residents of the Two Rivers ready themselves for a standoff against the Trollocs and Darkfriends, Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) cements his place as a leader, just as tethered to the past as his friends. As the darkness threatens to overwhelm the small village of sheep herders and farmers, the historical threads of Manetheren channel through them, rallying their spirits.

It’s so satisfying to see Perrin earn his hero moment. Marcus Rutherford has always been up to the task and fully embraces the chance to lead the charge with chill-inducing sequences. Throughout the series, of the leading male trio, it’s easy for Perrin to be overlooked against Rand’s (Josha Stradoski) chosen one status and Mat’s (Dónal Finn) roguish, tragic charisma. But fans of the books by author Robert Jordan know how integral Perrin is to the overall story. He helps ground the otherwise otherworldly by bringing it all back home. And yet, he’s also at times the most changed.

It’s where the title “Goldeneyes” comes into play. He so desperately wants to return home and be the resident blacksmith. But he’s too changed. He’s seen too much to live a simple life. In The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7, he acclimates himself to the role of leader. As Loial (Hammed Animashaun) puts it, he leads not because he wants that influence but because there’s a village rallying behind him, ready to be led. He’s a true leader, someone people flock to in times of need.

Perrin, to his credit, tries to mitigate the violence that ensues. He speaks with the White Cloaks, appealing to Dain’s (Jay Duffy) humanity. But they’re reticent to join with someone whom they clearly associate with being a Darkfriend, even though, unbeknownst to them, they have a Darkfriend in their midst with Padan Fain (Johann Myers). That last component finds the fight’s back half’s momentum.

Faile and Perrin make for a formidable duo. 

Shot with precision that highlights where every key player is on the battlefield, The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 distinguishes between the daytime fights and once darkness falls. However, it’s perhaps too eager with the visual analogy. During the day, Perrin rallies the troops, incentivizing them with songs from their past and his easygoing confidence. When night falls and Padan Fain’s influence strikes, their confidence in victory has lessened. Perrin too succumbs, aided by Faile (Isabella Bucceri), who tells him to become the leader that the Two Rivers needs in its most dire moments.

The fight sequences are cohesive and brutal as each character fights with everything they have. The Two Rivers Women Circle, being the last line of defense, is so perfectly in theme with the series—home-grown power and resilience. Their enemies might be strong, but it’s no match for their determination in battle. And while the Trolloc creative decisions remain beholden to night shoots, the chaos of their attacks adds a necessary layer of tension as Perrin, Faile, and company fight.

Perrin and Faile, who, despite only meeting a few episodes ago, already might as well get married. Perrin telling Faile to stay behind him in battle, not to be protected but to kill any targets Perrin misses, is one of the most unexpected romantic moments in a series lacking in solid romance. Their push-pull dynamic helps bolster parts of the battle as they both hone in on what is most important to them.

But the best part of the battle in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 is how much closure there is and how many stories circle together to create something epic and fine-tuned. The White Cloaks arriving late to help in battle amounts to little more than additional chaos, but engenders significant, cathartic moments. Mat’s sisters get to deal the killing blow to White Cloak, who tortured and killed their mother. Perrin stands off against Padan Fain, masquerading as one of the ‘Children of the Light’ despite his allegiance to darkness.

The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 offers closure to long-running storylines.

This climactic moment brings closure even as certain journeys are only beginning, such as the Tuatha’an Aram, who, due to killing a Trolloc to defend a child, must abandon the pacifist philosophy of the Way of the Leaf. Aram and Perrin offer interesting parallels. Aram, who resorts to violence to save a life, must find a new path in life. While Perrin spares Padan Fain to stop the killing, only to have to submit himself to the White Cloaks as promised, he reasons that “Violence never ends until someone says enough.”

The Two Rivers winning is a hard-won battle, and a massacre of these otherwise peaceful people. But “Goldeneyes” gives them their final moments of triumph, and it’s well-earned, bolstered by the gorgeous score from composer Lorne Balfe. While a pivotal character dies in a final act of sacrifice (which does not happen in the book), it makes for a beautiful act of pure heroism.

As the members of the Two Rivers cheer for Perrin as he’s taken away by the White Cloaks, uncertain about his fate, crying “Hail Perrin Goldeneyes, lord of the Two Rivers,” the series manifests the magic of the books it’s based on. It’s the deliverance of a strong, slow-burn fantasy epic that all comes together for something all-consuming. It’s fun to watch, but it also has a great emotional core.

Anchored by a terrific performance by Rutherford as Perrin, The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 highlights the series’ epic scale without foregoing its heart. The thrilling action is made more so by the characters at its center, cementing “Goldeneyes” as one of the best installments of the series to date.

The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7 is streaming now on Prime Video. 

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