“Blood Calls Blood” beats with a heavy heart and is the season’s most emotionally charged episode. With ceremony and heartfelt performances, the show immerses viewers in its characters’ grief. We hope our review and recap will help you recover!
Spoilers ahead for The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 5!
Content Note: This review discusses themes of grief, loss, suicide, torture, and intensely emotional moments, including character deaths and scenes of captivity.
A Quick Recap of The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 5
The Aes Sedai mourn those lost in the battle against Logain’s forces. Stepin carries the body of Kerene Nagashi (Clare Perkins) to her grave, performing the ritual of removing her ring before the funeral.
Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve arrive in Tar Valon with the rest of the Aes Sedai, bringing a gentled Logain to the city. Moiraine learns of growing strife within the White Tower, while Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) has a keen self-interest in Nynaeve.
Despite the efforts of his fellow Warders, Stepin remains inconsolable, burdened by loss. Nynaeve, while staying in the Warders’ Quarters, helps Stepin by giving him Goatstongue tea to ease his sleep. The forlorn Warder melts Kerene’s ring in a flaming bowl, fulfilling his final duty, and prays before a set of Forsaken carvings to ward off Ishamael, the Father of Lies.
Rand and Mat finally reach Tar Valon, awed by its grandeur but exhausted from their journey. Mat’s condition continues to deteriorate, his paranoia deepening, and his bond with Rand strained by growing mistrust.
As the city swarms to watch the Aes Sedai parade Logain through the streets, Mat and Rand watch as the false Dragon, caged and subdued, flashes them a knowing grin.
Rand meets Loial in the Light’s Blessing Inn, an Ogier who mistakes him for an Aielman. Intrigued by Rand’s presence, Loial helps reunite him with Nynaeve, who is shocked by Mat’s worsening state. Rand confesses his fear that Mat can channel, but Nynaeve remains steadfast, believing she can help him.
Perrin and Egwene’s peaceful time with the Tuatha’an ends when Whitecloaks, led by Eamon Valda (Abdul Salis), intercept them on the road. Though the Tinkers attempt to protect them, the Whitecloaks seize Egwene and Perrin. Valda subjects them to cruel torment in his tent, believing Egwene to be an Aes Sedai.
As Perrin is restrained and tortured, his eyes flicker gold, and wolves are heard howling outside. Valda presents Egwene with an impossible choice: if she channels, she dies; if she does not, Perrin will. The blacksmith admits what he has never said aloud—he killed Laila. By accident, but still by his hand.
Egwene, unwilling to let Perrin suffer or blame himself, seizes her chance, channeling a small burst of fire to burn through their restraints. At the same moment, wolves descend upon the Whitecloak camp. The creatures tear through Valda’s men, giving Perrin and Egwene enough time to escape.
Stepin’s grief reaches its peak. Lan keeps him company, sensing his pain, but Stepin has already decided on his future. Stepin drugs Lan with the tea Nynaeve gave him and slips away into the night. By morning, Lan finds him lifeless, his final choice made. The Warders gather for a funeral, a raw display of shared sorrow. Lan’s cries echo through the halls of the White Tower, raw and unrestrained.
Episode Highlights: Grief and Transformation
“Blood Calls Blood” delivers the season’s most moving and challenging storylines. Highlights include:
- The Warders’ Grief: We close with a gut-wrenching farewell to Stepin as the Warders hold a ceremonial send-off steeped in raw emotion. Lan’s visible anguish, pounding his chest and screaming in defiance of the loss, reverberates through the bond with Moiraine. This expression of collective grief becomes a memorable motif, encapsulating the pain and unity of the Warder-Aes Sedai connection.
- Perrin’s Transformation and Escape: Perrin and Egwene’s ordeal under Eamon Valda’s brutal control crescendos into a thrilling moment of survival. Perrin’s golden-eyed transformation and the wolves’ ferocious attack on the Whitecloak camp mark a significant turning point for his character, revealing his inner strength and mysterious connection to the wolves.
- Loial’s Introduction: The long-awaited debut of Loial, portrayed with charm by Hammed Animashaun, adds a sense of wonder. His interaction with Rand, where he confuses him for an Aiel, creates uncertainty about Rand’s heritage while bringing warmth and humor to an otherwise heavy chapter.
Character Moments: The Price of Connection
“Blood Calls Blood” explores the bonds between characters, testing their limits and revealing their vulnerabilities. Each performance brings new dimensions to the story. Here’s a closer look:
Egwene al’Vere: Courage Under Fire
Madeleine Madden continues to impress as Egwene, whose courage and resourcefulness shine during her captivity. Her subtle defiance of Valda and quick thinking to save herself and Perrin highlight her strength and adaptability—and she drops jaws again by cutting Valda’s throat!
Perrin Aybara: The Emergence of the Wolf
Marcus Rutherford gives a rousing performance as Perrin. His capture by the Whitecloaks and subsequent torture bring his internal conflict to the surface, culminating in the revelation of his connection to wolves. Rutherford’s portrayal of Perrin’s anguish and transformation is heart-wrenching and fascinating, setting up a compelling arc.
Lan Mandragoran: A Warrior Shattered
Daniel Henney’s portrayal of Lan reaches new heights, his role as a steadfast protector shaken by Stepin’s loss. Lan’s exposure during the Warder’s funeral ceremony is intense and hard-hitting—and we don’t mean the pounding on chest elements! Henney’s ability to convey grief and strength simultaneously adds another layer to Lan’s character, making this one of his most memorable performances in the series.
Stepin: A Portrait of Grief
Peter Franzén gives a masterclass in depicting grief and despair as Stepin. His depiction of a man struggling to cope with the loss of his Aes Sedai is devastatingly raw, culminating in a tragic and unforgettable farewell. Franzén’s performance anchors the episode in emotional complexities and induces empathy from warm-hearted viewers.
Loial: The Heart of Tar Valon
Hammed Animashaun’s Loial is a welcome addition to the ensemble. His gentle demeanor and quirky charm provide much-needed levity, while his interactions with Rand hint at a deeper understanding of the world’s mysteries. Animashaun’s performance ensures Loial feels both otherworldly and endearing.
Blood Calls Blood: Themes and World-Building
With its heart worn on its sleeve, this episode explores grief, survival, and identity but isn’t always so downbeat.
Themes
- Grief and Healing: Stepin’s grief over Kerene’s death embodies the deep bond between Aes Sedai and their Warders. The episode poignantly captures the magnitude of loss and the different ways individuals seek to heal—or fail to do so.
- Identity and Connection: Loial’s introduction to Rand and his immediate recognition of his Aiel features add layers to Rand’s character, raising questions about his lineage and destiny. Similarly, Perrin and Egwene’s encounter with the wolves hints at Perrin’s connection to the animals.
- Sacrifice and Survival: Perrin and Egwene’s escape from the Whitecloaks shows the sacrifices they’re willing to make for each other and the strength to be found in friendship.
World-Building
As Rand and Mat approach Tar Valon, we see the White Tower and Dragonmount‘s dominant presence in the backdrop. Though the city is ornate, it looks more like an oil painting than a vibrant, breathing metropolis, and the scenes inside the Tower don’t effectively demonstrate the bustle of Aes Sedai life.
Despite this, the episode benefits the series by introducing the cultural and political intricacies of the Aes Sedai, the complexity of the Warder bond, the wholesomeness of the Tinkers, and the mysterious threat of the Forsaken. Dragonmount seems memorable to Rand for reasons he can’t recall, which is a nod to its significance. And, when all is said and done, it’s an oil painting we want on our wall!
Blood Calls Blood: Insights and Observations
Combined with evocative visuals and music, the cold open packs an emotional punch with just one line of dialogue: ‘May the last embrace of the mother welcome you home.’ The impact is undeniable, but one can’t help but question if precious screen time was sacrificed to explore characters who aren’t central to the narrative. Kerene Nagashi’s ring is burned, and with it, an hour of television that could have advanced the plot more substantially.
Some fans may lament the omission of iconic book events in favor of two funerals and an exploration of the Warder bond. However, “Blood Calls Blood” delivers a powerful message grounded in authenticity. The episode gives us Tinkers, Tar Valon, and the legendary White Tower, balancing woe with world-building. And by the end, we are not overly aggrieved by all the grief.
The stone column Rand and Mat pass en route to Tar Valon raises our eyebrows. Whether it foreshadows Portal Stones—an exciting prospect for book readers—or is simply a roadside marker remains to be seen.
Rand’s discovery of “The Karaethon Cycle,” bearing the image of a dragon, offers a clear nod to the prophecy surrounding the Dragon Reborn. Meanwhile, Stepin’s prayer before the Forsaken statuettes, intriguingly reduced to eight in this adaptation, teases the looming threat of these evil servants of the Dark One.
Logain’s parade through Tar Valon and his menacing laugh at Rand and Mat are steeped in tension, but book fans will notice the absence of a tumble. If you know, you know, and we see many memorable book scenes from Caemlyn adapted for TV in Tar Valon (the initials are pure coincidence) instead.
Loial, a fan favorite from the books, is brought to life by Hammed Animashaun, whose deep voice and gentle demeanor instantly captivate. While the prosthetics may initially feel jarring, Loial’s earnest charm quickly wins us over. Other enhancements drawn from the source material include references to “The Adventures of Jain Farstrider” and the return of Padan Fain (Johann Myers), seen skulking in Tar Valon.
Death and despair permeate the episode. Mat, unsettled by Logain, makes a pact with Rand: If one turns out to be the Dragon Reborn, destined for madness, the other will kill them before it’s too late. It’s the most sensible thing Mat has said for a while, and Rand reluctantly agrees.
The closing sequence, with the Warders’ ceremonial farewell to Stepin, caps off the themes of grief, loss, and uncertainty. Lan, bearing the collective pain, beats his chest and screams in defiance. As the credits roll, we need a moment to collect ourselves—but do we really need the episode? Let us know in the comments!
Performance Spotlight 1: Peter Franzén as Stepin
Peter Franzén delivers a compelling performance. His ability to depict humor, wisdom, and deep-set depression brings a relatable humanity to Stepin, depicting his fragile emptiness with heartbreaking depth. Stepin’s farewell, though tragic, is rendered with dignity and truth. He opens himself to his friends while dealing with his grief alone, making his ultimate act all the more devastating. Peter Franzén gives so much to this role that his absence feels like a genuine loss.
Performance Spotlight 2: Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran
Daniel Henney continues to be a cornerstone of The Wheel of Time. His portrayal of Lan Mandragoran, a steadfast force throughout Season 1, is given a rare chance to express his sorrow. Henney’s performance captures the devastation of losing a brother-in-arms, and seeing Lan’s usual composure crack is profoundly moving. His connection with Stepin, portrayed through quiet strength and unspoken pain, exhibits the bond between Warders in a way that enriches the series.
Blood Calls Blood: Final Thoughts and Rating
“Blood Calls Blood” is a poignant exploration of grief and resilience, offering rich character development and immersive world-building. While the slower pace may not appeal to all, the emotional depth and strong performances make it a memorable installment.
Rating: 7/10
An eminently watchable, heartfelt, and introspective episode that deepens The Wheel of Time lore and stirs the soul.
Behind-the-Scenes: The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 5
Look behind the scenes of “Blood Calls Blood” with Prime Video’s YouTube channel, exploring Loial’s creation and the depth behind the Warders’ relationships.
Watch “Blood Calls Blood” Today!
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What did you think of “Blood Calls Blood”? Did the focus on grief and the Warder-Aes Sedai bond resonate with you, or were you left wanting more plot advancement? How did you feel about Stepin’s farewell and the intensity it brought? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
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