At the start of The Wheel of Time‘s “Goldeneyes,” Season 3’s penultimate episode, the odds aren’t exactly in favor of the good people of the Two Rivers. However, with strong allies like Alanna (Priyanka Bose) and Maksim (Taylor Napier) on their side, they stand a fighting chance against the Trollocs.
As for Maksim, this isn’t his first rodeo in terms of battle. But when Alanna goes down for the count, he must rally the villagers to defend their home without the power of an Aes Sedai. The grit and tenacity of the human spirit take center stage in this compelling episode.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Taylor about filming those epic fight sequences as well as Maksim and Alanna’s bond and whether they’re ready to turn the page.
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This interview is edited for clarity.
Taylor Napier on The Wheel of Time’s “Goldeneyes”
Melody McCune: Thursday’s episode is easily one of my favorites of the season. What was it like getting to train for and film those battle sequences?
Taylor Napier: It was a lot of work, but it was so cool. We rehearsed for at least a month before we shot it. The way the schedule worked out — I’m sure this was designed that way — is that we had a break in filming, and it was actually during the actors and writers’ strike, so we couldn’t promote the show. But we were able to continue filming because we were filming in Europe. That gave us time to rehearse and get it as perfect as possible. It was really exciting working with our Czech stunt team.
I’d worked with them before, but [we got] to see the full might of what they would do. I think Ciaran [Donnelly] said, “Go for it as hard as you possibly can on this one.” We did so much that you don’t see in that episode. There are so many fights that got cut for time and editing purposes. It was so special.
There will always be major scope and scale things being made, but with AI and the advance in technology, I don’t know how much longer we will get to do all that practically, [with] 500 extras and people in these costumes charging at you. It makes it more real as an actor because you’re actually scared. There’s a thing coming at you, and you’re like, “Oh, I’ve got to defend myself or it’s going to trample me.”
The Czech stuntmen don’t back down. They’re not taking it easy because you’re an actor. It was really incredible — just a pinch-me moment to be a part of.
A New Responsibility
MM: Bond with Alanna aside, is there something else that makes Maksim stay behind to help? What’s his headspace like at the start of this battle?
TN: I think it’s this coming into his own and accepting his responsibility in this world. It’s a new responsibility. Obviously, he loves Alanna, and he wants to be there for her. He probably still wants to kill Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood), but at a certain level, his almost losing Alanna reminded him that this is what his life is now. It might not be the life he would pick for himself and Alanna, but this is very important to Alanna. So, it becomes more important to him.
At the start of the battle, though, he’s a little nihilistic about this battle and the chances for the Two Rivers. He also has that piece at this point, like, “If Alanna goes down, I’m going down, and at least we’re going down fighting together.”
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He’s always going to be humorous about it. He’s always going to be wry about the whole situation. I think he believes they’re going to die in this battle because it doesn’t look good, given the material they have to work with.
In the Same Chapter
MM: Yeah, the odds didn’t look great. Much of Maksim’s journey this season has been working through his grief over losing Ihvon and clashing with Alanna on how best to move forward through that. Do you think they’re finally on the same page at the end of this episode?
TN: I think they’re closer. They aren’t 100 percent on the same page, but they’re in the same chapter. They have some work to do moving forward, but Maksim has done the work he needs to do to stay with her for the time being and to grow after Ihvon’s death. There will be friction because, ultimately, and I think the show said this a few times, a Warder’s job isn’t to save an Aes Sedai in battle.
Occasionally, we do, like in Episode 5. They’re there to protect them, but they’re mostly there to protect them from themselves because a woman who can shoot fire out of her hands doesn’t need a guy with a sword to protect her.
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MM: [laughs] True.
TN: He’s accepted that he needs to protect her from herself. Now, whether she will listen to that and honor that, we’ll see. She’s a Green; she’s always going to rush headstrong into battle. I think there’ll still be some friction about what is our fight and what is not our fight.
Thank you, Taylor, for chatting with GGA!
The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale drops on Thursday, April 17, only on Prime Video.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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