The article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3, Episode 7.
Trollocs invaded the idyllic Two Rivers in the latest episode of The Wheel of Time, and not everyone made it out alive. "Goldeneyes" was a barnburner of an episode where Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) led the people of the Two Rivers into battle, hoping to stave off the utter destruction of their home. Their situation seemed hopeless, because the Trollocs could get unending reinforcements from the nearby Waygate.
Luckily for the people of the Two Rivers, they had an expert on the Ways among them: Loial, the lovable and bookish Ogier played by Hammed Animashaun. Loial is one of Perrin's oldest allies, and when the threat of the Trollocs loomed over the village, he proposed a daring plan: together with the Aiel warriors Bain (Ragga Ragnars) and Chiad (Maja Simonsen), he would go to the Waygate and permanently close it, denying the Trollocs more troops.
The major snag in Loial's plan is that the Waygate has to be closed from the inside. He goes through alone, trying to hammer down the structure until it's no longer usable. But the Ways were created by ancient Ogier builders who were at the peak of their craft; no matter how much Loial hammers it, he cannot break the gate. Instead, as Trollocs close in on him, he uses his hammer to shatter the bridge to the Waygate itself, dropping the entire structure into the shadowy abyss below. Loial falls with it.
We don't know for sure if Loial is actually dead in The Wheel of Time television series, but it certainly sounds like it. "Loial is such a wonderful character in the books because, of all the characters, he sort of has this sense of innate goodness about him," showrunner Rafe Judkins told Game Rant. "And, you know, one of his biggest, most important moments in the book series is closing this Waygate to protect the Two Rivers in this battle. So we really wanted to highlight that moment and let Loial’s sacrifice, to close this Waygate, be even bigger than what it was in the books. Like, he's willing to give his life for this. That, you know, I think people can really connect with—that even in this world of violence and war and battle, this character is willing to do anything to protect the people he cares about. That is quite beautiful to see, and hopeful."
If you've seen the episode, you may be wondering if Loial dies this way in the books. And if not, what does his sudden death mean for the overall arc of the series? Let's get into it.
What happens to Loial in The Wheel of Time books?
In The Wheel of Time books, Loial does not die during the Battle of the Two Rivers. He does seal the Waygate with the help of an Aielman named Gaul, but that happens before the battle itself. Afterward, Loial carries Gaul back to the village, where he takes part in its defense.
Following the Battle of the Two Rivers, Loial goes to recover at an Ogier settlement, called a stedding. He eventually crosses paths again with Rand and Perrin, and is involved in a horrible battle at Dumai's Wells in Lord of Chaos, the sixth book. Loial continues to have an impact in the series, as he warns the various Ogier steddings that Shadowspawn are using the Ways and eventually convinces them to fight alongside humanity in the Last Battle. Oh, and he gets married to another Ogier, named Erith!
Loial is a goodhearted Ogier who always lightens the mood when he shows up in The Wheel of Time books. While the Battle of the Two Rivers may be one of his most important moments in the series, the Ogier themselves still have a role to play. Here's hoping that The Wheel of Time television show will find some way to keep them involved in the story, even if Loial isn't around to see it.
Is Loial really dead in The Wheel of Time show?
All that said, I do want to put on my tinfoil hat for a second and float a theory. We never see Loial's body in "Goldeneyes," because he plunges into the abyss Gandalf-style along with with the Manetherin Waygate. And I note that Judkins says Loial is willing to give up his life for the Two Rivers; he doesn't say that Loial actually did give up his life.
I'm only 90% convinced Loial is actually gone. The last desperate, cope-driven 10% of my brain thinks the show could feasibly bring him back at some point by having him turn up at an Ogier stedding. It already set up the fact that Loial needed to return to a stedding to recover from the Longing — an affliction where Ogier weaken and suffer if they spend too long away from home. What if some other Ogier come to investigate the fallen Waygate and find Loial in the depths of the Ways? They could bring him back to their stedding to recover, where characters like Perrin or Rand might stumble across him a few seasons down the line. I'm not fully willing to bet on this theory, but hey, I like Loial so I'll keep hope alive for him!
Only one episode remains in The Wheel of Time season 3. It premieres next Thursday, April 17 on Prime Video.
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