Apple TV+ ‘Chief of War’ Episode 7 Review - Rising Tensions in the Islands

I watched “Day of Spilled Brains” with a curious mix of excitement and restraint. It’s the moment where tensions ripen, and I felt that tang of anticipation, that sense that everything might shift. In many ways, the episode delivers, but it trips in quiet spots where its own ambition trips it up.

On the plus side, the emotional currents are powerful. Kupuohi’s effort to maintain hope for peace feels genuine; I was drawn in by the way her quiet resolve stands in contrast to the drums of war building around her. In earlier episodes, she was a solitary light amid violence, and here she delivers again; she doesn’t preach. She simply shows courage, and I respect that. I felt tension simmering when Ka‘iana raised questions about Kamehameha’s leadership. That’s a bold move, upset-the-apple-cart bold, and I responded to it. Doubt in a warrior king keeps things from growing too predictable, and this episode leans into that well.

Structurally, it feels lean. At forty minutes, none of the scenes overstay their welcome. The pacing is deliberate; there’s time to breathe even when tempers flare. I appreciated that—no bloated politics, no unnecessary spectacle. When disagreement breaks out about how to treat foreign arrivals, it lands harder because the episode hasn’t padded itself. There's pressure, and it feels earned.

Visually and sonically, the episode follows through on what made the series exciting in the first place: an immersive world, active in its textures and silences. Though this instalment doesn’t double down on spectacular battle imagery, the visual consistency carries weight. I could almost hear cracks in shields and smell smoke when camps stirred. And Hans Zimmer’s influence hangs around like an echo, underscoring without drowning, giving the quieter moments room to breathe.

Now, as for where it falters, I noticed that, at times, the characters stand too still in their dramas. Kamehameha’s presence looms but remains strangely off-screen. He is named but feels more like a symbol than a person in this chapter. I wanted to see a flicker of his mood, not just hear whispers of his reputation. That emptiness left a gap. Similarly, Ka‘iana’s inner struggle, which had been compelling before, felt muted. He questions, and yet he doesn’t wrestle visibly. I felt the conflict, but I didn’t always feel the man behind it.

Dialogue remains efficient, but occasionally it trades depth for economy. One or two exchanges between chiefs feel functional rather than layered. It’s as if they hit the meaning but not the texture of a relationship. I noticed that more than once, the talk around strategy echoes familiar power-play notes instead of surprising me. It’s not bad writing it’s just somewhere I wanted a little more specificity, a little more soul.

Still, the episode’s moderation in set pieces is a strength and a weakness. On one hand, I welcome episodes that trust characters over canon. On the other hand, without something remarkable to anchor the drama, the middle can feel flat. This one hovers in that space holding interest, but not setting it alight. Maybe that’s the moment before the real storm; maybe it’s a lull. I’m hopeful it’s the former.

One more thing: the authenticity remains a high point. The dialogue in Hawaiian, the cultural weight underlying each decision, and the way each shift in loyalty feels tied to history all hold. It roots the power struggle not in fantasy but in real stakes, and that makes the viewer care. I caught myself leaning forward more than once, trying to weigh what each piece of news would mean for the islands. And that’s not small. If nothing else, this episode shores up the sense that this is history unfolding, not headlines re-staged.

I also admired how the arrival of outsiders—this growing threat—doesn’t dominate the screen. Their presence permeates without commandeering. That’s a smart choice. The real friction is internal: pride, collective memory, fear. By focusing inward, this chapter preserves tension without forcing a clash. I like that restraint. It doesn’t feel like the series is eager for larger conflict; it’s fishing for the right one.

To swing back to negatives briefly: some moments feel insular. If this episode is meant to hang between dramatic peaks, I wonder if it runs the risk of feeling like a holding pattern. The energy isn’t negligible, but neither is it urgent. I missed a spark—something that might have elevated a scene or character relationship. A silent look, a character’s hesitation, I missed that nuance.

Still, closing on balance, I’d say the episode stands firm. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and tense in its own quiet fashion. It doesn’t dazzle, but it sets the table for what’s to come. In the end, I’m invested again, even if I’m waiting for the fire to start.

Final Score- [6/10]