Episode 8 of *Chief of War* opens amidst the harrowing aftermath of last week's brutal assault. The shoreline is a macabre tableau, littered with lifeless bodies as Ka’iana and his comrades desperately strive to rescue as many survivors as they can. Tragically, among the fallen is Waine’e, who, in a selfless act of maternal love, had shielded her son from the onslaught in the previous episode, only to meet her own tragic end.
Consumed by fury, Ka’iana is poised to confront Kamehameha, blaming the leader for the catastrophic toll of 248 lives lost. Moku swiftly leaps to Kamehameha's defense, but Ka’iana's frustration boils over. He had forewarned of the British menace, yet his pleas had been ignored, his voice drowned in indifference.
Ka’ahumanu, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting loyalties, intervenes to prevent Ka’iana from making a rash decision. Torn between her allegiance to her husband and her own moral compass, she recognizes the inevitability of war but also knows she must stand by Kamehameha's side, even if she doesn't condone all his actions.
Ka’iana, feeling disillusioned and betrayed, threatens to abandon the cause, vowing to return to Kaua’i and leave Kamehameha to face his battles alone. However, this stance triggers a clash with the council back in the village. The others view his intentions as cowardly retreat, branding him a deserter. Nahi and Heke, echoing a sense of duty and honor, refuse to flee, widening the rift within their ranks.
Amidst the turmoil, Kupuohi emerges as Ka’iana's sole supporter. Having harbored doubts about her husband for much of the preceding episodes, she now offers a heartfelt apology, acknowledging that a part of him seems lost since his return.
Yet, the situation takes a gruesome turn when the ruthless Opunui captures Nahi and Heke in the woods. Nahi, in a desperate bid to buy Heke some time, distracts Keoua by repeatedly slapping him, allowing Heke a chance to escape. Alas, fortune does not favor the brave. Heke is apprehended and forced to witness Keoua's merciless act as he crushes Heke's skull with a massive rock, ending his life in a horrifying manner.
Heke is determined to survive and send a crucial message back to Ka’iana, recounting the harrowing events that have unfolded. She succeeds in her mission, and when Ka’iana learns that Opunui is also present, he is stunned into action, rushing to retrieve Nahi’s lifeless body. Naturally, he is consumed by grief, leaving the outcome of the impending conflict hanging precariously in the balance.
One of the central figures embroiled in inner turmoil throughout the season is Kupule. Having witnessed firsthand the warmongering nature of his father, he reaches a critical juncture in his relationship with King Kahekili that fateful night.
Kahekili, in a fit of reckless abandon, drinks from a pot of boiling water laced with the potent toxins of the "nightmare fish." These induce vivid hallucinations, and in Kahekili, they ignite a surge of aggression. In a blind rage, he smashes the bone structures around the village to pieces.
Witnessing this, Kupule resolves to kill his father. However, his hesitation proves fatal. He charges at Kahekili, but the older man retaliates with lethal force, stabbing his son in the gut.
As chaos ensues, Kamehameha, who has thus far proven to be a woefully inadequate leader, makes another fateful decision. He declares his intention to wage war against Keoua, opting for a direct assault. He arrogantly claims he doesn’t require Ka’iana or his "red-mouthed weapons," a statement only a fool would take at face value. Ka’ahumanu, however, is no fool.
Ka’ahumanu vehemently disagrees with Kamehameha and her father, setting out to find Ka’iana and bring him back into the fold. During her absence, she is ostracized by those closest to her. With little choice but to persevere, she eventually reunites with Ka’iana.
Ka’ahumanu offers words of encouragement, urging him to live in honor of Nahi’s memory, and part of that legacy involves fighting. Ka’iana has been torn over where his loyalty lies and whom to fight for, but now, the call to arms is undeniable. The fate of Hawai’i teeters on the edge.
Meanwhile, Kupuohi arrives to see Kamehameha. Her motivational words seem to strike a chord, and he admits he cannot win this war alone. Indeed, he recognizes that these guns represent a pivotal turning point in their struggle and permits Ka’iana to instruct the others in their use.
Adding to the heightened drama, the nearby volcano rumbles and erupts, seen by many as a divine sign favoring Keoua. Regardless, war is inevitable, and it appears there will be no escaping the impending bloodshed.
