"Critical Role: Legend Of Vox Machina" Series Talkback (Spoilers)

[RoyalRubble]

Use this thread to discuss the new Critical Role: Legend Of Vox Machina series, now available on Amazon Prime!


Critical Role: Legend Of Vox Machina
Debut - January 28, 2022 (on Amazon Prime)

Synopsis: They're rowdy, they're ragtag, they're misfits turned mercenaries for hire. Vox Machina is more interested in easy money and cheap ale than actually protecting the realm. But when the kingdom is threatened by evil, this boisterous crew realizes that they are the only ones capable of restoring justice. What began as a simple payday is now the origin story behind Exandria’s newest heroes.

The first 3 episodes are currently available on Amazon Prime. New episodes will be released on a weekly basis.
Comments?

Related thread:
Critical Role: Legend Of Vox Machina (News And Discussion Thread)

 

[Frontier]

I've been interested in Critical Role ever since I learned it was a thing involving some of my favorite voice actors and now it's in a form that I am much more readily able to consume...a cartoon .

We've been slowly but steadily getting more and more adult animated cartoons and I'm always happy to see more! Especially with solid production values from Titmouse (who I feel are very underrated as an animation studio) and an enjoyable story. We have a ton of stories about a ragtag bunch of crass and messed up misfits who have to become heroes through circumstances while still being chaotic and talking @#$% about each other, but when told well it still gets you invested in the story and the cast .

I like Keyleth. Maybe it's being the adorable, anxious, redheaded mage girl who can't hold her liquor but she's just really likeable and endearing for me. She had some really good lines...well, actually, everyone in the group had at least one good line per episode, but still .

I'm kind of wondering what Pike's deal is because she comes off like a Paladin with Holy powers (that she can only use so much of) but seems like she might have had a falling out with her religious order and didn't get all the training or pedigree she was supposed to have had .

So far the show seems like a genuine ensemble with no real "main" character among the group. Vax and Vex kind of seems like the de-facto leader, and Vex the "brains" of the party, but that's about it .

Grog is a very Travis Willingham character .

Scanlon and Pike...is there something there? I mean, Scanlon flirts with everybody but Pike is the only one in the party he seems interested in. On her part Pike seemed more receptive in the first episode than when he asked her to be his date in the 3rd episode. Although would it be too obvious to pair the two dwarfs together ?

Between this and Dota: Dragon's Blood, a lot of CG dragons are flying around on streaming shows. I guess dragons are kind of like Mecha in that it's just much easier to animate them with CG than traditional animation. Speaking of Dota: Dragon's Blood, Vex having a huge bear mount reminded me of Mirana who too was an archer with a big cat mount Sagan. Although the only thing Vex and Mirana have in common are their British accents and being absolutely gorgeous .

I did not have David Tennant as an evil dragon-posing-as-a-human on my bingo card today, but it was pretty cool. How long was he planning this? Has he been posing as a human for centuries to facilitate his plan and put him in a position where he could help overthrow and take down the kingdom? I wonder if anyone would have noticed him randomly disappearing whenever the dragon attacked, although I guess the red herring on the council seemed to have a clue .

I wonder if Allura is going to continue to be the groups' biggest sponsor on the council, given she seems to keep interacting with them on a more intimate level than the rest even if she too is a little put off by their antics .

It's always the serious, proper, ones who the darkest and most vicious hidden side...did the Briarwoods turn him into a death dealer with the mask and everything or did that happen after he escaped and was part of how he survived ?

How many animals can Keyleth transform into? The Opening and the 3 episodes at least gives her two .

Jeez, Vox Machina sure went from becoming respected (well, for a given definition of respect) heroes to being arrested pretty quick. I guess that's just their lot in life. And they dressed so nicely for the party too...

 

[Dragnatek]

I knew Sir Fince wasn't evil or working with the dragon because he was so obviously evil and so clearly in league with the creature that it had to be a red herring. And yet I didn't think it would be David Tennant's character. Or that he was the dragon.

 

[Frontier]

Allura may be exasperated with Vox Machina, but she's still a cool head willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them under House Arrest (which isn't a house actually getting arrested Grog) instead of in a dungeon and see that maybe something is going on with the Briarwoods .

Guest star party member in the Captain of the Guard .

Jeez, those wraith-like things don't mess around. What they were doing to people was horrifying .

Only the fourth episode and Vox Machina's keep is trashed and Pike leaves the party (although it seems like she'll be back by the climax of this arc) .

I love how no one can agree on who the leader of the party is, although it seems like Vex takes a more direct role when necessary and the de-facto head, more or less .

I think I remember from the Vox Machina: Origin comics that Grog and Pike were together before they met the rest of the group .

Seems like their setting up that the siblings' ultimate loyalty is to each other instead of the group, implying they might eventually cut and run if the need arises, although they keep throwing their lot in with Vox Machina in-spite of themselves. Also, on-top of a dead mom, they also have a terrible relationship with their father .

Relationships brewing: Scanlon seemed really bummed Pike left, Vax and Keyleth can barely keep their eyes off of each other (and Vex isn't a fan and thinks it's going to end badly), Vex and Percy have a nice banter and rapport, and Percy and Keyleth really seemed to bond over their difficult family circumstances .

All that money spent on the perfect gear to hunt down monsters and they end up losing pretty much all of it. Such is the lot for Vox Machina .

Female Scanon...I just, female Scanlon .

I don't know what stood out to me more, the two heads on that woman Scanlon was Scanlon-ing or Laura Bailey making sex noises .

Are the Briarwoods trying to build some kind of temple to summon a Dark God they worship? Whatever their endgame, nothing cements them as sadistic @#$% quite like killing innocent people and stringing them up as Vox Machina to set an example. I hope someone eventually cut down those poor people .

Vox Machina and doors sure do have a wonderful relationship...not that Percy is much better with windows .

So if it's not the curse that's preventing Pike from communicating with the Everlight, what's the problem? It seems like there is some issue with her faith or she did something she feels guilty over that's preventing her from reaching her true potential and connection with the Everlight .

Percy having the names engraved of everyone he wants to kill was on-point, and while I was expecting a bigger fight with that hammer guy, Percy just unloading on him was pretty satisfying. Hopefully he gets to unload on all his targets .

Nothing upends your quest for vengeance quite like learning your sister is still alive...although it seems like the Briarwoods have either brainwashed or molded Cassandra into serving them, so I don't think this family reunion is going to go well for Percy .

 

[khuddle]

Has anyone seen Season 1 in its entirety? A brief review would be most appreciated.

 

[Troy Troodon]

Has anyone seen Season 1 in its entirety? A brief review would be most appreciated.

I have.

It's good. Has it's moments where I find it too much for me to stomach, but for the most part it's very good.

 

[khuddle]

I watched Season 1 in its entirety this past weekend. It was incredible, lightning in a bottle, just about every aspect of the series -- the stunning animation, the rousing music, the gripping story, the delightful characters and "on point" voice acting -- was perfect. As an added bonus, you can watch Season 1 as a standalone and fully enjoy it. You can drop the series after that if you like, or continue to follow it through S2 and beyond.

In short, one of the best animated series I've ever seen, up there with Castlevania and Justice League TAS.

 

[PicardMan]

Finally got around to watching this show. Invincible was not a fluke as Amazon Prime produced another great adult action cartoon. A Dungeons and Dragons campaign is an interesting source material for a cartoon, but the story and characters that the voice actors created were compelling. I'm wondering if each season will focus on a different character as this season was definitely Percy's season. I think this show has gotten better reception so far than the Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings shows. This was a great fantasy cartoon and Amazon Prime seems to be making a name for itself in the adult animation business.

 

[SweetShop209]

Well, the show was only greenlit for 2 seasons and 24 episodes altogether.

Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role’s Animated ‘Legend of Vox Machina’ Series

Critical Role’s upcoming animated series “The Legend of Vox Machina” — based on storylines in the group’s long-running role-playing show — has found a streaming …

variety.com

 

[PicardMan]

Well, the show was only greenlit for 2 seasons and 24 episodes altogether.

It still can possibly get renewed especially as it was a really big hit for streaming. In Q1 2022, it was the #1 streaming cartoon (Amazon Prime's own Invincible was #2, an impressive feat for the streamer). If season 2 continues that, we should get a season 3.

Why Animation Is Still Any Streamer’s Game to Win | Charts

While Netflix series take up four of the 10 most in-demand animated shows on streaming, Amazon Prime Video series hold the top two spots

www.yahoo.com

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Legend of Vox Machina Is Free On YouTube — At Least For Now"​

"In less than 48 hours, the long-awaited second season of The Legend Of Vox Machina will premiere on Amazon Prime. It’d be a good idea to refresh your memory as to what happened in previous seasons, or catch up on any episodes you haven’t seen, or just start the thing. But perhaps you’re not in a location where you can access your Amazon Prime account, or you don’t have one. Today’s your lucky day if so…

To promote the new season, Amazon has released EVERY Vox Machina episode from seasons 1 and 2 to its YouTube channel. In case you’re wondering, the company has never done this with any of their shows before, at least not on this scale. No matter where you are, you can start binging the adventures of this rowdy group of mismatched heroes right away. Unless you’re at work. In which case, find a secluded corner."

Read the full article here.

 

[khuddle]

IGN releases its review of Season 3. A mere 8 out of 10.

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3 Review - IGN

The titular Dungeons & Dragons party faces its biggest challenges yet – leaving a path of emotional devastation in their wake.

www.ign.com

I suspected S3 might not be as good as the first two incomparable seasons. I mean the first season

was a straight 10/10 -- one of the best things I've seen on TV in a decade -- and the second season

was very, very good, easily a 9/10. So I could see a bit of let down coming for the third.