The Legend of Vox Machina has Advantage
Created By: Critical Role
Starring: Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Liam O’Brein, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, and Matt Mercer
Dramatis Personae
Vex: A greedy Half-Elf Ranger
Vax: A snarky Half-Elf Rogue
Keylith: An anxious Half-Elf Druid
Grog: A dimwitted Goliath Barbarian
Pike: A heroic Gnome Cleric
Scanlan: A perverted Gnome Bard
Percy: An aristocratic Human Gunslinger
Kevdak: “Looks like [your friends] couldn’t save you.”
“The Killbox” (Season 2, Episode 10)
Grog: “Yeah, but the thing is… I got more. VOX MACHINA! FUCK! SHIT! UUUPPP!”
The Legend of Vox Machina’s first season was a treat. The show adapted the popular Dungeons and Dragons stream Critical Role, condensing dozens of hours into a cohesive season.
Can The Legend of Vox Machina keep up the pace in season 2 or did they fail their Saving Throw? Let’s find out.
Scene Select
The Good
Rise of The Chroma Conclave
[a dragon lands on a rooftop]
“Rise of the Chroma Conclave” (Season 2, Episode 1)
Thordak: “People of Emon! Thordak demands capitulation! SUBMIT TO THE CINDER KING!”
Vox Machina defeated The Briarwoods last season, but they don’t have time to rest. A much deadlier threat approaches.
The city of Emon is attacked by The Chroma Conclave, a quartet of Ancient Chromatic Dragons. One of those is an overwhelming threat, four working together is an apocalypse. Vox Machina’s best efforts barely faze the dragons, leaving them no choice but to run.
The Chroma Conclave is led by Thordak, an imperious red dragon who wants to rule the world. He is the conclave’s strongest member, able to melt mountains with his fire breath. He is supported by taciturn white dragon Vorugal and a greedy black dragon named Umbrasyl. A female green dragon named Raishen completes the Conclave while pursuing her own goals.
Dragons aren’t the only threats aimed at Vox Machina. An army of Goliaths works for Umbrasyll, led by the power-hungry Kevdak. Season one’s Dr. Ripley returns, allying with the Conclave to gain power. A manipulative Archfey prince named Saundor also opposes the party.
Level Up for The Legend of Vox Machina
Earthbreaker Groon: “Where do you find your strength?”
“Trials of Vasselheim” (Season 2, Episode 2)
Grog: “What do you mean?”
Groon: [sends Grog flying with one hit] “You walk between worlds: weakness in mind and weakness in conviction. Where does your strength come from?”
Vox Machina is outgunned by all of season two’s enemies. Luckily, they’ve learned some new tricks.
Grog gets the most development this season. He stole a cursed sword called Craven Edge from The Briarwoods. It makes him much stronger, but also drives him berserk and it drinks its victim’s blood. Is that really such a bad thing?
Keylith returns briefly to her homeland after she began a pilgrimage to learn elemental magic. While defending against an invasion, she learns to control fire magic and becomes a Fire Elemental.
The party is told about The Vestiges of Divergence, eight relics that make them strong enough to kill the Chroma Conclave. They allow Vex to shoot lightning arrows and Grog to become a giant. The downside is that the Vestiges cannot use their full power until the party earns their loyalty.
Encore
Scanlan: “Can’t have my world tour without the rest of the band.”
“Rise of the Chroma Conclave” (Season 2, Episode 1)
Sam Reigal and Neal Acree return to The Legend of Vox Machina with a brand new soundtrack. It pays to have a Bard in the party.
A darker tone is heard through foreboding tracks like “The Herd of Storms,” “Wrath of the Chroma Conclave,” and “Matron of Ravens.” But the darkness accentuates Vox Machina’s victories with tunes like “Pass Through Fire,” “Leap of Faith,” and “I Would Like To Rage.”
Scanlan the Bard belts out several songs to strengthen the party. “We All Rage” is a metal anthem highlighting a vicious battle. “Makin’ Our Way” is a goofy country duet between Scanlan and Pike that they sing while traveling. The musical crown jewel is “Song for Osysa”, a heartfelt 80s power ballad.
The Bad
Splitting Up is Hard to Do
Vex: “What’s wrong? What happened?”
The Sunken Tomb (Season 2, Episode 3)
Vax: “…You left me. I was lost.”
Vex: “Brother, I’m sorry. I didn’t think-”
Vax: “No, you don’t understand. You don’t need me… I need… Do not go far from me.”
Vex: “I won’t. I swear it.”
The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 built on season one’s lessons, but still misses the boat with characters wandering off for their own stories and encounters. This gives them time in the spotlight, but slows the pace as viewers split time between the character and the party’s adventures concurrently.
There are a string of episodes where Vox Machina is separated into two teams, one stuck in another dimension and the other wandering around while figuring out their next move. They are separated for several episodes as each team waits while the other goes on adventures.
Forgotten Myths in The Legend of Vox Machina
Kamaljiori: “The Deathwalker’s Ward. You’ve been touched by The Matron of Ravens.”
Into Rimecleft” (Season 2, Episode 6)
Vax: “What do you know of that?”
Kamaljiori: “A heavy burden, being The Matron’s Champion. Fortunately for you, you won’t live long enough to feel its weight.”
The Legend of Vox Machina season two continues the necessary evil of the first season: leaving out details to condense the plot into a manageable number of episodes.
One prime example is the lack of explanation about The Vestiges of Divergence and the legendary relics’ history with a reality-altering event. Season two only provides vague assurances that the vestiges can kill the Chroma Conclave. It’s like saying “Excalibur? Oh, it’s just a really good sword. You should go get it.”
Several gods and powerful beings appear in season 2, with little explanation aside from a death god called The Matron of Ravens. This may be a way to skirt copyright, but becomes annoying when obviously important characters keep showing up without context.
The Verdict
The Legend of Vox Machina season 2 raises the stakes in every way. The villains are deadlier, the heroes are upping their game, and the music is great. There are pacing issues and more focus could be put on worldbuilding for new viewers, but those flaws are minor. Season 2 is worth your time.
Image: Taliesin Jaffe (Percy de Rolo), Marisha Ray (Keyleth), Sam Riegel (Scanlan Shorthalt), Ashley Johnson (Pike Trickfoot), Travis Willingham (Grog Strongjaw), Liam O’Brien (Vax’ildan), Laura Bailey (Vex’ahlia). Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.
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