Review: The Legend of Vox Machina “Shadows at the Gate”; “Fate’s Journey”; “Spark of Rebellion”

 

 

Overview:

“Shadows at the Gate”

The Vox Machina crew is under house arrest for their actions at the Feast of Realms. Thankfully, it gives the team a chance to uncover why Percival is so attached to the situation. Unfortunately, the backstory is much darker than any of them expected. And with a new undead threat banging at the doors of the kingdom, they must decide quickly if they will support their friend against these nightmarish enemies.

“Fate’s Journey”

The Briarwood’s maintain firm control of Percival’s homeland, Whitestone. Set on revenge, he and his party set out to face the dastardly villains once and for all. But first, a quick stop for supplies. And once they do arrive, the Briarwoods have an ominous message for the potential heroes. Meanwhile, Pike has opted out of the adventure to discover why her connection to the Everlight is broken.

“Spark of Rebellion”

Whitestone is not the land that Percival remembers, and the rest of Vox Machina are equally unimpressed. Thankfully, a resistance has formed in the small town against the new tyrants, the Briarwood’s. However, if Vox Machina or the rebellion hope to succeed, they will have to work together… as soon as they break their leader out of imprisonment.

 

Our Take:

The premiere of The Legend of Vox Machina was highly anticipated by role-playing nerds, fantasy geeks, and animation dweebs alike. Thankfully, last week’s three-episode kick-off did not disappoint. The new Dungeons & Dragons inspired series has quickly won over fans and critics alike. And after laying the groundwork of the series with a two-part introduction, Vox Machina’s larger plots and adventures are rolling with the release of the following three episodes this week.

For long-standing fans of Critical Role (the D&D web series on which Vox Machina is based), one of the most exciting aspects of the animated series was the exploration of villains Lord and Lady Briarwood. The dastardly couple made waves in their introduction in the show’s third episode. However, it wasn’t until the release of these three new pieces that we truly got to see these celebrated baddies shine.

Aside from bringing back the dead and pointing them towards Vox Machina, the evil Lord and Lady Briarwood showcased their grasp on the land of Whitestone. Relentlessly awful, the couple is surrounded by a castle of angry bad guys. And most dangerously, the Briarwood’s show no second thought about murdering a young girl simply to send a message to their enemies.

Thankfully, the would-be heroes, Vox Machina, are not alone. Finding that they are not the only ones set on taking down this necromantic monarchy. Whitestone has its own resistance loaded with interesting characters ready to stand beside the legendary party. Making the series and story that much more enjoyable.

As exciting as the developments were, the new episodes failed to maintain the same level of intensity that was established early. The fifth episode, “Fate’s Journey”, specifically trailed off from the adventure. The episode features the party making their way to Whitestone with a couple of stops along the way. First, they gather supplies and magical equipment, only to lose it before the episode concludes. And though these plot points may have relevance later, they could have been compressed. Unfortunately, this individual episode stands out as a pointless side adventure that lacks the fun and adventure of the rest of the series.

Not to worry, the trio of episodes concludes on a high note with the introduction of the resistance and reveal of a character long thought dead. Between a humorous and action-packed prison escape and the establishment of sides, the story is ripely set up for the final half of the first season. And especially enjoyable is the consistent failures of the characters properly representing the bad roles natural to the game.

As the adventure and stakes get more extensive, it proves once again why this story deserved the animation treatment. Unlike the stereotypical tales of previous D&D adaptations, The Legend of Vox Machina has turned the fantasy tropes on their head while maintaining the fun and allure of the genre.