***WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA***
“The Legend of Vox Machina” started off on an incredible note with its first three episodes. Almost seamlessly translating its source material from stream to show, the show had the perfect amount of action and humor to complement an intense narrative. With the second quarter of episodes prematurely releasing late Thursday night, fans were able to discover the true quality of the show, determining whether or not the first three episodes were just a fluke or a sign of something brilliant.
After binging it through, I can safely say that the show’s staff know what they’re doing. If the first three episodes of “TLoVM” were good, these three were GREAT. Reinterpreting the source material in effective and impactful ways, all while translating some of the most iconic moments of the Briarwoods arc to perfection, “The Legend of Vox Machina” fires on all cylinders with this latest trio of episodes, showing that the tale of Vox Machina’s exploits are just as compelling to watch in animation as they are in the original “Dungeons and Dragons” format.
After dealing with Brimscythe and an unsuccessful first encounter with the Briarwoods, Vox Machina is put under house arrest by the Council of Tal’dorei. Yet despite their initial triumphs, the Briarwoods are determined to make examples out of the adventurers, especially after stealing an essential part of their plans. Before the fallout can become too costly, the team starts the journey to Whitestone, determined to put an end to the Briarwoods’ reign of terror. Yet obstacles both outside and within the group stir, and as things become more intense, Vox Machina needs to decide what kind of team they need to be in order to save the innocent lives at stake.
The original Briarwoods arc was already a delight to watch during the original Critical Role streams, so the writers had plenty of memorable occasions to highlight during the show’s creation. Out of the vast amounts of content they had to go off of, they picked the best moments to re-interpret and the most important/character-defining moments to leave in. Portions of events that either did not fit the pacing of the show, like shopping for supplies or out-of-place jokes, were left out, and the show is all the better for it.
For moments that did not completely fit in the show’s timeline, they were altered in ways that both felt proper in regards to the source material and engaging even without prior knowledge of these moments. Iconic lines and sequences have just as much a punch to them, and in some cases, they feel even more impactful.
Moments that reference aspects of the original campaign in clever ways are a pleasure to watch, feeling like in-jokes that can be enjoyed without context as well. All of this is wrapped up with comedy that hits well whether being delivered through dialogue or visually. The show’s adult yet immature humor is a joy to watch without being too overindulgent, and it combines with the other writing components to make a story that is a blast to watch.
The show continues to be visually gorgeous as well, in moments high and low-octane. The locations within the show feel varied and memorable, from the shabby yet storied halls of Greyskull Keep to Whitestone during its heyday and its present. All of them maintain the level of wonder that came from their first descriptions while making them memorable in new ways with the show’s version of things, and it should be commended for that.
Outside of that, the most notable part of the new “Legend of Vox Machina” episodes are the action sequences. Every single battle in this show is a marvel, being easy to follow and having you at the edge of your seat every time. Settings and circumstances are not obstacles for the show; from the open roads of Tal’dorei to restrictive indoor settings, the show knows how to take the elements of its world and characters and combine them to make Vox Machina smart and passionate warriors against their various foes. Several moments within the show are bound to become iconic, and the battle scenes are just the most likely to first reach that status.
“The Legend of Vox Machina” has officially proven that it can deliver a consistently enjoyable thrill ride with these newest episodes. Keeping a balance between the source material and its own story, all while maintaining its beauty and badassery, has led to a great first half of the season. With the second half coming this week and next week, only time will tell if “The Legend of Vox Machina” willfully stick the landing, but I for one have complete faith in them. Vox Machina is standing strong, and they are firing off on all cylinders, something their show is mirroring and seems to be doing for the foreseeable future.
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