Reviews: Danger, betrayal and fire in the first 3 episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina season 3

Please note: there are minor SPOILERS in this article.

The third season of The Legend of Vox Machina, based on the adventures of the Critical Role role-playing troupe, is off and running on Amazon Prime Video. The first three episodes are available to watch now, with the rest coming out in groups of three every Thursday.

Before we dive into each episode individually, let's do a little overview of what they have to offer. The characters in Vox Machina are exceptional, faults and all. The title sequence alludes to upcoming struggles and consequences. I love how the bit about alcohol being referred to as "liquid courage" came through the episodes subtly; wine bottles have labels saying the word ‘courage’ on them.

The types of dragons, which our heroes fight, are portrayed in interesting ways. The red dragon, Thordak, has rows on either side of his neck which redden as he powers up his fiery breath. It reminds me of how the modern Godzilla revs up to use his deadly breath.

Relationships take a focus when Scanlan seeks his daughter. Others express a longing for connection but fear the vulnerability commitment brings. Friendship is a huge theme of Vox Machina. The banter between Grog and Pike is fun and they also are quick to defend one another.

Now let's get to the new episodes!

Episode 301: “A Deadly Bargain”

Vax spies on the dragons and runs straight into Thordak’s eggs. The odd thing to me is Thordak is male, so when he says "his children" I wonder if, in this world, all dragons lay eggs, not just females. Vax gets hit with a vision about the world burning.

The story backs up a day. The dragon Raishan takes her human form and offers information about a vestige of armor and a team-up to face Thordak. We learn the story behind the elemental gem imbedded in Thordak’s chest and about Raishan’s desire for revenge.

An inopportune moment brings Vax another vision, this one about the potential demise of Vox Machina.

Vox Machina travel to Thordak’s lair in search of the eggs and we switch to the end of the opening scene after Vax discovers the eggs and is being chased by Thordax and Vorugal. The whole group run for their lives, seeking shelter in a ruin. Raishan appears and an uneasy alliance is made. She assists in a get-away and directs them to Ank’Harel where the armor vestige is thought to be.

Shawn assists in quick travel to Marquet. The archive is attacked and the assailant makes off with the armor. Vox Machina pursue her across city rooftops and streets. Percy catches up with her and confronts a familiar foe.

Lance Reddick, the voice of Thordak, passed away in March 2023 and this is his last role. There was a moment of memoriam for him before the credits. Appropriate.

Episode 302: “Prisoners of Ank’Harel”

Dr. Anna Ripley reveals herself to Percival. She has big plans to wildly distribute improved weaponry he previously created. The moral implications bring risk which Percy questions, despite his earlier commentary about bending strict moral codes.

The rest of the group sneak into the archives looking for clues and for Percy. They leave and discover a murdered merchant of magics as they continue the search for Percival. Running from guards, they find Percy but Vex is wounded in the process. They get arrested by the Hand of Ord guards for being at the scene of the attack and murder of Mistress Asharru.

Scanlan finds his daughter, who is unhappy to see him. Their meeting doesn’t go as expected.

The empress charges Vox Machina with murder and sentences them to death, citing Percy’s weapon and the vestiges worn by the group as evidence. Mitigating circumstances clears them instead. She sends them to a demon city in the hells in search for a vestige thought to be stolen.

Episode 303: “Vexations”

Episode 3 opens up with the dragon conclave and an argument between Raishan and Thordak. He gives her a time limit to bring in Vox Machina.

The back and forth of relationships continues with emotions running deep. The group take magical travel to Draconia. There, Allura and Kima introduce them to Doula.

Doula guides them through a hidden gateway to hell. Amid a hellish landscape, damned souls, and flying death creatures, they continue their search for the vestige. Meanwhile, those who stayed behind to reopen the gateway face dangers from the horned ice dragon Vorugal. I loved the unique use of a magical shield to escape.

This episode reaffirmed friendships and dangers of relationships. I predict that love will prevail.

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