Please note: there are minor SPOILERS in this article.
The Legend of Vox Machina season 3 continues with the one-liners, relationship woes, and tons of action. I have to say this series gets better with each episode.
Vox Machina is based on the first Dungeons & Dragons adventure taken by the cast members of Critical Role, but references to characters from their second and third adventures (The Mighty Nein and Bells Hells) show up. I noticed a bard singing about Ruby of the Sea, who is in The Mighty Nein. Incidentally, The Mighty Nein is also getting turned into an animated series, so perhaps Vox Machina is laying the groundwork.
And with that, let's look at the latest three episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina to drop on Amazon Prime Video.
Episode 304: “Hell to Pay”
The Everlight speaks with Keyleth and forbids her enter the Hells. Doing so would mean forfeiting her deity’s influence. She goes anyway, where is she is bothered by her inability to help the damned souls, as well as a figure she saw at the end of her conversation with the Everlight.
Allura, Percy, and Vex, having faced Vourgal in the snow, look for Kima after they were separated.
Disguised as demons, Keyleth, Grog, Pike, Scanlan, and Vax search the Hells of Despath for Zerxus, who holds the magical armor vestige. They are confronted by a demon and talk their way past it.
A weakened Pike's efforts backfire on the group. They flee hordes of demons on their way to the Zerxus’ skull castle. They are let in by his demonic butler and learn the fallen knight was expecting them. He claims ownership of the armor and wants something to trade for it. He offers Pike a wager: if she loses, she must stay with him in hell forever. She agrees and signs his contract. The others are put into a silent viewing area to watch. During the game, the demon's questions make Pike uneasy about her faith. Still, she gets him to tell her about his role in the Calamity and transformation into the devil he is now.
The card game called five skulls takes a dark turn as the souls of Keyleth, Grog, Pike, Scanlan, and Vax are put on the table.
Episode 305: “The Frigid Wastes”
This episode opens with scenes from Allura and Kima’s adventuring party in the past. We learn a bit about the formation of their relationship.
Vorugal hunts Kima across the snowy landscape. She alludes him at first but he is relentless with his verbal and icy barbs.
I love how a tumbleweed rolls across the scene when it focuses on Allura, Percy, and Vex. It’s a trope used in so many westerns and even Francis Ford Coppola’s movie Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Allura wants to go after Vorugal. Vex urges caution but Percy sides with Allura, causing an argument. They search for him while continuing to look for signs of Kima’s presence. The relationship between Allura and Kima has parallels to that of Vex and Percy. This is reinforced when Vorugal spots Kima and Allura rushes to save her, nearly perishing as a result. Vex and Percy hesitate but eventually join the fight.
Down in Hell, Keyleth, Grog, Pike, Scanlan, and Vax flee Zerxus' demonic butler, sent to kill them before they reach the portal out. Upon getting to the portal, they discover it is still closed. Keyleth tries unsuccessfully to open it from the hell side.
With Vorugal hot on their heels, Allura, Kima, Percy, and Vex make it to the portal. Then battles rage on both sides of the portal. They eventually get the portal open and the Vox Machina members in hell run through to the other side before it slams shut.
The demonic entity makes it through as well. We get a nice Kaiju fight when Vorugal attacks it. Allura protects the characters with a shield spell. Then Scanlan and Grog make a bet on which monster will win. I won’t spoil which prevails but want to mention that Kima rushes in to face it. The others come up to join the fight.
After the battle, everyone is in need of a good rest. Scanlan conjures up his magical Chateau Shorthalt, ending this episode, but not before we see Thordak’s eggs hatching.
Episode 306: “The Coming Storm”
Chateau Shorthalt turned out to be just the kind of place I imagined Scanlan would have. It’s garish, loud, and full of boisterous indulgences and fun. There’s a giant Scanlan statue in a fountain and gold records along the walls. Be sure to read what the song titles are. Each member of Vox Machina get their own area: for example Grog has a fighting ring and Keyleth a forested place.
During their down time, Vax joins Percy in a natural hot tub. The moon overhead is wearing Scanlan sunshades. Unaware that his sister is under the water, Vax apologizes about his concerns and harshness with regards to Percy's relationship with Vex. Before leaving, he gives Percy a bit of caution about his sister.
Pike tries to figure out a new magic item, and Grog gives her very goofy Grog-like advice. Vax and Keyleth’s relationship continues to be awkward for both of them. Percy and Vex grow closer. Scanlan, looking at a picture of him and his daughter, is sad and frustrated about the state of their relationship.
Everyone meets for a chicken dinner and discusses what to do about the Conclave and Ripley next. Vax questions whether they need all five of the vestiges. Scanlan lets his frustration explode, ending any discussion.
Attempting to soothe Scanlan, Pike shows him a vision of his daughter in Nicodranas. She’s also upset about her father. He makes the decision to find her as Allura bampfs (a Critical Role term for teleportation) everyone else to Whitestone.
They arrive to find Whitestone in flames. The young dragons are not cute and are ravaging Whitestone! Our heroes split up so they can save the castle and the city’s cherished Sun Tree. Some of the citizens fight back with a siege weapon, firing giant lances. Percy frantically searches for Cassandra and finds her fighting a young dragon inside the castle walls.
With Whitestone in ruins, the remaining dragons fly off. The search for survivors ensues, with everyone asking how the dragons knew about Whitestone. It was supposed to be hidden. Who told them about it? Raishan, Ripley, someone or something else?
Going forward, there’s a lot at stake with Vox Machina and the entire world. I’m excited to see more. Check out new episodes Wednesday, October 9 on Amazon Prime.
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