After the absolute romp that is The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 5, the following chapter embraces a more somber tone — and it's fitting, as "We Are His Blood" takes massive steps forward to establish the Whispered One. Prime Video's fantasy show has been building to the villain's arrival in season 4, and Episode 6 finally sheds light on who he is and what happened to him — along with how far his reach extends in the present timeline. SPOILERS ahead for The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6.
"We Are His Blood" picks up where "De Rolo's Eleven" leaves off, with Grog recounting what he learned about The Legend of Vox Machina season 4's villain. His story is cut short, and it may be missing pieces, but it's enough to send the group in search of more answers. Grog and Pike take a trip home to ask about her vision, while the others attempt to shut down Percy's mysterious Orb. Both narratives result in emotional moments, as well as unexpectedly hard-hitting losses.
The Whispered One gets a proper intro in The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6
The early episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 treat the Whispered One as a looming problem, introducing his cultists and the darkness signaling his return instead of the Big Bad himself. "We Are His Blood" finally gives the show's new villain a more thorough introduction, with Grog's opening tale explaining his history (complete with stunning black and white sketches for visuals).
Grog explains that, centuries ago, the sorcerer challenged the gods. They responded by sending champions to defeat him. These champions created an "arcane siphon," which consumed his magic and weakened him. They intended to use a "divine weapon of truth" to finish him off, but unfortuntaely, he proved too strong to eliminate entirely. Instead, the champions gave their lives to trap him another dimension: Thar Amphala.
Grog just gets the contents of the scroll out before losing the knowledge he gained from the Potion of Comprehension. His story explains Pike's vision in The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 3, though, and it reveals the true nature of Percy's Orb. Following this opening, Pike and Grog venture home to inquire about whether an ancestor was one of the champions. And Percy sets to work trying to contain the Orb, which is a portal to the Whispered One's darkness — and harder to disable than it initially seems.
"We Are His Blood" deals with the fallout of the previous chapter
The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6 is primarily focused on the main threat moving forward, but it still grapples with the emotional fallout of the previous chapter. Vex's and Vax's secrets come spilling out during the Cobalt Archive heist, and the members of the team face them in "We Are His Blood."
Vex, infuriated that Keyleth kept her brother's sickness from her, suggests they settle it the Vox Machina way: by drinking it out. This leads to one of the lighter parts of the episode: the pair drunkenly fighting, then stumbling to the Matron's temple to confront her. Keyleth breaking down sobers them a bit, though not enough to stop her from leaving the Matron a hilariously gross parting gift: puke.
Percy and Vax also confront any hard feelings as they work on the Orb problem. It's clear Percy feels it's his fault that Vax is dying, but Vax clarifies that he'd save him again. The pair share a moment of vulnerability, and it's the sort of soft male friendship we need more of on television.
The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6 raises the emotions (and stakes)
In addition to resolving the emotional conflicts of the prior episode, The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6 presents new ones. With the help of Taryon Darrington, Percy and Vax do manage to shut down the Orb. Tragically, it costs them Doty, Taryon's robotic biographer. It's not an expected loss, nor is it one that viewers will anticipate feeling much over. That makes it more impressive that it packs a punch. It shows how seamlessly the series has blended these characters into the team. We've grown used to them, and that's the perfect foundation for the show to hurt us.
Doty isn't the only major loss in "We Are His Blood," either. Pike and Grog's trip home is the highlight of this episode, as their visit to Pop-Pop soon finds them facing more cultists. Their grandfather is dating one, and she's determined to use the Whispered One's dark magic to save him. As it turns out, the people of their village are suffering from Dragon's Lung, a deadly disease resulting from the Chroma Conclave attacks.
It explains why even seemingly ordinary people are lining up to serve the Whispered One: to avoid their own deaths, or the deaths of their loved ones. And it ties the Chroma Conclave arc into this one nicely without overshadowing The Legend of Vox Machina's new story.
Pike and Grog attempt to make off with Pop-Pop, but he barely has time to tell them about Pike's champion ancestor before the cultists catch up to them. He confirms that their relative, Esreé, was a champion of the Knowing Mistress, and that she wielded a divine weapon: Mythcarver. Since that's Scanlan's vestige, The Legend of Vox Machina is clearly setting up a reunion with its missing bard.
The cultists attempt to perform a ritual to save Wilhand, but they end up facing off with Pike and Grog. And the Necro-Ninja from Keyleth's coronation arrives and turns on the cultists — a surprise that makes more sense at the end. Pop-Pop doesn't walk away from the conflict, succumbing to his illness. It's further motivation for Pike to lock in, and it's starting to seem like we could see an angrier, more determined side of her soon.
Episode 6 ends with one final twist: Delilah Briarwood is the Necro-Ninja, and she's working with Gideon, the man Pike connects with earlier. The two need a Trickfoot for some reason, and they need them to submit "willingly," hence their reaction to the cultists' behavior toward Wilhand and Pike. Their conversation raises more questions than it answers, but it's a good reason to get excited for next week's releases.
Verdict
The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6 feels like another turning point for the season, underscoring the stakes and properly laying the groundwork for the fight against the Whispered One. Loss is a major theme, and that feels right heading into the back half of this outing. Death plays a huge role in the Whispered One's story, and seeing our heroes struggle with it complements that nicely.
Delilah's arrival is also an exciting turn, and her involvement with Gideon promises to shake things up further. It's interesting that they're looking specifically for a Trickfoot; Pike continues to be a central focus of this outing, which is a nice change of pace.
The character moments here are emotional and cathartic, even if Pop-Pop's fate feels a bit predictable. It serves as the motivator it needs to be, however, and all the information conveyed (rather seamlessly) in this installment makes it an essential addition to season 4.
Episode Grade: A
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