Somehow, The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 is already approaching its end, and Episode 9 lays the groundwork for its final episodes in the most devastating way. It's a tense chapter from start to finish, and it ends with a cliffhanger that will leave most viewers shouting at their TV screens. Of course, that's exactly what you want heading into a season ender. SPOILERS ahead for The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 9.
Following Vox Machina's short-lived reunion with Scanlan in The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 8, the team uses Taryon's tracking gem to locate the villain who tried to steal Mythcarver — someone he's dubbed the Dark Bard. In fact, Taryon has given affectionate names to all of season 4's prominent villains, and it makes it easier to keep track of them. Together, the group of the Whispered One's top followers are now the "Unalive Five." And Vox Machina tracks the Dark Bard back to the rest of them, arriving just in time for a dark ritual.
Vox Machina walks right into the Whispered One's ascension in "The Temple of Truth"
When Vox Machina catches up with the Unalive Five in "The Temple of Truth," the group of villains has gathered the Whispered One's followers — and they're in the process of preparing for his ascension to godhood. The enemy's plan involves using a second orb to transport cultists to Thar Amphala. These followers will walk through the portal using amulets like the one Pike took from Taryon's father. From there, they'll meet the Whispered One and lend power to his cause. Naturally, Vox Machina wants to prevent this from happening at all costs.
The group devises a plan to stop the ascension, using both the nature of the orb and the setup of the Temple of Truth to their advantage. Because the orb nullifies magic, they decide to lure the Unalive Five into its range. This will make these "unkillable" threats vulnerable, giving Vox Machina a prime opportunity to eliminate them. Pike, Grog, Vex, and Vax are tasked with getting the villains near the orb, while the rest of the group plants bombs beneath the chamber it's placed in. Setting off the bombs should kill the Unalive Five permanently while Vox Machina makes a hasty exit.
It's a clever play, but it relies on the team avoiding suspicion and getting out unscathed. Even with the twins using Vax's worsening blight to their advantage, they're backed into a corner when asked to remove their hoods and step through the portal. The scene devolves into a brawl between Vox Machina and the Unalive Five, something Pike is all too eager for. She's still reeling from Wilhand's death in The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 6, and her rage continues to get the better of her.
The whole thing makes for a tense and thrilling showdown, but it doesn't end as Vox Machina hopes. They manage to destroy the temple, but they fail to take down the Unalive Five and stop the ascension. They also lose a member of their party in the process, and this leads to Pike separating from the group. It's not a good place to be as season 4 approaches its endgame.
The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 9's cliffhanger ending sets up a gutting finale
Although Vox Machina successfully gets a few members of the Unalive Five into the Orb's circle to kill them, their luck doesn't last long. With the villains realizing what they're up to, they're at a disadvantage. The fight stalls them, leaving Delilah standing — and in a place to assist her comrades, ensuring most of them don't actually die.
As they file through the portal to Thar Amphala, Pike makes an emotional misstep. The others begin their retreat, but Pike charges Delilah, still wanting payback for what happened to her grandfather. She's tackled by Death Knight, forcing Grog to step in. He wards off the villain, seemingly killing him, then tries to convince Pike to quit her quest for revenge. He nearly gets through to her, too, but Death Knight springs back to life. Grog blocks him from reaching Pike, but the enemy tosses Grog toward the spinning black orb. Since Grog isn't wearing an amulet, he's torn apart as he's absorbed by it.
It's a shocking and gutting cliffhanger, and it leaves Pike in an even worse place than before. As Vox Machina calls for her, she uses her own amulet to step through the portal and confront the Whispered One alone. The temple collapses, too, leaving us to wonder how the rest of Vox Machina will get to her. With Grog gone and the group separated, things are looking truly dire ahead of The Legend of Vox Machina season 4's ending. That's actually a good thing, as it promises a strong segue into the show's fifth and final chapter.
Verdict
The Legend of Vox Machina season 4, Episode 9 shows exactly how to set up a finale, as it delivers on tensions, stakes, and emotional impact ahead of the last three episodes. With The Legend of Vox Machina ending in season 5, this outing must lay the bricks for the biggest showdown yet. This tonal shift suggests it's headed in the right direction, and things are only likely to get darker from here.
It's hard to say if Grog is truly gone, as The Legend of Vox Machina has a habit of bringing characters back from the dead. But with Pike losing so much this season, Grog's current fate seems destined to bring her to worrisome places. Being alone in Thar Amphala is troubling enough, but she'll have to overcome her own rage and grief. She's vulnerable on multiple fronts, and that's not a good way to meet the Whispered One.
Vax's circumstances are also cause for concern ahead of The Legend of Vox Machina's season 4 finale, and the prospect of defying fate is looking less and less likely. Between saving him and finding Pike, Vox Machina's going to have their hands full in episodes 10-12. They'll also be left to grapple with Grog's end, so we can expect things to get heavy. At least Percy and Taryon got a few good quips and puns in beforehand.
Episode grade: A
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