REVIEW: The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2, Episodes 10, 11 and 12, “The Killbox”,”Belly of the Beast”, and “The Hope Devourer”

"What's with cities up and moving this week?"

Television Reviews

***SPOILERS***

“The Killbox” opens with Keyleth, Vex, Vax, and Percy arriving in Whitestone and discovering that Alura and Gilmore have found a way to keep it hidden. Alura uses a spell to check on the others, alarming the team by informing them that Grog is in great danger. Meanwhile, Grog challenges his uncle to single combat for leadership of the Herd. Grog is impaled on a pike, but seeing his friends threatened gives him a second wind. The rest of Vox Machina arrive just in time to help Grog. Ultimately, though, he defeats his uncle himself and claims the gauntlets. However, he denies leadership of the Herd, instead instating his cousin as Thunderlord. After a celebration, Kaylie asks Scanlan to accompany her upstairs and reveals that she’s his daughter.

“Belly of the Beast” finds Scanlan relaying how he met Kaylie’s mother… or so he thinks. She tells him that’s not her mom and considers killing him, but decides to give him her burden instead. Vax feels the Matron pulling him in. Ripley continues manipulating Umbrasyl to her own ends. Vax finally answers the Matron’s call, entering her temple. There he sees her and accepts his charge as her champion. Kaylie leaves town, refusing Scanlan’s pleas for a chance to be a good dad. The Herd constructs a trap under Percy’s instruction, and Umbrasyl falls into it. He breaks out, spewing acid everywhere. Scanlan and Vax enter Umbrasyl’s backside and stab him with the magical sword from Kaylie. This works initially, but he flies away with them and Grog in tow.

“The Hope Devourer” finds Scanlan unconscious, dreaming about his grandchildren. Vax wakes him up as the others follow them on the magic broom and Keyleth in bird form. A fierce battle breaks out inside the dragon’s lair, and he claims all three vestiges. However, Scanlan steals Mythcarver, stabs him in the eye, and ends his reign of terror.

I can’t believe I’m saying this again, but these episodes are a bit heavy on comedy for my taste. I don’t know why an epic duel with Grog’s uncle to determine the fate of himself and his people constitutes silly jokes about not having a sword. Also, wouldn’t fighting without weapons mean his uncle needed to set the gauntlets aside? How are they not a weapon? Scanlan going up Umbrasyl’s anus (and the ensuing “fisting” jokes) also felt out of keeping with the situation. I understand that Critical Role likes to have fun with their campaigns, and this show definitely skews comedic. Perhaps it’s not fair to critique the show for this; it’s a comedy, at least partly. But I find the extremely goofy jokes and sex stuff distracting. It takes me out of the setting and reminds me that I’m watching modern people playing out a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. I’m not saying there’s no value in that, but it’s not for me. In fantasy or sci-fi, I want to feel drawn into the world.

I called it, although it wasn’t that mysterious: Grog’s strength comes from his friends. This was awfully cheesy, but I don’t know what could have been a better answer. The fight with his uncle was insanely satisfying, and I’m glad he made his cousin the ruler. He can’t very well lead a group of half-giants while he’s off questing with his party, and I can’t see Grog as a leader. This is a perfect example of how season 2 expanded the characters and convinced me to care about them. I knew nothing about Grog’s family or his found family in Pyke and her grandfather in season 1. These flashbacks have really helped make the characters lovable and understandable. While Grog’s friends showed up to battle the Herd, I’m glad he took his uncle down himself. That was a personal struggle; if someone helped him, it would seem like cheating. They went out of their way to say “single combat.”

The romance is still a bit much; seriously, everybody in this group is in love with each other except for Grog! But at least this week brought some resolution, particularly regarding Pyke and Scanlan. She looks hurt when he accompanies Kaylie upstairs and is later relieved to learn Kaylie is Scanlan’s daughter. Then, of course, when Scanlan is badly injured, she kisses him. This is another sticking point for me: enough with the fake-out deaths. We all know that none of the main seven members will die, so when Pyke is impaled on Grog’s sword or Scanlan is crushed beneath an enormous dragon, my disbelief is stretched beyond its limits. I can’t feel all that sad when I know nothing that bad will actually happen.

Keyleth and Vex also talk about Keyleth’s feelings for Vax and that they are still reciprocated. And she almost tells Vax how she feels, but chickens out. He already confessed to her last season, so I wish these two would get a move on. “Will they, won’t they” has never done anything for me. I don’t feel invested in the drama, and it just convinces me both individuals are spineless cowards. I especially don’t understand this on Keyleth’s part. Maybe she’s afraid because she rebuffed his advances last season, but come on. It’s not like he won’t be into it; she knows how he feels. I like both of these characters a lot in isolation, especially Keyleth. She resembles most of the characters I’ve created with her long red hair and elf ears. And I understand her insecurity and timidity concerning other things, like her Druidic training. But I’m tired of the middle school drama. Either get together or don’t; I don’t care. I prefer the quieter, less childish approach Percy and Vex have. They clearly care about one another and exchange knowing glances, but there’s not all the blushing and awkward hand brushing.

I can’t recall if it was in “Belly of the Beast” or “The Hope Devourer,” but Scanlan and Vax have an excellent conversation about fear, destiny, and the choices we make. THIS is the good stuff; I like this a lot. Vax is grappling with his duties as the Matron’s champion as Scanlan freaks out about having a daughter. I really love the Matron’s temple, appearance, and attitude. She isn’t an evil or dark goddess and wants Vax to “shepherd” the souls of the dead. She isn’t a murderer or a spooky grim reaper type. I also appreciate that; it feels very pagan, accepting death as part of the deal rather than a thief of life and happiness. The scene where Vax plunges into the blood pool is visually, aurally, and thematically beautiful. I don’t understand how this gorgeous exploration of death, gods, religion, and fate can exist in the same space as fart jokes and guys accidentally trying to hook up with their own daughter. This animation is also a big step up from the sphinxes earlier this season, among other things. The Matron giving Vax wings is awesome too. Some members of Vox Machina are becoming a little OP, but enemies like Umbrasyl are still tough enough to justify it. And at least the characters (usually) have to earn it.

Speaking of daughters, Kaylie looks a lot like Scanlan. They did a great job designing her; I thought her nose was much like his before I suspected the relationship. This makes me wonder how old Scanlan is. For that matter, how old is Grog? Going by the flashbacks earlier in the season, he’s significantly older than Pyke, so probably Scanlan too. I imagine we’ll see Kaylie more in future seasons; if Scanlan did all this for her, I’m sure he can have a somewhat normal parental relationship with his kid. Other cool things this week included Grog finally getting to go inside Vex’s locket like he wanted and Vex telling Vax, “Do not go far from me,” rather than the other way around for once.

“The Killbox,” “Belly of the Beast,” and “The Hope Devourer” are mixed overall, but I enjoyed them more than not. As usual, the episodes lean heavily on comedy and romance, both of which produce mixed results. But the animation is significantly better in action scenes and the one inside the Matron’s temple. I liked the story and the depth added to the character’s backstories. Overall, season 2 was an improvement, and I’m excited to see more.