KAIJU BATTLE?!? | The Legend Of Vox Machina Ep 3x5 Reaction & Review | Critical Role

[@warriorwitchwillow]

15:52 That was the same creature from the campaign. That WAS Yenk, the Goristro. Zerxus says his name when he sends him after VM.

[@erictighe1683]

Absolutely, they just didn't name the species, and changed the appearance, for copyright reasons, but the name was CR's.

[@DudemitnemHut]

Mad Respect to Vorugal. He was the only one actually loyal to Thordac. Fought the Wrestling Demon and still put up a crazy fight against the full group + Allie and Kima.

[@maximoose6854]

We all need friends like Vorugal

[@warrust]

Someone once described him as Thordac's loyal bulldog and I can never unsee that

[@DavidGonzalez-zl3dz]

He gave white dragons respect. They're supposed to be the dumbest, but the most vicious

[@anathem9982]

Well, Brimscythe was too

[@LeeCarlson]

Matt Mercer saying: "Okay. Watch me play with my toys."

[@Conner3030]

Sometimes the DM just wants to tell a bit of a story

[@Iryklathagra]

@@Conner3030 They made it happen! It was an intentional choice by the players in the campaign.

[@neintales1224]

Allura wasn't shot with a Cupid arrow, she was just smacked in the back of the head with a 2x4 by a god or goddess of love.

[@Connor-ONeill]

Yeah, Cupid doesn't use a bow and arrow in this universe. He uses a baseball bat.

[@SilverScribe85]

@@Connor-ONeill More like a heart-shaped flail

[@quinnbrentson151]

​@@Connor-ONeill i call it a "giggity stick"

[@caaneq1]

In regards to the discussion about differences between campaign and show. I think they're doing a great job condensing but also packing every episode full of action. I'm constantly amazed at how much they squeeze into each episode, but the biggest changes i absolutely love is being able to see NPCs interact with themselves, and allowing them to build on relationships amongst themselves. I loved that we got a ton of Kima and Allura content in this mini arc that we didn't get in the campaigns for example.

[@daniberrieful]

Another thing with the queer characters arguement i see ppl have is that is a new thing. But these Vox characters have exisited for 12 years at this point. Gilmore was created before they even started streaming so when it was just the home game

[@bandi138138]

Jamon sa Ord was always nonbinary, Kima and Allura have been a couple since the first arc of CR, Gilmore's been there since before the campaign, the twins have always been bisexual, Scanlans is...Scanlan, etc. It's definitely not a new thing, and if they're complaining about it, I feel like they might not have been paying attention lol

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

"New thing" is relative. "New" in this regard is more like 35 years. And I have to say, as much as I don't mind in these cases here, it often feels like media is overcorrecting. They ignored them for decades and now give them way more spotlight than they deserve by their percentage of the entire demographic. Among 100 characters of shows there should be about 7 queer ones in total. Currently there are shows out there that feel like its a 50-50 thing.

[@SylvaGardenia]

​@Quotenwagnerianer People are gonna absolutely hate if Bells Hells gets adapted then, that entire party is queer in one way or another. Bisexual women in a lesbian relationship, a gay man, two people who use he/they, and then Fearne and Chetney who are a lot like Scanlan in regards to their preferences (which is to say any legal and consenting adult). Though to be fair, that's also just kind of how the world is. It's expansive and doesn't have the same religious phobias that our world has, so people have been able to live as themselves much more freely for way longer. Hell, The Wildmother and The Lawbearer, two feminine deities, are said to be lovers, and The Arch Heart is also non-binary.

[@arandomnamegoeshere]

@@Quotenwagnerianer where do we draw the "50-50" line after "decades" of stories that ignore representing this aspect of human interaction? It dawned on me that one of the things about "geek" media is that it presented fantasies for people like me. They struck a chord because it was easy for me to interject self in to these situations. If there was a hero, I could be them. If they were in love with the girl, given different situations that relationship could be mine. I suspect that's the key to why some geeks push back so hard against stories that... represent something that isn't them. If there are two gay characters in a relationship, well it takes a lot more heavy lifting for me to think that if the situation were different I would be in that relationship. The kicker is that we've asked the folks who have been ignored for so long to do that heavy lifting. To see the world through eyes that are even more alien to their own experiences than the fantastic situation itself presents. Given that - I don't mind being the one squinting more often than I've had to in the past to embrace a story. After all - things aren't different and I'm not REALLY ever getting the girl. But I can recognize the relationship being portrayed based on my own experiences ("I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is"). This applies to more than relationships portrayed in media. More perspectives are getting a chance to be portrayed. Giving us new stories. The old ones are still there to cherish. And I'm OK with that. Even if the new ones might not resonate with me in the same way.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

@@arandomnamegoeshere Oh I agree for the most part. Think of what we had missed if the Episode 3 of "The Last of Us" would have not been made. But I also understand that there are many people out there who scream "Why does everything have to be queer these days? This is not how the world is!" Queer is the sugar in the cake that is life. Life would be dull and flavourless without it. But it is not an entire layer of the cake.

[@robertcomeau6873]

Vorugal went out like Wolverine in Logan. Chest fucked by a tree.

[@mateobarrett6829]

I also dug the lowkey nod to Ghidorah with Vorugal's victory roar over the demon, just to remind us that Titmouse / CR were aware this was a kaiju battle too

[@davidbodor1762]

Hey Nerdy, did you know that talented fans made an entire fake Vox Machina musical covering the Chroma Conclave arc based on Hamilton? I know you like musicals so I figured I'd inform you. Animus is my favorite track it slaps so hard, but also Dear Kaylie, Quiet in Town, One Last Time, and many others are amazing.

[@DocEonChannel]

The unique thing about adapting a RPG campaign is that at the table, you can go on lots of side quests that never tie in to the main story, and nobody minds because you're having fun at the time. In this, they've either trimmed those parts of the campaign away, or rewritten them to fit the big story.

[@mathsalot8099]

I like that they are giving narrative reasons for the DnD spells. For example, them being chased out of hell by a demon rather than just casting "Summon Demon" or Scanlan's mansion being a key they found rather than just Scanlan leveling up enough until he could cast "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion."

[@warrust]

who summoned the demon in the original campaign?

[@mathsalot8099]

@@warrust pretty sure it was Scanlan.

[@zippomage]

they found a "Gate" scroll

[@Kai-fb1ol]

​@@warrust Scanlan succeeded at his roll to use a spell scroll they had of the 9th level spell Gate. They used it to summon a specific demon from the Abyss whose name they knew. The demon, Yenk, was a different boss who they had been intended to fight at some point because he had another Vestige in his stomach. Basically, they cunningly thought outside the box and managed to make two of Matt's boss creatures fight each other instead of the party, it was great.

[@kortexiphar3754]

i actually dislike it because it always feels like they are taking scanlans achievements and contributions away. They took so much away from Scanlan that he seems kind of useless compared to his campaign self. (all counterspells, Pitfiend kill, the card game was given to Pike instead of him, Gate Spell, Dominate Monster, impenetrable bubble on the fire elementel in Pyra, Magnificent Mansion...) just to name a few.

[@mndrew1]

Kima is that one person who always sucks up 3/4 of the heals in your party.

[@mathsalot8099]

AKA, the tank.

[@mndrew1]

The utterly, foolishly reckless tank.

[@darrenrichardson6146]

Which is Ironic, as she's a Paladin and has her own healing abilities......

[@darrenl3289]

At first I felt disappointed that they changed the battle and removed Pike casting Divine Intervention, because it was SUCH a big moment in the original game. However, looking back now, it makes sense to remove it because of the story. They just introduced a story beat about Pike questioning her faith... having your god literally come in and help out in a fight kinda washes doubts aside. lol Plus it is kind of difficult to convey the context of what spell she is casting and the mechanics behind it, especially the risk of failure. Fans of the show not familiar with the spell would just think "Why doesn't Pike do that EVERY battle?" lol

[@frenchtantan]

Yeah, some DnD spells as is are not well-adapted in a purely narrative format. It's like Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion being turned into a key Scanlan found instead of just a spell he learns at higher levels. Not accurate, narratively better. Besides, like you said, Pike is starting a "questioning her faith" arc, which means it's not out of the question that the divine intervention will be seen still, but at the end of said arc.

[@omok2]

That stone cold stunner was so great!!!

[@CiscoNica]

I can hear Jim Ross in the background: "OH MY GOD!!! OH MY GOD!!" 😂

[@seeflatbesharp]

Critter perspective: loving this adaptation, especially getting to see mini story arcs for what were Matt's NPCs in the campaign. Stephanie Beatriz (Kima) was terrific this episode!

[@qa1327]

This was a fun episode. That fight was great. I was so bummed we didn’t get the Larkin moment here though. I’m holding out hope we get it in the fight against Thordak.

[@jetvulcan2020]

really like the discussion about the adaptation with the campaign and show being their own thing. also liked the discuss about the advantage the adaptation has is because its the same people playing the main chatacters.

[@jasonmarbach]

Maybe the best animated fight I’ve ever seen. Also: more Kima and Allura backstory!!!

[@JonasJudge]

100% agreement on wanting a "Bestiary of Exandria". Watching this episode made me want to start statting up a homebrew of the chimera.

[@xseedingme]

If there was one thing the Critical Role community is known for most, it is most assuredly inclusion. I don't get how inclusion is a bad thing but...to each their own.

[@InimitableAde]

I love how most of the thumbnails for this episode are the reactors with their jaws dropped. 😂😂

[@SCUBAguypnw]

It's like the difference between the book and the movie but the movie is still fantastic and still touches all the main points. Oh you two just said exactly the same thing.

[@kamikyo]

17:13 there are also anime adaptations where the VOs are brought forward, but the story is changed. The biggest one I can think of is all the various iterations of Tenchi Muyo, but other series that were rebooted like Fruits Basket, or Evangelion, all have similar moments where the characters are the same but the events change (for better or worse).

[@Ironoclasty]

The thing that makes this series so unique is the difference in methodology. Almost every show starts with the story as envisioned from the start. Vox Machina was a miasma of matt's vision of the situation and the players working it out together. Matt didn't have an ultimate end for the story, it came together organically through interaction. No other production that I'm aware of based the show's premise on 400+ hours of content.

[@jbearclowater]

Stephanie Beatriz (a bi icon herself) is amazing as Kima in this series.

[@mixtand138]

The best description I've heard to explain the differences between the campaign and the show is that the campaign is how things actually happened, and the show is literally "The Legend of Vox Machina", the tales that the bards tell. Possibly even Scanlan's version...at least, that's my headcanon.

[@ourabouras]

When I realized they were leading the Godzilla dragon to fight Shocky Shocky Boom Demon… LET THEM FIGHT!!! That was such a satisfying battle between monsters, and I appreciate that the humanoids then had their chance to fight as well. Very satisfying. Also that is the coolest tree ever, and I have great expectations for those dragon scales.

[@vincentlefur4490]

10:15 this primal roar is coming straight from Jurassic Park. And i love it

[@jasonfarley9025]

Loving having you guys watching stuff i am watching again

[@jbearclowater]

The fact that the Demon threw a Stone Col Stunner will forever be delightful.

[@mathsalot8099]

Interesting to hear this perspective on adapting Vox Machina after hearing your thoughts on Percy Jackson...

[@Blazingstoke]

LOL Vorugal's "got wood".

[@suzannezitman]

8:50 10:10 I know this is a small thing to focus on but HOW CAN HE TALK WITHOUT A TONGUE!!!!!

[@TheSibua]

1:50 DnD has 3 Critical Role source books. Explores Guide to Wildemount, Netherdeep, and Tal'dore reborn. Plus, they are working on their own tabletop rpg called Dagger Heart it in the open testing phase now.

[@davidbergfors6820]

I really don't think that was the point of Nerdys Comment....

[@DocEonChannel]

Yeah, those books adapt the campaigns. What Nerdy asked for was adaptations of the monsters that are newly designed for this show.

[@xenocore01]

Redman's episode of cribs is his actual house. That on is real. Even had his cousin sleeping on the couch!

[@TimWuzHyaProductions]

Don't forget his broken doorbell. That moment lives rent free in my head.

[@johnobrien7562]

Kima finally getting to be the badass that Matt always pitched her as being.

[@nyanbrox5418]

Very glad for nerdies take there, cause, the take that if you want to watch a show that doesn't have sexual relationships "go watch a kid's show" is very hurtful, and media has at least in my opinion become very much overdone with relationships being a big status quo, with the concept of a character just not being interested in having that kind of relationship being considered a notable outlier Adults want to watch adult shows, it is not childish to not want to have sexual relationships shoved down everyones throats all the time even when they are trying to avoid it, basically what would be good is if we had more diverse media itself which appeals to more audiences, not just trying to appeal to everyone like, I don't want to have to skip scenes knowing that something important might happen in them just because it's only "kids shows" that don't have them

[@itsregal]

10:00 RKO OUTTA NOWHEREEEEEE

[@imthestein]

You're in luck because there are two official books for Wildemount and Tal'Dorei

[@JOHNWICKDARKK]

Top Tier Action blocks

[@hhylobates4098]

Regarding the talk around changes to relationships, for the dramatic sake of a shortened TV format, the changes at present all sit firmly in the negative; neither of the twins reasoning adds up and these iconic Vex/Percy moments are undermined by the fact they dont mean as much when they havent started their proper relationship. I'll say its even somewhat manipulative of Vex to have not revealed her stance on their relationship until the morning after, when Percy came to her to talk about that exact thing. Its almost certain the fallout of the upcoming Glintshore event will resolve the issues in two relationships, putting them back on track; and the dramatic payoff *might* be worth the added conflict this season despite it not making sense. Just like in tandem dragging out the Ripley plot might be worth the build up of her as a more significant antagonist, even though again the thinking of the characters is bent out of shape to suit the narrative shift. Changes like these are a gamble, if something outright negative is being added in, the resolution in a way has to be _better_ than the original to make up for it, and thats a tall order. Looking at three seasons of endless friction in the team, about to experience an major fracture with them never really having the dynamic of a found _family_ that was there from day one of the campaign - there will be no pay off for that negative change if the show is not renewed for its planned 4th and 5th seasons. The animated iteration Vox Machina the team will always be the inferior version that never came up with a real answer to the episode 1 question of "Why are we even together?"

[@blackandwhitethinking]

Oh my god where can i get your shirt i need it

[@blackandwhitethinking]

Oh my god its your merch?? I am absolutely buying one of these 😅😅

[@OptionZero]

SCANLANS MANSION Nerdy hit it on the head CR cast is great at flavor, they’re all creatives Mechanics? Highly mixed bag

[@IdriveKITTnyc]

I think in CR exandria the standard is pan/bi. So it's not a big deal when it comes to lore. FYI alloura is Bi. She's in a monogamous and very loving relationship with Kima. But still bi

[@zippomage]

huh, i did not know that

[@IdriveKITTnyc]

@@zippomage single NPCs are player attracted. And during the tabletop allura was single.

[@mixtand138]

@@IdriveKITTnyc Allura and Kima were absolutely a couple in the campaign.

[@IdriveKITTnyc]

@@mixtand138 on and off but in the first arc she was single.

[@EslocoSoldado]

As a LONG time critter who watched campaign one as it was airing I do have problems with Legend of Vox Machina but I do still like it. I still think people should watch or listen to the campaign. I know it’s hard and people may not have the time to listen to hundreds of hours of content but you really do miss out on A LOT of amazing content that was cut from The Legend of Vox Machina. As for the stuff changed, I do think the relationship drama is a bit much IMO especially knowing the source material but hey it’s an adaptation and I guess you need that to sell a mainstream show. The one positive I’ll say is I LOVE we get more Allura and Kima!

[@spencerd6126]

I have a theory about this show. Spoilers for the end of c1 I’m starting to think that vax and keyleth won’t get together in the show. Based on how it’s going so far and the conflict added I think they’re changing that story line. In the tv show it will be “keyleth and vax keep finding excuses to not get together and they run out of time with vax dying before they get a chance to get together.”

[@elbruces]

Nah, that wouldn't be nearly as moving and would piss all the Critters off. They still have plenty of time, but they're working through their issues gradually. There's usually more than one step before getting to a truly meaningful relationship.

[@daniberrieful]

Im pretty sure they will get together in the next few episodes. There are scenes from the trailer we have not seen as yet that indicate that. He has to say the "if you'll have me im yours" line. Also Vax is devoted to Keyleth to a crazy degree. Liam and Marisha would not allow that relationship to happen especially because they write episodes this season. He needs to reason to take druidcraft and also his champion attire has an antler motif for her.

[@davidbodor1762]

nah no way. They'll probably just leave it to the finale of this season to finally get together

[@hhylobates4098]

I think the fallout of the upcoming Glintshore event will resolve the issues in both relationships; obviously the confession for one, and just like in the campaign finding Tiberius dead is what finally pushed Keyleth to move past her fear of outliving everyone, Glintshore will do the same for Vax and we'll get those scenes and lines from the trailer "The future is frightening, but it's a future that hasn't been written yet."

[@davidbergfors6820]

23:04 I usually stay quiet in these moments so maybe I am not the one you're talking about, however I'd like to offer you a different view on the subject. I don't know if people thinking like you are open to what I have to say. I view those mentions about as distastefully as someone smoking or drinking excessively, or like the OF shirts that Clarus sometimes wear. the way I see it homosexual relationships are in essence a selfish thing that focus on your own satisfaction, and that is harmful.

[@AnxietyRat]

How do homosexual relationships focus on the own person satisfaction more than straight relationships?... Genuine question because I literally DON'T see the difference. If homosexual relationships are selfish and for a person's self-satisfaction... then so are straight relationships... So are ANY type of romantic or sexual relationship. 🤷‍♀️ The emotions are all the SAME, straight or gay. There's literally zero science that points towards the emotions experienced being different in any way whatsoever. If it's a question of procreation ...gay people absolutely can procreate with the help of science or just a turkey baster or adoption the past couple hundred years so that's not an argument. Also being in a relationship for the purpose of procreation doesn't make that relationship not selfish. People can 1 million percent have children for incredibly selfish reasons. So yeah, I would love some clarification because... that statement doesn't make any fucking sense! It doesn't hold any water, IMO.

[@HardyCoroni]

@@AnxietyRat According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, "cisgender lesbian women reached orgasm during sexual relations more often than cisgender heterosexual women." So the data would suggest homosexuals are more selfless.

[@TulpaKing]

Nah you’re right about targs and the purple eyes. Those ppl are not natural and should look kinda alien. Wearing contacts for a few hours is not that big a sacrifice

[@darrenrichardson6146]

Some people actually are allergic to Contact lenses, as soon as they go in their eyes start watering badly and they can barely see anything, and it persists for a while after they remove them.

[@frenchtantan]

@@darrenrichardson6146 ^ this. Some people would absolutely destroy their eyes wearing lenses. One example is Daniel Radcliffe who in the Harry Potter movies appears with his natural blue eyes instead of Harry's book-accurate greens. He did not handle the contacts well so they dropped it. Depending on the actor, sometimes it's a bigger sacrifice than you think.