THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA 2x9 REACTION | A Test of Pride | Critical Role

[@JackOfBlackPhoenix]

Man, if you have a tendency to tear up from sheer excitement, then you might want to have some tissues ready for the next episode because the battle between Grog and Kevdak is still one of the hypest showdowns in the history of Critical Role. Honestly, I am looking forward to that one even more than the dragons.

[@ForeverDegenerate]

And I love that they didn't have Vox Machina march in with Grog. They kept them split up until the challenge. Because that means we're going to get an "On Your Left" moment next episode.

[@warrust]

@@ForeverDegenerate while it's expected given it's a dnd, that still counts as a spoiler for those who are watching the show only

[@allen3925]

Remember when Grog said what if I need you. In 1×4

[@moarblood5120]

pepperidge farm remembers

[@Fairburne69]

How could I forget. It was my favorite moment of the first season.

[@KingsBard]

I love the flip of who said "I'm not going" and "What if I need you"

[@marc0s158]

such a beautiful mirror. this show is so freakin good

[@codagaming9186]

Travis has been giving insane Voice acting this show. That 'KEVDAK!" spooked the shit out of me.

[@ForeverDegenerate]

This entire series is showing and reminding people that the entire Cast of Critical Role are all Legendary Voice Actors. And if you think Vox Machina is them flexing, just wait until Mighty Nein.

[@nox_tech_]

@@ForeverDegenerate i can't wait for more ppl to fall in love with jester

[@bandi138138]

It pretty much never comes up, but part of Grog's backstory was that he was a boot maker, and another member of the herd has said that Grog was the runt of the litter. My theory is that Grog was too little to go raiding with the herd, and would be left back at camp relegated to making boots for the rest of the herd. Wanting to be accepted, he trained like hell, obsessed with the notion to become strong. When he finally proved himself to be a warrior, he was allowed to join in on the raids, and came across Wilhand in one of those raids (happened a little differently in the campaign, so I'm fitting it into the canon of the show). Another fun fact about Grog is that he absolutely loves little folk, like gnomes and halflings. He was ecstatic to meet Pike's distant family members (literally screamed "GNOMES!!!" while running towards them), Kima was his favorite person outside the party, etc. My theory is that this was the first time he saw a gnome, and was struck by how small and defenseless that Wilhand was, and it sparked a desire to protect rather than kill.

[@Darkdan1138]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned I think this is the first use of Boulder, Parchment, Shears!

[@andrewbernal9957]

If I remember correctly, Pike’s hair color changed during the campaign but prior to the livestream. At some point, Pike actually died and when they brought her back to life her hair turned white. Not sure if they’ll cover that in the show though, especially since Matt likes to make sure a death in the party has a big impact.

[@Huskeybear76]

But if that was Pike wouldn't she remember finding Grog?

[@Ozgarthefighter]

Pike's hair color change is a plot point that might get covered in the series.

[@mr.stuffdoer8483]

Wait that’s supposed to be her? Considering she didn’t seem to remember that (and also barely looked any younger), I thought that was her mom or grandma

[@Ozgarthefighter]

@@mr.stuffdoer8483 yep, that's her. Pike's family is complicated and she doesn't seem that much changed because Gnomes live for a looooong time.

[@Thurrak]

@@mr.stuffdoer8483 She meant she didn't know why Grog was left there to die. She absolutely remembers finding him.

[@daddybendover69]

wait but the woman healing grog calls that man her grandfather, but Pike says thats her great great grandfather. Is it somehow a spoiler?

[@miafiolekova5817]

@@daddybendover69 U are not gonna call your great great grandfather that everytime u want to call on him. The black haired pike is the same pike we know with white hair.

[@markamanic]

As a C1 veteran, I'm really interested in how this is going to get resolved. Splitting the party and Grog losing his strenght are things that didn't happen in the campaign, so it's really exciting to see how they're adapting the story.

[@richardhealy]

Agree with the above but it is thematic within the show itself. When Earthbreaker Groon challenges Grog "where does your strength come from?" is a point that has been reiterated several times since with the Sphinx and obliquely via Craven Edge (not your weapons, even that one!) That dilemma is now expressed in his own frailty when his own body is stripped of its power - what is left? I imagine where we are heading is Grog's willingness to stand up and fight will inspire others but victory will come because of his friends and the alliances he has forged. So expect Kevdak to get the upper hand until the tide turns. Also: "You ARE half the warrior I am." Calling it right now.

[@Luzarioth]

If I remember correctly, Grog died instead of losing his strenght right ? I love that change, keeps Death from being "normal" and gives Grog the option to grow an to find... where his strength comes from :)

[@AnxietyRat]

@@Luzarioth yes. Craven edge took his soul, not just his strength, in the campaign because Travis rolled VERY BADLY.

[@risperdude]

Love how they are taking all 7 through a Hero's Journey identifying their weaknesses shining a light on them, then one by one allowing each to have their moments to challenge them to make them stronger. Vax to individuate from Vex, Vex to stand up to their father, Grog to find where his strength comes from, Keyleth to Ashari up and start working her Aramenté, and Percy finding trust and faith within the family. But, will Scanlan find someone to care about him?

[@yiklongtay6029]

The next fight is quite iconic in the campaign. I hope it will be done justice

[@atozatiny]

"some pretty damn good rolls" as someone who saw this in c1 stream, you have no idea LOL

[@sybariticcupboardrat3763]

Grog's dad's name is Stonejaw Strongjaw. The silly name is because Travis forgot Grog's surname by the time the subject of his father had come up in their home game. Travis had to give Grog's dad a name and called him Stonejaw. There's not much other info about him. He's dead at this point. And Grog doesn't know who his mom is. Travis talked about it in the end of campaign wrap up. Essentially he figured the whole 'it takes a village' thing applied and he just didn't know which person in the Herd, if any, was the one who gave birth to him. Grog was actually a bit younger when he was banished, so he sees Wilhand as a father figure.

[@offcenterideas]

I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of that Kaylee character. She seems important. *wink* I do really love her accent in this.

[@martophrenia]

absolutely adore her design as well

[@AnxietyRat]

She has this accent in the campaign as well but I'm glad that they got someone who I think is actually Irish to voice her in the show. Glad they kept her accent the same.

[@jonredman6650]

Pikes hair change happened before the events if the show but is white because *potential spoiler* she was killed fighting a demon, and was ripped in half. Being resurrected caused her hair to turn white.

[@nox_tech_]

Pike's hair change was a pre-stream moment from the early campaign - the show might cover it. Since they only kinda posted about it before, they posted snippets on Vine - a compilation actually includes the players' reactions to the event that spurred the hair color change.

[@warrust]

yeah we haven't had a big pike character moment yet

[@Ozgarthefighter]

Next three episodes are going to be action packed!

[@carlotacosta9193]

Lmao "is this going to be a cliffhanger?" the episode immediately ends 😂

[@Kasino80]

First reactor I've seen to get that it is Pike healing Grog in the flashback.

[@tristanmilner9511]

I like the little "brb" Scanlan buzzes to Pike just before leaving.

[@tlaragihai5953]

More than for Grog I actually feel sorry for Zanror, Kevdak`s son. Grog has Pike and Wilhand in his life, later Vox Machina. Zanror now has nothing but his belief that his father is wrong, and this is the only thing he stands on right now, and no one in their tribe helped or supported him (out of fear, I assume, and I actually don`t blame them, overcoming the fear before the cruel leader such as Kevdak can`t be easy). I haven`t seen this part of the campaign, but i really hope they`ve become allies with Zanror. Ripley is trying to turn Umbrasyl upon both Thordak _and_ Kevdak, I`m really eager to see how this will play out.

[@Mask3dShadow]

if i remember grogs dad, stonejaw, died after grog got exiled. it's never explained how he died but that he was made undead by a lich. it could be that kevdak killed grogs father in a fight of becoming leader of the herd of storms. and yes stonejaws name full name is stonejaw strongjaw.

[@BNOBNO14]

The next episode covers the first major battle and first real combat of Critical Role I’ve ever seen. It is my favorite episode of the campaign, and I’ve been so fucking EXCITED to get to it.

[@OneWingedAngelsBand]

The answer to the monk's question said in a vague way: Grog is an anime protagonist. 😅

[@michaelandrews2940]

I never watched C1 so just conjecture but Wilhand said all Grog needed was a jolt and those gauntlets seem electrified, so...

[@radicaladz]

Ladies, gentlemen and otherwise... Ralph. Fucking. INESON!!!!

[@radicaladz]

Like, how do you oneup having the Hound from Game of Thrones as a goliath in season one? Answer: cast the actual GREEN FUCKING KNIGHT as Grog's evil former mentor and nemesis.

[@jorge943]

For people who followed the campaign, Pike's hair change happened prior to the livestreams, so they'll often share the exact reason without considering it a spoiler, however, I suspect they'll go over how/why/when in a flashback at some point. The face off against the Herd of the Thunderlord is being approached somewhat differently to the livestreams. In the games, Grog wasn't weakened when he faced the Herd. (Craven Edge actually straight up killed him and he had to be resurrected, though they've glossed over that in favor of a debilitating curse). I suspect the Titanstone Knuckles' electricity will provide the stimulation that Willhand stated Grog needed.

[@AnxietyRat]

Yeah, I assume they've changed how Craven Edge affected Grog because there's been a lot of death in the first season and second season and so they don't want to cheapen Resurrection magic. Matt has always been very clear he wants death to matter in D&D which is why he home-brewed a specific ritual for the resurrection spell. It would have been too much death that was immediately fixed if they kept it the same way that it was in the campaign I think... Because in the campaign these deaths were MUCH MUCH more spaced out... But due to episode number constraints... They're not super spaced out anymore. So while it's a pretty BIG change I'm not super mad about it because I completely understand why they did it.

[@Luzarioth]

In the campaign, Grog died destroying Graven Edge... he never "slimed out" likes this... so even having seen all of C1, I can only guess the same as you, how this is going to go, and I love the Show even more for it :)

[@Fairburne69]

You have Poke and Scanlan. Percy and Vex. Keyleth and Vax. But the best most special relationship is the one between Grog and Pike.

[@InkyPetrel]

Technically (in this series) Pike DIDN'T see Scanbo.

[@knighthawk3749]

Pop Pop is Pike's great great grandfather, not her dad.

[@Luzarioth]

I am a simple man... hearing Travis scream always makes me Happy :)

[@AutumnWoodham]

"What turned Pike's hair white?" Dying.

[@fp2386]

She changed her hair color by visiting the Clouded Mirror Stand at the Roundtable Hold

[@Keyofone]

I kinda had the same reaction to the ending.

[@martophrenia]

Strong Vinland vibes from the opening

[@codasinger5298]

Episode ends: “shiiiiIIIIIIITTT!!!”

[@deathbykonami5487]

A bigger lore buff than I may correct me, but I think Pike's hair changed when she officially became a priestess of the Everlight.

[@commanderkase]

Good guess but not quite. Before they even started streaming they fought a white dragon and Pike ended up dying during the battle. And when she was resurrected her hair turned white. Not sure if they will include that in the series but who knows they could keep it or change things up for the narrative.

[@dragonrune6800]

My knowing nothing about the lore, I'd agree. It's an outward change showing her piety for her god. This is Everlight saying, "This is my priestess."

[@juicejooos]

@@commanderkase It was a Glabrezu which infiltrated Emon's court (it's what was going to get adapted in the original idea for the adaptation as a one-shot episode), Pike got critted and killed from the damage.

[@nox_tech_]

@@commanderkase And Ashley's and everyones' reactions to Pike's death is available in a Vine compilation here on youtube.

[@mr.stuffdoer8483]

I just figured that was Pike’s mom or grandma. She doesn’t look much younger, plus Pike didn’t seem to know of that moment

[@jetvulcan2020]

making their way

[@notsomuch2957]

Death turned her hair

[@laurahart1337]

Unsure if they’re going to cover what happened with Grog’s father in the series (not season mind). If they don’t, remind us and we’ll tell you. I just don’t want to spill the beans in case they decide to bring it up later