THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA 3x9 REACTION | Thordak's Throne | Critical Role

[@bandi138138]

At this point of the campaign, Liam had recently lost his mother to cancer, and was doing his best to carry on. He has mentioned that getting the killing blow on Thordak, who killed Vax's mother was a cathartic experience, like he had defeated the cancer that plagued his mother.

[@radicaladz]

Has big "my name is Inigo Montoya" energy. Iykyk.

[@pabloc8808]

@@radicaladz "Offer me everything I ask for"

[@rwe771]

​@@radicaladzfor real.

[@Mazygolucky]

I was thinking about this while watching that moment and it made me cry

[@GrimtheSnake]

i thought that gilmore got the killing blow on thordak?

[@Archetypo1]

Goodbye Lance. Let it be known his final words were "I will return." We miss you man.

[@jasonmkc7797]

RIP

[@mgormley7530]

Kash! he wasn't supposed to die D: love when Travis possess Grog to break up the groups decision paralysis

[@Stefan-xt5sk]

I wonder whether these flashes of inspiration are going to be relevant narratively later on. After issuing the battle orders, Grog said he blacked out for a moment. Maybe it's the thunderlord speaking through him, sort of a divine inspiration. Earthbreaker Groon said that the thunderlord was with them and Grog had already proven his worth as a warrior, so MAYBE?

[@easterslice]

@@Stefan-xt5sk I think he was channeling his inner Percy.

[@Thinkingmakesitso.]

Yea I totally thought that was a reference to Travis always taking charge when they all start going back and forth and spiraling into “ decision paralysis “.

[@vanessaaves3271]

@@Thinkingmakesitso. at the table, he’s definitely the one to get bored when they are debating the same two decisions over and over and not doing anything. So it’s definitely a nod to the actual game

[@laxmaster7262]

3 episodes of just straight up pain, Percy gone, Scanlan in a coma and Kash is gone. Pain

[@BaronesaReturns]

critical hit on inflicting emotional damage...

[@alessandrofigueroa8909]

The death of Kash really hit me cuz I just didn't expect it. Idk if we can really say spoilers, but Kash dying wasn't in the campaign. As much as this is a refreshing change, I'm gonna miss him 🥺 he was so good in the show, one of my favs

[@Arthurdbsxx]

Pretty sure percy is alive in Bells Hells Arc

[@endycore4920]

@@Arthurdbsxx Spoilers Yeah, he is too important in the world of Critical Role

[@PlayWatch_616]

Grog used his brain so much the last couple of episodes i think he took psychic damage

[@pabloc8808]

iirc that actually happened in the campaign. Whenever Grog had a flash of inspiration, a good idea or made a solid plan, he would take psychic damage for thinking too hard

[@PlayWatch_616]

@@pabloc8808 i know that's what i was referencing, thanks for caching it

[@seansilence2697]

​@@pabloc8808 I was about to ask "didn't that actually happen a couple times?" lol

[@deathbykonami5487]

R.I.P. Lance Reddick (the voice of Thordak), he's been amazing the last two seasons.

[@zedbee2736]

I am pretty certain that, although it was portrayed as triumphant, Pike casting aside her holy symbol is going to be a very, *very* bad thing for her

[@jasonmarbach]

Thordak’s death hit me as hard as anything else in this show has, because I realized it’s the final goodbye to Lance for me 😭

[@OnesieTwos]

13:42 "What even hit him?" The ground hit him! Did you see that bounce at 13:11 he did? I'm amazed he didn't pretzel on impact.

[@Fairburne69]

I thought the same thing. Grog survived because he's a barbarian with hit points galore. A damage sponge. Scanlan is not.

[@DelightfullyMADD]

@@Fairburne69 Plus depending on the type of Barbarian Grog is (Berserker I think), his damage reduction also applies to fall damage, so yeah if anyone can survive a fall it's definitely Grog. Scanlan tho? He's a Gnome, likely low to middling Con, and a Bard... fall like that would definitely f*ck him up considerably more.

[@PokeJoshNY]

@@DelightfullyMADD Small nitpick, but all Barbarians halve fall damage when raging because fall damage is bludgeoning damage. But yeah, Scanlan got fucked

[@andredre26]

- what hit him? - the ground 😂

[@DemonMaluMintus]

that yell goes so hard: THORDAAAAAK

[@pabloc8808]

Liam tapped into his anime VA work for that one

[@likecat7886]

You can hear the pure anger and his grief in that one (very, VERY epic) line. I got literal goosebumps. (And when I watch shows that isn't really a thing that happens to me😂)

[@PolarBearon]

Its the scream right afterwards that gets me

[@laurahart1337]

Every single Critter watching Kash's death: 🤯😨

[@Luzarioth]

I really hope that Kiki jumping in Scanlans pool as a goldfish is not going to take away the goldfish moment... my favourite of the campaign

[@laurahart1337]

@@Luzarioth I wouldn't hold my breath for it as it might 'trivialize' other things they've established for the show so far. I think at some point they said they wanted to have like a majority of the sillier moments of the show. That being so, who knows what they'll plan on doing.

[@daimonclarke]

@@Luzarioth I think that's the nod we're getting to it. I can't see them doing all that. They want death/near death to matter in the series.

[@Mazygolucky]

Seriously I was shooketh

[@LtSarai]

Travis would often say smart things as Grog, but with an Int score of 6 he had to justify it somehow, so Grog would just black out and it was always hilarious.

[@aro_ger_]

I'm guessing she's using "Speak with The Dead" to force him to tell Her, the Cure.

[@shaskusmas]

Soul Cage. Query Soul ensures a truthful answer. Edit: this didn't age well, lol.

[@thehikingviking2049]

I feel like Raishan was playing both sides, so no matter who came out on top, she would have an out. Very on-brand for her.

[@elbruces]

"Don't get cocky," he said to *Kashaw.* My theory/hope is that Vax will have a chat with the Matron and she'll mention that she never processed Percy's soul, its still on the mortal plane, and that will make a resurrection ritual possible, once they take the gun off of Ripley's BROKEN FUCKING CORPSE.

[@likecat7886]

Now that we know Ripley's backstory, she can finally F-ing DIE. 😂 On a more serious note, I want Vex to give in the finishing blow. (Maybe that gift arrowhead thingy that Percy made for her. (?))

[@easterslice]

@@likecat7886 That would be cool!

[@easterslice]

I'm kind of hoping that Cassandra shows Vax a small shrine to the Matron in Whitestone that is in the final stages of construction. :)

[@likecat7886]

@@easterslice Yennen did say Whitestone is no stranger to loss. Of course in that moment she is talking about them losing Percy, but what if after these tragedies they have done what you say here.

[@jamescandalino3458]

@@likecat7886 I mean, spoiler warning here, but All of Vox Machina tore Ripley apart in the campaign. Every single member got to give their own narration on how they wanted to end Ripley, and Matt combined them into an amazing 'How does Vox Machina want to do this?'

[@FalloutKlingon]

Am I the only one who actually gets upset when Thordak dies? Not because the character was someone I liked, but because from here on there is no more Lance Reddick performance from the series. It's the one thing I really wasn't looking forward to. RIP

[@SirAdamusGames]

it kills me that this is the last performance we'll ever have from Lance Reddick and the final words were "I shall return"

[@Coco-Momo]

One thing I just noticed: The color of Thordak’s flame in his final attack was blue and white, aka the HOTTEST colors flame can be. Pike literally took the hottest flames imaginable and turned them on a dragon, and did it all without divine intervention. Absolute Queen status achieved.

[@consolescrub4031]

She is a Monstah as they say.

[@GrimtheSnake]

I mean he has used his godzilla beam before, when he nuked the cloudtop district

[@Coco-Momo]

@@GrimtheSnake Oh really? It’s been a minute since I saw that episode. Thanks for the reminder! ^-^

[@a-world-torn-asunder9728]

It’s interesting you read it as The Everlight ignoring Pike. I guess it tracks with her warning in the hells, but still it feels off to me. I wonder if something could be blocking Pike from the Everlight (maybe the whispered one amulet she got gifted by Xerxes). I’m just suspicious of her taking advice from a literal devil on her shoulder

[@ventrue7]

Yep Everlight simply doesn't really ignore or stay mad she is the god of redemption. There is def sth else going on with Xerxes/Asmodeus and it is prob that plate armor related.

[@buddhabatman]

I mean Zerxus never said the second game was to free Pike from her initial lost. He simply said, "For the Plate of the Dawnmartyr..." I think she is still bound to Zerxus.

[@LycanLucian]

@@buddhabatman Pike said winner takes all. Including her own soul.

[@longforgotten4823]

@@buddhabatmanwinner takes all means she is free.

[@buddhabatman]

@@longforgotten4823 cool, I guess pike was running the contracts down in hell.

[@zac_94]

Easily the most epic episode of the show yet!!! Everyone had a moment to shine (not easy with such a large cast of dynamic characters) while it concluded THREE SEASONS OF BUILDUP in a really satisfying way that ALSO sets up the next phase of the show. Really exciting stuff.

[@holly22972]

At @15:13 when you say “look who finally shows up”, a really sneaky detail beforehand is when Thordack goes into his lair and confronts Scanlan, there’s a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment where you can see Raishan’s shadow land behind him. It’s a super sneaky way to say she’s been watching this whole time making sure her plan was coming to fruition. Also, another detail to confirm that was Raishan is when @15:13 when she joins Thordack, she flys in from the direction of the lair, confirming she was over there

[@wyren925]

I like to believe Percy was holding on to Grogs one braincell and when he died it got sent back to him

[@NightSterling]

POSSIBLE SPOILERS Since they are changing quite a bit in the show compared to the live game (The kash death was a surprise) what are the chances the whispered one told raishan how to "cure" herself and she does end up becoming a dracolich in the show? I mean i dont mind if they keep to the how it went in the campaign but a guy can dream

[@Ozgarthefighter]

Anything is possible at this point. I love not knowing what's to come!

[@bandi138138]

I mean, with the Zerxus reveal, I'd say that's a solid theory

[@dragonova279]

Thats not a bad idea though I doubt even as a green dragon being Raishans nature I doubt thta she would have enough of a lower pride to follow the creature

[@ventrue7]

Yeah this makes sense because chroma conclave doesn't really connect to Vecna in the campaign so this can be one of the things they can do.

[@egregastandindus1193]

I hope this is what they do. Mostly because I really want to see a dracolich.

[@GameknightJ14]

I don’t know how I feel about Pike casting her god away. Not to say she shouldn’t have faith in herself, but it seems like this is what Xerxes (and possibly even the Whispered One) wants (remember how effective she was against the Briarwoods using her divine energy?). I wonder if Xerxes or the Whispered One is somehow blocking the Everlight from reaching Pike.

[@DracheLehre]

I’m kinda interested. Pike did not get much screen time in the campaign due to her Blindspot duties. So, here she would actually get a storyline (other than the “curse”)

[@KingsBard]

Same

[@justinrandall9550]

I feel like it’s a good way to show pike might place to much faith in her goddess instead of herself. The powers while divine in nature can’t be used unless pike uses them. It’s her healing her friends and taking on these threats. Maybe the lesson isn’t you don’t need your god but instead you aren’t nothing without your god. In the first season we saw the everlight say any path is righteous if walked with conviction and truth. Maybe there is some truth Pime is still refusing to face like she doesn’t need the everlight to be worthy of power and to help her friends? Idk just spit balling.

[@richardbrown3055]

In ep 4 she lost the first game, binding herself to Zerxus, the second game was again played for the Vestige with the souls of her friends on the line, it was never stated that it also freed her, and Zerxus is all about rules.

[@Kai-fb1ol]

​@@richardbrown3055 She said the stakes were "winner takes all", so by definition she should get everything that was wagered.

[@Ozgarthefighter]

Pike gave Thordak the "Care Bear stare."

[@havenomouth]

We need an alternative audio edit for this.

[@HaydrogenBomb]

This is brilliant 🤣🤣🤣

[@piercewise1]

16:34 scenes like this are why I'm not scared when Critical Role talks about adapting their story, changing things, taking risks...because when the moment comes, they go straight to the source. Because after FORTY sessions of the Conclave arc, more than a hundred hours at the table, played over the better part of a year, when Matt Mercer asked Liam "How do you want to do this?", Liam (as Vax) said, "I hear the voice of my mother in the morning." And nearly EIGHT YEARS later, that's exactly what happens in the show. Perfection.

[@Mazygolucky]

LITERALLY had me crying as much as when Percy died like holy shit it was so poignant

[@playlistb3795]

For added context: Liam's mother passed to cancer a year before. The catharsis that was this moment for Liam was even bigger.

[@schwindelier1449]

Honestly my only problem with this episode is Grog's "Fix him" when Scanlan isnt waking up. Travis shouting "FIX HIM" is such an iconic Grog moment. Losing his temper and showing anger at how they weild all kinds of busted magic but can't use it to fix his friend is the best showcase of his character I highly recommend for those who havent watched the original campaign to look for this scene. It's short but extremely powerful (just like our favorite gnome bard)

[@AmazingChi]

I was a tad confused they put that line in there without its gravitas moment.

[@AmazingChi]

As beautiful as the moment was, I think there's a reason why we saw Kash pass over. I reckon he's somehow going to be vital in bringing Percy back from the other side.

[@DelightfullyMADD]

Hmm, so in regards to Pike and her 'casting aside her Faith', are we sure she's operating without Divine intervention now? I have a bit of a theory that Xerxes pushed Pike towards apostasy because the Whispered One may have specific designs for Pike... and Pike's the only character that has had direct, albeit brief, interaction with it (back in season 1 during her communion with the Everlight, she met him in that dark dreamscape void she goes to) My personal theory is that the Whispered One somehow made a very subtle connection with her, but her faith in the Everlight kept it from doing anything... then all of a sudden you have Xerxes who goes out of his way to shake her faith while basically telling her to 'put faith in herself'. She's starting to do that, using her blood (likely she has some kind of aaismar or celestial heritage), but her divine power may very well still be coming from a god... but not the god she might think. Also remember that Xerxes gave her 'his symbol' ostensibly to let them get out of Dis... but that wasn't Xerxes symbol at all, nor was it a symbol of Asmodeus/Lord of Torment... it was The Whispered One's symbol (the same one Delilah carved into her skin during her ritual to bring back Sylas in their backstory and to summon the Whispered One during the climax of season 1) The Whispered One (Vecna officially but can't be used due to copyright bs) is a God of undeath and necromancy... but also Secrets and Deception. So wouldn't it be interesting if Pike's arc could be something to do with this? I could, of course, be completely wrong... but it seems odd that only Pike so far has had anything directly to do with The Whispered One thus far

[@VBane]

My theory is that Pike is a descendant to a certain character from Downfall, which is why her blood and soul are so special and interesting to Xerkses both as Asmodeus's champion and a disciple of Vecna.

[@DelightfullyMADD]

@@VBane That would definitely work to. Either way, given that Pike didn't really get an "arc" in the actual campaign, they definitely seem to be building something, and it's not a coincidence that Pike briefly met The Whispered One, has 'special blood', and was specifically targeted by Xerxes to shake her faith after she was warned by the Everlight that her purity would be used for wicked ends. Regardless of what the actual source of her heritage is... yes that makes her of great interest to The Whispered One and their followers And, as far as I know, Pike never discarded Xerxes "symbol" that he gave her, which again is very obviously the same symbol Delilah used during various rituals. It's not Xerxes' symbol as far as I can tell, and it's certainly not Asmodeus' symbol, and we know Xerxes seems to have become a follower of the Whispered One... so my guess is that because Pike has some kind of access or connection to the plane the Whispered One is trapped in... she'll be the conduit for his return in some fashion... but they had to break her faith in order to make that happen, and now they've successfully done just that with Pike first being willing to set aside her faith for her friends (back in episode 4 where she offered her faith in order to play Xerxes again... he didn't accept it, but he didn't need to because her willingness to give it up was already enough), and now in this episode where she actively tore the Everlight's symbol off and threw it aside... yeah, Pike's still gonna have cleric powers, but my guess is that they'll still be supplied by a god, just a different god... and she'll be led to believe it's all just her own power... Vecna is all about secrets after all, and what better agent than an agent who doesn't even realize what they are?

[@longforgotten4823]

This was written long before downfall was even a consideration.

[@ParticleZon]

Well, The Whispered One has the "I'm his blood" motto and she's been doing blood stuff. Which makes me wonder whether Pike has something unique in her bloodline or whether she arrived at Zerxus' table with a pre-existing connection to TWO. So then all he needs to do is sow the seeds to weaken her connection with The Everlight. I'm really enjoying this all-new storyline for Pike. I can't wait to see what they come up with for Yasha.

[@SaraDoenges]

I love that they put Travis in these scenes. He was always wanting to strategize but also stay true to Grog. He’s so smart, and had really good ideas, but he was stuck in a dumb character so always had to play those things off, and of course it was always hilarious! It was really nice to see the nod to his strategy brain.

[@GrimtheSnake]

As an avid necromancy fan, there's SO much she could do with Thordak's corpse. I can't wait to see what she does

[@martophrenia]

the final blows on Thordak by Pike and Vax are absolutely fucking beautiful

[@joluoto]

She played both sides, so yes, she probably did stab them in the back, and that's why Thordak knew, she was playing for her cure I think, and she has some idea how she can use Thordak's corpse for it. I kinda guess now she's working with Ripley.

[@easterslice]

I like to think that Kash softened up that gem for Pike. I want that moment to mean something.

[@Mazygolucky]

Me too. It has to mean something. He can’t die for nothing.

[@daniberrieful]

I think its like guiding bolt so the next attack gets advantage

[@Brainth_1780]

@@daniberrieful ohh that’s a good guess! It can be cast at higher levels too, which would be shown in the form of extra spears!

[@BemSalles]

Guesses ahead . . . . If they make kaylee go see scalan in coma and pike sings her song Scalan made for her and she plays it to him and their magic together makes him awake * - * i'll be drowned in tears, dead and ressurrect

[@nutelasaur9453]

I hope the fact that Vax can see the souls passing to the matron's domain means he'll see it didn't happen to a certain someone.

[@shaskusmas]

He wasn't there when that certain someone died.

[@nutelasaur9453]

@@shaskusmas let me hope 😭😭 That soul would absolutely deny the Matron's pull until he got to see his family one last time, if circumstances were ideal

[@umserhumano557]

​@@shaskusmas Orthax has his soul tho, it hasn't passed on

[@KingsBard]

Kashaw's death was really surprising, but I guess anyone who doesn't directly affect the story of later arcs or campaigns are free game.

[@wuzzy41123]

I was quite surprised as well and was actually a bit upset until I thought about it narratively for this show... SPOILERS FOR CAMPAIGN 1 AHEAD Kashaw and Zahra were two of only a few characters outside of Vox Machina involved in the final Vecna (Whispered One) fight, alongside Arkhan. I'm pretty certain they chose to have Zahra and Kashaw involved in the Thordak fight instead (and killing off Kash), so that way they can focus more on Arkhan when that arc rolls around.

[@VBane]

The problem is that character is now a Canon DnD character and probably off limits. I actually predict Xerkses taking his place in the story.

[@andyenglish4303]

@@VBane except Zerxus serves the big V now so why would he help fight them?

[@popinjayishuman]

There’s been a few people throwing around the idea of Zerxus taking Arkhans place and it’s most likely just a cool fan theory but I do think it works. Pike has been getting basically an entirely new plot line and having a cleric of the everlight and a pawn of asmodeus arc fits in pretty perfectly. Arkhan had ties to Avernus as well so thematically it’s a good stand in. They clearly have some sort of plan for zerxus in the plot.

[@howiejbrown6919]

16:43 SHOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOU'RE TO BLAME YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME

[@popinjayishuman]

Someone should make an edit of that

[@daimonclarke]

In the campaign Grog has had a few moments of clarity/intelligent thought. Every time he did, he took psychic damage from thinking too hard.

[@lagggoat7170]

19:30 betray? Ehh. Their shared enemy is dead, the pact over. Its very Kiki to assume that means they are still on the same side. Raishan is in it for Raishan and Vox Machina did their parts and can now be discarded. She is a green dragon, those are the smart scheming type - honestly she has stuck stronger to the pact/stuck herself out more than I expected. There is a cool little detail in the campaign, dont remember which fight but Raishan and VM were in the same battle against one of the other Dragons, Raishan cast chain lighting (a spell jumping between enemies by spellcasters definition - iE friendly fire off) - and HIT VM MEMBERS after the spell bounced off the main target. And I always felt that was a great moment of characterization. In that moment they werent actively enemies, but both sides pretty much knew they would turn against each other after Thordak was gone, so if Raishan could have a plausible deniability moment of hurting a future enemy she would do it. Oops sorry VM magis is magic and that spell is supposed to bounce, what can you do?

[@lagggoat7170]

With how Ripley got even more scheming and dangerous in TLOVM I kind of really want her and Raishan to meet. Both would try to manipulate the other for her own gains. They could either be the most dangerous team or lethal enemies, depending on how their goals align, but them fencing verbally would be amazingly entertaining.

[@FrozenAngel]

You have one of the best commentaries to the series. great content. Thanks!

[@dan_mnght]

14:05 the stand with only the 5 of them made me cry so much :(

[@sybariticcupboardrat3763]

I love it when Travis can't keep his mouth shut about tactical decisions and has to make a joke of Grog's momentary intelligence.

[@sammiebray1661]

I had to pause twice during this episode. Once when Kash died because he was my favorite guest character and that did not happen in the campaign and it shook me. I cried. And the second time was when Thordak was killed, because I realized that it was Lances last line in the show. I cried AGAIN.

[@gaymerknight3726]

26:52 Watch his landing again. Now imagine *you* fell and flew that far and rolled down a craggy mountain side being 4ft tall with a Bard’s stats. Grog is one thing.

[@acwolf92]

So question is pike officially not a cleric anymore?

[@azlinhappley5897]

Omn1, your Vox videos get better every season!

[@Wolfking99-x4r]

This episode was awesome so glad this wasn’t the last episode

[@likecat7886]

The FACT that this wasn't the finale, just scares me even more for the ACCUAL finale next week.😅

[@dragonova279]

Alright. so first of all this was FUCKING AWESOOOOOME. This was everything I wanted and more. though I knew raishan would be rtrray them and I have a few Ideas what she is gonna dow with the corpse what I am currently most concerened and worrie about is Thordaks horde being large enough to ressurect percival and kahs cause I cannot have lord De rolo's death on my mind

[@skittslol1407]

>Trusts a dragon with the title "Deceiver" > Gets betrayed > Shocked face

[@ClassiestCat-vb8rp]

I feel like this season's combat scenes were ON FIRE. So good! And I think an improvement from last season!

[@BaronesaReturns]

Pike is a MONSTAH!!!

[@dan_mnght]

The 2 hit combo of Pike and Vax on Thordak was freaking amazing

[@CS08129]

So is it to naive to hope Kash will be able to come back somehow

[@selenarodgers5667]

No, I hoping as well, I love Kash 🥺❤️

[@generaljedi]

Great timing. Just finished the 3x8 reaction. Loved this episode.

[@rhaenatargaryen8061]

To be honest i prefer the campaign version of Raishan at Thordaks body. Vax apparently forgetting that part of the deal was that she would be allowed to pull thordaks secrets re: her disease from his corpse via a speak with dead spell, seeing her casting magic on it and attacking her impulsively was far more interesting and flawed than just having Raishan attack keyleth.

[@hhylobates4098]

I don't think he forgot, didn't him and Keyleth come to an agreement that they would attack at the best opportunity, even without the support of the group? But that decision getting 2 of the party killed would make them look bad on TV! So the moment at the end of episode 6 where they both attack her in Whitstone seems to be the adaptation of that moment....except there are zero consequences for it.

[@dan_mnght]

19:47 THE HANDS LMAO "The Whispered One" 💅💅

[@fobbles_]

I think Raishan sealed the hole. It was sealed within the hour, and Thordak was under the army already. It’s possible he sealed it and somehow got all the way under them by just turning the earth to magma… but he would’ve had to know they were coming

[@purplelikefire]

Remember when it was all fun and games and romance drama in scanlan's mansion?

[@pseudo2522]

I have a theory, I think that somehow, the whispered one may be the next few episodes. Because so far, the intro to season 3 correlates with everything that's happened so far. Scanlan's daughter issues, Caileth's relationship problems, Percy not wanting to make more weapons, and so on.

[@jonsson666]

This season cooks so much!

[@AdamEspersona]

Raishan was always going to betray. She’s a green dragon, after all. The _Diseased Deceiver._ And I actually like that it only took ONE moment of doubt in Keyleth’s own instincts for her to drop her guard and almost die. And it proves that she was right to never trust her to begin with. And now she’s pissed that Raishan got away, all because she second-guessed herself. So yeah, Raishan is going to be the final boss of Season 3, and I hope it’s Keyleth that finishes her.

[@vincentabramo7175]

that role will probably be Vecna.

[@packofweaviles1027]

In the campaign Raishan did this and was the final member of the conclave they dealt with.

[@longforgotten4823]

@@vincentabramo7175nah, next season for that.

[@ParticleZon]

I'm enjoying your reactions. I'm not sure you're going to get your "F**king Break" though. Campaign 1 had enough high drama in so many hours of actual play that once they reduce it to the essential arcs the show may end up with a lot of going from one amazing/traumatic experience to another with light bits of comedy/friendship/romance//worldbuilding to clue it all together. *And* they're adding in new bits. Enjoy the ride!

[@majormajormajortom]

I think they're going to use the fact that Vax saw Kash's soul pass on, but didn't see or sense Percy's cross over, as the impetuous to have a conversation like: guys, something's off and I think we need to go get Percy's soul back (from Hell???)

[@aramyengoyan.7325]

This is what I was thinking too. Vax pretty much always gets visions after major character deaths

[@likecat7886]

​@@aramyengoyan.7325 Or at least a ,,visit" from the Matron.

[@francisco_m7849]

I was working out the math as far as the RPG episodes as compared to the animated episodes. Depending where these last three episodes finish, looks like we got one more season to go. Yes! 😂🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@hhylobates4098]

Theres plans for 5 seasons total, S4 was just greenlit

[@radicaladz]

In the campaign, Keyleth never trusted Raishan and she (and Vax) unilaterally broke their alliance with Raishan the moment Thordak was out of the picture, which made it less cut and dry whether she was going to betray them or not; here her ill intent is more clear and Keyleth gets to be more rational and reasonable. Like, Raishan has always been sus, but I think the intention is that we are supposed to side with Kiki and not, y'know, the chaotic evil death-lizard.

[@user-hs9lq9ue4r]

It actually was clear cut in the campaign, Raishan shot first. (Chain lighting hit Vax, or atempted to during the fight)

[@radicaladz]

@user-hs9lq9ue4r - was it? I feel like there was a decision made on their part that tipped the scale, that the lightning was simple collateral damage/unavoidable friendly fire, but up to that point it was on the knife edge between going one way or another. Could be a "Han/Greedo shot first" thing or I just misremembered - it's been a while tbf.

[@andyenglish4303]

@@radicaladz chain lightning only jumps if the caster wants it to

[@radicaladz]

@@andyenglish4303 - good point.

[@popinjayishuman]

Matt did say on Reddit that it was intentional. But in the context of the story and not in the meta sense it was still vax and keyleth that did the ‘betraying’. Raishan certainly would have if she got the chance though. I don’t know how I feel about what they’ve done with raishan here. Her goal was still to kill thordak and she needed them to help so why would she hinder them with the blocked off passage? Maybe she needed him out of his lair to be able to get the body because: magic? I don’t really know. In the context of keyleth I get where this is coming from, it’s good character development for her to have more trust in her instincts and if raishan didn’t ever do anything against them then she would have nothing to learn.

[@mitchellman32]

Damn, now you have me thinking abiut a DEATH BATTLE between Thordak the Cinder King and Deathwing. Would be so badass

[@vincentlefur4490]

I'm 100% confident that, while exposing his plan, Grog was possessed by the Thunderlord. That's my in-lore reason 😂 And i just noticed something: the paralell between Grog's and Pike's developpement. Grog, the barbarian fighting to enjoy himself, found his strength in his friends. Pike, devoted to help others, found her strength in herself. But since it pulls her away from her faith, i'm really excited to see where this is going for her. We're eating well, Criters, and lunch in not over yet 😄

[@shaskusmas]

Soooo, Pike. Multiclassing into Paladin or Divine Soul Sorcerer, what's everyone think?

[@sandonmynips676]

19:02 another amazing Avatar Easter egg. ☺️

[@Rannulfus]

Dragon parts are very valuable spell components in D&D. Could be used to do a lot.

[@amandamorales1144]

Man, vax yelling out thordak name and kash death scene gave me chills, R.I.P kash. Scanlan hit the ground since grog is a barbarian he could take it but scanlan is not 😢. I took pike throwing her everlight pendant as she’s not throwing it out of losing her faith quite opposite is she is throwing it because she has faith imo

[@jaredtheastralartist2510]

Bro, this episode gave me so many questions!! how are they gonna finish the season?!?! Are Percy and scantlan PERMANENTLY DEAD?!?! How will pike abandoning the Everlight affect her?!?! What is going on?!?!?

[@Fairburne69]

One of the best if not the best show on TV.

[@jaredtheastralartist2510]

@@Fairburne69 FOR REAL

[@AmazingChi]

If you know the story, you have an idea how this season ends. I'm actually surprised they're giving it three episodes. I thought Thordak would bridge the 9 and 10 cliffhanger.

[@heikira438]

RIP Terry Mcginnis

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

I went straight back to 2010 with Kash's death. "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

[@ematuskey]

7:50 Cash, buddy, I love ya, but...your ride's here.

[@xavancreepypasta]

4hat was the Epics Episode of All Series and Movies wich I watched

[@gabthegreat01]

Kash LIVES in the campaign! Why?! Why’d they do it?!?

[@thesealwithsalt9108]

I wanna mention after Kash enters towards the RAVEN B*tch, the shot after that we only see his Armor laying there, not the body tho or am I tripping ?

[@sircosmo21]

scanlan and grog fell from a high height scanlan is only as gnome

[@Fairburne69]

It's more about Bard vs Barbarian then it is Gnome vs Goliath. If Scanlan was a barbarian gnome and Grog was a bard goliath it would be Grog in a coma not Scanlan. Hit points in D&D are based on class not race.

[@shaskusmas]

@@Fairburne69 between Toughness, Stone's Endurance, and a high constitution, if all you did was swap classes bard Grog would probably still be fine.

[@popinjayishuman]

Funnily enough in the campaign Scanlan wasn’t actually that squishy. Bards are still a d8 and he rolled well plus he took tough. So while grog is an absolute tank scanlan could take hits pretty well, by level 20 he had the third highest raw hp behind grog and Percy. 4th if you account for the fact that keyleth has basically infinite hit points.

[@blaxedrexaliam4746]

I have watched this episode across various reaction channels (because I dont have prime video). Just a thought that maybe Pike throwing the symbol of the everlight away isn't her throwing away her faith, but rather her reliance to it. Every time she heals, she calls on to the everlight, but these past few episode she relied on literally herself.

[@Knight93King]

This episode killed me and this shit was epic

[@DawdlingTwiddle]

Is it just me, or does Pike’s mace look silver when they face off against Raishan at the end? After throwing away her Everlight symbol, her magic’s not got the golden hue we’re used to…

[@hhylobates4098]

And is Scanlan not waking up something actually wrong with him, or just a failure of Pikes healing abilities

[@pawea1347]

When you make an allience with someone called "deseased deceiver", and that someone betrays you, you have non other to blame but yourself. I hope they'll get Raishan and Anna Ripley soon enough (in fourth season probably).

[@packofweaviles1027]

I don't see why it would be in the fourth another season? There's three episodes left, judging on how condensed this was Raishan at least would be resolved in the final episodes.

[@kojiberri]

🙌🙌🙌

[@Saintt_Wolf]

best episode of the series yet

[@neintales1224]

The funniest thing for me among all the heartbreak, and the surprise over what's being changed, is that in earlier seasons of LOVM I spent time on various channels trying to help non-D&D players understand clerics really are powerless without their connection to their deity, that they don't have *inborn* powers generally speaking. But that's all being upended I guess here to some degree and all my old comments on reaction channels or in discord with friends not into TTRPGS just look SILLY now. I still stand by my notes that the chaotic evil green dragon was always only on her own side, with her own mechanations, and certainly never needed Vox Machina to survive and probably had a plan B for if they failed.

[@hhylobates4098]

Well that's still all true for your standard cleric, there is clearly somthing more than cleric powers going on with Pike now

[@davegilliam72]

Is Raishan turning Thordak into a dracolich or using him to turn herself into one ?

[@packofweaviles1027]

I think theory's from the campaign were that she used his body to cure her disease and yes transforming her to a dracolich. Though we were never confirmed an answer

[@longforgotten4823]

She doesn’t need him beyond the cure. Herself

[@isaiah11726]

Am I the only one who thought this was the season finale lol?

[@AmazingChi]

If you're a non-critter, I can see how you'd think that.

[@wilhelmhedin8845]

Engagement.

[@CandleLight129]

I still can't believe they killed Kash... That was devastating. I'm also very surprised by the direction they're taking Pike's story. They have a lot of room to work with since she had to miss so much of the campaign, so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

[@easterslice]

Yeah. But leave to Zahra to make it hurt. And count.

[@rogue7723]

(Sarcasm) 19:19 Someone nicknamed the “Diseased _Deceiver” betrayed_ the heroes. I-I’m shocked.

[@theunfamousone2818]

The death of Kash hurts more then any other. In the streams vex shattered the crystal, which felt more earned then it did here. Also the team (mainly vax) betrayed raishan. They only discovered the eggs when tordak had died.

[@dannybob42]

They don't call her the Diseased Deceiver for nothing... Kash! Poor boy done dirty, he survived in the campaign! Seems they had to show Vax someone passing on with the Matron. But Thordak falls, technically Vax's kill is the only kill that has the same killer in the show and the table; Vax killed Brimscythe, Vex killed Vorugal and Grog killed Umbrasyl on the table but in the show Grog kills Brimscythe, Vorugal died from Vex/Keyleth's combo and Kima's eye crush but it's mainly Keyleth's thorns that finishes it, and Umbrasyl was killed by Scanlan.

[@shaskusmas]

There's plenty of kills that go to the same character in the show. The Rakshasa to Vax, Kiki and the Deuregar, Grog and the Bullette, Vex and the guy hitting on her in Professor Ander's house, Scanlan and that p*ssy, most of Percy's kills, Kiki and the evil trees, Grog and Kevdak, Vox Machina and horses in general, prolly more stuff.

[@dannybob42]

@@shaskusmas yes I meant of the Conclave

[@AmazingChi]

Vex did kill Vorugal, though. They just embellished it for the show because it was the same method of death, as well, so having Keyleth tree-ify it makes it more cinematically appealing.

[@dannybob42]

@@AmazingChi Keyleth's thorns wrapping around Vorugal's heart suggests Keyleth's part killed it, Vex's arrow got it where it needed to go

[@hhylobates4098]

​@@dannybob42Vexs bow also creates thorns though. I'm annoyed they made it a combo instead of just letting Fenthras have its cool and unique tree feature, but I'm going to call that Vexs kill regardless.

[@vjeranjanes5783]

I was hoping that the "FIX HIM" moment from Grog was going to be a little bit more impactful, but I think they still played the whole moment pretty well. I'm still afraid that we aren't getting Percy back.

[@DavidGonzalez-zl3dz]

Wait. Kash is dead. What about their baby?!

[@andresfelipemanjarres7061]

Im very sad they kill kash but i get it, diferent from the campaing everbody is fair game specially NPC or PC that arent super important to the story, even Zahra just has some litle appearances play by Matt. dont get me wrong i hope the dont start killing every side character in the show or in the future M9 show, but again make sense to use this character this way

[@awesimo4684]

I don't like the ending. Why does Raishan just suddenly go "bwhahaha, turns out I'm evil". She didn't do anything other than take Thordak. She didn't have to "reveal" anything. Even could have just said "I'm taking Thordak to try and cure myself, bye", and no one would care. But instead she has to paint a big target on herself to the people who killed 4 dragons now. I guess she's just really stupid.

[@ronaldjackson2290]

She is a Green Dragon they are master schemers, she needed the corpse to become a Dracolich. The big question is who is the Devil the knight in hell was refering to?

[@awesimo4684]

@@ronaldjackson2290 A "master schemer" generally doesn't tell everyone they were scheming.

[@easterslice]

I think she realized that Keyleth was still going to be a threat to her. Partially because she knows Keyleth will never forgive her for the people of Pyrah who died. Partially because Keyleth was smart enough not to ever fully trust her. Raishan took a chance to eliminate a future threat. Perhaps, if Keyleth hadn't gone alone to apologize, Raishan would have been more cagey.

[@packofweaviles1027]

This happened in the campaign. Raishan took the body for her own nefarious plan, which would probably be revealed in depth in the next episodes. All and all she was the final dragon they fought, she was the real big bad of this arc

[@awesimo4684]

@@packofweaviles1027 Not like this it didn't.

[@Hamm3rshark]

Again while I love this show, why did Pike have to throw away the Everlight? Oh wait its because they had to make Pike into a “badass” when she still could have been one with the Everlight.

[@tareevah3119]

Faith in herself not in gods

[@Luzarioth]

ok here we are... the sanitization of Keyleith went to far in this one. Not only is the show ignoring that Kiki murdered innocent children in the fight against the Emperor, now they changed Raishan to make Kiki look better. In the Campaign, Raishan and Vox Machina had a deal, Raishan would help them kill Thordak, than use a "Speak with the Dead" Type of spell on him to get the cure he promised. Raishan never betrayed them. Keyleith on the other hand, proved herself less trustworthy than the Deseased Deceiver and betrayed Raishan. This btw should have been the end of the Campaign. Raishan didn't flee, she fought back. The only reason a near Full Powered Raishan didn't wipe out a half dead Vox Machina was... because Matt choose not to do it and let her flee after almost killing them.

[@hhylobates4098]

Hey now, Keyleth accidentally killing a child and having that haunt her for ages does not make her a child murderer. Even if she never really seemed to learn the right lesson from that experience. Everything else pretty much tracks, its not quite a betrayal of Raishan when the group had bluntly told her their alliance only meant they would kill Thordak before her instead of after, more a betrayal of her team by instigating the fight in that moment without their support. I'd been hoping that Kerrek missing from Westruun just meant he was moved to Emon, as a hero of the survivors living under Thordaks rule, the reality check Keyelth needed, and the most fitting person to take the final strike again the conclave as a representative of all the average people this fight has been for, more important than revenge for the already dead. Keyelth could have still had her big Feeblemind moment, AFTER being humbled by nearly getting her team killed. But since Kerrek hasn't appeared theyre definitely just going to give all the glory to Keyleth in an undeserved "She was right!!!" moment.

[@Luzarioth]

@@hhylobates4098 Using a spell that hits everyone it is aimed at and aiming it at children doesn't count as accidentally in my book. Than again, back in those days, Marisha couldn't be bothered to read her spells, so she might really didn't know what Cone of Cold would do.

[@hhylobates4098]

@@Luzarioth Cone of Cold? Didn't she use vines to grab a kid to try pulling him away from the emperor, but being chained at the neck meant the kid just kinda...broke?