Looking Back At Prime Video’s Legend Of Vox Machina Finale, I’ve Changed My Take On How Critical Role Kills Off Characters

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As a long-time fan of Critical Role and a writer who has covered the series for years, I have seen the highs and lows of these characters’ journeys. The emotional rollercoaster that is Vox Machina’s adventures has been a constant source of excitement and heartache for me, much like my own life.

Looking ahead to the conclusion of the 2024 TV schedule, it’s now an ideal moment to reflect upon some standout new releases from the past year. Among these, “The Legend of Vox Machina” Season 3, available on Prime Video, has become one of my top picks for viewers. Initially unnoticed by me until I stumbled upon it, this series is produced by Critical Role – a group known for creating the Dungeons & Dragons game that served as its foundation. Interestingly, my perspective on how Critical Role handles character deaths in TV shows has evolved considerably over the past few weeks following the Season 3 finale.

Given that “The Legend of Vox Machina” has been renewed for another season, it’s intriguing to consider how the series has tackled character deaths so far, as a clue to what might have maximum impact as the story unfolds. To provide some background, I’m not only passionate about this topic because I’ve worked in entertainment journalism for much of my adult career, but also due to personal reasons that run deeper than that.

My Usual Stance On TV Resurrections

These days, my go-to shows on network TV mostly revolve around crime and medical dramas. However, my affection for sci-fi and fantasy has been there since my childhood, even when I might have been too young to fully appreciate it. The rules of life and death in these genres can be flexible, but some shows are exceptional at ensuring that the consequences hold true. Shows like Doctor Who, Breaking Bad, and His Dark Materials have captured me because they don’t shy away from emotional impact, whether it brings tears of joy or sorrow. If a show can move me in some way, I’m hooked.

Shows like these sometimes fail to maintain the impact of consequences, a point I was reminded of while reflecting on an interview with a producer from “Supernatural” during their 300th episode. It’s hard to recall exactly how many times the primary characters perished and were revived across the series’ fifteen seasons. My engagement with the Arrowverse waned after “Arrow” introduced the Lazarus Pit, which I jokily referred to as the “magical pool of second chances” in 2015. Similarly, “The Flash” lost my interest when they started using time travel as a means to undo character deaths.

From another perspective, regarding the classic show “Doctor Who,” I’d prefer if Gallifrey hadn’t returned in the 50th anniversary episode, and Rose was only brought back for David Tennant’s final scene. As for George R.R. Martin’s unfinished “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, the most intriguing (and vexing) move would be to keep Jon Snow deceased, deviating significantly from how “Game of Thrones” handled his source material. And when it comes to my cherished “The X-Files,” I enjoy choosing which resurrections to disregard from the canon!

Essentially, I can compose thoughts amidst tears, overwhelmed by a fictional character’s death or loss in a TV series, yet I prefer that events remain consistent rather than being reversed using magic, divine intervention, or advanced technology. This sentiment, though lengthy to express, significantly influenced my feelings towards The Legend of Vox Machina, and revisiting the conclusion of Season 3 altered my perspective on it.

My Original Thoughts On The Major Vox Machina Deaths

It’s fortunate that in The Legend of Vox Machina, deaths and resurrections aren’t taken lightly or done casually. Moreover, there are set rules for when someone can return from the dead, as demonstrated by Vex who was deceased briefly during Season 2, and Vax who had to pay a high price for her revival. Percy appeared to be dead for weeks in Season 3, and could only be revived due to an unusual circumstance where his soul became trapped by Orthax. When he came back to life, he looked remarkably fresh from the grave.

Once more, Vax will undoubtedly face consequences for defying the Matron to resurrect Percy’s spirit within his body, a fact we should keep in mind. It’s also important to recall that Percy wasn’t immediately able to resume his normal activities with Vex after this event. The Season 3 finale mercifully shielded us from seeing what Percy appeared like before Pike attempted to mend his deteriorating body, and he had a healing journey ahead following his revival. Kash’s demise also provided insight into how transitioning to the next plane operates in Exandria, and it happened to eliminate him as someone who might have made it simpler for Percy to return.

I must admit, Episode 7 of Season 3 was one of my favorites, even though it killed off a beloved character like Percy. If I hadn’t known in advance that he might return, I would have genuinely thought he was gone for good. From a storytelling perspective, Percy’s death after recognizing his transformation and being killed by an unchanging antagonist made for a powerful – albeit sad – ending to his journey. Unlike Vex’s death in Season 2, Percy’s story could have concluded neatly with him passing away. His return wasn’t necessary.

In summary, I’d give “The Legend of Vox Machina” an A+ for creating such a challenging and expensive process for resurrecting characters, which added depth to the series through its poignant tragedies and impactful animation. However, some aspects of Season 3 initially seemed like shortcuts.

It was never a question that Keyleth would survive mastering the earth elemental form; her battle against Raishan didn’t seem like it was life or death.

Upon finishing Season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina through my advance screeners, I must admit that I’m comfortable with the show bringing back characters, provided it results in repercussions, high stakes, and a cost to pay. However, let me clarify my perspective now.

Why Revisiting The Finale Changed My Mind For What Comes Next

In any type of show, regardless of its genre or intended audience, there’s one narrative technique that I believe consistently resonates: the “rule of three.” The first major character death was Vex, but this was soon reversed. The second significant death was Percy, and his return took time and wasn’t a certainty. However, the third major character death should be permanent, no matter who it is.

Is there a character from Vox Machina that I dislike the most and secretly wish to see eliminated? Absolutely not! It’s difficult for me to single out any one character if I had to choose. However, as we keep discussing potential deaths among these characters, it would be better if the next character to meet their end (if there indeed is another death) stays deceased permanently. The revivals of Vex and Percy only make a permanent death more impactful, adding an element of emotional intensity that I enjoy in tragic twists.

Unfortunately, it may take a while before we find out if Critical Role’s ending will be tragic or not, as the show wasn’t renewed until Season 3 was already airing. In the meantime, you can enjoy the three seasons currently streaming on Prime Video and keep an eye on our 2025 TV schedule for future viewing options.

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2024-12-01 06:07