Did the last episode of Amazon Prime Video and Critical Role‘s The Legend of Vox Machina have you on the edge of your seat? Us too. You might as well get comfy in that seat, but week two of the animated series isn’t letting us. Our might band of mercenaries are heading out to Whitestone without their trusty cleric and that can only spell out trouble. Let’s not waste any more time and dive right into this recap for episode five, “Fate’s Journey.”
DISCLAIMER: This is a recap and, by nature, contains more spoilers than dice rogues roll for sneak attacks. If you haven’t gotten the chance to watch it yet, we suggest heading over to Amazon Prime and checking it out!
RELATED: Keep up to date with The Legend of Vox Machina with our recap for episode four!
“Fate’s Journey” picks up as Vax (Liam O’Brien), Vex (Laura Bailey) and Keyleth (Marisha Ray) sneak their way into Gilmore’s Glorious Goods after (or before) hours. But Gilmore (Sunil Malhotra) isn’t a silly little merchant. The man has his own traps and it looks like the three half-elves are in for it.
Que opening dance theme. Go ahead, stand up and dance it all out.
It turns out Gilmore isn’t about to turn them over for breaking in and the group starts packing for their trip. Daggers (dagger dagger dagger – wooden stake), explosive arrows and all the garlic Gilmore has. Of course, Gilmore wants to know more. Who wouldn’t? They aren’t extremely forthcoming, but they do share that they have a vampire problem to deal with, which prompts Gilmore to hand over the only holy water he has in his entire shop.
As Vax and Gilmore flirt a little and he gets some advice from Gilmore about sunlight, Keyleth finds herself tied up in Exandria’s version of a Chinese finger trap. After a bit of struggling, Gilmore lends her some advice. But it takes Vax and a rather sweet moment between the two to get the trap off. Gilmore catches the exchange, but Vex goes into full haggle mode over the items they want to buy.
Finally packed and ready to head out, the half-elves join Scanlan (Sam Riegel), Percy (Taliesin Jaffe) and Grog (Travis Willingham) in their new wagon thanks to that wonderful five-finger discount and head off to Whitestone. Upfront, Vex questions why Percy is practicing his RBF. Shouldn’t returning home be a happy moment in his life? But, Percy reminds us that this isn’t a sweet homecoming. They are on a mission that will most likely result in all of their deaths. There is some cold water to help remind you that this series has some serious stakes. Also, for the record. We agree with Percy on him having a magnificent RBF.
In the back of the wagon, Scanlan and Keyleth discuss Delilah’s (Grey Griffin) book. They understand some stuff like ziggurat and just the idea that it means bad things. Unfortunately, Keyleth fell asleep a lot in her classes but knows that the structure is used to chat with gods. Both seem to think they are royally screwed, which gets Vax to chuckle a little before hearing Grog struggling.
Poor Grog. He is upset because Pike (Ashley Johnson) told him that he could reach her, but it isn’t working. Vax tries to say to him that she will be fine, but the honest truth is that Grog isn’t worried about Pike’s well-being. She is going to be fine. He is concerned that they aren’t going to be okay without her, which Vax also understands.
“Fate’s Journey” continues as the group makes their way through the fog-filled woods surrounding Whitestone and Scanlan makes a quick comment about finding the phrase, “the whispered one” within Delilah’s book and Percy needing a break. But there isn’t time to argue as Vex realizes someone is tracking them. Weapons out and ready to go, Vox Machina get ready to face off against whatever is out there.
Keyleth hears a soft whimper as a creature makes its way from behind the trees. She lets her guard down for just a second before realizing that these are terrifying undead creatures. Gifts from Lady Briarwood. What a hostess. Before they can get their wits about them, one uses its tongue to snatch up Scanlan and the book and head off running with the wagon close on its tail.
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Time for action! While Percy and Vex keep an eye on the creatures in front of them, Keyleth uses her powers to help keep the wagon on the road and Grog and Vax decide which ones they will take on in the back. Vax struggles a bit with his and Keyleth goes territorial on its behind and we get our first glimpse at that fiesty tiger living within her. All puns intended.
Grog manages to knock both creepy undead monsters off the wagon, all for Pike! Back up front, Vex uses one of those fancy explosive arrows to knock one of the creatures out. However, up ahead is a cliff and she isn’t ready to risk her own life to save the gnomes’. She shoots an arrow with a rope and tells him to let go of the book and save himself. Just before the wagon heads over the edge, the others manage to pull themselves from it.
But was it too late? The rope that Scanlan was holding on to is cut short and he is nowhere to be found. There is a moment of mourning before that beautiful bard rises up on that big purple hand. The wagon is officially gone, but at least they still have the holy water and supplies. Right? Oh…there it goes off the side of the cliff. Down below, they watch the creature, grab the book and hop away right to the Briarwoods in Whitestone.
Sylas (Matthew Mercer) and Delilah are discussing the preparations for the ritual with Professor Anders (Stephen Root) and Duke Vedmire (Rory McCann). We don’t get too much information before a group from the town comes in for a special dinner with Stonefell (Darin De Paul). Delilah tells the young girl that they have been chosen for a special event. And I don’t like the look in the Briarwoods’ eyes.
“Fate’s Journey” slips back over to Vox Machina, who decides to make camp and Keyleth sets Vax’s cloak on fire. It is pretty clear that Vex isn’t too hopeful about the druid and I hope that changes eventually. Scanlan decides that now is the time to start playing with one of the scrolls they found in General Krieg’s (David Tennant) place and it turns him into a few rather funny animals and then a tall, good-looking female.
Keyleth and Vax share a sweet moment where she shares her home and how she is struggling to get her life together. And Vax has the right words to make her feel better. Swoon with us, folks. This conversation is overheard by Vex, who doesn’t seem at all happy that Vax is getting close to someone else.
Elsewhere in Tal’Dorei, we finally get to see Pike. She explains to the head cleric (Anjali Bhimani) about what happened with Delilah and that she believes it’s a curse that is holding her back from talking with the Everlight. She begs for their help and the cleric reminds her that the Everlight accepts everyone no matter what.
Back at camp, the group is sharing battle stories and we get the chance to watch Vax go against what suspiciously looks like a Rakshasa; Keyleth accidentally drops someone into lava and then tries and shush them as they sink down and then Grog rips out the tongue of a giant beast. But nothing compares to Scanlan’s story. I am going to have nightmares for weeks. Percy kills the mood when he mentions that the worst creature he ever faced is waiting for them in Whitestone. Buzzkill.
As night falls, Vax and Vex head out to collect sticks. Vex shares her worry that he is getting too close to Keyleth and to remember that the only way they have survived this long has been by sticking together and not getting distracted. Vax warns her not to worry, but we know better. He drops some words of wisdom on her before they head back to camp for a goodnight’s rest, except for Percy. Don’t blink, or you might miss the names on the barrel of his pepperbox.
The following day Vox Machina continues the journey to Whitestone. Percy shares how beautiful his home is thanks to the Suntree, but this is a stark difference from what we see as the group gets closer. “Fate’s Journey” comes to a close as they delve further into Whitestone and find themselves among the Briardwood’s guards and giants. Literal giants. Just before the credits roll, they find the same group, now dressed to look exactly like them, hanging from the Suntree.
RELATED: Check out all of our recaps for The Legend of Vox Machina!
Emotional damage. This episode of The Legend of Vox Machina sure took a turn. The beginning felt like a fun adventuring group with some sweet roleplaying connections and a budding romance and then ended in depression. I have rewatched the Briarwood arc of Critical Role more times than I am willing to admit at this point and I still was not prepared for them to find the people at the Suntree. And then the way to credits roll in with that dark theme that completely contrasts the opening. It’s amazing how this series can hit every one of my emotional triggers in a single episode.
No time to wait. Let’s dive into the final episode of week two of The Legend of Vox Machina.
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