If the first episode of Amazon Prime Video’s The Legend of Vox Machina, we were treated to utter chaos at the hands of the Chroma Conclave. And the second episode, “The Trials of Vasselheim,” is about kicking off our hero’s journey. As Vox Machina heads out to find a way to save the people of Emon, they find themselves face to face with old “friends” and an ancient creature. Let’s dive in!

DISCLAIMER: These are recaps and, by definition, will contain spoilers for The Legend of Vox Machina. Please proceed with caution and be sure to check for traps. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the episode, we highly suggest doing so.

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“The Trials of Vasselheim” kick off with Keyleth (voiced by Marisha Ray) opening up the portal to Vasselheim. Scanlan (voiced by Sam Riegel) realizes a little too late that the tree isn’t the safest, but with some quick thinking and magic butt stuff, everyone makes it out to the otherside alive. In the distance, Pike (voiced by Ashley Johnson) spots Vasselheim, and the team heads off.

At the gates, Percy (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe) tries to do what he does best – be a noble. But the guard (our lovely Matthew Mercer) doesn’t really care and sends them off to find their own way. And here is where the term “Bidet” is born. Be sure to wish everyone a bidet as you make your way through the day. The team meets with Highbearer Vord (voiced by Sumalee Montano) and the council. They examine what happened in Emon before denying aid. Their strength is being separate from everyone else, and they are willing to wait for the dragons to arrive to them.

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While trying to figure out their next move, one of the council members informs them that while they can’t help, the Slayer’s Take can. But it seems like Vax (voiced by Liam O’Brien) and Vex (voiced by Laura Bailey) have a brief history with the guild. While the team heads toward the guild, Grog (voiced by Travis Willingham) gets a bit hungry. Or is his sword hungry? Either way, he dips off to a tavern while the others move on. At the Slayer’s Take, the group is approached by Kashaw (voiced by Will Friedle). He points out that Vax and Vex are wanted by the Take. Too bad their heavy hitter is missing in action.

Grog following a butterfly.

The Legend of Vox Machina. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video.

Outside, Grog gets his lunch, and instead of going to find the others, he is drawn (by a butterfly) to the Storm Lord’s temple. Inside, he is met by a mysterious man (voiced by Ike Amadi) named Earthbreaker Groon, who calls Grog weak. Silly old man. Grog tries to get answers about the dragons, but the Storm Lord doesn’t care about dragons. He cares about warriors. And if Grog wants answers, he will have to fight grandpa.

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Back at the Take, Vex asks to meet with Zahra (voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn). However, it seems that Zahra isn’t as forgiving of Vex and Vax’s past betrayal. She refuses to let them see their patron. They don’t even care about what is happening in Emon. The tables shift as everyone in the Take attempts to collect the debt, but Pike continues to argue their cause, eventually getting the attention of the patron below. And down the hole, the team goes.

The following few scenes flip back and forth between Grog at the Storm Lord’s Temple and the rest of Vox Machina in the basement of the Take. The team comes face to face with the Sphinx Osysa (voiced by Alanna Ubach). While Grog is getting his tush beat by grandpa, who wants to know where his strength comes from, Osysa roasts each member of Vox Machina, trying to break them down. Poor Scanlan gets the real rough roast, and Grog gets everything wrong.

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Finally, Pike can convince Osysa that they are willing to lay down their lives to try and save Emon. This is what they needed all along. The will to give it all up in the face of terror. At the same time, Grog finally realizes that he has a lot to learn before he can be truly strong. However, grandpa isn’t going to hand the answers to him on a silver platter.

Osysa telling Vox Machina about the Vestiges of Divergence.

The Legend of Vox Machina. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video.

Osysa gives us a history lesson on the Vestiges of Divergence and sends Vox Machina after the Deathwalker’s Ward in the Raven Queen’s temple. Once they get this, they need to find Osyssa’s mate, who will point them in the next direction. With this new information, Vox Machina heads off in search of the Vestige. “The Trials of Vasselheim” come to a close as Grog stumbles back to the group, a bit beat up and in need of a drink. One last little surprise is Percy’s trip to a somewhat eccentric black powder dealer we all know and love, Victor (voiced by Mercer). And in the final moments, we learn that Ripley is still alive.

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For those who have watched Critical Role‘s live campaign, seeing Zahra and Kashaw come to animated life was a must-see. Friedle and McGlynn are incredible in their roles. “The Trials of Vasselhiem” is also an episode that introduces quite a lot without feeling too over the top. We get a bit of background with the Take and information on the Vestiges of Divergence. Plus some character development and Grog getting his tushy kicked by an old man, all within 20 or so minutes. While it doesn’t have the chaos we saw in episode one, episode two really sets the stage for the journey to come.

Let’s not waste any more time and dive into episode three!

TV Series Review: Season Two of THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Strikes Platinum

Julia Roth
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