We are at the halfway mark for this week’s The Legend of Vox Machina drop from Prime Video and Critical Role. In the eighth episode, “Echo Tree,” the heroes in the Fey Realm make an unexpected and uncomfortable stop in Syngorn before heading off in search of the next Vestige of Divergence, the Fenthras Bow. But can they overcome the powerful archfey standing in their way?
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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“Echo Tree” kicks off the in Fey Realm as Garmelie (voiced by Billy Boyd) leads Vax (voiced by Liam O’Brien), Vex (voiced by Laura Bailey), Percy (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe) and Keyleth (voiced by Marisha Ray) through Syngorn. They think they can sneak through, but the guards find them anyway. Instead of causing a fight, Vax and Vex decide it’s better to just ask to see their dad. Too bad their dad is a bit of a jerk. Thankfully they have a nice stepmother (voiced by Toks Olagundoye) and half-sister, Velora (voiced by Jayla Lavender Nicholas), to make up for him.
In Taldorei, Pike (voiced by Ashley Johnson) requests help from Grandpa (with a ton of greats) Wilhand (voiced by Henry Winkler) to help with Grog’s (voiced by Travis Willingham) issue.
Back in the Fey Realm, Syldor (voiced by Troy Baker) shares how Syngorn came to be there after the dragons attacked. And in turn, Percy shares that they are searching for the Fenthras Bow. Percy tries to argue the twins’ accomplishments, but even a noble of Whitestone can help them. Vax despises his father, but it seems like Vex is still vying for his attention.
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We hop back to Grog and the gnomes real quick, where Scanlan (voiced by Sam Riegel) gives poor Grog some medicine to help with his muscle loss. Thankfully, Pike looks away before Scanlan gets friendly with Grog’s tush.
And then finally, in a moment Critters have been waiting for, we get the chance to see Vex made into a noble of Whitestone. Just before they are about to head out after the Bow, Percy drops the bomb that Syldor is going to have to treat her with more respect since she is the Baroness of the Third House and Whitestone and Grandmistress of the Grey Hunt. His snobbish remark finally sets Vex off, and she swears that she will return with the Bow and prove him wrong.
On the trek back into the wilds of the Fey Realm, Garmelie pops back up after going invisible, and Percy apologizes for springing the title on Vex. It’s a sweet moment between Vex and Percy where she opens up a bit about her childhood. He gifts her a new arrowhead. As they trek closer to the tree, it’s easy to see how the corruption by Archfey Saundor (voiced by Sendhil Ramamurthy) has poisoned the plant life, and we can hear him calling out to Vex. But why?
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Back to the Grog and gnomes show, Grog wakes back up but is still missing his muscles. The meds got rid of his corruption, but he needs more stimulation. Just not the kind he is thinking of. But what could possibly be stimulating enough to reawaken these muscles?
Back in the Fey Realm, Vex and the others finally reached the tree. Vex begins to hear the mysterious voice calling out to her, and something takes over her mind. It allows her to pass right through the tar-like substance where the others are stuck mucking through it. Vex even sees visions as the voice promises to give her everything her father never did, like his approval and love. The others try to stop her, but the roots keep them trapped.
Archfey Saundor tells her that he can give her Fenthras in order to win her father’s approval too. But, when Archfey Saundor tries to convince her to give him her heart, something clicks in her. Her heart is no longer hers to give, and she shoves him away. The real battle begins as Keyleth, and the others break free and face off against tree monsters while Vex deals with the bigger threat. We get the chance to see Vex kick major ass while Keyleth goes full fire elemental on the other trees.
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In the end, Vex finishes Archfey Saundor off with Percy’s gift. With him finally dead, Fenthras is now officially hers to wield. Percy offers to pass through Syngorn so they can shove the Bow in her father’s face, but Vex isn’t ready yet. And when they are just about to head out, Garmelie appears and gives them a portal to Taldorei. Percy tries to get him to tell them what he really is, but he doesn’t. And after they pass through, Garmelie transforms into his true self, Artagan (voiced by Matthew Mercer). And if you know – you know. If you don’t – watch campaign two.
“Echo Tree” comes to an end as Wilhand tries to help Grog get his muscles back. Pike breaks the news that they need to head to Westrunn to find the next vestiage without without the others. Grog finally admits that he knows who has them – his uncle. And he killed him with them. Screen fades to black.
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Excuse us? Grog’s uncle killed him? With a Vestige of Divergence. We imagine it’s a symbolic death, of course, since he is still running around. And does this mean we are about to get an epic episode of Grog’s backstory. Please and thank you. These last two episodes have heavily focused on Vex and her crew, so it’s only fair that the others get a few of their own. But as far as Vex’s focus in this one, top tier. The Fey Realm arc from the live campaign and Vex’s storyline with her dad is one of our favorites from the first campaign. So getting to see it animated was terrific.
We’ve got one more episode from this week’s drop, so let’s dive in!
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Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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