Talk about a shocking moment at the end of Amazon Prime Video and Critical Role‘s last episode of The Legend of Vox Machina. No spoilers here – but it’s a big one. We are nearly done this season, and tensions are high in episode 11, “Belly of the Beast.” Vax (voiced by Liam O’Brien) uncovers the truth about his mysterious pact as the team begins preparations to take down Umbrasyl (voiced by Matthew Mercer). 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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“Belly of the Beast” opens with Scanlan (voiced by Sam Riegel) confronting his past. He tells Kaylie (voiced by Aisling Franciosi) about how he loved her mother and that he wishes they could still be together, but life and duty pulled them apart. It would have been really sweet if it weren’t for the fact that he was talking about someone else. It turns out that he has no idea who Kaylie’s mom is.

Scanalan tells Kaylie he feels terrible about not knowing about her. And we are inclined to believe him. This entire season has shown a new side to him, and we feel like big changes might be on the way. He tells her to get her revenge, but her idea isn’t killing him. No, it’s to leave him with the knowledge that she exists and doesn’t want anything to do with him.

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Downstairs, Percy (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe), Pike (voiced by Ashley Johnson), Vax, Vex (voiced by Laura Bailey), Grog (voiced by Travis Willingham) and Keyleth (voiced by Marisha Ray) are enjoying their night of freedom. Everything seems great until Vax disappears in search of a golden string of fate. He is met by visions of dead people seeking his help to cross over and then a reminder that his fate is tied to the Matron of Ravens. But what does it all mean? It’s sweet to see Vax and Scanlan bound over what is happening in their lives.

Elsewhere, Umbrasyl is updating Thordack (voiced by Lance Reddick) on his plans. It doesn’t seem like either of them are on the same page. Ripley (voiced by Kelly Hu) isn’t helping to situation by pushing Umbrasyl further on this conquest against Vox Machina. We are sure she has quite a bit against them, but what else does she have up her sleeve?

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Back at the inn, Scanlan tries to get some priestly advice from Pike, but his metaphors could use some work. Their conversation is cut short as Grog rallies the troops for their fight against the black dragon. It would be a bit more helpful if he had a plan. Of course, this is what we have Percy for. Except his is a little less like how the Herd of Storms would handle it.

Vax heads off in search of answers and finds Vex and Keyleth following behind him. He has decided that instead of running away, he is going to seek out what he needs to know from the source. Outside, Keyleth and Vex have a heart-to-heart about Keyleth’s feelings for Vax. There is a lot going on with Vax, but he needs their support.

Inside, Vax is ushered into the temple by the Matron’s followers and then left alone before the altar. So, what does the Matron (voiced by Courtney Taylor) want? Her champion. In so many beautiful yet haunting words, the Matron tells Vax that he is fate touched and his purpose is the shepard those around him towards their new destinies. It is a heavy burden, and we wonder if she isn’t sharing everything he will have to do.

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Vax seems almost relieved and a bit more holy in his attitude. Just ignore all the blood. They return to the inn, where Percy is still talking. Thankfully, the herd has Grog to interpret for them. And for all his hard work, Grog gets a new battle axe, and he was smart enough to make sure it doesn’t talk to him. While the herd heads out to start working, Kaylie and the troop sneak out too.

Scanlan rushes out after after and promises to change. But Kaylie doesn’t want to hear it. And really, can we blame her? Scanlan has a pretty solid reputation. Her and her crew are heading as far away from the dragons as possible, and if Scanlan wants to prove he has changed, he is going to have to do something really big to change her mind.

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As the day draws on, Vox Machina and the Herd of Storms prepare Percy’s trap and await the arrival of Umbarsyl. It doesn’t take long for the black dragon to arrive and realize that pressure plate just below him. But thankfully, Vex does some quick thinking and triggers the trap herself, essentially catching him in it. They unleash a ton of damage onto him, but it isn’t enough. He is a black dragon, after all. Oh, and he can go invisible.

Vax swoops by and snatches up Scanlan, who drops the bomb that he is a dad, and he has got something to prove. But he has a plan. One that is going to take them inside the belly of the beast. It’s just a real shame that it seems like they are going to be going in on the rather unpleasant end. The two force their way inside, and Scanlan uses the immovable sword that Kaylie gave him in order to hold Umbarsyl down.

The rest of the team lays into him from outside while Scanlan and Vax just wait it out. Things are looking good, but as “Belly of the Beast” draws to a close, Umbarsyl rips the sword right through him and sets of flying with Scanlan and Vax inside and Grog hanging on the end of a rather long rope.

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Well, we have been waiting nearly an entire season to see this harebrained idea come to the animated screen. And critters, it was absolutely worth it. There is a lot of action in this episode, but we also get some emotional growth as well. Both Scanlan and Vax are on new paths, and we are excited to see where they take them. Plus, with this being the second to last episode of season two, it’s clear that they aren’t squeezing the entire Chroma Conclave arc into one season, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

We have one more episode in season two, and it’s time to dive in.

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