The fantasy genre has enjoyed plenty of exposure on streaming services, with The Witcher, The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time, and numerous other high-profile releases set within worlds of swords and sorcery all releasing during the same era. As HBO’s Harry Potter remake draws ever closer, the battle for supremacy between streaming’s major fantasy shows will only intensify over the coming years.
And yet, surprisingly, the fantasy series to beat right now is a true underdog. A story that has risen from humble origins to become a standout franchise on Prime Video, overcoming rivals with bigger reputations and bigger budgets by wielding a spear of great storytelling and a shield of proper character development.
Currently on its fourth season, The Legend of Vox Machina boasts a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with long-time fans, Dungeons and Dragons newbies, and weary critics all enchanted by Critical Role’s foray into animation. That success has even translated into Critical Role‘s second campaign, The Mighty Nein.
Clearly, then, The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 is maintaining the show’s high bar of quality. No great surprise there. Slightly more surprising is how, four years after this stellar run of greatness began, Vox Machina has just delivered its strongest episode to date with “The Bard’s Lament.”
“The Bard’s Lament” Is A Showcase Of Vox Machina’s Strengths
From the very beginning, The Legend of Vox Machina‘s secret weapon has been its chameleon-like ability to seamlessly incorporate different genres and styles, but it’s rare that one single episode showcases all of those facets so perfectly. “The Bard’s Lament” is an exception.
The relationship building and emotive characterization that elevates The Legend of Vox Machina above so many other fantasy shows is in full swing here, as Scanlan reexamines his entire relationship with Vox Machina, angrily pointing out how none of his so-called friends even know his mother’s name. The resolution isn’t as straightforward as everyone hugging it out and Scanlan rejoining the group either, as “The Bard’s Lament” ends on a complex and bittersweet note.
In our exclusive cover story, Critical Role’s Sam Riegel & Travis Willingham dive into The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 and the final campaign arc.
With Scanlan back, the episode is also an incredible piece of comedy. From Percy’s reaction after inhaling spice to the oddball pairing of Pike Trickfoot and Taryon “The day keeps getting worse” Darrington, “The Bard’s Lament” is the most laugh-out-loud installment in The Legend of Vox Machina‘s fourth season so far.
The episode’s crowning glory is, however, the final bard vs. bard musical battle, which encapsulates The Legend of Vox Machina‘s spirit as well as anything else in the show. Intense fantasy action, a pounding metal soundtrack, a tongue firmly placed in cheek, and a rousing climax all combine for a truly brilliant moment in a series that very rarely dips below ‘great.’
“The Bard’s Lament” Cements Taryon Darrington As A True Main Character
Taryon Darrington has been a genuine highlight of Vox Machina in season 4, and we’d be lying if we said he wasn’t already part of the furniture by the time episode 9 rolls around. Even so, a hefty question mark hung in the air: how would Taryon fare once Scanlan came back?
“The Bard’s Lament” provides an answer, and while Scanlan’s presence does knock the wind of flamboyance somewhat from Taryon’s sails, getting the entire group together also cements Taryon as a true member of the Vox Machina family.
Taryon’s distraught reaction to being mocked by Scanlan is hilarious, but also a little bit heartbreaking. It’s the first time Taryon has taken a barb from a relative stranger so personally, which speaks to how strongly he values his place in the team. Maybe, just maybe, Taryon is worried Scanlan will replace him. At the same time, it’s fascinating to see Vox Machina leap to Taryon’s defense in the face of Scanlan’s insults. Getting Scanlan’s blessing after the final battle then acts as a beautiful passing-of-the-torch moment before The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 heads into its final stretch.
- Release Date
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January 27, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Brandon Auman
- Directors
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Young Heller, Eugene Lee, Alicia Chan
- Writers
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Eugene Son, Travis Willingham, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Suzanne Keilly, Mae Catt, Todd Casey, Ashly Burch, May Chan, Marc Bernardin
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Laura Bailey
Vex’ahlia (voice)
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Taliesin Jaffe
Percy (voice)