Deron Generally
Deron GenerallyThe Legend of Vox Machina
Prime Video
Season 3 Episode 12
Souls in Darkness
Merging her soul with a red dragon corpse, Raishan becomes an unkillable, undead monstrosity. She battles Vox Machina in her lair, trying to erase them before they can foil her plans.
Raishan’s body is dead, but after taking control of Thordak’s corpse, she is more powerful and plans on seeking revenge against the people who poisoned her, the Ashari. A plan that will bring on the full might of Keyleth as she and the rest of Vox Machina engage in a thrilling, magical, visually dynamic battle that will test them including the powers they’ve collected during their journey.
It was a brilliant move by the animators to make this fight between Raishan and Keyleth. Not only was it beautifully and emotionally tense between the two characters, but it raised the stakes for Vax as well as he was helpless and had to trust in her that she would prevail. The other thing I enjoyed is that the fight wasn’t the whole purpose of the episode. It served as a way for Keyleth to finally believe in herself, her power and her plan.
In the aftermath, it’s Vax’ildan’s turn to finally embrace the reality of who he has become and the deal he made with the Matron of Ravens. After confronting her in her realm, he pleads with her for a means of saving Percy and learns that his request will come at a cost. I really loved this scene not only because of how beautifully ethereal the Raven Queen’s realm looks visually, but also because it showcases that there is a consequence for meddling with fate no matter how dark and unfair it may seem.
Vax confronts the rest of the team and their allies with a plan to retrieve Percy’s soul from Orthax and they begin to prepare for a dangerous mission to do so. Vex finds herself once again dealing with potential loss of someone she loves and the conversation between the two of them is both sweet and sad. As the team gathers, Vax challenges Orthax to bring him into its realm to confront it for the soul of Percy.
Vax’s journey through Orthax’s realm is beautifully dark and dynamic as he is challenged by his own inner darkness. Even finding Percy becomes difficult as Percy is trapped with his own guilt and doesn’t recognize Vax. It takes an intervention from the outside world and a scene Vex’ahlia that I was giddy and happy to see. Laura Bailey delivers another brilliant performance alongside Liam O’Brian’s Vax’ildan. It will never cease to amaze me how brilliantly voice actors can bring all of the emotion and pathos to a character with just their voices and it only makes me love them and the craft more.
The final episode of this season brilliantly ends the Chroma Conclave storyline, gives all of the characters the growth they needed by showing how much they need and rely on each other and sets up a darker, more personal conflict to come that has been teased throughout this season. I love where it leaves the party and how it beautifully sets the stage for more stories to come. Something that viewers, especially me, are clamoring for.
The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3 Episode 12
