Critical Role Review: C2 Episode 64
By: I.Am.No.Man
Episode 64: A Dangerous Chase
This episode was fantastic!! Chalk full of action, story, and a healthy dose of horror. Perfection. The story begins with The Nein dealing with the aftermath of their botched mission. The entire first half is dedicated to attempting to figure out why things went so wrong and how to quickly pick up the pieces before any more damage is done. Fjord and Jester interrogate the traumatized shopkeep Morrow and her bugbear security guard. They begin to understand that they may have actually interrupted something a little different than they thought. There are still a thousand questions that need to be answered. First and foremost, how did the Drow and Hobgoblin know Yasha's tribal name?
After a rather gruesome clean up at the Overcrow, which included a graphic beheading scene, The Nein make a plan to chase down the escaped Drow into the wilds of Bazzoxan. Yasha gets into more of her backstory as the rest of the party begin to question her past. She seems to have just as many questions as they do as she has about two years of memory completely missing. After grabbing their Moorbounders, the Nein head into the Barbed Fields to catch up with the Drow.
Against better judgement, The Nein make their way quickly through the dangerous and haunted Barbed Fields. The Fields are ground zero for the Calamity and the War of the Gods and their magic still scars the land. Tortured creatures and a dangerous minefield of residual magic create a hellscape like the Nein have never seen before. I really loved watching the Cast react to the initial description of the Barbed Fields and then actually living through their horrors. Matt knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of The Lost, or Sorrowsworn, abominations. We got another taste of what Travis Willingham will be like in a haunted house. Pure terror for him, absolute amusement for everyone else.
Caleb also got more than a face full of Sorrowsworn in the apex of the battle. The Nein seemed to have a handle on the insane action until Caleb got a little too close. With everyone running to help Fjord out of his multiple Sorrowsworn encounter, Caleb was left completely undefended and quickly fell to the horrifying embrace of the screaming foe. In a scene only described as disgustingly gory, an unconscious Caleb is 'embraced' into the gaping wound and entrails of a weeping Sorrowsworn. The literal stuff of nightmares.
The last bit of the episode has an exhausted and terrified Mighty Nein setting up camp in the haunted Fields. Just before settling in for rest, Caduceus and Fjord have a little conversation with the two severed heads of the Hobgoblin and Dragonborn. With a little deception and disguise, the two learn some interesting details about who these people were and what they were doing in the Overcrow that day. They know that there was some exchange of a crest, similar to the ones the Bright Queen gave the Nein, though possibly of a different meaning. And the Drow and Hobgoblin serve someone called the Angel of Irons. Badass name, complete mystery. Some have guessed that maybe Yasha, the fallen Aasimar who dreams of iron shackles, has something to do with this name. I, personally, can't wait to find out.
There was a lot to love about this episode. I live for the action packed, gory battle filled episodes. They get me through the long and tiring shopping episodes. The world of Xhorhas is so beautifully becoming richer and more fleshed out as the Nein explore deeper. I love that there are still so many mysteries and questions left unanswered in this arc so far (what is Charis? Is this the Level 20 zone?). It's been wonderful to have Ashley Johnson back at the table and a bit refreshing to see her dust of those DnD skills and have to quickly relearn her character. She is the reminder that you can plan DnD whether you're a seasoned player or a complete newbie trying it out for the first time. I do hope that Ashley can make it through most of her backstory/current arc before she gets shipped back off to New York.
Next week's episode will feature even more travel through the Barbed Fields and a possible showdown with the Drow that knows Yasha. We will soon have our answers! I can't wait to see how the Nein handle more travel through the haunted lands and how Yasha's past will catch up to them in unexpected ways.
Don't Miss It!
If you missed the Red Nose Day one shot, you should really take an hour of our your day to watch it. The pure joy of Colbert and Mercer at being able to play together is worth the watch. The short session of course feels a bit rushed story wise, but it was a fantastic little heroic tale. Colbert's bard character Capo and his bee companion Eric are instantly memorable and lovable (and also Campaign canon!) FOR ERIC!
This week's episode of Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch left my sides and face sore from laughing. Watching Travis and Brian attempt to teamwork through several levels of Overcooked was almost too much to handle. Also, the deep lore intros are getting more intense and amusing. You definitely don't want to miss these episodes.
Between the Sheets is coming back on Monday June 3rd with the long awaited ASH-O-LEE Johnson! Also, A My Little Pony one shot run by beloved DM Mark Hulmes is going to air this Friday May 31st. The episode will guest star some of the Critical Role Cast including Ashley Johnson and Liam O'Brien with Markeia McCarty, Julie Nathanson and Roger Craig Smith. The humor is going to be through the roof.
Critical Role will be at Denver Pop Culture Con this week! Get your autographs and cast photo tickets here.
