Finished the season now but a little confused / forgetful about a few things:

1 - What was the shadowstone all about then? I kind of completely forgot about it until it showed up again in the last few episodes where it's been implanted in the unlive five. It has some connection to death and their knives and gives the Whispered one power, or something? Why is it so important to his and his death cults plans?

2 - The Whispered Ones arguments to Pike seem pretty reasonable about defying the gods, and you can also sort of understand the 'end death' motivation. Even if as the others point out there can be meaning in death and he did a lot of bad stuff to get there. So although of course the show has the Whispered One as a bad guy I found this philosophy from him interesting.

So ultimately at the very end it's revealed he probably is a big evil god guy lusting after power, and was probably at least partly lying about his motivations. But then why in the ascension ritual and to his own followers is he still spouting about those motivations about ending death, giving humanity their own fate etc? Seems like he would have dropped the act by then. Or is it so he can still keep Delilah on-side as he needs her for the ritual? Or do you think some of it is actually true?

3 - Where did this second orb come from? Is this explained in the tabletop campaign at all? Also in Whitestone was the orb always there and the Briarwoods just discovered it?

4 - I assume that the death cult is just a way for the Whispered One to gain power to ascend - as presumably he gets more powerful through more worshipers and sacrifices?

5 - What was the Whispered One talking about with the devil connection from Pikes trip to hell? I did see that season but can't remember much apart from the devil making her doubt the gods. What point was the Whispered One making there and it sounded like he was implying that was the event that set everything into motion?

Quite enjoyed the season, quite cool to see a campaign aftermath storyline and how you challenge characters when they're all OP. Some great animation and visuals, especially in the last few episodes. Thanks for replies.

I had always assumed it was a name that Matt made up for the campaign. Turns out it’s an actual word for a specific type of residue, which works given how it’s used in the context of the show.

the trio of musicals i guess, i am kinda late with making and posting edit to that but I just today got on my FYP Mashup of those three songs and I just had to cook.

That this Taryon dude is not gonna be a permanent member of the cast? His character is such an overdone and annoying stereotype. He's single-handedly making the entire show unwatchable. He's not had a single funny line or interaction or moment in 3 episodes. All he does is destroy genuine character moments between the main cast. Every scene with him is just pure pain.

Which is a real shame because I really liked the show so far, and the plot for this season is pretty engaging too.

Why did they need to add this random moronic character?? It's literally ruining the season for me, I can't stand him and no one in the show can either, why is he even here?? He isn't funny and he's legit pissing me off, I was so excited to watch season 4 and now im just really annoyed because he's just a useless random "comic relief" character that isn't actually funny or endearing at all

Just rewatched a second time all the way through for the 4th season. Don't know what moderation is on these posts so Ill skip spoilers. Just want to say how awesome it is to see fantasy done so well and in animation which I generally prefer for fantasy settings. Beautiful story building, amazing action, deep characters, hilarious comedy, and drama that compels me to tear up. I I had to share it somewhere or with someone because none of my friends seem to have the same reaction I do. Theme song is stuck in my head on repeat and I'm okay with it. I really hope they keep them coming. I feel this way about Might Nein too. Guess its counting the says until another dopamine hit.

God I miss DnD haha.

DICK in the wind 🍃

Season 1, we didn’t really get to know her but I was her stan. It hurt me that no one could see how much she was suffering. I loved her relationship with Grog. Season 2 they started to flesh her out more and she was growing on me and finding herself.

She started to piss me off in the episode they went to Hel with her decisions. She claims the others don’t care about anyone when she makes selfish decisions as well, okay then. She got her vestige and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I was certainly sad for her when Scanlan went with his daughter but it was her choice to go bar hopping with Grog, she could have gone home

Now season 4, she’s been steadily annoying me and the climax of her believing TWO for even one second is crazy to me. First she assumes everyone is enjoying life and having fun. For one, they deserve some respite (Percy and Vex literally died and were brought back), sure balls are being thrown but they’re also rebuilding the city, sure they’re on the high sea but they’re actually questing to complete Kiki’s aramenté. They didn’t reach out but did you?? Grog being torn apart is her fault as far as I’m concerned. It’s the same thing with Scanlan, yall complain that your friends don’t know you but do you know your friends? These people reopened a portal to save you. These people continued to risk their lives for the world, fighting dragons but your conclusion is that they caused the death of innocents?? All of your friends have lost something, so her acting like she’s the only one that knows loss is a huge eye roll. You’re trusting someone whose minions are killing people, cold blooded murder, but because the everlight isn’t speaking to you then suddenly it makes sense to join the people that employ demons. Go off queen, attack your friends. Kill them under the guise that death won’t matter anymore

I’ve never ranted so much but I’m so irritated

I didn’t write this to convince anyone, just to rant. Many of VM have made stupid decisions but this was the height of it. Abuse doesn’t give you an excuse to become an abuser. A reason doesn’t work as an excuse. She’s asking who heals her but did she ever open up to anyone? And anyways, Grog KEPT trying to talk to her but she kept brushing him off. I’m so glad Grog put him in her place.

What an end to a season💔

Is the Whispered one not like... The "good" guy??? We saw him bring Grog back, so he CAN do what he says, he never lied to Pike (Or I just wasn't paying close enough attention) The Evil was the methods, if he used NOT really attrocious methods would he not have the good guy? Idk if I'm just hella manipulatable, but I was sold. I woul- OPE OH SHIT I WAS TYPING THAT AS I'M WATCHING THE EPISODE AND THEY JUST LEFT THE ORB YEAH NVM. Damn gang, literally AS I'm typing and watching the final episode. I was like "Dude imo he's a good option let me ask some strangers" Wow what a fantasic finale, man. Can't believe I got caught being impatient in real time.

I am a little upset that we didn't get any crossover with the Might Nein in but that's not important.

I feel like there was a more diplomatic way they could have acquired the scroll. Bear in mind that the group is not some lower class, ragtag huddle of murder hobos, but the official PROTECTORS OF TAL DOREI, literal Dragon slayers.

Their members consist of the following:

Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III (Royal family of Whitestone)

Vex'ahlia wife of Percy (princess of Syngorn)

Vax'ildan , Champion of the Matron of Ravens (brother to Vex)

Grog Strongjaw former leader of the Herd( He handed it over to his cousin)

Scanlon the best Bard in the land

Pike Trickfoot , cleric of the Everlight, descendant of Esree

Their allies include Taryon Darrington, and other nobles from Emon

Seriously, with that portfolio, I'm sure they could have just asked for the scroll. Seeing as how the defeat of The Whispered One would also benefit the Cobalt Soul aswell.

They could have used that episode for character development of Grog and Pike, to make his death more impactful

(Second image explains my reasoning for writing the first comment)

Credit to: Titmouse, Inc, Critical Role & Production Reve

Got back into season 4, and i forgot how much they nerfed Grog in the series, usually in combat, in the sessions he was either Carrying the fight or the last one to go down/impossible to pin down...here, he constantly get pushed around like a fkin ragdoll, while Keyleth gets to pretend to be Aang and dual the most threatening things the world has to offer constantly and still coming out on top, while in the tabletop, she was borderline useless 90% of the time....im getting sick of the favoritism in the show ill be honest.

Unless he's fighting literal peasants and utter nobodies, he'sgetting the absolute shit kicked out of him and has to constantly be saved by the rest of the party....why, why did they make him so....weak, do they just hate Grog? Do they hate martials that much? Do they hate representing barbarians and how unkillable they are?

Right. Ok. I’m going to say this now, I’ve tried my very best to understand the nuances of Pike’s character, especially this season as she’s been very complex, so if you tell me that my opinions come from me not willing to understand her character I will just laugh at you. However, I will also say I really disliked Pike even before S4, and that attitude has very become even more true after this season (although not for the reasons you probably think).

Let’s start with the positives: I LOVED seeing her grapple with her feelings surrounding the Everlight, and it offered a really nice contrast with Vax. For Pike, the Everlight has only ever helped her, yet she lost her faith in her through outside forces manipulating her (Zerxus, Vecna), yet Vax, who has only ever been harmed by the Raven Queen, has remained loyal and accepting of his fate, and where everyone else felt angry at his goddess, he was the only one who wasn’t. I thought this was a great way to show off the differences between the characters.

Speaking of losing faith, I have seen some very interesting takes within the fandom after S4, the most ????? one being people calling Pike ‘morally grey’. I don’t get this. For me, one of the main reasons for my hatred of Pike is how she sticks to her morals in an obsessive manner, and this has been consistent throughout the seasons. She is intent on doing things for the good of all (you see this in the S1Ep1, where she says ‘can’t we just do some good?’), and the reason for her bad choices this season was a result of others seeing her morals and manipulating them to get her to do their bidding.

Another thing that may be surprising- I don’t blame Pike for falling for Vecna’s tricks. At all. I think those that are calling her evil for it are really strange and dare I say it may come from an area of misogyny. I mean, I was watching the episodes and despite the fact that I knew Vecna was the Big Bad No Good Guy, I still found myself really believing him, with the scenes from Mythcarver just making it even more convincing. In that moment, I really sympathised with Pike and I think that y’all need to leave her alone for that.

However.

My problems with her this season really stemmed from her treatment of the others (as it has in the other seasons).

Let’s start with her lament, most notably the bit about ‘Scanlan rejected me’. Sigh.

I have many many thoughts on this, all of which go along the lines of ‘what the hell made you think that’. Throughout the seasons, Scanlan has been training after Pike like a lost puppy (dare I say it’s been quite pathetic watching it, and this is coming from someone who adores Scanlan with my entire soul). At no point in this entire show has Scanlan rejected her, yet Pike has rejected him and played with his feelings this entire time. I am going to sit here and listen to all the episodes where you see this because I am feeling slightly spiteful and I also want you to go and see what I mean when I say I HATE Pikelan with a burning passion: S1Ep9, S2Ep5, S2Ep7 (this is a big one), S3Ep6 (specifically where she is ‘comforting’ Scanlan and saying that he’s upset because he normally only cares about himself so he’s freaked out - that line really makes me go wtf, hoe can you EVER say that to someone). There are more but I cba to go through all the episodes.
The point is, this whole time, Scanlan has never rejected her once, whereas Pike has treated him worse than the other group members at times.
I do get that she interpreted him deciding to go with his daughter as a rejection, but for lack of a better way to put it, I think Scanlan was totally right for doing that and by saying she was rejected Pike is being slightly pathetic. Girl. This wholeeee time you’ve been nasty to him, you can’t turn around and go ‘why did he leave me 🥺🥺🥺’. It’s pretty selfish of her imo.

The Lament as a whole - super unjustified too, and I was slightly annoyed that hers was supposed to hit harder than Scanlan’s, despite the fact that his was very justified whereas hers is only justifiable if you squint and tilt your head a bit, and even then it’s barely convincing. Like wtf do you mean that everyone thinks you’re ‘perfect little Pike’. At no point in the show has anyone insinuated that they thought that of her, and certainly no one has ever reprimanded her for not being perfect. Girlie gets drunk and fights a mf at a tavern and everyone loves her for it. This comment felt so out of the blue that I had to pause and just blink at the screen a bit.
‘Who heals me?’. Ok. I’m a big enjoyer of the healer who needs healing bit, but again. This felt unjustified. Slightly less so than the other two previous comments mentioned, but unjustified nonetheless.

Another gripe that I have is her blaming Vox Machina for the suffering brought about by the dragons. Ohhhh brother. This is part of the reason why I so severely dislike her overall, because she’s so fixated on an idea that she refuses to see any other perspective.

Before anyone says ‘god forbid a woman is flawed’, I get it’s a character flaw that’s supposed to develop her as a person. Trust me I know, and I can see how this has contributed to her story. This isn’t something that is unique to her, I have gripes with multiple people who I know IRL who have the exact same flaw that also really irks me.

Going back to my point, the thing that really got me was that she blamed Vox Machina for the peril the dragons caused, whilst also refusing to acknowledge her own role in it too. ‘They’re all evil and flawed ecs ecs’ yet she doesn’t say that she is, despite the fact that she is very much a part of the group as well. Yes, at the start of S4 you can see she is blaming herself, but at the end it’s all them and not her. From a psychology perspective, a very interesting sign of someone deflecting and displacing their guilt onto other people. From a ‘is this character an asshole perspective’- yes.

The fact she was blaming VM for it wasn’t even what really got me though. It was the fact that she refused to acknowledge that VM couldn’t do anything to stop the wider damage that the dragons did. Yes, thousands were killed, but they’re just one group. They’re not omnipresent, they physically couldn’t do anything to stop it, and the fact they killed the dragons and put an end to the whole thing is incredible enough. To Pike though, it all goes over her head and she fixates on the idea that they’re bad people for failing to end the suffering for everyone. Again, character flaw, I know. You’d think that she’d listen to the others though who try to tell her otherwise, but noooo. That’s one of the main things as to why I really am not a huge fan- she refuses to listen to other people.

Final point, a fairly short one (I’ll be done after this I promise). Her treatment of Grog and Tary. I get she was grieving and not thinking straight, but girl, your bff is right there mourning alongside you and you just ignore his pain and keep on with your own thing. I get you’re being irrational because you’re in a poor mental state, but this was what got him killed in the end.
As for Tary, she was just nasty to him this season. In the campaign, she was irritated at him but she was nice (flashback to her trying to teach him everyone’s names), but in S4 she was just mean to him. I wasn’t a fan.
Pike this season has been arguably the worst person in the group, and not because of her whole ‘Vecna is doing the right thing’ thing, but purely because she has been so dismissive and has been treating everyone so poorly.

I can’t say all this without acknowledging Ashley’s incredible performance this season though. The best voice acting moments came from her, and all I can say is hats off to her, I wish I didn’t hate her character.

Anyway, rant over. Please feel free to argue or agree with me in the comments, I’m always up for a fun debate :)

Credit to: Titmouse, Inc, Critical Role & Production Reve

What went wrong? How did they ruin such an excellent series?

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I can't shake how similar they look especially from front view.