#critical role s2e11

[arabella-strange]

Can I just hit pause for a second and say that the line-read here from one ✨Marisha Ray✨ was absolutely phenomenal. This scene could have been completely shallow and frustrating—for reasons we can all easily name—but instead she gives us Keyleth as grounded, serious, not quite resigned and not quite exhausted and not quite defeated and not quite insecure, but... just, daunted. What is there to do, when faced with the end of the world and the ways of gods, demigods, and (cough) titans? Keyleth is conflicted about having to be a leader called upon by her people, about having to be an adult and not just a kid [remember that she’s the youngest VM member], about having to face dragons and gods know what else. But she’s also trying to be happy. To be one of the “many things that [pass] through fire and find themselves much better for it afterward.” And then the first tip of her toes into that pool and Vax keeps running away.

And it is a credit to Vex that she sees this and gives the generous, stern, knowing advice: “Don’t let him get away.” Not as in, Don’t let him be the One That Got Away™️. As in, Don’t let him run from this happiness either. 

[aeoris4lovers]

that shot of vax’s wings against the sun is literally the most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen i want that tattooed on the inside of my eyelids i want to look at it forever

[sonicskullsalt]

favourite things of TLOVM s2e11

(possible spoilers because I watched the campaigns and might reference them)

Scanlan trying to bluff, baffle bullshit about knowing who Kaylie's mum was

Burt? (Burt Reynolds Esquire?)

The red eyed ravens in the courtyard

all the ghosts from season 1

You don't get to choose your part in the play, but a true performer commits anyway.

Please, gods, tell me this is a metaphor.

Vex and Keyleth's conversation. Bonus: Kiki awkwardly lifting her elbows 🙇‍♀️

The beauty of the Raven Queen, from the mask above the blood pool to the marvelous way she shows herself to Vax

My beautiful campion, there is much to fear, but not death, for it gives meaning to life.

The fact that the temple is revealed to be destroyed and that Vax was on his own

Grog can translate Percy-ramble to the herd

Grog checking if new weapons can talk

Umbrasyl telling Grog: You can't hit what you can't see; and in season 1 Grog told Sylas: If I don't know where I'm hitting, neither do you.

I found out I'm the champion of the Matron of Ravens. - I found out I'm a father. - You win.

The other way.

[aspiringsophrosyne]

Episode 11: The Belly of The Beast.

It's been a minute since we had ourselves a good old fashioned monster movie. New ideas are fun, but the classics are classics for a reason. Lights are going down!

The Good.

The Shorthalts.

For a split second, I thought they might've actually changed Kaylie's mom's name to Leia: just for the tiniest second. Kaylie's face and Scanlan's "Are you sure?" are just the cherry on top of that sequence. 

Aisling Franciosi gives an almost surprisingly heart breaking performance as Kaylie here. You can feel how broken up she is, how she's been wanting to tell Scanlan all this for a while....but you don't just feel her anger; you feel her hurt. A lesser performance could've made this scene a joke, but she pulls it off fantastically. 

Vax And The Matron.

During Vax's super creepy vision, we start to get more of an idea of what the Queen wants. Until this episode, if you didn't already know her deal, you might guess she was furious with Vax: seeking compensation for his taking her Champion's armor and Vex's life being spared. But when the dead call out to Vax, it's the first indication of her motivations. It also tells us that she's not a spiteful, vengeful creature. This flows into the encounter later in the episode and helps set the tone for said encounter nicely.

Also it's just good to be reminded of these characters. Makes their deaths seem like they matter. 

Vex is sneaky as hell, and Keyleth is still adorable. The talk the two have while Vax is communing is a nice cap-off to the tension between them in Season One. Vex has been kinder to Keyleth in general, but Vex effectively giving Vax and Keyleth's romance her blessing is a tangible example of her character development. 

The New Champion.

There is no end of good to say about Vax's communion with the Raven Queen: the temple and the goddess herself are jaw-droppingly gorgeous to look at, and the buildup wherein her priestesses lead Vax into the temple is suitably spooky without coming across as hostile. But I think what gets me the most is the tone is just right. This sequence could've easily read like she was trying to manipulate him: playing nice when they both know she's got him over a barrel. But just like in the stream, the Queen is gentle and soothing, as if she knows how terrifying she can come across, and is trying not to spook a man who already knows the terror of impending grief. The moment shared between them feels like a balm on a burn. Courtenay Taylor gives an indescribably splendid performance as the Matron; we're two for two in most excellent goddess portrayals. 

I love that they gave Vex a reaction to Vax coming out covered in blood. Even in this world of magic and monsters, some things are still weird. And it was a nice touch to have the area look gloomy as hell when Vax initially approached it, but the day is sunny and hopeful after Vax has made his peace with the Matron. 

Umbrasyl.

This bit with Percy and the Goliaths is a better version of what they tried to pull with him in the Fey Wild. 

The trap and the trigger. Percy and Vex: the clever ones. 

That acid breath is, as always, horrific. That disembodied mouth opening up in the air, dripping with neon green, the invisble belly scales coated with blood....Mm! That's a visual. 

All of this is nasty in the best ways, so I don't know why that acid on the back of Keyleth's ankle gets me so much. It's such a small thing. Maybe because it reminds me of every blister I've ever had. Whatever the case, it always makes me flinch when I see it. 

I almost couldn't believe they were actually going to perform dragon proctology to get Scanlan and Vax in there when I saw it in the trailer. I don't know why. But in hindsight...of course that's what they did. Of course. Why did I question that?

And we end on the same beautifully unresolved cliffhanger that the stream did. No notes.

The Bad. (Or at least, the not great.)

World Building

Again, I have to whine about world-building here. 

In DnD and the original Critical Role stream, all these characters had differing lifespans. Keyleth could live for thousands of years. The half-elves could live around 200 years. Percy could live a human lifespan. Grog's lifespan would be slightly shorter than Percy's. The Gnomes, however, could live up to 500 years, during most of which they would maintain their youth. 

In other words, Scanlan is more than likely beyond old enough to have a grown daughter, despite still looking somewhat young. However, because the show never makes this clear to people who didn't watch the stream or aren't familiar with DnD, Kaylie's whole storyline is more confused than it should be. 

Similarly, what's the deal with the Raven Queen's temple in Westruun? Is she special to this town in particular? Does every god of Exandria have a temple in this town? What's the deal?

In the stream, the town had a temple ward, which boasted multiple religious sites dedicated to various gods. This was where Vax originally went to commune with the Raven Queen, but because the show takes liberties with the stream events and it's never established in this episode, we don't know if that's the case here.  

I want to know!! 

Dr. Dranzel

Originally Scanlan had traveled with Dr. Dranzel's troupe after losing his only family. Here, they elected that the two had no connection to each other, and while I respect that change, I don't understand their reasoning.  

Sam said on the watch-along that they eschewed the original connection because it would've taken attention away from Kaylie when we first met her, as we meet both her and the troupe together. 

That explanation...feels like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, frankly. Again, I respect the choice, but it would've been easy to include that part of Scanlan's backstory and give Kaylie her moment. When she's leaving in this episode, have Scanlan take Dranzel aside, confirm their connection, and ask him to watch after Kaylie. This keeps their relationship, gives Kaylie her moment, gives Scanlan a little depth, and establishes the troupe is, while not malicious, definitely sketchy in some way if they try to keep the knowledge of who knows who on the down low.

Nitpicks

I'm unsure how I feel about Scanlan being trussed up during his confrontation with Kaylie. It adds cringe-inducing sleaze, for sure. On the other hand, it meant more when Scanlan refused to fight back in the original because he was free and capable of doing so. It doesn't mean much for him to not try to resist when he physically can't. Similarly, in the original, Kaylie was seeking a duel. Feels like it gives her more if she was giving him the chance to fight back. 

~*~

This is probably just a me thing, as I saw a few reactors get this right away, but I would've had the shot of the ruined temple be from over Vax's shoulder. That makes it clear what we see is the temple he just stepped out of. I thought it was a different shot of the outside at first. 

~*~

They could've set up the sword better. In the original, the item Scanlan and Vax used to try to hold down the dragon was called the "Immovable Rod"; it did...about what you'd expect. They couldn't use that name because of copywrite, but since the sword doesn't have a name that spells out what it does, it's hard to see why Scanlan thought it would be enough to hold down the dragon. A throwaway line from him about "Oh, I recognize this enchantment! It can hold down such-and-such pounds of weight!" would've clarified things for the audience. 

~*~

Having Vax yell "What the hell do you want from me!?" right after we very clearly hear the dead begging him to usher them into the great beyond makes for an unintentionally awkward juxtaposition.

~*~

I don't really get the small convo Vax and Scanlan have before they enter the dragon. Everybody's out there on the field fighting the dragon; why is it weird that Scanlan is too? Feels like a really contrived lead-in to the "you win" bit. Also, we could've had a little more variety in terms of Umbrasyl's lines. 

And that's it for the penultimate episode. Only one more to go this season.

[lostsometime]

tucutucus replied to your post: i always forget how creepy nott can get when you...

When was the “no.. you can’t” part?

same conversation as the “need him to be powerful” bit, in episode 11. 

Fjord: Why, Nott?  Why do you need him to be powerful?

Nott: So he can save me. [...] He can protect me.

Molly: I think we can all do that.

Nott: No... you can’t.

[dancer4813]

Pumat: *grins*

Pumat: *ruffles Nott's hair*

Pumat: *explains in jargon how there came to be four of him*

Fandom & Travis Willingham: *can't stop grinning*

[latinozevran-archive]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm thinking abt forgiveness in sgrs and how conflicted it seems to be abt its worth given the s2e11 ending with miyo and what she says abt it but maybe the point is more the im so tired of the role of Woman line being the focus of the scene that rly the most important mistake of her life was her refusal to forgive herself and everything else spiraled out of that and also think there is a critical distinction between a parents obligation to forgiveness and a childs obligation to forgiveness the latter being smth the story absolutely does not advocate for... like also the way that she 'forgives' kiku seems to have less to do with him than with her recognition that she never rly needed him and she gave him power over her that he didnt deserve not that like aksjdhfjfjgjg anything he did was okay...

[thirstaidkitpodcast]

THIRST AID KIT | S2E11 | TOM HARDY, CHAMELEON

You don’t have to tell us, OK? Another British Tom?

You’re right. But this one is a whole different kettle of fish, innit! Observe the potency, if you will.

*bra is incinerated*

We had to put Tom Hardy under our thirst-microscope (thirstoscope?) to examine his uncanny ability to disappear into roles. Remember him as a slightly grotty Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights? Or how about as smooth-and-hefty Eames in Inception? We went a little deep (heh) to Tuck in This Means War, perhaps the best worst romcom ever. (Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus read: “A career lowlight for all three of its likable stars, This Means War is loud, clumsily edited, and neither romantic nor funny.” Meow!

Feast your eyes on this mess:

We also delved deep into Tom’s past when he briefly operated under the pseudonym “Tommy No 1” and made a rap mixtape, Falling On Your Arse in 1999. Let’s also not forget those wonderful thirst trappy MySpace photos that we appreciate to this day. What a wild time that era was...

WHAT DAT MOUF DO?!

We spoke of his chameleon-like ways when it comes to selecting roles (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 4EVA)!, and how he transforms himself physically, and how that it’s hot as hell not knowing what he will look like! And then we talked a little bit about Tom’s early career and some of his troubles with alcohol and drugs, and how he has made much-needed changes, and then we spent a fair amount of time on his voice, which is so raspy and hot and makes it so that his every utterance is intense. 

Finally, we spoke a little about Tom’s overwhelming love for dogs. It is pure and endearing, and only a little bit weird. Tom, let’s raise a (dog-inclusive) family together, bb!

We also have a delightful Thirst Sommelier request from someone who needs a new Shia LaBeouf in their life, and Fanfic Wars might burn your brain but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Strap in, thirst-buckets! You can listen to the whole episode RIGHT HERE (more ways to listen are listed below).

SOME STUFF TO WATCH AND READ, IF YOU LIKE!

The tribute Tom wrote to Woody, his dog

This great Alan Carr interview

“Pain is weakness leaving the body.”

Tom’s strict trousers rules.

Here’s Tom talking with Jonathan Ross about his substance abuse problems from a few years back.

“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”

You don’t need to ask Tom about his sexuality, OK?

We’re on Twitter at @bimadew and @tnwhiskeywoman.  The show is at  @thirstaidkit. Send us your Thirst Sommelier requests at 765-884-4778 aka 7658-THIRST (international listeners: send us a short recorded message via email, please) and your (short!) drabbles at thirstaidkit@buzzfeed.com. Please, if you can, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. We appreciate it!

Subscribe to get new episodes every Thursday. We’re on: Apple | Stitcher | Spotify | Podbean | Overcast or search ‘Thirst Aid Kit’ wherever you get your podcasts.

Please thirst responsibly — but you can take it. We appreciate your ears, and want them to remain perfectly in place on your heads so you can keep listening. Thirst responsibly! 

[thatgirlonstage]

Podcast Challenge: September Recap

The Adventure Zone

Current

That new liveshow was everything. What a blessing.

I have been fucking WAITING for Beacon to pull some kind of shit like this, I am absolutely DYING to see how this plays out

Adventures in New America *NEW SHOW*

Current

The very first episode of this just came out on September 28th, and I’m not ready to make a final judgement on how much I like it, but I’m definitely intrigued

The Bright Sessions

Current

I really hope this show really does make it onto TV/Netflix/Hulu/wherever, because I think they could take time to explore more of the worlds and the different types of atypicals and I have adored these Bright Sides episodes, I’d be so down to see more of everything about this world 

Bubble *NEW* *CAUGHT UP*

Started listening and binged the first season!

A lot of potential that is severely undercut by an over-reliance on exposition, a script clearly still intended for the TV pilot it originally was rather than being truly adapted for an audio medium, and a rushed expansion of the world before properly establishing what they already have

I have hopes that they may take their time with S2 and improve, now that they have a better idea what they’re doing

Can I Pet Your Dog?

Episode 11-21, out of 160 episodes currently

There was a weird out of order episode that’s gotten switched with another one somehow? I just noticed because the guest was the wrong person from the title, and they were talking about it being December when the episode was dated to October. But the show continues to be cute and fun and a very nice way to start my day before I go walk dogs :D

Conversations with People Who Hate Me

Episode “Bigot Scum”-“Nauseating” | 21/23 episodes currently

I was so close to catching up this month and I really wanted to but I didn’t quite make it. DEFINITELY next month though

I like Dylan doing the mediated discussions, they’re interesting and they break up the pattern

Critical Role

Just episode 7 this month. Look, what can I tell you, I can’t listen to this one on the go because I watch it on YouTube instead of playing it from my podcast app and I was like. Never at home this month.

Ear Hustle

Current

Season 3 started!

It seems a bit weird to break these up into “seasons”, since there’s no real overarching focus or theme for each one, it’s just a way to collect the episodes and for the creators to take a hiatus from time to time. But, regardless, I’m happy it’s back.

The Flop House

Episode #52-#71, out of 267 episodes currently

I am very, very slowly learning to distinguish Dan and Stuart’s voices. The entire “find Dan a hook” thing helped, lol.

It Makes a Sound *NEW* *CAUGHT UP*

Started listening and binged the first season!

Unfortunately I’m... really not a fan of any of the characters? Deirdre is painfully irresponsible and really, REALLY needs help getting out of her fantasy world, and the rest of them I just don’t like very much

The story has some passing interest and the music is good. Will definitely check out the album they release, like Bubble I’m hoping they may hit their stride more in S2.

This whole story did feel a little like set up, like they were spending the season trying to get to that video at the end. Obviously any story with a defined climax is always “heading” there, but I really didn’t feel like I was taken on a journey so much as getting an explanation for how this group of people ended up singing and spraying graffiti in a clubhouse. Parts of it were quite clearly padded for time, to the point of being irritating. But hopefully they might have ideas for what comes after that are more interesting

The McElroy Brothers Will Be in Trolls 2

Current

HOLY SHIT THE MCELROY BROTHERS WILL BE IN TROLLS 2

This is actually happening and I’m never going to stop screaming

My Brother, My Brother, and Me

Episode 163-194, out of 426 episodes currently

The introduction of guestperts!!!! Including LIN FREAKING MANUEL MIRANDA (yes, I knew they were friends, I know about the MBMBAM bits in Hamilton, I’m just never going to be over it)

So close to 200...

My Dad Wrote a P*rno *CAUGHT UP*

Current/Caught up this month!!!

Went from S2E11 all the way to the current episode, which was. Oh boy. It’s so much bad porn, lmao, but it’s so funny.

Now I get to live through the clithangers with everyone

HOW IS THERE ACTUAL PLOT AND FUCKING SPIES NOW????? HOW DO I ACTUALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS???

The Orbiting Human Circus of the Air

Didn’t listen to anything this month, I have the Imaginary Symphony episodes downloaded from before they deleted them so I have been meaning to listen to them, I just haven’t gotten to it

Sawbones

Episode “Alcoholism”-“Phrenology” | 34/245 episodes currently

I am still thinking about Albert Einstein finding cosmic sex energy in a box. I will continue to think about that until the end of time. I will find Albert Einstein in the afterlife and I will make him tell me about it

Shmanners

Episode “Office Etiquette”-“Handshakes and Business Cards” | 17/133 episodes currently

I continue to be infinitely more interested in the history or cultural difference aspect than any of the advice they give, but I do see episodes popping up more recently in the feed about things like “Pirates” so I’m holding out to be much more excited for those

I saw the next Shmanners episode I had to listen to was “Office Etiquette” while I was binging MDWAP and laughed because. Oh man.

Shit now I need the McElroy brothers to be guests on MDWAP and read a chapter with Jamie, James, and Alice. Can you IMAGINE the chaos 

The Thrilling Adventure Hour

Episode #101-#110, out of 220 where the podcast ended plus specials

Well I woke up this morning to find the vast majority of episodes deleted from my feed and behind a paywall, which I am pretty fucking pissed off about, not gonna lie. I donated to their Patreon because getting to listen to the rest of it is worth $5 for a few months to me, but they haven’t even uploaded the whole back catalog there yet, so I don’t know when I might be able to listen to more

I’m excited it’s coming back but that is thoroughly overshadowed by how angry I am about this

Welcome to Night Vale

Continuing my relisten!

Currently posting reviews for each episode as I listen to them, see the ones from this month here: The Man in the Tan Jacket | Street Cleaning Day | The Phone Call | Valentine | The Traveler

Within the Wires

Current

We started Season 3!!!

I LOVE S3 so far, I really like the more overtly political angle and I think it has the potential to reveal a lot about the world

We’re already getting hints and nods to S1 and S2, I can’t wait to see what else happens

Wonderful!

Episode 18-23, out of 52 episodes currently

This show is kind of growing on me. It’s a good cooking show. It’s very soothing, in a way

Previously Completed Podcasts: Alice Isn’t Dead

[lostsometime]

CR C2 E11 - Zemnian Nights

23:09 - Yasha’s gone again.  Beau remarks, “She’s a little creepy. In like, a hot way, but a little creepy.”

24:47 - Beau (to Fjord, about Caleb): I should punch him in the face?          Fjord: Give it a shot.  

Caleb: I am sitting right next to you.  

Beau: I was having a side conversation!  

Caleb: It’s a small room.

26:02 - Jester suggests finding a candy store.  Molly didn’t know that there were stores that specifically sell candy.

27:13 - Jester: I’m trying to be smarter.  Beau: You’re very smart, Jester.

42:31 - Infodump on the Cerberus Assembly.

49:19 - Molly buys the Periapt of Wound Closure.

1:02:35 - Caleb offers to buy Jester some sweets at the bakery.

1:06:10 - Caleb, Jester, and Beau go to Chastity’s Nook.

1:19:08 - Jester buys “The Courting of the Crick” for Caleb.

1:25:19 - Caleb makes bread mittens.

1:29:37 - Jester:  Why didn’t you just light your hands on fire instead of putting it in bread?  Caleb:  I would’ve burned the bread and then I couldn’t eat it. It’s simple.  Jester:  It’s toast. It’s actually really tasty.

1:31:46 - While Jester goofs around in the hotel room, Beau and Caleb have their first real talk about being “empire kids.”

1:33:12 - Beau: I just wanna make a ton of money and drink a lot of booze.

2:18:23 - Nott: You said that one of the members of their group is named Dolan?  If it comes up, no big, could you find out that guy’s last name? [...]  I know a guy named Dolan Taverski. [...]  No, [I] just have something of his.

2:58:55 - Fjord and Molly set a trap for Nott to learn why she was so intent on stealing from Fjord.  Molly charms her; they learn she was after his recommendation letter to the Soltryce Academy.

3:04:14 - Nott: Will you give me the letter? I could change your name on it to his name, and then he could use it to get into the school, and he could learn more powerful magic and then... he could change me.

Fjord: Change you?

Nott: He could change this. (Gestures to her face.)

3:24:34 - Jester casts Disguise Self to look like an elven woman.  Caleb casts Disguise Self to look like “the male version of the elven woman that Jester did.”  Liam and Laura are twinning again and I am going to cry forever.

3:39:16 - Molly baits the High Richter into revealing that she’s a horrible racist.  The gang decides that taking the job to ruin her life is probably okay.

3:48:29 - Dolan, about Jester: This is one of your associates?   Beau: Is that a problem?

3:49:11 - Beau aggressively makes sure the Knights of Requital aren’t going to be racist at the tieflings.  “People like her make you uncomfortable?  What about people like him? [...]  All right, just checking.”

[sonicskullsalt]

In the notes to this post, I also said that in places like the one shown above, distance is measured in time. eg It's only a few more minutes until we're there.

(You could also point out something that's close to where you want to go. It's behind that church. It's close to that tower.)

And in the German dub of S2E11, when Vax calls out Vex for following him to the temple, he does in fact say "I've heard you following me for a while now", when he's talking about "2 blocks" in English.

how do you know that TLOVM was written by Americans? Distances in any town and city can be measured in blocks

[dancer4813]

I assure you, she's worth it.

Molly, about Yasha

[dancer4813]

smart Travis gives me life

[dancer4813]

You are the muscle. [Beau] is the muscle. I am not the muscle.

Caleb Widogast

[dancer4813]

You've bought baked goods, you've bought smut, you've played in a hotel room... What do you want to do next?

Matt, giving a wonderful summary of half the party’s adventures

[dancer4813]

Laura is pushing this ship so hard and I’m so glad