Return to Vasselheim | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 43 

Vax: 'Do you know what math is?' Grog: 'Mathis?' I'm dead.

Vax: Somebody help me out of this closet. Gilmore: Gladly.

Best line of the year (for me) Vex: Yes, yes, yes Keyleth is so f*cking beautiful I get it. Vax: Well, so are you, but what the f*ck am I going to do with that? Jeez, You're f*cking weird.

My favorite thing about the whole Kash & Keyleth thing is that I got the definite impression that Will intended it as a dramatic exit for a character he didn't expect to return, and now here we are benefitting from the consequences of that choice.

Between Kima and Pike, I believe the sound of the gods may in fact be "clinkclinkclinkclink".

Victor the Black Powder Vendor is the only character Mercer needs on his resume

Who's here on their 2024 watch through?

"Help me get out of this closet!" "You're a lockpick, it's literally your thing." "I rolled a 1"

Dummies Guide to Vox Machina Matt: You encounter a bridge spanning a 100 ft. chasm. Vox: We cross the bridge. Matt: As you cross the bridge, it creaks and groans under the weight of Grog. Vex: I haggle the bridge. Scanlan: I aid Vex. Grog: I intimidate the bridge. Vax: I aid Grog. Keyleth: I cast druidcraft to give the bridge a flower. Percy: I suggest we just cross the bridge and be on our way. Maybe let Grog go last by himself. Matt: Your efforts largely have no effect, and its creaking increases the further you traverse it. Vex/Vax/Grog: We burn the bridge. Keyleth: I inadvertently burn the bridge much harder than anyone else. Percy: This is a terrible idea. This bridge serves a purpose and could be useful later. Scanlan: But it's an amusing idea. *A series of spells and saving throws later* Matt: You narrowly are able to cross the bridge before its ashen ruins fall into the deep chasm. Vox: I think this went well. Scanlan: It could have been worse. Percy: This is why we don't have many friends.

"He gets 4 actions?!" And so Beau was born.

Zarah has a kind of "best friend's cool and good looking older sister who is back from college" vibe.

Matt sarcastically defends the art of healing potion-making after Luara calls them a waste of money is the best.

Matt: *Unintelligible whispers* Me: *Volume up* Keyleth: *Drunk girl wasted yells* Me: *Dead*

"I choose my buddy, Pike" "She... she's not here, Grog" "I don't care, I just say it anyway" That hit me direct in the feels.

Grog's conversation with Kern is one of the best things I've seen in days. It feels like both Travis and Matt are trying to play super manly men, who are trying to open up to feelings, while neither of them know how to be a super manly man.

"He gets 4 actions??" "Monks, man" The moment marisha fell in love with dope monk shit

Victor absolutely steals the show. Watching Liam basically die from the scene is possibly my favorite thing ever.

You know you're a spectacular DM when you get a standing ovation from your players

Dying of laughter at Vex telling him he has been hunter's marked and the merchant being so distraught saying " I don't even know what that means."

Vax, Vex, Kashaw, and Zhara collectively agreeing on how hot Keyleth is is my favorite thing

1:43:50 The entire party is drunk and Vax is stuck in a closet. Percy: I just want to say, I don't think the dragons stand a chance. I love them

I constantly marvel at Travis' ability to RP Grog as stupid and likable. Multi million dollar movies can't write that kind of character half as well as Travis can improv one.

I am cry-laughing. And I am definitely going to adopt "Are you a Vax man, or a Vex man?" as a way to ask about someone's sexuality. That was a gem.

Scene 1: Vax telling Kashaw how much he admires him Scene 2: Vax can’t get out of the closet

"Yes, it's Percival do you remember me?" "No!" I fucking lost it and Liam just continuing to lose his shit throughout the entire encounter had me in tears.

I love how Vex is such a good sister to the point she would take out her brothers lovers competitor. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 "I can take him out".

I am praying that in the next season of Legend of Vox Machina that we get to see Victor animated. He’s right up there with Gilmore. Even the players all got excited like “Percy you need black powder right??” Just to see Victor again.

Taliesin not breaking once during Victor's bit but dying over Kash and Keyleth's moment is honestly great

Kashaw was an entire mood. "I'm cold and still haven't been paid." That is the best way to describe anything outside really.

1:17:26 *percy* - yeah, its percival, do you remenber me? *victor* - NO. liam´s face though, he just lost it.

The fact that Victor is not only a ridiculously colorful character, but also has character progression makes him the single greatest NPC in the whole campaign 🤣🤣🤣

Keyleth and Kashaw trying to have a conversation, and BOTH being socially awkward introverts who are bad at communicating is just the best.

Not gonna lie, Will is one of my favorite guests. "What are you doing here?" "I live here; what are *you* doing here?" And not a beat was missed. :D

Me: Nothing can beat the cow episode. Critical Role: Hold my ale.

"Yes, it's Percival. Do you remember me?" "NO!" 1:17:23

I love that went Kashaw says that he won money by betting on Kerns, Grog becomes super proud of that, not understanding that he bet on Grog losing.

40:59 "She gave us a lot to sphinx about", an underrated Sam Riegel classic.

Keyleth: "I lost... a quarter of my civilization!" *drunkenly sad-laughs* Kash: "...That IS funny."

1:20:48 lol I've watched this a thousand times and I only just noticed Taliesin mime quickly pouring out the coffee while Victor wasn't looking. I think I was usually too busy watching Liam dying and Matt being insane Plus the Ripley reveal impact in the top camera box. You have to really pay attention watching this show!

"I go taco, not hot dog." At that, Matt buries his head in his arms and quietly sighs.

I appreciate that Taliesin and only Taliesin was able to stay in-character for the entire Victor spiel xD

"50 gold." Victor the blackpowder maybe crazy, but he ain't stupid.

2:42:40 Keyleth and Kashaw trying to talk about their feelings Taliesin: Gone, can't keep it together anymore, physically holding the laughter in with his hands.

I love that look from Matt has he looks around the room as everyone is RPing in person flawlessly after the guests arrive. Just seeing all his efforts come together in these moments, has to be one of the most fulfilling feelings there is.

Tiberius didn't have enough mirrors to defend Draconia from the dragons.

Scanlan "She gave us alot to Sphinx about" ... I died laughing!

Sam: It's the Redskins fight song. Travis: *immediately stops smiling and starts contemplating his friend's untimely demise*

When the group refuses to work with the thieves guild in the previous episode because, “thieves bad,” but then attempts to rip off and subtly threatens the life of a merchant and his family over a few potions.

Matt: *invents an entire universe, keeps track of like 50 beings’ stats at once, transforms into at least 10 people per episode* Also Matt: the V stands for visual

"are you more of a Vax man or a Vex man?" I mean, yes? Yes.

Synopsis begins at 5:10, game at 6:31. Break from 1:45:52 to 2:00:00. Game ends at 3:43:05. [I've been doing this for every episode. If you find them useful, or think others might, please comment so they stay near the top where people can be find them. Thank you.]

this episode is a gift from god and im not even halfway in, from zahara and kash (and that with keyleth), the haggling, and Victor, im losing my mind laughing

I loved Grog's "date" with Kern.

"I cant get out of the closet, Grog help me!" - Vax machina have yet again been defeated by the doors!

"I'm just going to stay over here and fail to stay in character."

"I want my buddy Pike." I too, along with Grog sometimes say this even though she's not there

"My God, I love other people's problems." - One of Percy's best lines imho. Simple, yet great.

zahra: oh well you are beautiful aren't you? keylith:panics as she's in a room with kashaw and vax while marisha sits between them with her husband as the DM

i can just imagine their group chat being filled w/ "so talisen... we're going to get more powder right? you NEED more powder, WE need more powder"

"Scanlan, Vax... Do as I do (and I bow) " Gives me goosebumps everytime, that moment was a milestone for his character.

“there’s only one man for me” VAXILDAN-

Percy and Victor! Black Power buddies! How Taliesin kept in character I have no idea, I'm literally here crying with laughter

I just gotta say, Matt's portrayal of Viktor was ridiculously hilarious -- especially when somebody said something about Viktor's "character progression."

02:33 - Sam recaps 08:50 - The most important errand that needs to be done 11:08 - Grog wants a time limit on the shopping 13:11 - The return of Kashaw and Zahra! 13:36 - Zahra and Grog are best friends 14:08 - Kashaw and Keyleth are awkward 14:50 - Zahra and Vex are awesome 15:01 - Kashaw and Grog are not on the same page 15:49 - Kashaw and Percy don't speak the same language 19:48 - Grog's not great with the counting 40:19 - Zahra understands Grog 40:39 - Kashaw speaks the truth 41:35 - Kashaw sums it all up 43:35 - Vox Machina has quite the to do list 44:08 - A little Grog wisdom 48:00 - Scanlan understands Vanessa 49:01 - Kashaw and Zahra are awesome together 50:01 - Vex can read your fucking lips 51:21 - The twins discuss Keyleth 53:36 - Vex's favored enemy 55:49 - Do you know what math is? 57:13 - Kashaw asks the important questions 58:49 - This is what happens with Vox Machina haggles as a group 1:04:25 - Kashaw intimidates for the first time in his life 1:15:56 - The black powder merchant 1:25:00 - Zahra drinks hard 1:26:31 - Grog will forever be known as Phillip 1:28:07 - The difference between Percy and Scanlan 1:31:41 - Planning is even worse when they're drunk 1:33:49 - Grog and Kern are ex-lovers 1:39:45 - Kashaw is not prepared for drunk Vox Machina 1:43:30 - Vax is stuck in the closet 1:44:29 - Do you go for Rogues or Rangers? 2:00:09 - Oh, shit, we forgot something. 2:15:32 - Kima kicks ass 2:34:07 - Kima is Grog's kindred spirit 2:35:36 - Kashaw knows when to intimidate and when to be quiet 2:40:33 - The Earthbreaker is awesome 2:41:23 - Kashaw and Keyleth don't clear anything up 2:47:50 - Sesame Street 2:51:33 - Grog chooses his dodgeball team 2:57:09 - Poor Scanlan 3:00:42 - The little gnome shocks all the monks 3:02:48 - Sam courts death 3:10:51 - Kill that monkey douche bag 3:14:45 - Vax almost dies 3:30:47 - Kashaw is loving this fight 3:38:02 - Scanlan is always trying to impress someone

The face on Matt after Laura says she's hunter's marked him is priceless!

1:44:28 "My god, I love other people's problems." This is the most relatable Percy quote

59:10 Scanlan: "Those are the Knick-Knacks of Kah!" Tal: "Taken from the Paddy-Whack Temple." Once again, the king of the underappreciated one liners that only Marisha hears.

1:34:13 Marisha being confused at Grog and Kern acting like they had an awkward one-night stand 😂😂

"Grog Strongjaw, Where do you find your strength?" "In my friends!" FUCKING PERFECTION!

"Where do you find your strength?" Grog, "my friends" Made my ass tear up

Kashaw, Keyleth, and Vax'illdan caught in a love triangle, Zhara and Vex'hallia very interested, grog reconciling with Kern. Percy and (out of all party members) Scanlan just hanging out clinking 🍻 and having an uncomplicated day.

"There's only one man for me" "It sure is dark in this closet!" I LOVE VAX SO MUCH HIS BISEXUAL ENERGY IS SO STRONG IN THIS EPISODE

I can't get over how Matt manages to keep a 'straight face' when he's in character with lunatics such as the gunpowder guy. I had tears streaming down my face laughing.

liam's face when matt does victor, liam is just so happy about matt's characters i love it.

As a sports fan, having Sam use the Washington football fight song to inspire Travis (a fan of the rival Cowboys) in that fight is just expert level trolling!

Such a small detail but when Vax pulled the dagger out of Grog's arm at 1:07:57 my jaw dropped a little. The fact that they can make such convincing sounds with just their voices is insane lol

Vax: Do you know what math is? Grog: Mathis? *dead*

1:02:07 Percy: "Not as beautiful as--" TALKING AND GESTURING TO LAURA. Third time rewatching and I never caught that before. Perc'ahlia FTW.

Between victor the black powder merchant and the merchant that was hunters marked and the man afraid at the bar Mercer looked like he was just having the time of his life and he was on fire 🤣🤣🤣🤣 what a talent. Real easy to forget this is all off the top of his head. Think I’m in love a bit🥹🥹. Side note: I’ve not even finished the episode just finished watching the victor scene for the fifth time.

Feel like Beauregard was born here, with Marisha watching this epic monk go sicko mode...

"She gave us a lot to sphinx about." Scanlan... don't change.

"But people, not weird creatures." I mean, a Goliath, three half-elves, a tiefling, a gnome, a bear...

I love how when they're passing potions between them, they pass the pen around. They're actually exchanging physical objects IRL as characters pass around potions.

1:39:30 Vax’s mild confusion at the thought that anyone could be completely straight is insanely relatable

Vex'ahlia's girl talk is just. She's so protective of her brother. Just. Yes

I love how Matt is just trying to hold himself not to burst laughing when he roleplayed Victor

Seeing the unabashed glee on Liam’s face whenever Matt plays Victor warms my heart every time! ❤

I finally understand why C2 is so interested in who is on the Tal'Dorei council.

Fraternal twin here; Laura and Liam continue to nail it. 10/10

I like how the gang has made it their mission in life to make Matt bring out the crazy prospectors voice as much as possible

I love those moments of genuine surprise like when Matt mentions “titan stone knuckles” and Travis just sits straight up jaw dropped.

Everything with the black powder merchant, 10/10. He needs to show up every 20 or so episodes.

Craven Edge is basically a clingy girlfriend that doesn't like it when you hang with your other buddies.

1:20:52 Percy dumps out the coffee while Victor is looking away LOL Subtle, but hilarious moment

That standing ovation was well deserved!! 👏 👏👏👏👏👏👏

3:40:37 Liams genius Princess Bride reference went completely unnoticed, but was situationally perfect

Matt's sarcasm at 1:13:20 ish is just ruthless. Given just how much control he has as a DM and how much smackdown he could theoretically bring down for all the power- and meta-gaming, his comments on their low opinion on healing potions is just raw. He's so good at keeping composure in these games, but that was so fun to watch. Savage.

Vex: "He's gonna take care of her!!" Vax: *whispers* I already Have.

1:17:20 - 1:17:45 had me full on crying with laughter. Who could have thought that just the word "No" could be one of the funniest things in this whole campaign so far.

Ironic for Vex'ahlia to be so determined to hunt dragons considering how much she acts like one. A lust for gold and a bit of a scorching breath. Especially with that burn last episode on Scanlan's philandering.