We have a pleasant return to Exandria as season four begins a year after the Chroma Conclave. Our spirited heroes known as Vox Machina have splintered, pursuing other interests. After a rousing musical number, we see Grog and Pike enjoying the fruits of a pub. Meanwhile, Vex Vessar grows accustom to noble life with her lover, Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski De Rolo III. Both parties are thrust back into the spirit of adventure by two strangers.
Grog and Pike meet Sir Taryon Darrington, an aloof heir who wants his name written in the annals of history with the likes of Vox Machina. Recent thefts of his family’s jewels push him to pursue the culprit. Pike reluctantly helps Grog on this misadventure when they encounter the hooded criminal. A chase reveals the thief to be Priestess Talia, someone from Pike’s past. Talia warns Pike that the Everlights lied and the old order will crumble. Before she can get any answers, Talia seemingly dies by suicide. Worried, Pike and Grog head to the Everlights accompanied by Taryon and his robot sidekick.
Meanwhile, Vex has grown bored with the routine of nobility. After overhearing gossip of an alleged panther on the loose, Vex sets out to put the creature down. As she investigates the nearby woods, Percival tries to awaken the Orb in the castle’s basement. He finally activates the sphere with a magic lantern unlocking its consuming magic. Soon, the orb pulls everything into its orbit. At the same time, Vex comes face-to-face with the beast: a blind, multi-legged creature with tentacles. Vex think she’s bested it, but it resurrects with vengeance. Fortunately, she and her companion, grizzly bear Trinket, decapitate it right as Percy stops the orb’s gravitational pull. Both the creature and orb emit similar power.
The episode closes revealing Priestess Talia survived. She’s seen handing the stolen stone to a hooded figure who places it in a sacred blade. The figure approaches a malnourished man; the subject of what appears to be a ritual. The figure asks the man if he’s ready to see, fight and die for “Him.” He obliges as the knife slides into his back. The stone immerses into his skin, transforming the thin man into a muscled warrior. Other hooded figures chant, “For we are the blood.”
Episode one is a solid reentry into this world. If one is unfamiliar with this series, the writing helps deduce certain character traits and familiar fantasy narrative points. It’s clear an ancient evil is being set as this season’s antagonist, while Pike must reconcile how a pillar of her own upbringing may be connected. The action is solid and voice acting superb, as the characters jump of the screen. I’m sure the latest mystery will reunite our merry heroes when they need each other most. All in all, decent.
Rating: 7/10