Campaign synopsis: “Hero to many. Enemy to some. When Thjazi Fang is marked for execution, various figures from across his remarkable life unite to uncover the truth behind his grim fate. In a land still suffering from the fallout of dead gods and living in the shadow of a tumultuous rebellion, these disparate people will come together across the fractured world of Aramán and connect in ways they never imagined.
As hope and victory fade, a question hangs over Aramán. Without the Gods, what great deeds now fall to us? And who, or what, shall grab their crown from themselves?”
Episode synopsis: The Fall of Thjazi Fang – “A politically suspicious execution brings the friends, family, and enemies of noted war hero Thjazi Fang to the city of Dol-Makjar to celebrate a life well-adventured…”
I was of two minds whether or not I write these reviews. I don’t have anyone in my life that watches Critical Role so I don’t get to talk about what’s going on. Which is why I wanted to write these posts. I usually have a lot of thoughts and opinions about what’s going on in each episode and I’d like to share those with someone. So welcome, that someone is you!
I will be posting these ‘reviews’ every Thursday. So one week after each episode airs – I want to give everyone a chance to watch the full episode before posting. I say ‘reviews’ as they’re likely to be a little chaotic and not really me analysing a lot of the story. I will get around to analysing the story but nota lot has happened yet so bare with me.
It has begin (iykyk)
The tension of the opening is crazy. I won’t lie, the cold opening had me a little thrown as it’s so unlike any Critical Role I’ve ever watched, but I actually liked it. Cold openings are great when done well, this one was great but it took me a minute to understand what was going on.
The first role of the campaign being a natural 20 is actually insane. Honestly, knowing Critical Role, this doesn’t bode well for the campaign.
Characters
First episodes are always so special to me. Getting to see art for new characters is so exciting. The artist(s) did such a good job. I love how much personality each portrait has. I avoided looking at anything to do with the campaign before it started as I wanted to see everything for the first time during the broadcast. I’m genuinely interested in every single character, which I didn’t think would happen with 13 player characters.
Finding out Liam will be playing a bard made me really excited. I was hoping his new character wouldn’t be yet another broody man, but here we are. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as this episode is literally his brother’s funeral. Also Hal looks like a knock off Fjord – sorry Liam, but Fjord is no.1 hottie in the world of Critical Role for me. He didn’t need to choose a green orc with a white streak in black hair. That’s literally Fjord.
Tyranny is 100% my favourite character so far. I literally gasped when I saw her character art. She came in at the right moment, everything was a little too serious for my liking. It took me a while to get ‘the basement is flooded’ but it’s easily the best line of the first episode. Forget all of the serious, stoic stuff they all said about Thjazi and what’s going on.
So interesting that Sam has decided to play a cleric again. Can’t wait to see what ridiculous spiritual weapons he comes up with in this campaign. Also I’m not joking when I say I had a mouth full of biscuits when he spat his drink everywhere. I legit could have choked.
Sam’s characters always feel like they’re a joke to begin with but you just know he’s got the most heartbreaking backstory cooking in the background. I don’t think I’ll ever be over the reveal of Veth in campaign two.
Laura Bailey the actor that you are. Death saving throws for your character’s introduction is WILD. What an insane performance for episode one. I know next to nothing about these characters but she had me tearing up. I’m kinda sad she’s given Thimble a voice that is very similar to her own though. She always uses an elaborate accent for her characters, so it’s quite disappointing. Big up to Marisha, Travis and Robbie for giving their character’s interesting voices.
The set
The new set is so beautiful. There’s a lot going on and it’s a bit overwhelming, but that’s because I’m so used to seeing very simple sets behind them. As someone that loves little trinkets, it’s like it was made for me. Just give my ADHD brain a couple of weeks to catalogue every tiny detail of it and I’ll stop getting distracted.
I really loved the background changing to night. It looks stunning. I thought the lighting for the campaign three set was impressive but this one is something else entirely. Big shout out to the production team for putting all of it together.
The cooldown
I wasn’t a Beacon member during campaign three so I never got to watch the cooldown, but boy am I glad I’m a member now. I love the cooldowns. It’s so interesting to see everyone instantly break character to talk about what just happened.
I’m glad I watched the cooldown as Brennan says that the first episodes are an ‘overture’ so we won’t always have this same format. I did think the constant swapping of seats took away from the immersion of the story, so hopefully that isn’t something that happens all the time. I was very happy that all the characters were involved. I’ve never watched Alex, Whitney or Luis play before, but they were all great. Part of me does wish Abubakar Salim and Aimee Carrero were members of the main cast, they were my favourite guest characters in campaign three.
Have you watched episode one yet? Let me know your favourite moment!
Check out Young Creative Press on all socials
You can also check out my StoryGraph here
Like this post? Why not read this one too: The Best Of: Beautiful Book Covers #36
[…] Like this post? Why not read this one too: Critical Role Review: Campaign 4 Episode 1 […]