Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina offers justice for Keyleth

The premiere season Legend of Vox MachinaThe series is nearing its final day, and the finale will air on Friday. The Criterion Role series has been a favorite of many, with longtime critics seeing their heroes fall into the same patterns as the Briarwood arc. Fans of other campaigns and newer fans of Vox Machina have enjoyed at least nine episodes, following the characters’ relationships, epic battles and sometimes falling in love. But they’ve also witnessed something else: redemption for Keyleth, one of Critical Role’s most powerful and, at times, controversial characters.

Strangely, this transformation is nothing to do with a stolen love. The original story was stolen.

[Warning: What follows contains spoilers for season 1 of The Legend of Vox Machina]

In the first season, viewers have had front row seats to the lingering looks between Marisha Ray’s Keyleth and Vax’ildan, played by Liam O’Brien. After several episodes filled with soft smiles and close contact in fight sequences as well as one sweet moment in magic shop where Vax made the announcement that fans have been anticipating in episode 9, Vax finally makes his big move.

“You know I’m in love with you, right?” he blurts out.

To which Keyleth responds: “Wait, what? Now?!”

It’s a surprising moment for viewers, and perhaps a confusing one for longtime fans of Critical Role since things played out a little differently the first time around. In the original moment, during episode 33 of Critical Role’s first season, Vax turns to Keyleth and offers his declaration of love — and then lands a kiss. It’s a now-iconic turning point in the campaign, opening up the floor for inter-party romance, and a noticeable omission from the animated show’s otherwise pretty faithful depiction of events.

Image: Prime Streaming

Keyleth’s character in animated series mirrors Ray’s portrayal of her on the original show. The animation was refined for the new format and Keyleth is exactly the same. According to an interview that Ray gave in 2018, Keyleth’s social awkwardness and uncertainty stemmed at least in part from Ray’s own nerves at joining a table full of established voice actors. But she took ownership of that early role-play decision and made it a core part of Keyleth’s character. Keyleth’s playstyle allowed her to feel doubt at key moments. This sometimes led to an in-game misstep or moment of conflict. In an early episode, Ray began to weep in character, as Keyleth attempted to convey her inner turmoil at Vox Machina’s cavalier approach to murder. In her very first animation series, she questions the group as to why they are still together.

Keyleth’s anxieties and self-doubt stem, at least in part, from her concerns about her ability to take on the role she is destined for later in life, as leader of the Air Ashari druids. The party often suffers from her fear of failure. Keyleth becomes panicky when she is confronted by a dragon during an initial battle. Vex then has to force her to move. She struggles later to harness her power when she is asked to illuminate a corridor in darkness.

It’s a surprising choice when you consider that Keyleth, as a druid, has vast quantities of elemental power at her disposal. You might find it tempting to portray a highly-skilled magical character (and sometimes overpowered class), with confidence and bravado. Then you can use the strongest spell to your advantage to your advantage. Ray’s choices instead shape Keyleth as someone wrestling with the enormity of her powers, constantly grappling with her own insecurities and self-doubt, and based on the understanding that these kinds of anxieties can have a toll on how people react under pressure. She knew that she would have to face her fears and become more resilient to lead her people.

Some viewers of the actual play firmly disagreed with many of Keyleth’s choices. Due to the fact that the play was live, some viewers were able to criticize Keyleth’s choices in real-time, filling Twitch chat with hateful comments. Ray was even attacked by some of these people. It was persistent and sometimes hung over live games like an ever-present dark cloud. Ray was also harassed on social media. Matthew Mercer, and others in the cast were often compelled to report her harassment.

What’s fascinating about the situation is that Ray is both a cast member on Critical Role, and simultaneously the company’s creative director. Ray was instrumental in the transformation of Critical Role to the multi-platform multimedia company it is today. He also served as the creative director for shows such as You can’t play if you work all the time, Exandria UnlimitedAnd more. In interviews and media appearances, the persona she presents behind the scenes is distinctly different from Keyleth’s brand of awkward deference. Ray is a commanding presence in the room. She makes difficult decisions every day that have a direct impact on the whole organization. A core of toxic fans still hold grudges against Ray’s portrayal Keyleth.

Ray has discussed the toxic nature of both her and her character’s treatment in several interviews. She believes that Keyleth’s dislike stems from her inability to see a character who is anxious and flawed as her true self.

“Any kind of questioning or self doubt, people are like, ‘can’t lead’,” Ray offers in an interview last year. She smiles ruefully before she offers a ringing: “Nah. Keyleth will be the leader. She’s gonna show that you can, that people like Keyleth can rise to the occasion.”

As Ray noted in her recent appearance on Critical Role’s Twitch channel (in a subscribers-only video clip), growth was a goal with Keyleth from the start, all the way down to her character design. In the animated series, viewers are given the opportunity not only to see Keyleth overcome small moments of uncertainty, but are also treated to the visualization of her power — power she wields first as small blooms of flowers or vines, that blossoms into blazing orbs of pure sunlight and towering walls of ice. Members of her own party are forced to acknowledge her prowess: Percy comments on his pride in her, and even Vex, who has no reservations about vocalizing her doubt of Keyleth’s abilities, slowly begins to come around.

Image: Prime Streaming

The budding relationship between Keyleth and Vax also charts Keyleth’s growing confidence. Their romance doesn’t have the space of 33 episodes this time around, but we get flashes that are, in many ways, even more illustrative of that transformation.

The pace of things is slow at first, but there are hints that something is brewing between Vax and Keyleth. Keyleth is the first to arrive when Vax throws himself from the palace window, and she literally goes feral when he’s wounded in episode 5. Her feelings are clear in moments of need, when there isn’t time for uncertainty — when Vax is hurt, or threatened. Otherwise, Keyleth’s naivete prevents her from experiencing Vax’s lingering looks as the viewer does: as a clear expression of interest.

When Vax announces his love, it’s earned — Vax’s yearning has been obvious from the get-go. Keyleth’s awareness of his interest is less certain, as is the viewers’ understanding of her stance on a potential romance. And so her surprise and vocal dismay at Vax’s announcement felt earned, too, even if it pushed the kiss actual play fans might have anticipated to the wayside. It’s a deft move on the part of the writers and animators, because it allows Keyleth the thing that she has always needed — time to process her feelings and understand before she responds. When and if Vax’s declaration evolves into something more, Keyleth will have had time to meet him there, as an equal.

Image: Prime Streaming

At the end of episode 6, as the group’s cleric Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson) splits off from the party, she turns to Keyleth and offers the pointed line: “You’re their light now.” As contradictory as it may seem, the abbreviated timeline of the animated series actually gives Keyleth the time she needs to rise to the occasion — the heightened stakes allow the audience to witness her confidence and powers develop as the series progresses, without hundreds of hours of delay. Keyleth has a sweet personality. She is sweet, kind and well-meaning. Although she sometimes stumbles, her uncertainty and anxiety do not diminish her ability to be strong. She’s completely her own person, which makes it easy to relate. She delivers when it matters.

Simply stated, she shines.