TV shows WISH they had the character development of Critical Role
I've been thinking about Vox Machina as I am want to do, most days.
The development is those characters is Undeniable.
Lets start with Scanlan. Here is a man who left the group because 'they didn't see him as equal, as family.' This is a man who didn't believe he was worth everything he had. But in the end, he was willing to fight not one, but two gods for his family. Who cried at having to use a spell that he had saved. Who was ready to fight the Raven Queen for Vax even after defeating Vecna, no spell slots, just ready to go. A man who went from running from daughter to, "Is that my baby girl?!" A man who went from incessant flirting with Pike, to realising that he wanted to know her as a Person, not just as a Love Interest. Scanlan matured so much through out the campaign.
Now, Grog. He never stopped being a lumbering idiot; he never stopped being duped by magical swords; he was never wise or clever but he was Good. He went from chasing power in magical weapons and increased strength to trusting his family. "My strength is in my friends," will always be the expression of Grog's growth. His heart is just as big as his fists.
Pike grows into her fists. She learns to deal with the loss and pain of reviving her friends. She steps up into the role of the Mum Of The Party but also, she doesn't ever forget to take time to get drunk and goof around. I think her relationship with Scanlan shows this very well. Her cool rejection of Scanlan continuously only to realise how much she loves him when he is gone. And her family!! At the beginning of the campaign, Pike would have forgiven her family immediately despite their lies but when they come in, around Episode 90, she forgives them much less. She cuts them off and teaches them that she can't be taken advantage of.
Keyleth's growth is some of the absolute best. She goes from a nervous and unsure wreck to a confident woman, who is ready to lead her people. Marisha said that the Kraken fight is when she began to feel ready to be the Voice of the Tempest and you can completely see that! She begins to take more control, to feel more confident in herself. Her passion shines so bright throughout.
Percy holds a really special place for me in terms of development. He was not a Good person when he began. The man who tortured an innocent carriage driver because of the people he worked for is not the same man who said, "I'm so tired of hurting people." Percy mellowed as the campaign progressed and one of the most important point for that is Glintshore, when he forgives Anna Ripley, despite everything. He gains a family who manage to pull him out of his dark and revenge driven nature. He loves his wife so much and Briarwoods style Percy would never have done that. He's still arrogant and pompous but he is less haunted.
Vex'ahlia finds a family. After hiding from them for so very long, she has found happiness in people other than her brother. She trusts people and the most important thing is, she begins to learn to relinquish her hold on money. She gives up her own WEDDING RING to save Lieve'tel, a woman she hasn't known very long at all! In the end, love is so much more important than money.
And last but by no means least, Vax. Vax finds purpose. He finds family and love and affection in Vox Machina. He finds a desire to go far within the Raven Queen's quest and he stops being so afraid. He learns to be kind as well as harsh through the mistakes of Kynan.
In short, Vox Machina grew so much in their 115 episodes and I love them.
