Summary
An army of the undead descends upon the Vox Machina in this stirring, episode-length battle.
This recap of Amazon’s The Legend Of Vox Machina season 1, episode 9, “The Tide Of Bone” contains spoilers.
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Creating a great villain is a hard task, just look at the last few Bond films for just a couple of examples. One of the best tricks a writer has in making a great villain is to humanize them. “The Tide Of Bone” opens with a flashback of a much younger version of the Briarwood’s and manages to do just that. Sylas is on his deathbed and in desperation Delilah turns to black magic in order to resurrect her dying husband. He is reborn, yet with no reflection and possibly no heart either (this will explain the vampire antics). How dare you make me sympathize with such dastardly creatures.
The Legend Of Vox Machina season 1, episode 9 recap
In the present, a much eviler Delilah has gone ahead and sent forth a horde of the undead to ruin the Vox Machina’s latest victory. Even the hanged villagers, which were dressed up to look like the gang, have sprung back to life with sinister pink eyes. Our heroes must fend off this new zombie army, reinstating the old saying that there’s no rest for the wicked. Thousands of the undead stumble through Whitestone and our gang try their damnedest to escape. Luckily the Resistance are on hand to direct them to a nearby safe house.
Whilst in the safe house, Desnay asks Percy what their next move is, stating that he is the rightful heir after all and the suitable leader to replace him. Percy doesn’t want to be a leader though and walks away from the conversation. The simmering romance between Keyleth and Vax starts to find traction and they share a few stolen minutes together. Then Scanlan is attacked by a zombie, who takes a nice chunk out of his arm. The freedom fighters escape onto the roof and return to battle.
Throughout this extensive fight, the gang find time for more witty one liners and show off their many skills. The Duke returns and challenges Scanlan to a rematch. The fight is a little one sided though, what with Scanlan’s arm hanging off and his magic drained. Don’t worry, Keyleth’s to the rescue, as she summons an avalanche of ice to block out the encroaching zombie apocalypse. The survivors rendezvous at the Sun Tree and take a well-deserved break.
The ending
Percy’s need to become a leader has been laid on pretty thick this episode, so it’s no surprise when he makes his motivational speech to the remaining soldiers. This reinvigorating moment is short lived, as the undead break through the ice with the help of a few giants. The gang are clearly outnumbered and already exhausted from the last fight. The Vox Machina say their famous last words and acknowledge their achievements. There’s added tension, after the earlier death it feels like anyone is expendable.
There may not have been any jaw-dropping moments in this episode (see what I did there?), but this is another solid installment in the series. Everything you’ve come to expect from The Legend Of Vox Machina.
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