Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E38 “A Heavy Crown”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Jared Deiro, the Critical Role Junior Lore Keeper! Let’s dive into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 38 A Heavy Crown!

WARM WELCOME

All of the king’s forces and all the king’s friends sit in Brauwla’s Public House in Sloak as Demodus Blix announces the arrival of his friend Occtis Tachonis, causing every head to whip toward the Seekers. This immediately creates a tornado of confusion to clear up, like: Is that Occtis or is that Sebastian Novell?! The Tachonis turned on Occtis?! Why does Bolaire have filament Tattoos?? – But alas, the ruckus is soothed when the wizard Occtis mentions their mutual friend, Murray Mag’Nesson. Gus, being forever indebted to her, drops his guard and welcomes his friends to the revelry.

Though not all are as welcoming as the stately King Gus Valian, as Archmage Demodus Blix recognizes the shady smuggler, Pimley Morn, who sold Demodus to the Crow Keepers. Demodus immediately demands the Timmonish knights seize Pimley and arrest him.

INTRODUCTIONS

Boar and pours are served, while proper introductions are made. Prince Rowan is in awe upon meeting his sword-savant hero, Julien Davinos, and King Gus is in awe upon meeting a working man of the realm like Kattigan Vale.

Ulbid tries his best to get Pimley out of the hot seat with Demodus, learning more about his nephew’s dark Dol-Makjar schemes. He finds his nephew’s criminal antics disappointing and a disgrace. Pimley’s perspective on his life is upended when Bolaire tells him he seems to be taking terrible care of his life, if he feels it is worth so much. Kattigan decides to spend the rest of the night breaking Pimley out of his manacles.

Across the tavern, Julien Davinos flirts it up with Baroness Winifred Cosgrove, while Demodus and Occtis join the King’s Table to catch up on all things wizard and Timmony, like how the Creed is fomenting insurrection in Timmony, and how Gus needs to declare war with Tachonis after they petrified a Hound of the King (Groveland) even though Timmony is not strong enough to take them.

OPENING UP

Thimble pulls Julien outside and apologizes for coming in hot about Thjazi, but Julien knows the man in his shadow weighs his worth. Nonetheless, Thimble is grateful to be here with Julien, and Thimble is starting to grow on him as well.

Vaelus trades war stories and tales of her past as she plays a tile game of chance with the Hounds. She plays honorably and gains the respect of the canine knights. They tell Vaelus of a dog named Omen, who lives in Houndsport and holds the soul of a knight who has taken the lives of many of their order.

Bolaire and Thimble step away to watch the rain fall. He tells her that he’s been afraid of leaving Dol-Makjar because he’s afraid of the change – but he sees it as a chance to discover himself. Bolaire knows fear; he’s capable of instilling it, and he feels fear out of self-preservation. He feels alone in his theater. Thimble reveals has no idea who she is now that she’s away from her life with Thjazi.

Kattigan springs his plan to break out Pimley and completely botches his distraction tactic. BUT he manages to slip Pimley his thieves’ tools right before he’s pulled aside for an arm-wrestling match with the king.

Julien spars and flirts with Baroness Cosgrove as they step toward the King’s carriages. The Duchess Lisabetta pulls Julien aside and tells him she finds the young noble a cruel and thoughtless man. She is not only saving Baroness Cosgrove from possible embarrassment but also Julien. Repentant, Julien wishes Baroness Cosgrove a good evening and leaves the two ladies for the night. The Baroness is left heartbroken.

AUDIENCE

When Occtis helps Thimble find a dress with the Duchess and Baroness, Lisabetta pulls him aside to suggest another tactic to gain Timmony’s aid: create a schism within his house by publicly denouncing his family and declaring himself the true Lord Tachonis. Timmony would then put their support behind him. This path unnerves Occtis, but he promises to consider it.

Bolaire brings Vaelus a drink and tells her he thinks she is mourning what her life used to be. Vaelus can’t understand him, and it scares her, he imagines that’s because she can’t understand what she is, either. She doesn’t like what he did to the man he’s wearing [Lux Pierce]. Bolaire tells her that she shouldn’t, calling himself a monster.

Gus and Kattigan arm wrestle and Gus tells Kattigan that it’s rare in this world for anyone whose hands feel like his to find his voice reaching the ears of those in power. What he chooses to do with that gift is his own business. Kattigan disagrees, it shouldn’t be someone like him. Gus tells the ranger that it can’t be anyone else.

Gus then turns to the room, assembles his court, and readies himself for an audience with the Seekers, just as Pimley Morn comes out of the shadow, holding his manacles. The smuggler thanks Kattigan for looking out for him. He’s here to help, whatever it costs him.

That is it for Episode 38 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• That Pimley scene where he confronts his life’s choices was heavy. Love how straight and honest Ulbid is.
• OOOOooooo JULIEN, that was actually gut-wrenching to watch. I feel so bad for Baroness Cosgrove.
• Arm wrestling with King Gus was peak.

Catch Episode 39 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, October 15th at 7pm Pacific on beacon.tv, where Beacon members get access to the entire episode, podcast included! The episode will also release on twitch.tv/criticalrole and on youtube.com/criticalrole and in two parts on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?