Following the defeat of the Chroma Conclave in “The Legend of Vox Machina” season 3, the heroes split up across Exandria. Best buddies Grog and Pike stayed together, likely continuing along as adventurers. Unlike the other Vox Machina members, their future was a bit more fluid, with the only constant being their friendship.
Throughout the first three seasons Pike has struggled with her faith in the Everlight. She has felt abandoned by her God, and meeting Zerxus in the Hells only further sowed seeds of doubt. This has become an integral part of her character, especially in the wake of so much death and destruction from the Chroma Conclave. It will likely continue to play an important part as they face the dangers of the Whispered One.
In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Ashley Johnson and Travis Willingham tease Pike and Grog’s emotional journeys this season. Johnson shares how Pike’s crisis of faith will continue to be a key aspect of her story as it “comes to a head” this season. Willingham makes it clear that Pike is at the center of Grog’s story as he steps up for his best buddies in a big way.
“Pike Has Always Had A Crisis Of Faith”
Temple of Geek: I love Pike’s arc this season, and it’s so cool because it feels like we’ve been leading to it throughout the entire show. How has Pike’s struggle with faith really set up this darker path and storyline that we’re going to see her go down this season?
Ashley Johnson:
Oh, yeah. Okay, I will say this is my favorite season. I love it so much. I feel like we definitely have plussed the emotional damage that we will cause to people on purpose. And Pike has always had a crisis of faith, which anyone who is a person of faith, it’s going to happen. This is definitely, it all comes to a head for Pike in this season. I think it also, in some ways, sets us up for what is to come even in the next following season. It’s sort of the beginning of a lot. I’m trying to figure out how to navigate this.
Travis Willingham:
Dancing between raindrops.
Ashley Johnson:
But there was so much of this that we didn’t get to explore in the campaign at the table. And knowing that this is such a huge part of Pike is her crisis of faith, and we really got to go deep into that this season.
During the first campaign of “Critical Role,” Johnson was filming “Blindspot” in New York. This meant she was often unavailable during the streams, so Pike would be on her own adventures off screen. While she was an integral part of Vox Machina, Pike’s character wasn’t able to be as fully explored as some of the others. “The Legend of Vox Machina” has changed that.
Pike’s story has been at the forefront. It seems clear this crisis of faith was a storyline that Johnson has wanted to fully flesh out for years. Given Johnson’s careful answer and hints at setting up more for next season, it seems like Pike’s struggle may be at the center of season four. It could come to a head with the Whispered One, especially with the darker, more cult-like aspects that have been teased in the trailers.
Grog Is An Anchor For Pike In The Legend Of Vox Machina Season 4
Temple of Geek: Travis, I love that we see Grog really kind of stepping into a role as the heart of Vox Machina in a way that I don’t think I had fully anticipated because he’s always so funny and more comedic in that aspect. What has Grog’s journey been, especially as he becomes a support system for the people around him?
Travis Willingham:
This season’s so great. It’s so funny. We were talking about how simple Grog is. And I think his view on the world can really be simplified down in just a few things, but one of them is Pike. I think he’s just always aware of how his little buddies is doing. And when she starts to be off, then things are off, right? It’s not necessarily imminent threats or how he is. I think he’s just focused on her.
And one of the things that I’ve loved about this season is watching him be an anchor for Pike when she really starts to spiral or where things start to get really chaotic and hectic. He can just really drill down to like, “Hey, if you were curious, for me, it’s family, it’s home; you’ll always have a place regardless of all these other things that are sort of affecting you.” And I think that’s a beautiful mirror of not just their relationship, but also what that entire group of Vox Machina has found in each other.
And not to be super cheesy about it, but also what we’ve found in ourselves as castmates and as friends over the last 15 years, whatever it is now. Because we’re old and gray, Caitlin. We’re withering right in front of your eyes. But it’s just been amazing to watch Grog be able to… It’s been amazing to watch them lean on each other depending on which season you’re in. At the end of the day, that’s really all you need to be able to persevere. And so that’s a wonderful thing to see in these characters.
While Grog has always been the tank in a fight and comic relief among the party, he has an unexpected vulnerability as well. Grog’s vulnerability and strength are never more clear than in how he interacts with Pike. While Grog may have a relatively simple view of the world, it makes him the perfect person for Pike to lean on as she grapples with her crisis of faith.
He knows his heart and what he believes to be right. Pike is the center of his world, and when hers is tilting on its axis, Grog stands strong to be the center of hers. Grog gives this support and protection to the other members of Vox Machina as well as the innocent people of Exandria. Grog has, rather unexpectedly, become the heart of Vox Machina, and that may become more clear than ever in the fourth season.
“The Legend of Vox Machina” returns for its fourth season on June 3 on Prime Video. The first three seasons are available to watch on Prime Video now.
