I think the 3 eps per month schedule is a big part of why I'm able to stay up to date. When they pitched the schedule as "so that viewers can catch up, and so that we can sometimes sleep maybe" I really only saw (and appreciated, for the record; they should sleep!) the second half, but it turns out that the first half is also true.
I had similar issues with C2. For the most part, I like the cast a lot as individuals; Caleb is great, Jester is great, and it was so fun to watch Travis in such a different role. I like the setting and plot! It's more polished and very watchable. ...But it doesn't have that spark that made me get really into specific characters/dynamics/themes the way I was with C1. The only dynamic that really got me was Jester and the Traveler, because I'm team codependency; meanwhile C1 has codependency for literal days.
Days, get it, because the runtime is so long.
I haven't watched TLoVM yet but I'm so excited to because the Briarwood arc is where I fell deep into Critical Role, and in general C1 is, tonally, thematically, something I think would be relevant to your interests when you get to it. It's comparably a lot darker and angstier, and while I argue with how some of the romances play out the general tone is a lot more like ... personal, interpersonal, a lot of grief and anger, a lot of character and relationship growth hinging on grief and anger. It's also an absolute hot mess to get in to, quality-wise; I started from episode 1 and skipped nothing, and that is a decision I stand by but it also involves suffering. It also goes more "traditional" DnD insofar as everyone becomes an overpowered demigod famously fighting a pretty uninspiring villain. It's rougher in terms of raw quality. Some of the playing is rougher, too; Marisha especially struggles, which is emotionally complicated to watch given that she's also the fandom's punching bag for whateverthefuck reason. The energy with guest players can be uhhhhhh unpleasant, IMO. And of course it's a hell of a lot to take on when the buy-in is, like, literal hundreds of hours or more depending if you try to watch it instead of/alongside another campaign.
I seriously consider rewatching it sometimes, which? must be indicative of something? given the aforementioned hundreds of hours. But I'm 100% team "it will be there if/when you want it" because you kinda gotta pick your battles with this sort of media consumption.
I have good vibes from C3 so far. What I love most is that the ladies are absolute show-stealers, and like: good, finally, especially for Marisha, who has killed it, although Imogen is my favorite I think. It also feels so well written on Matt's side, particularly how to distinguish each campaign while allowing them to more obvious interconnections between them. As always, it will probably hinge on the relationships for me; tragic backstories are good but what I really thirst for is complicated inter-player dynamics. And for Laudna/Imogen. And polyam-Crownkeepers. Obviously.
no subject
I had similar issues with C2. For the most part, I like the cast a lot as individuals; Caleb is great, Jester is great, and it was so fun to watch Travis in such a different role. I like the setting and plot! It's more polished and very watchable. ...But it doesn't have that spark that made me get really into specific characters/dynamics/themes the way I was with C1. The only dynamic that really got me was Jester and the Traveler, because I'm team codependency; meanwhile C1 has codependency for literal days.
Days, get it, because the runtime is so long.
I haven't watched TLoVM yet but I'm so excited to because the Briarwood arc is where I fell deep into Critical Role, and in general C1 is, tonally, thematically, something I think would be relevant to your interests when you get to it. It's comparably a lot darker and angstier, and while I argue with how some of the romances play out the general tone is a lot more like ... personal, interpersonal, a lot of grief and anger, a lot of character and relationship growth hinging on grief and anger. It's also an absolute hot mess to get in to, quality-wise; I started from episode 1 and skipped nothing, and that is a decision I stand by but it also involves suffering. It also goes more "traditional" DnD insofar as everyone becomes an overpowered demigod famously fighting a pretty uninspiring villain. It's rougher in terms of raw quality. Some of the playing is rougher, too; Marisha especially struggles, which is emotionally complicated to watch given that she's also the fandom's punching bag for whateverthefuck reason. The energy with guest players can be uhhhhhh unpleasant, IMO. And of course it's a hell of a lot to take on when the buy-in is, like, literal hundreds of hours or more depending if you try to watch it instead of/alongside another campaign.
I seriously consider rewatching it sometimes, which? must be indicative of something? given the aforementioned hundreds of hours. But I'm 100% team "it will be there if/when you want it" because you kinda gotta pick your battles with this sort of media consumption.
I have good vibes from C3 so far. What I love most is that the ladies are absolute show-stealers, and like: good, finally, especially for Marisha, who has killed it, although Imogen is my favorite I think. It also feels so well written on Matt's side, particularly how to distinguish each campaign while allowing them to more obvious interconnections between them. As always, it will probably hinge on the relationships for me; tragic backstories are good but what I really thirst for is complicated inter-player dynamics. And for Laudna/Imogen. And polyam-Crownkeepers. Obviously.