By Jamie Miller
Dungeons & Dragons, once a hobby reserved for the so-called nerds and geeks of the world, feared by the pearl clutchers of the world, and laughed at by everyone else. However, due to shows like “Critical Role” and “Stranger Things” as well as video games such as Baldur’s Gate 3, this once nerdy hobby has begun to be embraced by many sorts of folks, and as a result, more works based on Dungeons & Dragons have begun to pop up…Including “The Mighty Nein”
“The Mighty Nein”, which premiered on Amazon Prime back on Nov. 19, is based on the second “Critical Role” campaign. The show tells the tale of the titular group, a gang of misfits, cast-offs, and tortured souls who all have their own problems and pasts. However, they must learn to put the past behind them and trust one another if they are to stand any chance of saving their world from the machinations of the arch mage Trent Ikithon and his Volstrucker assassins.
The series stars the cast of the “Critical Role” campaign, namely Laura Bailey, known for roles in numerous projects such as Serana in “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim- Dawnguard” and Lust in “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” as Jester Lavorre, a chaotic and mischievous tiefling cleric who claims to act on behalf of a god known simply as The Traveler and who loves a good prank. Taliesin Jaffe, known for voicing the likes of Blanka in “Street Fighter V” and the Flash in “Injustice 2”, lends his voice to Mollymauk Tealeaf. A tiefling carney and tarot card reader whose blood gives him strange and formidable powers, helped by his natural charisma. Liam O’Brien, who has voiced Doctor Strange in “Marvel Rivals” and Gaara in “Naruto” as Caleb Widogast, an intelligent but down-on-his-luck human wizard and former member of the Volstruckers who has a score to settle with Ikithon. Marisha Ray, who has done voices in “Dispatch” and “Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire” lends her voice to Beauregard Lionette, a confrontational and foul-mouthed Cobalt Soul monk with an affinity for violence. Sam Riegel, known for roles in the likes of “Dispatch” and “One-Punch Man” as Nott the Brave, a temperamental and alcoholic kleptomaniac goblin who has an almost mother-son relationship with Caleb. Travis Willingham, known for voicing Roy Mustang in “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” and Guile in “Street Fighter V” voices Fjord Stone, a young, gruff half-orc warlock and former sailor who, after his ship was sunk, unwittingly made some sort of deal with a mysterious entity. Matthew Mercer, known for roles in “Titanfall 2” and “Dispatch” as well as acting as dungeon master for “Critical Role” also appears voicing Essek Thelyss, a drow wizard from the so-called Kryn Dynasty and a reluctant ally of Ikithon. Ashley Johnson, known for voicing characters such as Ellie in “The Last of Us” and Gwen Tennyson in the “Ben 10” franchise, gives her voice to the character of Yasha Nydoorin, a mysterious aasimar barbarian who is hunting an artifact stolen by Ikithon. Mark Strong, known for roles in the likes of “Kick-Ass” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service”, also appears, voicing the conniving and cruel Trent Ikithon.
This show is utterly and simply…Phenomenal. Well-written, well-voiced, and featuring great animations and visuals, it is a worthy successor to its sister show, “The Legend of Vox-Machina.” The story excels at making you laugh, cry, and cheer all in the same episode without giving a tonal whiplash. It is because of that I give this show the rare rating of 10 torches out of 10. I can’t recommend it enough, whether you are a “Dungeons and Dragons” superfan or just someone looking for a new show to watch, this will be for you.
