Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Mighty Nein Season 1 Review

Critters, Prime Video has closed the door on The Mighty Nein season 1. Thankfully, it’s not forever — Critical Role’s latest darling will return for a second season. Season 1 is an entertaining watch from start to finish, with well-developed characters, hilarious moments, and plenty of propulsive action.

I’d be remiss if I omitted mention of the superb vocal performances. Of course, it helps that our Critical Role crew has lived with these characters for a long time. The season 1 finale, “The Zadash Job,” delivers on all fronts and shows our Sensual Seven (you must make room for the Traveler, after all) at the top of their game.

Ocean’s Eleven in Zadash

Our titular merry band of misfits finds themselves wrapped up in the heist of the century in “The Zadash Job.” The Mighty Nein season 1 finale presents a delightful amalgam of heist, thriller, comedy, drama, and action-adventure elements, with a dash of unhinged magic for good measure. It balances them well. The outing’s opening is a ton of fun, skillfully weaving each character’s role in the theft of the Luxon Beacon, with The Gentleman providing exposition for us viewers.

It’s also fun watching this crew finally hit their groove. They operate so seamlessly as a team now, a far cry from where they started in episode 4. Of course, that’s not to say that every endeavor is a walk in the park. This series thrives on chaos and everything action going askew. That’s the Mighty Nein’s brand, after all. If anything, it’s a clever subversion of the hero trope. Not all super heroes are cookie-cutter, picture-perfect caped crusaders. Sometimes, they’re a bunch of weirdos of all shapes and sizes, or “a bag of idiots,” as Beau eloquently puts it.

That’s what “The Zadash Job” does well — it’s a satisfying payoff for the character-development seeds planted in the series premiere. None of these people believe they can be heroes, but one thematic undercurrent in the overarching narrative is all about tapping into your potential. Everyone has the capacity to be a hero.

Separately, the Mighty Nein lacks the confidence to step up to the plate. However, together, they’re a force of nature. They might not believe in themselves, but they do believe in each other. They know they’re stronger together, all essential parts of a well-oiled machine, and the finale really leans into the carefully established character dynamics that make this show stand out from its contemporaries.

Put on a Brave Face (It’s Time for Character Growth)

Another central theme the episode tackles (as does the whole season) is this idea of your past defining you. Everyone feels bogged down by their past. It’s an albatross they each carry, weighing heavily on them. They’re ashamed of their actions. But everyone is worthy of redemption. This is particularly resonant for Caleb. Our favorite pungent-smelling mage feels immense remorse for burning his family alive (and poor Frumpkin!) in service of Trent Ikithon. He so desperately wants to escape his past, but it has him in a chokehold.

Even during his much-anticipated reunion with Trent, the latter pours salt in the wound by reminding him that he wants to atone for his sins. Caleb finds redemption and, more importantly, acceptance among his new group of friends. That’s what he really needs — to be loved. To be accepted for who he is. That’s something that every character in our eponymous crew finally achieves in “The Zadash Job.”

Most of the team gets compelling moments of character growth, especially our women. Jester and Beau switch jobs during the theft sequence. Initially, Jester planned to attend the Harvest Close Festival gala, while Beau was going to set off fireworks atop the Soltryce Academy to distract the gala attendees. However, since Jester knows a lot of rich people, Molly suggests they trade roles.

What’s great about this choice is that it thrusts Beau and Jester out of their comfort zones. (And then we learn that Beau is from a wealthy family — plot twist.) Jester believes she can only fit the ultra-feminine stereotype. Her powers exemplify this, too. Conversely, Beau doesn’t view herself as “girly.” She feels she can only be tough and masculine. This role reversal bolsters their confidence and is a stark reminder that women contain multitudes. They can be strong and soft.

Everyone puts on a brave face in the season 1 finale, but none more so than Nott the Brave. The impish, moonshine-loving hero faces her fear of water while carrying out her contribution to the Beacon theft scheme. Nott spends most of the season believing she doesn’t live up to her moniker, but by the episode’s end, she truly feels brave. That’s growth.

Edge-of-Your-Seat Action

The narrative picks up steam in the final 20 minutes. It’s wall-to-wall, high-stakes action. The aerial battle with Trent and his Volstruckers versus the Kryn Strike Force (who we later learn is led by Essek) is a damn entertaining affair, complete with intricately detailed animation and unique displays of magic. “The Zadash Job” knows how to use action to its advantage without making the entire episode action-driven. Because of this, those last 20 minutes really pop off.

Some of our beloved characters receive intriguing power-ups, like Fjord and Molly. Uk’otoa finally persuades Fjord to “consume” the glowing orb by pushing it into his chest, and his newly christened power-up status plays a vital role in fending off the Kryn Strike Force. Meanwhile, Molly encounters Vess DeRogna, who knows him as “Lucien.” He, too, taps into his somewhat dormant blood-based abilities. It’s a horror-inspired sequence that fits in well here.

In the end, our crew failed to “get the thing” (a fun comedy-in-threes moment), but at least they’re still together when it all hits the fan. The last white-knuckled fight scene of the episode sees the arrival of a highly anticipated character: Yasha. She finally meets the Mighty Nein. After receiving a shock from attempting to touch the Beacon, the hold the entity Obann has on Yasha breaks, and she begs our heroes for help. What a thrilling ending to a delightful inaugural season.

Where Do We Go from Here?

“The Zadash Job” leaves quite a few narrative threads flapping in the breeze that are ripe for exploration in season 2. We got a taste of Yasha’s backstory and the tragic loss of her wife, Zuala, but we’ll undoubtedly learn more about her in season 2 as she inevitably joins the Mighty Nein. Trent and the Volstruckers will continue to hunt for the Beacon. With Essek severely wounded, someone else on the Kryn side might attempt to retrieve the Beacon for the Bright Queen.

Of course, there’s also the war between the Empire and the Kryn Dynasty to contend with. Trent still has the ear of King Dwendal, who will certainly support his efforts to attain the Beacon to aid the Empire.

Regarding our main characters, we’ll hopefully discover more about Molly, his mysterious powers, and his equally enigmatic past. And with Vess rising as a formidable villain at the end of season 1, her and Molly’s stories could be inextricably linked in season 2. I also hope the creatives will shine a brighter light on Nott’s backstory. Her friendship with Caleb is so sweet — it’s the true beating heart of this series.

On a more romantic note, the Jester/Fjord ship should set sail soon. Season 1 effectively cultivates their relationship, so it’s only a matter of time before they take the next step. Bring it on. (Maybe the Traveler can officiate their wedding.)

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