NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CleverNickName" data-source="post: 8287440" data-attributes="member: 50987">I'm a pretty big fan, I won't try to hide it.  But my wife and I stopped watching it a few months ago, right around the time that the "Lucien" story arc was gaining traction.  It's hard to say why, I think it's a bunch of little things.For one thing, the "Lucien" story arc just wasn't all that interesting to us.  I was extremely interested in Caleb's story arc and was looking forward to seeing it resolved, but then the story went in a different direction.  (I want to be clear that this is just my preference, and not a problem with Critical Role's show or Campaign 2.  The vast majority of viewers and fans--and most importantly, the DM and players at the table--were very interested indeed in the Lucien/Molly arc.  It was the right call, regardless of how I feel about it.)And it's getting harder to watch Sam's advertisements at the beginning of each episode.  They used to be one of my favorite parts of each episode, but we starting muting them.  I don't know what changed.  Sam's antics were always overwrought and campy, and that was part of their charm.  Maybe the tone, I think?   Or the predictability?  Now I know how this all works: I know that CR depends on their sponsors to keep the lights on and they can't bite the hand that feeds them, so Sam's adverts aren't going anywhere.  I just miss the days when it was just a silly song, a raunchy poem, or a simple sight-gag...not a full-blown 5-minute commercial.Laura's merchandise announcements are getting hard to watch, too.  Every week there is something new in their store (which is a good thing, I love me some D&D merch!)  But then everyone ooohs and aaahs over it for five minutes, talking it up like it's the Second Coming of Pelor, and it just feels inauthentic.  I mean sure, those Jester-themed socks are adorable but come on, Travis, nobody believes you preordered six pairs of them.  The CR team has done some pretty amazing things for the hobby as a whole, and I don't want my three criticisms to diminish any of the good that they have done.  They have brought about sweeping changes in the industry, and they have done more to raise awareness of accessibility, equality, and visibility than any other D&D-affiliated company has.  Like, when Sara Thompson developed the "combat wheelchair", it created a splash in the tabletop gaming scene...but when Matt showcased it with an NPC on his show, it friggin' exploded in popularity.  Now there are published stats and custom minis everywhere for combat wheelchairs in D&D--and most importantly, people are having more serious conversations about accessibility and the representation of people with different physical abilities.  This is amazing.I have nothing but respect for Matt, Liam, Sam, Travis, Laura, Marisha, Talisen, and Ashley.  And I have high hopes and great expectations for Campaign 3.  (I'm not looking forward to the commercials, though.)</blockquote>

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