#...also I almos had -another- heartbreak with Errant and Parnese

[beastofhearts]

So.... March of the Machines

Overall I really liked the story even if there were moments when I thought certain narrative elements seemed rushed or had little payoff. I think if this was a saga of books with time and space to explore each plane defenses, the angels power, the characters on themselves and phyresia/phyresis, then most of its problems would disappear. But we did not get that and the writer did an amazing job on each of this chapters.

As its difficult for me to put proper order to my toughs with such a massive event happening all at once, i’m gonna go by points under the cut. Spoilers ahead ... also be warned this is very long

1) I liked the reasoning on why Phyrexia was having a harder time in some planes than others and I think there are subtle hints trough the side chapters to see it: they lost the advantage of playing on their home-field and don't know what to expect in most of these planes (+ it play with Norn hubris)

But that doesn't mean Phyrexia was “easily defeated” by any means. A few characters point out that they just bought more time for the planes and that's key in this battle. If given enough time Phyexia would end up winning simply because their numbers are infinite and relentless; they don't get tired and don't require food or drink. Sure, the elder dinosaurs beat down Etali, but Etali WAS an elder dinosaur and got completed regardless...  To me there is never a sense of victory in the side stories -except the last new capenna one-, but one of a respite and a dime hope.

Im also aware that im “trapped” in one or two points of view. So, for example, while Nahiri was defeated and the skyclave broke, Phyrexia’s forces continue to advance over the population in Zendikar. They continue to loose lives, cities and heroes, we just dont see it hapenning (like Omnath and Brimax for example)

2) THAT BEING SAID. I was disappointed we didn't see any of the team ups from the cards. Not only because they look cool as fuck but because they reflect how much of a threat phyrexia IS that unlikely alliances need to be created for a chance of stopping the invasion. 

I dont mind that not all of the “heroes” came to New Phyrexia at the “Avengers” style like many were hoping for. It wouldnt make sense to leave their planes unprotected like that, but we could have had a glimpse of Thalia and the Gilgtrog monster in a side story. Just a quick mention. Something! Its very minor, but I was excited about that.

3) On that same line of tough and maybe even more important to the story... many of our named and biggest foes were defeated in a blink of an eye; seemingly easy and unimportant. Atraxa had a whole chapter where she struggles and rages against the idea of beauty from New Cappenna. It was incredible to read how her phyrexian mind could not wraps something that used to be important to her. I hoped they go somewhere with it....and then she is just crushed under a building.

Listen, I dont mind some random person killing Vorinclex. Sometimes its not the heroes with their might and magic who get the job done, but the ordinary people who step against impossible odds with nothing but their hands. I really enjoyed and cheered on when the Mirrans stepped up to get Wrenn to Realmbreaker because they went from being just “people to be killed to showcase the danger/horrors of the battle” to people who have will and motivation besides staying on the shadow of the planeswalkers. 

So, to me, is not who killed Vorinclex, but how was it done. Why Nissa was having so much trouble with him in “All will be One”, if all she needed was a sword and some distraction? Helliod is another big example here. I would have liked to see more cooperation from the different characters to take them down.

4) Speaking of the praetors... I think Urabrask and Sheoldred should have been bigger in this story. If in-fighting is one of the causes for Phyrexia falling, then this two should be more at the front of it so the ending doesnt look as sudden as it was. I know in “ONE” we see the revolutions and Sheoldred agents fighting in the Basilica but I dont think its enough.

5) Consequences. Consequences. Consequences. What a complicated topic. I saw many people on twitter said that there was no real consequence to the story while others were glad or angry that their favorites were cured or killed off. I’m mostly okay with what we got but i’m afraid of how it will the planeswalkers will handled afterwards.

I liked that Nissa and Ajani were cured from Phyresis after Tamiyo and Lukka were killed. I think it showcases how messy times like this can be and how unjust it can feel. Of course they had to kill them to avoid more slaughter but I wonder if Kaya, Kaito or the Wonderer will ever think about the fact that Tamiyo could have been saved if they just had given her more time. (And I need to mention: I dont like that Tamiyo gets to stay indefinitely as a spirit, I think it takes from the original heart break)

I also like that even if it took Mellira’s life and Karn spark, both planeswalkers still carry the metal as a part of them. They dont simply come back as they were before like nothing happened, its impossible to pretend so. I also think it was smart to use and remove this method from the table (I find it beautifuly ironic that the “Living cure” died after New Phyrexia was sealed away. Her death still hurt so much) ... at least I think it was, since we dont know of any other healer of the same capabilities. 

Im not sure what to say about Jace and Vraska. Like I think they will not be un-compleated but probably wont be in stasis/mind control either. I hope details on what happened with Jace come with Aftermath

And that leaves us with... Nahiri. I hoped she stay in statsis for longer to make Mellira’s and Karn sacrifice more grandiose and significant. But sadly the Aftermath box art confirms that she is alive and walking with not-swords for hands. Like ... I cannot comment because I do not know, but uh WHAT HAPPENED?

Still, I think the destruction Phyrexia caused to multiples planes is enough consecuence for me and we may even get more in aftermath! Not to mention the chance at character exploration this brings. I love to read headcanons after events like this.

Anyway. 8/10 for me!