Arcane has finally come to an end.
It has taken a while to process, but the conclusion is here. In Arcane Season 2 Act 3, for better or worse, we get to see everyone’s story close out. As a whole, this show has soared to new heights in multiple ways and is very special, though, as all series finales typically go, you’ll be left wanting more.
The first of the three episodes focuses on Ekko and Jayce, and we get to see their experience in the Hexcore. It’s about time we get to see some Ekko! He’s in another timeline, one where Vi died on their mission to Piltover (which is crushing) and Powder survived with Mylo and Claggor. It’s a timeline without Hextech, filled with forgiveness, and a flourishing Zaun like they all imagined.
It’s quite heartbreaking to discover this new world, especially seeing Ekko’s sweet connection with Powder, and what could’ve been. But it just wasn’t meant to be, in his own timeline or lifetime. The ship, known to fans as Timebomb, made a huge impact on viewers and is a very special slice of the season.
Powder uses her smarts in this other timeline to help Ekko and Heimerdinger with their tech to figure out a way back to their world, even though she isn’t aware of this exact purpose, and it ends up killing Heimerdinger. This is the first of many endings in this act.
In contrast, Jayce’s experience in the timeline he’s sent to is much different and bleaker. It’s a time when Viktor’s use of magic finally implodes and turns the world into a desolate place, wrecked by the Hexcore. This explains a lot about Jayce’s previous actions, and it all comes final circle in the later episodes.
In Episode 8, we get more of Mel Medarda, another character we definitely deserved to spend some more time with. It would’ve been great to understand the Black Rose more before the finale.
Meanwhile, Ambessa is working with Viktor to get revenge, go to war with those in Piltover and Zaun, and basically destroy what’s left of the rest of the world. Which… can’t be good!
We also see what’s left after the fight in episode 6. Personally, it would’ve been great to hear more about the fallout, like them dealing with the loss of Isha, and get to see more of Sevika. Sevika flashbacks would’ve been really interesting. Unfortunately, with the limited time, we don’t see these characters’ stories fleshed out.
Vi and Jinx’s relationship is at the heart of the show, but we also get minimal exploration of their sisterhood in the finale. What we do see is definitely full of love and heartbreak. Vi doesn’t want to give up on Jinx and wants to trust her, but Jinx thinks it’s time for her to remove herself from the equation. Still, she tells Vi she deserves to be with Caitlyn. Caitlyn even goes to Jinx and they have a brief conversation, though this would’ve been nice to see more of, too. Caitlyn’s redemption arc should’ve been fully explored and thoroughly worked through, but what we see does showcase that she cares — even though Caitlyn and Vi should’ve had a much deeper conversation about everything, across not just one episode.
But, Caitvi share some great moments, one of which in episode 8 will have Caitvi fans screaming. It’s nice to see Arcane highlight queer characters and this relationship. Seeing Caitvi represented on screen in a vivid and beautiful way is extremely valuable and has spoken to many fans, since the very start. As a huge Caitvi lover, yours truly will miss them very badly.
Episode 9 carries a lot of episode 8’s storyline forward, with the magical war finally culminating. We see many people from Piltover and Zayn in on it. In this act, we also see Jinx about to set herself on fire, alongside The Last Drop, when Ekko comes in with his invention, which can turn time back a few seconds — and he’s able to save her. There are so many cool ways magic presents itself in the series.
These two team up and come by right in time, as the fighters’ defense is failing against Viktor and Ambessa. Their entrance is iconic and an unforgettable part of act 3. We see some other great team ups, like Caitlyn and Mel, who stand their ground against Ambessa. Cait and Mel kicking ass together is something we never knew we needed.
Still, of course, more than one plan goes awry. It’s revealed that Maddie has other motivations, which many predicted online and will make you want to shout at your screen. Jayce also finds Viktor and their scene is not only an incredible feat of animation but is very touching and huge for Jayvik lovers.
The ending will have you in total shambles. First of all, the girls have to mourn Vander, and Vi, who had always wanted to protect her family, loses everything, alongside other characters, like Mel and Ekko, whose endings are also painful despite the fact that they totally save the day. Many are gone and not coming back. Jayce and Viktor’s tragic end is explosive. Yours truly can’t get over Jinx and is still coping.
If there’s any consolation, it’s that Jinx, who was believed to be caught in the explosion at the end, may have escaped through the ducts. It’s alluded to in the last moments of the show, when Caitlyn, who has an injury of her own, is looking through her files. Caitvi fans, we got their ending, but what else did we lose? Despite it all, this finale will be something to think about, and mourn, for years to come.
Some LoL fans are confused about some lore aspects that were shifted, but since we know more series are coming from Riot, perhaps they’ll get their happy ending too, and we’ll get to see some glimpses of the Arcane universe soon.
Overall, it breaks this writer to see this show finally finish. They tried to cram a whole lot of story into one final season. The pacing is definitely different from season one, which makes sense for the amount of action happening, and considering the characters are dealing with all of the repercussions of the season one finale.
But, it is arguably too much to fit into one season, without longer episode run times, or a third season to round it all out. It may have made more sense for this season to include the events of Act 1 and Act 2, but more fleshed out, so we get to see more of each character and their motivations, with less telling and more of the showing that Arcane excelled at in season one. And though season two was still enjoyable, especially as a huge fan, season one may keep her crown, it seems!
One of the major issues is the glossing over of Piltover versus Zaun. That was a big focus of season one, and they just barely touch the surface of the topic in a way that also unpacks the real issue beneath this struggle and allows characters to see the fault of their actions.
It’s a bit sad we don’t get to see some characters even interact; take Ekko and Vi, for example. Their bond meant something substantial and was a big part of their pasts, but we don’t get to see much of it in the final installment. In fact, Vi’s entire character arc is an afterthought, which is devastating considering she was a central part of the show and means a lot to viewers.
Then, perhaps a third season could’ve also tackled the big magic — and what all of these powers mean — that comes to an epic conclusion in this finale, even if finale is indeed epic to witness.
It is a conclusion of incredible proportions and a celebration of animation, while also being super painful. What makes Arcane so special is what it is at its core. It’s a story about love and loss, with characters who each have their own interesting, dynamic storylines and growth, interwoven with one another in a magical, messy web.
Despite it all, this show touched many lives, yours truly included, very deeply, and the feeling of gratefulness and awe at this series is not something to be taken lightly. Every now and then, a piece of media is so monumental it really impacts you and lives in that special place in your heart. Even with its flaws, it’ll truly be with this writer forever.
