There are spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.
It always seems like Arcane can’t possibly top their previous episode, but we’re constantly proven wrong. Arcane Season 2 Act 2 wasted no time getting into the thick of it, from mending relationships to breaking other ones. And just what is going on with the Hexcore, anyway?
Jinx steals the show in Act 2 when Zaun starts seeing her as a symbol for revolution instead of the villain in Piltover’s story. While Jinx had her fair share of messes in Season 1, she’s no longer under Silco’s thumb and is surrounded by what seems like a new family. It’s evident this has definitely changed her somehow. Plus, Isha, a new and lovable character, can do no wrong and allows Jinx to take on an older sister role for a change. Not to mention, Sevika – who is definitely their new aunt – gets better with every scene. The part where they break into Stillwater is a personal favorite.
But, of course, Jinx has another family member still out there – and she’s busy winning in the fighting pits and getting drunk with Loris. It’s a little sad that we only get to see a short montage to cover all of Vi’s time as a pit fighter, especially with the time gap and since the clip was released online in advance. Emo Vi lovers, stand up! Vi is one of our main characters, and we haven’t gotten as much of her arc this season, so if they did have more time in their short, nine episode run, that’s something they may have expanded upon.
Jinx and Vi reuniting was like a sigh of relief, letting your shoulders fall after tensing them up for so long. In true sibling fashion, they are fighting and bickering the whole way, but Singed bringing Warwick – a.k.a. Vander! – back changes everything, since the sister duo reconnect to save Vander. This was a big reveal, but one some fans may have guessed, since Vander’s death was always slightly ambiguous. Still, it’s great to see Vander back on our screens, and to see Jinx and Vi actually having a real conversation. Their family seems like it’s finally coming back together. They even smile in some of the scenes. It’s heartwarming and freeing to see that at last.
While fans have been putting together other guesses for months, it’s safe to say the cast was correct when they recently described the season, many of them saying it was “unexpected.” Right when starting Act 2, we see none other than junior officer Maddie Nolan in bed with Caitlyn, so, that’s definitely one word for it!
But fellow CaitVi fans, don’t lose hope. There’s more coming for sure. The pair reunite after Jinx and Vi take Vander – along with Isha – to the miracle healer in Zaun. Who is that healer you may ask? You guessed it…it’s none other than Viktor! And apart from turning into a god, he also helps Salo and many others heal using his newfound power. We find out it isn’t limitless and that there is something sort of…off with it.
It’s confirmed when Jayce finally reappears, looking older and furious, and he doesn’t hesitate to bring the fight to Victor’s front door, infiltrating the peaceful cult and killing Viktor, making everyone else drop to the ground. The fandom is extremely divided over this – was Jayce right, and what did he see in the Arcane? We don’t know for sure, but it must’ve been a lot for him to kill the person he’s been trying to protect all this time. At the same time, can’t they talk it out? Viktor going through this is crushing to witness.
This is the perfect opportunity for Ambessa and her crew to infiltrate the peaceful place Viktor has built. In the first act, we all know Caitlyn was heading down a dangerous path, but she finds some redemption in Arcane Season 2 Act 2. One of these moments comes early in the act, when Singed is helping her and Ambessa, revealing the fact that he made Shimmer, and Warwick, to save his daughter’s life. This is a bit of LoL lore that some gamers picked up on as well, since Singed is revealed as Dr. Reveck, father of Orianna. But Caitlyn asks how he could do all of that just because someone he loved is dying…and then it must start to click in her head. She also thought of doing unspeakable things because of her mother’s death. Still, it fully kicks in when she comes face to face with Vi after months, the two of them hatching a plan to save Vander.
This is definitely fun to watch, as Caitvi are back to their banter, and they do manage to pull a fast one on Ambessa (and btw, Vi’s “oil slick” look is everything!), but they are unable to stop the fighting in Viktor’s supposed cult. The last scene of Act 2 will make you sob, that’s for sure. The animation is epic, but you can feel a sudden sense of dread before Isha runs into the crossfire, basically pulling a Powder from Season 1 Episode 3. This is heart wrenching, and when Isha shoots, we’re left with another cliffhanger and explosion, unsure who survived.
There are definitely some other highlights to note in this act, namely the music and art style. They never waver and are inexplicably unique in every sequence. Songs like “Paint the Town Blue” by Ashnikko or “Remember Me” by d4vd help make the stunning visual montages and animated elements burst with even more life and color. In particular, the sequence we see in the third episode of Act 2, featuring Vi and Jinx as children, along with their past with their parents and Vander, is enough to make any viewer tear up. It’s so special to witness this bond – and Vi and Jinx’s mother, Felicia.
The flashback between her, Vander, and Silco is much-needed, and it reveals many interesting things: for one, Vander picked out the name Violet for Felicia’s first-born, and he serves her the same drink he gives Jinx in the bar in season 1. We see a young Silco too, with a hairstyle reminiscent of Jinx’s, and wonder further about his bond with Jinx – and about how he manipulated her and turned her against Vi despite his care for her, and for Felicia and Vander in the past.
There are still many questions floating around. First, what is going on with the Black Rose? We’ve only seen some flashes of them so far. They entrap Mel in Act 2, and even trick her into thinking her brother is alive and right in front of her. We find out there is a baby with power that the Black Rose wants. Is Mel that baby? Also, what did Jayce see in the Arcane that made him so eager to shoot Viktor? And where are Ekko and Heimerdinger? It was sad to see their absence in this act, but they are most certainly coming back to fight another day. Some others must be too, like Loris, who disappeared mid-pit-fighter montage. On that note, Viktor must not be gone for good either – there must be some other way he comes back, because there is still way too much to explain there.
It’s hard to believe that the final three episodes are just days away. We’ll have to say goodbye to the vivid world of Arcane. The co-creator did mention that the team is eager for more League of Legends adaptations, which is good news for LoL fans, but it’s going to hurt to leave these characters and their stories behind.
