Arcane season 2, act 1 came to a dramatic conclusion, placing key relationships under strain and setting up potential chaos due to Jayce's experiments. After three years, Arcane has returned in style - with an explosion of action, intense character work, and some absolutely stunning artistry. Season 2 picks up from the cliffhanger ending of Arcane season 1, which saw Jinx fire a rocket at a meeting of Piltover's Council. Now, Piltover and Zaun are on the brink of war.
Arcane season 2, act 1 opens with Caitlyn and Vi attempting to keep a lid on the conflict by bringing in Jinx. At the same time, Jayce and Heimerdinger begin an investigation into a mysterious corruption that they realize is spreading as a result of Hextech. Yet again, everything ends in a dramatic moment - one that sets up act 2 to be just as intense.
Jayce Learns The Damage Hextech Has Caused To Reality Itself
The power of Hextech risks corrupting all reality
To understand Arcane, you really need a basic knowledge of Hextech - the branch of science created by Jayce and Viktor, which allows for the manipulation of magic. Arcane is inspired by League of Legends, where magic is drawn from other realms of existence; Jayce appears to be combining the power of the Material and Spirit Realms, fusing it in powerful and creative ways. The Hexcore is the next evolution of Hextech, created through the additional fusion of blood. Unfortunately, it's clearly dangerously unstable.
Jayce and Heimerdinger discover that the Arcane is leaking through into this reality, warping and corrupting it in terrifying ways. Their investigations expose them to its power, and they will surely be dramatically transformed by what they're going through. That said, the greater concern lies in the fact Arcane, transmutative power has been leaking through the ventilation systems, down into Zaun. This likely means the very inhabitants of Zaun are being subtly changed.
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Viktor, meanwhile, has been transformed by the Hexcore in mysterious ways. His body is now no longer truly organic, but rather it appears to be composed of substances from beyond the Material Realm. He heads into Zaun, deliberately drawing those who are suffering to him, and demonstrating powerful transformative abilities. Viktor's dialogue implies he's taken something of a Messianic bent, although it's unclear what his true agenda will be.
Caitlyn & Vi's Mission Places New Strain On Their Relationship
Is their romance already doomed?
These revelations are taking place at a time of turmoil in the relations between Zaun and Piltover. The death of Silco has plunged Zaun into chaos, and Jinx has taken advantage of this to prepare further strikes against Piltover. Attempting to prevent a war, Caitlyn leads a strike team - armed with advanced Hextech weapons and gas - to neutralize JInx. After much soul-searching, Vi agrees to join the strike team, and the two bond. Finally, in a wonderful moment that will delight the fanbase, they share a passionate kiss.
Vi is horrified when Caitlyn proves willing to risk collateral damage to neutralize Jinx
Unfortunately, the romance between Vi and Caitlyn clearly isn't going to be smooth sailing. Vi is desperate for stability, but Caitlyn is still reeling with grief because her mother died when Jinx attacked the Council. The two confront Jinx, and Vi is horrified when Caitlyn proves willing to risk collateral damage to neutralize her sister - even killing a kid who's gotten in the way. Vi is shaken by Caitlyn's actions, horrified at what the woman she loves is becoming.
Arcane season 2, act 1 leaves the future for Vi and Caitlyn in doubt. Caitlyn is clearly pursuing a dark path, but it is one Vi will not walk alongside her. This could well lead to further conflict, with Vi forced to step in and take down someone else she loves; alternatively, it's possible this story will end in redemption, with Vi persuading Caitlyn to turn from this path. The relationship between Vi and Caitlyn feels like the central theme of season 2, so this arc is sure to continue in thrilling (or heartbreaking) ways.
Jinx Launches Another Strike On Piltover, But Is Injured While Triggering Her Trap
Piltover still isn't safe from Jinx
Jinx had launched a trap for Vi and Caitlyn; although it doesn't work out the way Jinx planned, she is still able to spring another attack on Piltover. This redirects the ventilation system that keeps Zaun safe, blasting foul air into Piltover - and she has further added paint and gas bombs of her own into the mix. It doesn't appear to be a particularly dangerous attack, but rather it's a smart one; a way of telling the people of Piltover that they are not safe.
Jinx increasingly feels like a version of Heath Ledger's Joker; she's simply someone who wants to watch the world burn. Her actions are making war between Piltover and Zaun seem inevitable, and it is difficult to say how things will play out. Piltover has better weapons, but Zaun would have a home-field advantage should Piltover invade. It's very difficult for even a technologically-advanced army to deal with a guerrilla war, which explains why Caitlyn has desperately tried to avoid this at all costs.
Jinx takes an injury during the battle, losing a finger. This may seem like only a minor injury compared to other characters, who've literally had entire limbs vaporized and replaced with cybernetics; but Jinx is both a tinkerer and a skilled markswoman, and this will affect her targeting and dexterity. Caitlyn may have been shooting to kill, but the wound she dealt is one that will have a massive effect on Jinx as Arcane season 2 continues.
Caitlyn Is Placed In Command Of Piltover
But is she anything more than a figurehead?
Arcane season 2, act 1 ends with one final shocking twist: the Noxian warlord Ambessa orchestrates a takeover of Piltover, using her power and influence to position Caitlyn as head of the Council. Caitlyn reluctantly accepts the role, but she doesn't know Ambessa's true motives. Ambessa is being pursued by a secretive Noxian cult, the Black Rose, who have just launched an attack on her. It's reasonable to assume she wants Caitlyn to be nothing more than a figurehead.
The problem, though, is that - as Vi has discovered - Caitlyn isn't exactly in a good place right now. She is still grief-stricken, motivated purely by anger and revenge, and the breakdown of her relationship with Vi will hardly have helped. Ambessa may believe Caitlyn can be controlled, but she may soon learn otherwise. It's not hard to envision a scenario where Caitlyn's grief transforms her into the true villain of Arcane season 2, which would be a truly tragic twist in this tremendous animated saga.
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
Release Date November 6, 2021
Writers Christian Linke , Alex Yee
Directors Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord
Showrunner Christian Linke , Alex Yee
English (US) ·