Arcane's Act 2 is a Love Letter | Arcane Season 2 Essay

[@cynthiapucheanu34]

You can see Cait trying to summon her hate when she looks at Jinx hugging Vi and Vander but it's just no longer that powerful to come through. Love and compassion wins

[@danc1513]

In the beginning of episode 6, Ambessa mentions the three Noxian principles of strength. Vision, Might, Guile. Then she adds sacrifice... and a thought clicked in my head. It foreshadows the end of the episode. Vision: Caitlyn Might: Vi Guile: Jinx Sacrifice: Isha They sort of embody these qualities, but not as Ambessa interprets them.

[@cattievogelsong96]

For me Ambessa’s speech was the final death flag for Isha. It was clear someone was going to willingly sacrifice themselves and she was a really obvious candidate. I like that the show arcane can have a character say the motivations and story goals of four characters and still come across as really well written. In act two those four characters are driven by those four ideas. But it doesn’t feel lazy to have a different character say it.

[@raziel5835]

Didnt noticed that parallel at first for those characters, so many emotions. I do like that Ambessa taugh Caitlyn the tenents of the Trifarix, not only because is big in Noxus lore, but also because she embodied the 3 of them during the episode kind of against her.

[@SOAPhia083]

I think Arcane's main message is that, bonds don't just fade away. They may wither but they can mend since there will always be a small part always tying people together and it's very beautiful

[@aleksandraw3772]

I hope so

[@ursh9210]

Caitlyn: “what have you done to your hair you look like an oil slick” Vi (act 3 promo): washed the black out of her hair 😂

[@StopMeOh]

That's a mood xD

[@Dani2000T]

One little detail I loved in episode 6 is when Vi got wounded, we have seen Caitlyn help Vi in similar situations 2 times before (back in season 1 and in act 1 season 2) BUT Caitlyn was standing just offering her hand to Vi so she could stand up (like looking down to her) BUT in episode 6 she rushes and finally knees beside her...like equals, mirroring how Vi DID KNEEL in season 1 to help Caitlyn on the Bridge in a similar situation.

[@StopMeOh]

@@Dani2000T 😭😭

[@didsva]

I agree with everything, you can really tell that the bond that Caitlyn have with Vi is so genuine as is the bound Vi have with Powder/Jinx. As despite everything that has happened between them when Vi revealed that she is there to help save her father who she thought was dead. Caitlyn was onboard with betraying Ammada fully despite the military forces that Noxus have.

[@StopMeOh]

@@didsva exactly, that is also a major factor, brave Cait against Noxus 😭

[@didsva]

@@StopMeOh Like remember in act 1 when Maddie qouted Caitlyn by saying "If every enforces had the fire that Vi had we would be able to take on Noxus" Which is to say that Vi inspirited Caitlyn to have the same amount of driving force that Vi had💓

[@PricefieldPunk]

I hope Act 3 explores Cait and Vi's relationship. I found it really odd at first Caitlyn and Vi would be so cooperative like immediately but thinking about it they were both cooperating in the moment for Vander. The trailer teased Vi confronting Caitlyn about listening to the poison Ambessa was feeding her. We definitely need that scene to be like 5 mins of pure dialog, Vi was deeply hurt by what Caitlyn did to her, that needs to be addressed.

[@Kekekekenn]

That trailer made me really glad that they won't just immediately get along, vi deserves an apology and explantation from Cait and I'm hoping that's what happens!

[@PricefieldPunk]

@@Kekekekenn I'd be pissed if they were just ok without talking. CaitVi would feel so unearned, Vi is forgiving but Caitlyn still needs to understand for 6 months how Vi was in such a depressive state of living cause of what happened.

[@Kekekekenn]

@@PricefieldPunk yep, I completely agree.

[@peevil879]

I think the scene in the preview for episode 7 will address their issues. When Vi's dialogue begins "How long were you sidled up to that war pig" it feels like it's the middle of the conversation - like Vi is firing back at Cait. I'm nearly convinced it's because Cait begins by accusing Vi of reconciling with Jinx, which Cait will still have a problem with. Then Vi switches the conversation and accuses her of falling under Ambessa's influence. I hope the conversation works through both of these things, so the two of them can come to an understanding again.

[@MoRPho151]

I think it all comes to that despite their grudges and differences and what Caitlyn did... they formed a true bond of trust. Vi needed someone to help her dad, she was motivated again, because she was on the way to rebuilding his family... which is far more important than what Caitlyn did to her, and Vi knew she could count on her. If Cait would have found Vi in her depressed past state I think Vi´s reaction would have been way different... Of course, even if this scenario, this built resentment will eventually come out. Also, if she forgave Jynx she could give Cait another opportunity to show if she was still there to help her. Her past few days have been spent reconnecting with her sister after all the things she did. She is in a mind space where she is open.

[@Jovel_]

I wouldn’t be surprise if Arcane win sooooo many awards again! They obviously deserves all the praise! They did an amazing job. I have soooo much love for Arcane 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💙💙💙💙💙

[@captironsight]

Arcane beat me up and stole my lunch money.

[@aranthur]

I think Caitlyn sees Singed as a cautionary tale. A Piltovan who uses the death of a loved one as the motivation to become a worse monster than any of "Zaun's perverse abominations" and spread misery all throughout the city, but especially on the poor people of the undercity He is who she could become if she continued down the path Ambessa wants for her, and her choking him out to protect Vander is Caitlyn rejecting that person and cementing the decision to go back to her core character again Not to mention, Singed is completely alone. He has pushed away everyone who has or could care about him, except for those who only want to use him and his abilities for their own ends. Just him and his memories, soaked in who knows how much blood

[@michaelcarlson1208]

Season 1 - Vi - "Oil and Water" Season 2 - Caitlyn - "You look like an angry oil slick." Maddie helped keep Caitlyn's humanity. Definitely shocking to viewers as an opening. We feel bad for Vi and we feel cheated on, but time and people move forward, even if it's temporarily or attempt to "fill a hole" Been loving your videos. I had Isha thoughts, but I will save them for your Isha video.

[@blackshard641]

In her heart, you mean? ... In her heart?

[@hansolobrannie6995]

The dictionary definition of oil slick is, oil floating on water .....very clever arcane writers lol

[@anabrans2]

​@@blackshard641😂😂

[@ArcaneMelodies82]

I always saw Jinx in Powder rewatching S1 especially when she was proving Mylo wrong beating him with her Gun Skills, A little bit of Jinx was all over her face. More than that though, Powder was always in Jinx, her face would soften every now and again. She is Both, and she needs to accepts both sides of herself which I think she will after a hell of a pep talk from Ekko pulling her back from the brink from un-aliving herself again.I think that is when Jinx will get her new look, definitely also inspired to remember Isha. So She is now #Pinx I think 😆❤

[@radix2830]

Together with the Insane Worlds in October this was probably the best "fandom experience" Ive ever had.

[@Jovel_]

As for Vi and Caitlyn, they didn’t have a heavy break up (I mean, not to the point where they hate each other immensely) so i think it just makes sense how they automatically cared for each other when they meet. They understand each other’s point of view. But that’s just my opinion 💙

[@broadwaybroad]

It was a blip of anger in the grand scheme of things. A lot of people are making Caitlyn’s arc A LOT darker than it is.

[@coldfury2652]

@@broadwaybroadnot gonna lie that’s a flaw of the show they really hinted at Caitlyn’s dark arc only for the darkest thing she did was the gassing the undercity which was before the situation got worse

[@Kekekekenn]

​@@coldfury2652tbh Cait had always been an advocate of peace throughout season 1. It makes sense that her mothers death and Ambessas manipulation would lead her astray, but her core beliefs and principles came through in the end. It wouldn't make sense if she just went 100% evil and lost all her previous beliefs.

[@mariaantonia-op8qc]

​@@KekekekennYou are right, but still I wish we got to see more of Cait's "villain" arc, it ended up being a bit confusing, felt rushed.

[@Kekekekenn]

@@mariaantonia-op8qc I mean the whole season is insanely fast paced, I wish we got more of basically everything and everyone. But I understand that they want to tell more stories of other places and not just spend over a decade on arcane, they'd quickly reach a burnout. At least nothing feels nonsensical or impossible.

[@waitwaitokgo]

Well think about it this way, Isha reminded Jinx of Powder; Isha represents the best of Powder and Isha showed repeatedly a completely unconditional love for JINX. I.E. Powder loves Jinx and I pray that Jinx herself absorbs this message and doesn't find a deeper rock bottom than ever before after ep6... I don't think it's true that nobody loves Jinx, I think she knows Silco loved her as broken as she is, but he insisted she needed to kill her childhood self to be strong, but maybe Isha is showing her that, no, the inner child can love yourself too, and still be strong.

[@redroseibarahime8755]

Jinx basically rescued(!) Caitlyn from Rictus (even though she only helped her bc of Vander). Then seeing Vi sort of happy with the current arrangement probably made Caitlyn think twice if she still wants Jinx dead. She probably still wants to imprison her but not kill anymore imo.

[@BirSorunumuzVar]

There is not much to add to your video. You read our mind 😅 arc 2 is suprised us in many way. We can be sure about one thing: they love each other. In fact showing wander is still there in that beast is the biggest proof of it. Love is the strongest feeling amoung others. Vi and Caitlyn... It was surprising as well but it shouldn't be actually. They prove us in the first season they can be close and cooperative in a split second. They both already changed their reservations about each other and each other's background in the first season. And now there is another big feeling: Love. Act 2 is the best so far. I hope they can beat that in act 3. Thank you for the video 💃

[@bidulus1]

When I was watching Act 1 I was kinda scared the show would be going in a pretty predictable direction and that the relationship dynamics wouldn't be as good as in season 1 because it seemed to be going into just ¨Pilltover people + Vi vs Zaunites¨. I'm never doubting these scriptwriters ever again 😂😂

[@MB21236]

How come it says your comment was posted 9 hours ago but the video was posted 1 hour ago?

[@bidulus1]

@MB21236 Don't tell anyone, but I'm a time traveler 🤫

[@StopMeOh]

it was early on Patreon discord chat :)

[@saeyyy]

S2 Act 2 took me so off guard in a great way! Season 1 had so much angst BECAUSE they were able to get us to really like and root for the characters in a deep way, and I think I was expecting only heartbreak from season 2. But since season 1 and 2 were both written before season 1 even released, I’ve been thinking about this as ONE story instead of 2, and when I do that, it makes so much more sense that here, in part 5 of 6, we finally see some stuff we glimpsed at the beginning but got broken along the way coming back together. Sets us up for a final act that is both painful and rewarding, delivering on some of those promises from the very beginning of season 1.

[@jadegecko]

"Dear Making The Audience Cry, We love you. we have a scrapbook of you. we sometimes write our first names with your last name. xoxo. Cordially, Christian and Alex"

[@beastmonger4821]

tbh. i just think that "bed scene" with Maddie was kinda malicious act from writers in style... "well... fuck it.. let's make some fun and watch the world burn..." and i really like this cunning attitude.. it's very fun to watch other suffer in this way... xD but who know... Who expect "hug scene"? Even in our most wildest fantasies? Non of us!!! So... writers are actually cooking.. and they are MANY steps in front of us... and YES it's love letter in many ways...

[@mkraulis]

I wonder if there is enough in the story to draw parallels between Vander and Silco, and Victor and Jayce's relationship arcs.

[@Kekekekenn]

"I did that to you because I thought that it was the right thing to do, that you deserved it" I can see jayce thinking this about what he did to Viktor lol

[@925209]

IF I don't get an almost full episode exploring Cait and Vi I will riot .

[@phantomgames8433]

Arcane is the best series has evr made and its my number one now. second is Avatar The Last Airbender. An animated series like Arcane is not a series that will come easily again. It's hard without riot and fortiche. Arcane is really like a love letter. writings, characters, art and everything are so beautiful, epic. Vi-Caitlyn-Jinx's bond are so strong that no one can break. Vander (aka Warwick) Vander brought them together. That huging scene was amazing and heartbroken. Isha's moment and everything I can't discribe this mastrpiece because its hard, but we all feel the same. I will never forget this series. It's in my heart. I can't wait for the final 3. I agrree with you everything you say, wonderful thoughts and video

[@rockerojerez349]

Nice 👍🏻🎉 Well let's gooooooooo for finale episode 6 you'll see very emotional 😭❤️

[@iOfTheStormm]

SPOILERS FOR ACT 2 My thing is there absolutely HAS to be an emotional explosion at the beginning of Act 3. Think about what the sisters just lost. Jinx: Vander, but more importantly (due to current events), Isha. Vi: Isha? (Seemed like she grew to care about Isha due to how much she and Jinx meant to each other) but infinitely more importantly, Vander. Cait and Vi's relationship isn't fully repaired at this point. I assume it will in Act 3, but with dealing with the grief of losing Vander, I don't think she can turn to Cait for support through that particular grief. And Jinx obviously doesn't have anyone else to turn to for emotional support now. So who do they turn to? Each other. The only person each of them can talk to to process this is each other. It's also going to be quite literally the greatest test that they have faced as sisters. Even more so that S1E3, even more so then when Jinx fired the missile, even more so that S2E3. Why? Because there was a chance. There was a chance at redemption and a true glimmer of hope that they could be family again. Then all at once, it was shattered. And they have nobody else to turn to but their sister. We NEED it. But also remember the S2 poster with Jinx comforting Vi. That still hasn't happened yet. Fingers crossed.

[@VioletArcane6]

If Vi and Caitlyn don't boomshakalkla in act 3 I'm going to be piss

[@redroseibarahime8755]

my buzzwords for Act II are Love and family :)

[@wickdaline8668]

Who would have thought Vander was the beast?

[@RedEveTillDawn]

Did you catch them using Jinx's braids against her? I can recall two times but there may have been three, people pulling her braids to pull her in. 👀✂

[@Op_eye_is_key8867]

I didn't watch your video yet and I'm possibly gonna eat my words but seeing the title after watching the ending of act 5 really is triggering.

[@StopMeOh]

@@Op_eye_is_key8867 video's about stuff that happens prior the ending :)

[@masterofpuppets7586]

And your essays are a love letter to this world we all feel so attached too. Thanks you for everyone of it.🫶 Can't wait for Isha. 😍🥺😭

[@kacperpioro3980]

Why is this video released before reaction3to ep 6 of season 2?

[@StopMeOh]

Because editing took me a bit longer, will post it today!

[@ralunix4612]

If there is only 1 Warwick left in the world its me, if there is no warwick fans left I died. I knew they will make him as they did. Perfect :] an ill good man, is still a good man. I dont know if they will kill him, but if they do .. I will be sad but still satisfied. His strong will defied YEARS of torture at the hand of Singed. I love his design but after this ge might turn into in game Warwick. Anyhow Ekko will help. As for me, Powder was always Jinx. They are the same, they are not two people. She just needs to accept all her time existing. Damn cant get over Warwick LOVE HIM, LOVE HIM HOW EVER HE IS. :D precious.

[@mavielor7394]

it really isnt tho, most of characters were out of character and my God they have done my boy Warwick so dirty, that furry look is horrendous. Maybe for people who doesnt know League's lore and doesnt play the game it seemed like a good show

[@StopMeOh]

but we do know the lore