Arcane Season 2 Is A Letdown || Part 6

[@Radicalgerbils]

The thing I hate most about season 2 is how they went from piltover vs zaun to both vs some other threat. Having zaun finally gaining independence from piltover being the finale would be better than what we got. But no, they had to set up the noxus stuff for another show. Ambessa should have stayed a side character.

[@GenerationOffended]

Going away from the Zaun and Piltover conflict was the writer's greatest mistake. It just ended instead of having the proper attention it deserved.

[@Radicalgerbils]

@ All they did was put Sevika on the council as if that would change anything.

[@nont18411]

To be fair, it would have been cool like when Game of Thrones set up (and botched) about the white walkers threat. At first, the main focus was the war between Starks and Lannisters. Then, the red wedding escalated the human conflict at the same time as the white walkers marching down to consume Westeros. GoT showed how futile the petty squabbles for an iron chair are compared to the real existential threat of ice zombies, that people should band together to fight for their own survival (until they decided that the throne is more important because of “subversion” which retroactively ruined the whole core message of the story). Arcane could have done the same as well about the futility of the conflict between Zaun and Piltover but it needs multiple seasons to make it narratively satisfying.

[@DrNiradino]

@@Radicalgerbils You know why they put Sevika on the council? Despite story showing times and times again that Sevika was an incompetent leader, in whom people of Zaun are not interested in the slightest, not to mention that she's a traitor and turncoat, she got a sit at the council at the end... because nobody of importance was left alive at the end of the story.

[@Radicalgerbils]

@ Even if she was the best fit, the other councilors would still look down and vote against her because there was no real resolution to that problem.

[@bj_bjt]

Christian Linke literally said “I've read that criticism. It is true that season two had other characters occupy more screen time. As writers, we were interested in these characters. I really don't know what else to say.” on twt, the writers werent interested in the protagonist at all. Im so mad they did Vi soo dirty, she deserved a writer team who genuinely liked her because i loved Vi and her character

[@fireon3339]

I think now this guy only interest is money.

[@WickedHumor]

@@fireon3339 They aren't making that much money on Arcane afaik. I think the drop off from season 1 is just a hard pill to swallow.

[@bumblebeeproductions1673]

They legit made a protagonist only to say “sorry guys I don’t like this protagonist”

[@Sahithi_YT]

Vi definitely deserves more screen time

[@maxyjaxons]

Bro the writers in this season did not give a shit 💀Every mundane joke and BS plotline in this show was a slap to our faces. They do not care.

[@asmophorp6165]

the fact that caitlyn never ask about jayce whereabout even tho he is her friend and she declare martial law which is something the council member should be involve , vi never asking or holding jinx accountable about ekko cause the last time vi saw ekko was in s1 during the bridge fight when jinx blew herself up and ekko. So many character just never talk about what happen in s1 or never mention again is so odd and proof that this is rushed as hell

[@Noximien]

It being rushed it not its biggest problem. These are different writers that care not about what came before. They just insert their spontaneous ideas into the show, not caring if it even fits.

[@Totemparadox]

Almost as if she was a General and had a bit more on her plate than "Where Jayce?"

[@loco_logic]

​@@Totemparadox What you're saying doesn't really address the issue. Not only are Caitlyn and Jayce close friends that have consistently had each other's backs, but he is also a council member and a lead Hex-tech scientist that has now suddenly gone missing for several months. She has every reason in the world to express legitimate concern for Jayce's whereabouts, for both personal and political purposes. It's missing details and spotty logic like this that make the writing in season 2 a noticeable step down from season 1.

[@Totemparadox]

@@loco_logic "Missing detail" Or the writers didn't think you'd need to be spoonfed the idea that Cait is aware of the disappearance of both Jayce and Mel like even AMBESSA IS but she might have more pressing matters to handle? Politicians go missing from the time to time and the government still goes on. Would I loved to have seen it? Yes, but the studio was under time constraints. A two minute scene wondering where Jayce and Mel went wouldn't have made any difference.

[@loco_logic]

@@Totemparadox That really doesn't make any sense though. A counselor and head Hex-tech scientist/engineer, who also happens to be a close long-time friend, goes missing for several MONTHS, and you're claiming that none of that should be portrayed as a big deal for Cait? Piltover's commanding officer... during a time of war? Um ok, whatever you say. It's not about spoon-feeding details like this to the audience. It's a simple matter of showcasing what makes these characters seem like actual fully fleshed out people. By not including these things onscreen, the writers are communicating that these details no longer matter anymore. The close connection between Cait and Jayce all of a sudden doesn't matter. The future of Hex-tech, during this time of great upheaval and conflict, for some reason doesn't matter to Commander Kirraman. When logically, it absolutely SHOULD matter. It was the careful tracking and development of these personal and political connections that made Season 1 gain accolades for being so tightly written. To have them missing (yes, missing) for major aspects of Season 2 is what makes the writing a lot more hollow in comparison. If they have the time to give Caitlyn a scene of intimacy for all 3 acts in Season 2, then they sure as hell have time for her to _at least_ acknowledge the existence of her once great friend, who also happens to be a vital piece of their city's political landscape.

[@nont18411]

Love how you mentioned how abusive Caitlyn is towards Vi. Vi just doesn’t act like a human being in this season, more like a plot device.

[@GenerationOffended]

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed. It quite literally is never addressed by either character. I can't imagine their relationship being healthy long term lol.

[@AscendantStoic]

Vi acts like an absued puppy this season XD

[@WickedHumor]

@@AscendantStoic Abused is her natural state lol

[@bumblebeeproductions1673]

Not even a plot device, just a kicked puppy

[@j3llyb1sh]

Caitlyn had a conversation with Ambessa about how "the blade cuts both ways", and it seems like she doesn't want to fight anymore. Caitlyn's feelings of revenge weren't strong like they once were, and seeing her face in Jinx' wanted poster... I saw it as she realized the damage she's done, that now she's the terrorist, like Jinx. The conversation with Singed when he asked "why does anyone commit acts others deem unspeakable?" For love". These are just examples of why I don't hate Caitlyn because they tried to show the audience that she came to her senses. If the issue is that Vi didn't have these conversations with her, than I totally get it. The creators needed more time, and you can tell the last 3 episodes were missing a lot of important scenes. That's really my only complaint.

[@rainchld]

You’ve broadly laid out most of my gripes with Vi’s characterization in Season 2. They completely butchered the very essence of what her character was about, diluting her into a shallow figure pulled in every direction without even a glimpse of the agency she used to have. Hell, even Isha (the Baby Yoda comparison is extremely apt btw.) had more of an internal driving force that influenced the plot, which is absurd given her utter lack of depth or personality (aside from being unreasonably brave and competent for her age and loving Jinx). As someone who considered Vi one of my top 4 favorite characters in the show, it’s incredibly disappointing to see her so definitively ruined. One thing I’d like to highlight is the lack of well-choreographed fight scenes in Season 2. Vi’s fight in Episode 3 of Season 1 and her two fights against Sevika remain the best-executed in the entire series. Her first fight with Sevika at the end of Episode 5, in particular, is nearly flawless. It showcases Vi as an experienced and strategic fighter, using numerous techniques and leveraging her environment to gain the upper hand. This attention to detail is something I really appreciate about Season 1, it devoted time and effort to making the action scenes as memorable as they were. They weren’t perfect, of course, but undeniably a strong point worth appreciating. In contrast, Season 2 gives us little more than generic superhero-esque punching sequences that don’t even feel half as impactful as her regular punches in Season 1. Throughout all her action scenes, she mostly just punches stuff with her super-powerful gauntlets, reducing what was once a unique fighting style into something bland and uninspired. Her technical and strategic approach, even when wielding the Atlas Gauntlets, was such a distinct and enjoyable element of her character, but Season 2 strips it away entirely. She’s reduced to a generic “big-action-hero-girl with super strength.” It’s mindless, bland action with nothing interesting to focus on-exactly the opposite of what Vi’s fights should be. I guess that’s what happens when the central creative minds behind Season 2 don’t care about continuing the arc of the show’s second main character in a meaningful and/or compelling way. What a fucking waste.

[@hewamohammed2775]

What season 2 fight scenes? You mean the power point presentations with music?

[@GenerationOffended]

Great points on the action scenes. While action scenes are great visual spectacles, they still need an emotional core as to why they are happening. Thats what makes them so memorable, its the emotional weight they represent. In this season these fight scenes lack all of the depth necessary to make the fights compelling, its just characters nobody cares about fighting over stuff we hardly understand. Great take man, I like what you say.

[@bwslayer926]

Y'all can criticize a story but none of y'all can write a story.

[@rainchld]

​@@bwslayer926 Great argument. Why would you assume that none of the people criticizing this season’s storytelling have any experience in writing themselves? You can’t possibly know that. You have no idea who any of us are. Also, you know who can write a good story? The writers of Arcane Season 1. You know who clearly can’t? Whoever was responsible for Season 2.

[@bwslayer926]

@rainchld Season 2 wasn't bad. Most people's issue with S2 was that it felt rushed. The story is still well written. The pacing held it back, not the writing. Again, I say, if y'all can do better then take these characters/events & coin a better S2 plot. Who knows maybe Riot Games will give y'all jobs on their spinoff series 😅

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

The way the writers treated Vi and Jayce, the two main agents of the plot, is unforgivable. It felt like watching torture p*rn of my favorite characters rather than see them actually be active. They became empty husks for the plot to use and discard.

[@VillagerCometh]

Season 2 doesn't exist in my brain. Thanks to the idea of the multi verse, I can safely end arcane with Season 1 and be remembered as the masterpiece it was...

[@tourmelion9221]

It was so bad I tried to make a full rewrite, and it's actually pretty good, I suggest to try rewriting it yourself, or try scoping around for spaces where that's happening, I'm trying to make one rn

[@Joodstudios]

IMO, season two had good art, music, and some characters had amazing character writing, but they definitely needed mor explanation and to pace it slower. I’d give it a 7/10 Season one was literally perfect, so I’d give it a 10/10

[@frankiehecksroyalplate]

Saw people talking about watching it 3,4,5+ times already, like, how? I watched it once and I think i’m set for life. 😅

[@tourmelion9221]

@frankiehecksroyalplate I watched it once and it was too many times!

[@dreamcatchersnatchedmylife]

​@@tourmelion9221 My watching journey: *Act1 drops, super excited, appreciating the art and characters, since they're back but frowning at many scenes with 'huh?' in mind at creators decisions but okay we are getting somewhere right? *By the time of Vi vs Jinx battle I'm fuming with rage, with wtf is even this, it doesn't make much sense but I'm holding onto hope, it's gonna get better in Act2, we'll focus on politics, great personal conflicts 👍 like some stumbling can be excused and forgiven when it leads to something, they just put the pawns on the board, yes yes *I'm angry, I watch Act1 for the second time, rewinding and all that, with a notebook and pen to write down what feels wrong to me, out of place, characters etc and if I'm just crazy for thinking that -> found even more problems, so much of them, suprise suprise, that could be easily fixed by fcking caring in the slightest for the characters they freaking made, so at this point I'm just angry *Act2 ok I'm just baffled, I enjoy some scenes and music in the void, trying to stay open minded, it's okay, writers have a plan, I notice extremely weird decisions and foolish scenes but okay it's okay it's absolutely not okay *I hate ep.6, worst ep in arcane to date (funny how it's the highest rated ep out of both arcane seasons 😂😭) oh the cheap emotional manipulation tactics are the best and as we see they simply just work 😃 👍 * I WATCH ACT2 AGAIN, just take it as is, try to enjoy the ride, where it fumbles? I have to be just crazy right? -> again my opinions double down, I want to strangle the writers, okay okay it's fine, I enjoy ep 4&5, then the monstrosity of 6 happens, just sitting with a head in your hands asking yourself wtf is going on, what writers thought they were doing!? *Okay this season is not the best, even not good, but technically if you don't think too much about it, treat it like any other action movie (I can't just do that bc season 1), you can enjoy the ride. It's fine, it's going to be fine, they have 3 ep left to wrap it all up, its very little with the amount of plotlines and character arcs to complete, wo boy, I'm getting stressed, but they can still somehow salvage the season, just stick the landing, that's all I'm asking at this point *Ep.7... It's cute, it's nice, finally we have some ekko and heim this season. This timeline is just pure fanfiction but it's good to look at what they were up to and the progression of scenes is very good. 12 minutes in, wait so we staying in the AU for the entire episode? It's bad. So bad. We already didn't have enough time with full 3 episodes to wrap all storylines up. I'm just freaking anxious. I lost my mind when I saw Silco. Just WTF. I'm throwing chairs. You get a retcon and you get a retcon. At the end I don't know how to feel about this episode. I do and don't love it at the same time. Some things are blatantly stupid *Ep8&9 I'm just tired, I enjoy some scenes when I don't think about everything around them and just put them in a void to love them separately, they're beautiful and great in a vacuum, I'm angry and disappointed at every scene in some way or form, I have no desire to watch this whole act again. *Thinking that maybe if I watch this season fully in one go I can change my mind. So I do. And guess what. Who would've guessed. *Writers and creators can eat arse for all I care *I leave this shithole more depressed than I already was before the season, another thing that I was passionate about and loved dearly, bites the dust due to lazy, incompetent and greedy people yay ✌️ *Enjoy the videos that speak about this joke of a season

[@laks786]

Thank you for calling out the weak parts of this season. Too many people call others who criticise this season "media illetrate".

[@alexandrapaige8311]

Which always cracks me up, because good writing does not entail that the audience has to fill in the massive cracks in storyline to make the storyline make sense, but anyways

[@GenerationOffended]

Lol its crazy how often the "fans" use that term. Even if only half of what I said was true, it would still be too much for the show to be considered good.

[@laks786]

@@GenerationOffended I'd say most of your criticisms are valid. The ones that are not for me personally are due to personal preferences. Other than that, looking forward to your next video cuz you just earned a new subscriber

[@laks786]

@@alexandrapaige8311 true

[@Ididtherightthing]

I love how media literacy went from an actually useful concept to “people who agree with my take” in a year or less. The internet really does ruin everything it touches.

[@bass-dc9175]

5:22 About "The Scene" The worst thing about it is what came before. Let me remind everyone: Jinx just told Vi in no uncertain terms that she will ... well ... do what Ekko prevents her from doing. The cell still has blood on the floor from the mental breakdown where Jinx bit of parts of her fingernails. The Food she has not touched is still moldy on the floor. So: We have a dirty cell, with your sisters blood on the floor, after your sister just told you that she will comit the non-youtuby stuff to herself, so time is of the essence. Would you then, as Season 1 Vi, in this situation, say "F my sis" and get it on with Cait? I'd say: Absolutely not. I am all for the two having a scene together. But the entire context around it is deeply disturbing.

[@Totemparadox]

Bro leaves out the part that both Cait and Vi are literally prepared to die in the coming hours to a machine god invasion. Yes, Vi chose herself like Jinx did countless times before. It was pure emotion from a person who thought she had absolutely nothing left. Like she was back at square one in Stiill Water except now not even Jinx/Powder wants or needs her help. Vi is a wreck who is at her end.

[@bass-dc9175]

@@Totemparadox In what universe is "We are about to fight an enemy to the death" an excuse for a character abandoning ALL of her priciples, waste precious time by having a quicky with the person who embodies everything she hates about piltover, and who just said she deliberately let jinx go, who mind you: IS MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND ABOUT TO OFF HERSELF AND TOLD VI SO? Vi should be furious at cait for enabeling Jinx to do the Ekko scene, if you catch my drift. As you said: Jinx/Powder needs her help and specifically said that Vi will "just never give up on me". What in the absolute nonsense is she doing with cait here? In the cell that literally has her sisters blood on the floor. She might aswell have said "I don't care that my sis is about to blow herself up. I need them cheeks" That is not "acting out of pure emotion". That is not "Might aswell because we are about to face death." That is replacing the entire character of Vi for a cheap and manipulative scene with no thought behind it. I don't think the writers were concerned about any of the issues with that scene. It is 100% only here to appeace the shipers. And it does so by sacrificing the character of vi.

[@Totemparadox]

@@bass-dc9175 Let her go? Lmao you can't actually be this daft? You think they should have kept her locked up like a circus monkey? Cait gave Vi a "key" to do what she saw best for Jinx and you think Vi should hold Cait accountable for that? In what universe does that make sense? Did you forget that Jinx isn't some scared little girl? She's a murderer and a terrorist who has tormented Vi and Cait in the past all because Vi loved Cait. In your universe Jinx is the only victim and if people aren't constantly rushing to her help then they're traitors or something equally ridiculous. Vi had literally no reason to suspect that Jinx is about to nuke herself. Maybe she was walking away. Maybe, she was going to return to her old ways. We audience have the knowledge, not Vi. What Vi knew was that no matter how hard she tried, Jinx was going to push her away by any means, even hurting her. So yes, when a person thinks they've absolutely lost everyone but then it turns out they haven't, it makes people act funny. That's why the scene wasn't in a "better time" spot or in a more appropriate location. It was natural passion of the moment action. I believe you will never understand this tho. That people evolve and devolve. People make right and wrong decisions. People act emotiobally and thoughtfully. Vi isn't written like binary code. No one in Arcane is.

[@jamida5287]

The fact that theres 2 people arguing about multiple characters motivation is a clear sign that the writing of S2 is really shit. I dont remember people arguing over S1.

[@bass-dc9175]

@@Totemparadox " Lmao you can't actually be this daft? You think they should have kept her locked up like a circus monkey?" You can not be serrious. Okay let me spell it out for you. When Vi says that she went behind Caits back and that is why Jinx is gone, cait responds with: "You really think I needed ALL of the guards at the hex gate?" Cait is saying she deliberately pulled off the guards so that jinx can escape. Yes: Jinx is a murderer who has slain Caits mother, but the writers made Cait forget that ENTIRELY after the cinamonroll character exploded. Cait even smiles knowing that Jinx escaped the vander explosion in the end. Did I forget that jinx is not some scared little girl and is a murderer? Absolutely not. But the writers sure did. I am not saying "Jinx is innocent, lets stop her from doing the ekko boom". I am saying: >>> VI

[@Ellie-ro4bc]

YES, I dived into S2 with Vi as my favorite character and throughout the show I find myself constantly saying "what are they doing to vi" and in the finale idgaf about her anymore It feels like she's just there to be a hot lesbian character, in contrast to S1 where she's actually meaningful to the story and her relationship with cait is much more subtle and beautiful, that her liking cait is just a minor part of who she is. This fact hurt the relationship between them from the audience's POV because it feels forced, unnatural, and out of character. I don't know why fellow gays think this is good representation. For me, it's NOT. It feels like a forced representation, it feels like they just included the sex scene and caitvi endgame to tick a checkbox. I really hate how the show disappointed me by messing up caitvi. I wanted the relationship to be deeper than it was portrayed in s2. Where did the subtle gestures and small little things that the two of them did for each other in s1 go? I really wanted to see that in the new season but no, all i got was vi not holding as much grudge after cait suppresses zaun even further, caitlyn folding after they barely talked and communicated, and then they just straight up banged each other after jinx was being suicidal. Not to mention that it seems forcing the relationship to progress that way also assassinated caitlyn and vis character. Anyways thanks for listening to my rant

[@hewamohammed2775]

They made her a side character in her own story lol. Especially in the final episode, she's just a pilti soldier.

[@rainchld]

100% agreed.

[@catherinejanet5806]

@@Ellie-ro4bc honestly i don't even know if i ship them in s2. they just feel like they're not the same characters anymore

[@Ellie-ro4bc]

I couldn't focus after the sex scene at ALL because of how baffled I am with how badly they did caitvi and the choices leading up to that point. And what was that caitvi ending scene? I could go on and on but Ill stop here for now

[@Ellie-ro4bc]

@@catherinejanet5806 Exactly, and my only way of coping is to ignore their development in s2

[@S1ugRiot]

I’ll give it a year before a lot more people start critically thinking about Arcane season 2 and see it for what it truly is.

[@GenerationOffended]

Definitely, its going to be like The Last Jedi

[@Totemparadox]

​@@GenerationOffended Lmao what? Literally everyone hated TLJ the minute it released.

[@GenerationOffended]

I don’t think you remember the debate around the film

[@Totemparadox]

@@GenerationOffended There was no debate. Maybe five people liked it and the rest of us hated it or thought it was the same slop all over again. The only thing that almost had people were the visuals. Sure it's the least shitty of the three but it's still pure unrefined slop.

[@charlestonjew7587]

@@GenerationOffended The Last Jedi completely subverted my expectations and by that, I mean I had a hard time giving/taking a shit.

[@Crimm323]

The black rose subplot I zoned out almost the entire thing.

[@GenerationOffended]

There really isn’t much to miss lol. Just a big waste of time

[@Crimm323]

@@GenerationOffended she could have gotten her power up by just being angry with mom and the story would have been the same.

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah pretty much, I think they should have just killed her off in the first episode

[@Crimm323]

@@GenerationOffended black rose could have saved her from jinx attack at the end of season 1 and have her a training are with her coming back to take down her mom as a spirit of vengeance kinda thing.

[@halfknight2310]

⁠@@Crimm323yeah. That’s a way to get her to actually side with you. Save her life and make her believe you are the good people. Then actually train her.

[@mishan3168]

Also about vi. I really feel bad for her. She was so amazing character in s1, so badass, determined. But not stupid and simple. And she completely butchered in that season.

[@WickedHumor]

@@mishan3168 she was always a slave to her need to protect. First it was Jinx, then Caitlyn complicated things. All of season 2 up until their jail scene, she struggles with her love for Jinx and Caitlyn. Being the stubborn character she is, Jinx resolves her familial responsibility and Caitlyn resolves Jinx being the barrier between them. Vi never lets go until she's forced to after Jinx "dies". Its a very short scene to end her arc.

[@parisulki729]

Remember how in season 1 Vi was beating up chembarons and destroying their factories? Or how she had an awesome fight with Sevika, where at no point you were sure who would win? Or when she had a compelling romance with Caitlyn as they spend more time together? Remember how Caitlyn was a cunning investigator? Yeah, she lacked the street smarts, but she was competent cop. And yet she was somewhat idealistic. I guess the rocket Jinx hit the council with was filled with "dumb-dumb gas", which affected the entirety of Piltover and Zaun

[@Birdyboys]

At some point when do you call character writing misery porn because that’s how Vi felt to me. Like everyone is crying about how tragic powder is but half of powder’s problems are her own fault and she is somehow rewarded for it. Vi is repeatedly traumatized and she’s rewarded by getting slapped by her terrorist sister (god the writing favoritism is so bad) and getting slapped by her abusive girlfriend

[@Lesbean_Burrito]

It was misery porn, you're right.

[@kacperstrach9687]

They called me a madman when i pointed all the wrongs of this season on launch day. Glad i wasnt the only madman there

[@GenerationOffended]

I got slapped with the same label when I started this series. We’re not alone in our complete disappointment

[@bumblebeeproductions1673]

Us season 2 dislikers have to hide in the trenches fr

[@moggreg]

Feels the same when I point out flaws in other popular shows such as Attack on Titan

[@barb-bi]

Apparently, it's a masterpiece 💀

[@loganshalloe5927]

​@@moggregimo the flaws of this season are much more egregious than anything in AoT

[@alexmelling5261]

I miss the old Violet Save Zaunite souls Violet Leave children cold Violet Set on her goals Violet I hate the new Violet The licking boots Violet The always blue Violet Leave Zaunites screwed Violet

[@theleperking9301]

I didn't like how Jinx felt like a total different character than the one we left in season 1.

[@Lesbean_Burrito]

They marvelized her 😭

[@hybrid2069]

Much respect to you for clearly highlighting major flaws, instead of spinning the narrative to justify your feelings, as I believe most fans are doing. I don't agree with all your points, but I can't deny that Vi got the short end of the stick here. She became very reactive and less proactive, stagnating her character growth. She was almost the same in the beginning and the end of s2 but tossed in different situations. Also, her and Ekko not exchanging a single word is outrageous. They favoured so many action sequences but didn't capitalize on compelling interactions that could've revitalized Vi's journey.

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks man. I agree with you, especially about Vi and Ekko not speaking. There are so many characters this season that lacked interactions. Vi and Jayce also didn't speak despite being in the same room multiple times. We missed out on so many different character dynamics.

[@DianaDonineaux]

If they have spoken Ekko would have to trash her about her becoming an Enforcer.

[@carrotbringer398]

@@DianaDonineaux and that would have been great, we could even see her argue why she did it.

[@LindsayCatherine]

“You’re a wizard, Mel!” “I’m a what?”

[@GenerationOffended]

Lmao do you mind if i steal that joke?

[@LindsayCatherine]

It’s all yours 😂 Great videos, btw!

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks man lol

[@LindsayCatherine]

I had a bigger reaction to Jayce and Mel voting to retire Hiemerdinger than anything that happened in season 2

[@brianthom6798]

Is it just me, or was Mel far more interesting as a political schemer rather than a novice mage?

[@GenerationOffended]

100% man, they totally re-wrote her character

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

Not just you. They were just in a hurry to add mel to the game

[@StripesZB]

What really blew my mind when I watched this season is how the history between characters doesn't matter at all from act to act. Cait is a good example of it from her flipflopping sides like 3 times, but the most egregious example is between Vi and Jinx. The conflict between the sisters is the emotional core of the show. They were family, then tragedy struck, Jinx went mad, Vi swore her off, they keep building up this unresolvable conflict between them. But then midway through the season they go on a fetch quest together, and they just seem mildly grumpy at each other. They've had this giant chasm between them built over 1.5 season. Their reunion needs to be smartly written and resonate to reflect their history. For me, nothing screamed "because the plot said so" more than this absolutely botched reunion between them.

[@GenerationOffended]

Well summarized. You’re totally right. The Jinx and Vi reunion came right after this supposedly epic battle in episode 3 where they quite literally trying to kill each other. Then because Vander is back they go right back to being sisters again without either having a real reason to do so. The only thing we get is Vander’s magical letter to Silco that apparently justifies all the forgiveness in the eyes of the fans.

[@jamida5287]

Its such a waste really. Caitlyn and Vi's dynamic from S1 works really well, they had a lot of chemistry (and tension). But in S2, their dynamic feels off, theres like a power imbalance. Maybe its because they assassinated both of the character.

[@Totemparadox]

"I don't like how this character evolved so they were assasinated."

[@mary-um6jn]

@@Totemparadox The characters didn't evolve though, they devolved and regressed from the developments that were made for their character arcs in S1. We don't like how the characters devolved instead of evolving in S2, hence why we are using the term 'character assassination'. They said and did many things that either didn't make sense for their S1 characterisation or that could have made sense should their decisions/motivations have been fleshed out alright or given room to breath, but instead felt unearned since the emotional pathos, stakes and weight of such character beats were completely missing from the story. In the end, they didn't actually end up effectively telling any of the characters' stories hence why many people are responding with how empty the show left them feeling. How can the audience care for characters that even the writers didn't care enough about, abandoning them and not doing justice to the arcs they set up for them from S1?

[@jamida5287]

@@Totemparadox what evolved are you even talking about? As if theres a character evolution in the first place. Compare the Arcane S2 characters from Zuko from ATLA. Thats what you call a character evolution.

[@Totemparadox]

@@mary-um6jn Oh right of course. Sorry I didn't know I was talking to a Marvel fan. Hey, just stick with Avengers if you want to see perfect cookie cutter characters. Arcane characters are all messed up. Evolve, devolve, doesn't matter. Hey, did you know that in real life people also devolve? Imagine that. We don't always learn.

[@mary-um6jn]

@ i actually strongly dislike marvel movies and do so exactly for the reasons i had stated in my original comment. Please read it more carefully to understand what i mean because i feel i have been clear enough, instead of jumping to completely wrong assumptions about my perspective. And your point is exactly what i am arguing. The characters went from being complex and nuanced characters that felt like whole human beings who make mistakes and struggle, to something very close to being cookie cutter characters in S2 just as you describe. That is what devolution means. The writing went from something great and effective to less than so. And devolution doesn’t pertain to characters making mistakes, falling and struggling. That’s actually exactly what i want to see. Except the show doesn’t do that, it doesn’t flesh out the moments when a character does fall from grace or take a harmful path because the writers themselves didn’t seem interested in the moral struggle of it all. Why do i say this? Because besides music video montages, that can only be so effective for certain circumstances, there is little to no dialogue or poignant direction in the script that enables us to see the characters’ struggles in this way. And yes of course, human beings don’t always evolve and learn. That’s okay. But it is clear that none of the characters were written with their ‘devolution’ and complete downfall in mind. The writers attempted to present and conclude every character’s arc with a high but failed to do so in a way that felt earned. They skipped multiple meaningful character beats for many of the main characters. Hence why people describe the season to feel ‘rushed’ and ‘badly paced’. I don’t think describing arcane characters as just being ‘messed up’ is a strong defence either. Because so what if the characters are messed up? If the writers can’t make sense of the mess and convey it in a meaningful way to audiences then how does being ‘messed up’ make them more compelling characters? Rather reflection is key. How can we have the characters reflect on what makes them ‘messed up’ and use that as a means for their growth? That is what the writers should have been asking in the writers’ room. And finally, what is the point of making a show if your characters aren’t going to learn something and instead devolve, as you describe it so positively? Then there are no arcs. That makes for an incredibly boring show with no real message or anything interesting to say and arcane came very close to that with S2, creating such a disconnect with audiences like myself.

[@space_acee]

You're spreading the word man. This show isn't just a letdown. It's actually just total ass. Somehow it went mostly unnoticed though. I went from being excited about the future of the LoL universe to not caring at all. Such a shame.

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah I regret calling this series a letdown, you're right its a travesty. So much of the fan base blindly praised the new season. I think over time people will wake up to how bad it really was, it reminds me of how much the Star Wars fans initially defended the Sequel Trilogy.

[@space_acee]

​@@GenerationOffendedyeah lol at least someone is saying it though. you do a good job of laying out actual criticism of the writing and why it doesn't make sense vs. just nit picks.

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks man. Glad there are people like you who can see the show for what it is. Everyone can't close their eyes to this complete failure of a script.

[@space_acee]

Surprised you didn't mention how dumb it is that the hook-up scene happens in the jail cell where Jinx was being kept after she ran off in a clearly very unstable state. Neither Vi or Caitlyn care about where she went or the brewing conflict in Piltover. It was so unbelievably dumb I actually had to pause the show.

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah I am going to bring this up later in another section, I missed doing it here but I haven't forgotten about it. I think I'll do a smaller points section where I'll go over stuff like that closer to the end. Its another great example of how there was pretty much zero thought that went into the writing for this season.

[@MinusX01]

Arcane season 2 wanted to do too much, should've dropped the unnecessary plot lines (jinx being a hero, black rose, time travel, jinx and Isha dynamic, Viktor wants to kill everyone for some reason, etc.), if the writer's stuck true to a more grounded story like season 1 did, it could've been something really special, such a shame that season 2 just throws away much of season 1's great storytelling and plotlines.

[@GenerationOffended]

Thats all very true. They should have just stuck to the Piltover and Zaun conflict instead of this weird alternate timelines/time travel plot line.

[@chukyuniqul]

So basically a whole different s2. Mate, no offense, but that's shit criticism. It'd be like me saying to you "your comment is shit, it'd be not-shit if it was different". Like??? Yeah if you disliked it you'd prolly like it if it were different. Great. But not enlightening at all.

[@OG_RETR01]

If it were spread out through seasons, and they took their time, I think it might've worked decently. (This is based off of what others have said. I haven't seen S2 yet. Jinx best girl btw)

[@LuotkaSnih]

mel's story was the worst

[@space_acee]

you don't like how they turned her into captain marvel!?

[@antololo2579]

@@space_acee bro, facts.

[@GenerationOffended]

They completely tossed her to the side just to get some hype for a spinoff show, they really are pulling a marvel here.

[@bwslayer926]

They tossed her to the side? Dude, they literally made her a chess piece in S2. In S1, she was just Jayce's playmate.

[@space_acee]

@@bwslayer926 that is such a horrible take my god lol. In S1 she was literally the most influential person in driving Piltover towards hextech. She used her influence to drive Jayce towards the creation of hextech against Heimerdingers warnings. She also casts the first vote to voting Heimerdinger out of the council. In S2 its just like in this video - she gets put in a hole the whole time and then shows up with unexplained mystical powers and starts blasting people. It is the exact opposite of what you said. S1 Chesspiece. S2 Plaything

[@kyuubi3338]

I have no idea why so many people praise season 2. It's just so bad. I think they either they are gaslighting themselves because they wanted it so bad to be good or they are so weak they were enchanted by pretty visuals (I saw some people even crying, how I can cry if those characters are personality placeholders and not build up at all and those who were, were ruined).

[@Totemparadox]

I went into S2 barely remembering S1. Loved it. I didn't need to love it, I just did. Was it rushed in parts? Absolutely. Is the plot still gripping and characters interesting being backed by excellent music and animation? Yes.

[@DianaDonineaux]

People are superficial . Beauty privilege is real . They can pretend to not be shallow , intellectual they are all the same . They are the same kind of people who will become friends with you because you are pretty and even hate you for it but if you become ugly they will mistreat you .

[@malafakka8530]

​@@TotemparadoxNo.

[@lmahu6627]

​@@Totemparadox "Barely remembering S1" and that there explains why you like S2. You don't care about the foundations established, you just love the spectacle.

[@Totemparadox]

@@lmahu6627 I forgot to add that after episode 6 I rewatched S1 and now I've rewatched Arcane like five times. So go off, sweaty. 💅 It will still be a flawed masterpiece no natter how much you cry.

[@rashimalviya8263]

The fact that people can call their "scene" fan service (i also agree) after watch their relationship development in s1 shows how horribly this season was written. They needed to either give them a proper love story so the ending would feel deserved or they needed to finish their relationship the moment Cait hit Vi but instead we got the worst of both parts

[@charlestonjew7587]

3:24 I agree yet Vi in Act 1, had also become part of that what she hated growing up. She saddled up with the enforcers and knowingly gassed her own people. She's just as guilty but doesn't acknowledge or wrestle with that decision either because it's all glazed over in a short music video montage at the beginning of episode 5.

[@Dragonblade722]

Vi season 1: A brash, headstrong, one-woman wrecking ball. She's not educated, but she not stupid. She's fiercely loyal to her those she cares about and the people of the undercity. She cares about the undercity and is willing to fight for it. She has a will of iron and not even 7 years of unjust imprisonment and abuse could break her resolve. She's cares about Caitlyn but knows where to draw the line and what her priorities are. Vi season 2: A self-hating, self-defeating, self-destructive washout in every sense of the word. She simps so hard for a war criminal that she's willing to gas her own people in order to murder, er I'm mean bring her sister to justice. She makes no attempt to find/stop Jinx after Caitlyn leaves her because what's the point if there's no cupcakes as a reward. Instead, she drinks herself stupid because the pretty war criminal she had one kiss with dumped her. It takes her mentally ill sister (a real hero of Zuan) to drag her out of herself dug hole. And the cherry on top is that same sister had to not only swoop in to save the day against Noxus, but had to "sacrifice" herself to save Vi stupid ass.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

I hope you're joking about jinx being a hero of zaun. She killed so many zaunites for Silco. If anything they should hate her guts. Ekko is the hero of zaun.

[@Dragonblade722]

@@Of_infinite_Faith Not according to the writers.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

​@@Dragonblade722 the writers can choke honestly. They had no idea how to write for these characters

[@Noximien]

On the point of emotionless reactions from characters: In the alternate universe Ekko sees Jinx. With extreme emotion written on his face: fear, rage, confusion, he violently throws a plate or something at her head, hoping to hurt her as badly as possible. Jinx then reacts not with shock, not with fear, not with any emotion whatsoever. Her reaction is plain and simple: "euh.... Did you just throw that?" Even AI can write better human interactions than these people.

[@WickedHumor]

I would also be in disbelief tbh. That seems pretty human to me lol

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

​@@WickedHumor that's not the only time she reacts like that btw. She never had the appropriate reaction to ekko's bizarre behavior. She doesn't look into it. Just brushes it off

[@WickedHumor]

@@Of_infinite_Faith She does inquire why he is acting so weird later on. Not to mention getting angry at Vi's memorial. Also, this is Powder, not Jinx. She would probably react more confused than angry due to less trauma/defense mechanisms and the fact they are clearly in good rapport. I can buy it, but I do see your point and it's fair.

[@dmitrigherson5160]

Long rant concerning Vi. Sorry, I'm so salty about her character in S2. She's my favourite character. The way they treated Vi in S2, stripping her of any agency, core traits and growth as a character is so frustrating. From the very beginning of S2 she's made so passive, dragged from plot point to plot point, forced to make plot things happen, to detriment of her character. In E1 she's practically forced to wear the badge without real alternatives, no real agency on her part, which also happens off screen. Off screen. This is supposed to be one of the most difficult decisions of her life. And why does she have to wear the badge at all? Why can't she tag along with the strike team as an 'independent contractor', so to speak? She was planning to go after Jinx alone anyway. And in S1E8 she joins Jayce and enforcers to raid shimmer facility without any badge requirements. But we have to show the LOL Enforcer Vi, so let's bend the story sideways to make it happen. It's so frustrating when out-of-universe reason trumps the in-universe one. In E3 there's an attempt to eliminate Jinx, but of course, this is just Act 1, can't happen yet. So maybe during the fight, instead of showing characters having the option to deal a death blow, bit not taking it (just squash Jinx's head with the gauntlet), choreograph the fight so there are no opportunities to kill one another. Maybe something akin to Cait - Sevika in the same fight, when Sevika repeatedly stops Cait from shooting Jinx. In E5 Vi is left all alone. We get to see a montage of her downfall. Kind of a disservice to the character to speed run such a thing through a montage, in my opinion, but whatever. Now Vi has no goal, no one to protect, no one to reach out to. It's as if she's back in her prison cell. This might be interesting character progression, if done right. Show Vi reach inside, try to figure out who she is now, what does she want, what does she need. Let her cast a fresh look upon herself, her surroundings. Let her attempt to emerge a changed person, more nuanced, stronger than before... Nope, can't risk all that, and why waste time? Just throw in Jinx with a random side quest to find Vander instead. And why wouldn't Vi agree? She has nothing to lose, no sense of self-worth, she's lost. No reason not to go with Jinx. This is also why the moment when she lowers her gauntlets when fighting Vander feel less impactful. "If it doesn't work, I die. Whatever. Nothing to lose". In E6 there's sort of an attempt on her part with the distraction, but the events are so random and dumbed down and the amount of luck so immense...She spots Singed seemingly at random. Maybe she was guarding the tent, even if it's not shown, so this one perhaps is a minor thing. But then she randomly bumps into Cait, then they immediately reconcile, then they come up with a distraction to hinder Ambessa's plans without knowing what these plans are. And everything works out almost perfectly (on the distraction part). What a streak of luck. In E8 she's dumbed down again, angry at Cait for jailing Jinx. Why wouldn't Cait, though? Vi claims Jinx's changed. Maybe. This doesn't change the fact that Jinx killed over a dozen enforcers and wiped out half the council. If she's changed, maybe she can carry out a sentence for her crimes? Show remorse? Make amends? No need - "changed" is enough to forget about everything. And again, Vi forced to overlook everything, even the fact that Cait said "I was waiting for you to recover to decide what to do with Jinx" and just runs to free Jinx. Going back to "she's changed" for a moment. Vi believes Jinx's changed. Fine. But why has she changed? Maybe it has something to do with Isha and Vander? Well, who Jinx no longer has with her in E8? It's Isha and Vander. Last time Jinx lost a father figure she bombed the council. Any concerns about Jinx's wellbeing? Any concerns about her getting off the rails again? No, have to move the plot along and stick Vi in the prison cell. And in the cell scene - again - Vi is robbed of her agency. She doesn't make a first move with Cait; she only reaches out to Cait after Cait reveals she was the one who sent all the guards away. In E9 Vi doesn't participate much at all. Talk about main character in the series finale. She does fail to jump off the failing ledge out of immediate danger and mourns Warwick instead. Sorry, but seeing Warwick die for a third time just doesn't make much of an impact. It does make the scene annoying to watch, since this is a scene after the victory over the big bad and approaching the end of the episode. Who would've guessed that Warwick will spring back, as the plot requires him to? Now Jinx saves Vi, and Jinx is the one who decides to sacrifice herself to save Vi. And again, no agency from Vi in a situation she's responsible for. As a side note - I don't mind a story of a character that doesn't change or fails to do so. Even though I think Arcane is not a good fit for such a story. But if they wanted to keep Vi static and incapable of change - there need to be consequences for the character. She frees Jinx behind Cait's back - make her lose Cait. She's too dense to jump off a failing ledge and mourns Warwick instead - make her the one to fall down the shaft.

[@keiichi8191]

Nah man, it's real easy. See, the Black Rose were trying to kill Ambessa because Ambessa was seeking hextech in order to defend herself from the Black Rose, because Ambessa hates magic-users, which is why she teams up with an insane magic-user who wants to mind-control the world so that he can turn her loyal soldiers into his magically-controlled puppets in order to attack Piltover despite him obviously not needing any help at all from Ambessa or the puppets in order to achieve his objective. It makes perfect sense if you just turn your brain off and enjoy the pretty colors.

[@Totemparadox]

-Hates magic user -Has a magic user daughter she loves Your surface level brainlet comment crumbles after 5 seconds of critical thinking.

[@DianaDonineaux]

​@@Totemparadoxand wants a magical weapon , which is exactly what Hextech is (magic and science combined to be more precise)

[@Totemparadox]

@@DianaDonineaux Yes. Ambessa doesn't hate magic, she hates how powerful the Rose is. They can literally pull a person into "hell" a continent away and kill them without even touching them. That is what ambessa hates, not magic.

[@MoonsCamelot]

Well said. I'm so irked by it all lol. I'm glad you point out how Mel and Jayce's stories are basically a copy-paste. The Black Rose/Le Blanc is an idiot much like Viktor,. And Vi really was ruined in this season's story. The common thread with both Mel and Vi (and honestly all the characters) is that the writers really don't seem to have any emotional understanding of them as characters, or what the experiences they put them through should make them feel. It's bizarre. Season one it felt like the writing team truly got the characters and loved them, and were in their heads. In season two, everyone comes off as shallow as a kiddie pool - and that's being overly generous.

[@GenerationOffended]

Very true, its been nice seeing other people also complain about this show, you’d think it was the best thing since sliced bread, the way everyone talks about it

[@kayleighdriessen]

some people have argued that Caitlyn is nothing other than just Vi's girlfriend, but i'd argue that throughout season 2 Vi serve no role other than just Caitlyn girlfriend/ex-girlfriend.

[@GenerationOffended]

Vi is definitely the secondary character here. Caitlyn fully took over the plot.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

They were so hellbent of having that dark! Caitlyn arc. So they got rid of the two powerful people who would resist her and ambessa; jayce and mel. When u take out the conflict and bury it in a hole, the result is gonna be weak. Thats partly why Cait's dictator arc was so empty.

[@FairyBogFather]

Vi and Caitlyn are a TERRIBLE couple. Caitlyn is flat-out abusive. Also I'm gay, but that doesn't mean I support gays who are violent cops lmao. This ship was just impossible for me to root for.

[@tourmelion9221]

Same, I thought the brushing off of her abuse was sickening

[@brownlesbo]

this!! im a lesbian and i disliked them so much this season but because they're gay im supposed to clap for them. no!

[@SummerIrvin]

People keep looking at the good bits of writing, and completely ignore all the bad ones. Then hate anyone who criticizes it and makes them feel like they have bad taste, because that's just what the internet is.

[@GenerationOffended]

Thats a good summary

[@wut-dah_7212]

One of the co creators essentially said on Twitter that they were interested in other characters this season. How do you lose interest in your main protagonist?

[@GenerationOffended]

Really? Wow, yeah thats not how storys work, you can’t just sideline main characters for no reason

[@dragonsman4733]

As a writer, it's pretty easy. Vi does suffer from a similar problem a lot of female characters have, her personality, role, and voice acting is rather generic compared to other characters in the show. In comparison to characters like Vi, Mel, and Caitlyn, she's rather dull, and that makes it easy to lose interest and want to write the other characters more.

[@MazDance]

I think Vi definitely should have felt more responsible for Jinx, she says it herself "I'm the one who created the monster." Whether that's actually true or not she believes it and when Vi believes something, she does something. Probably would have worked if she felt more angry and was willing, like Caitlyn, to do anything to fix her mistake. Her arc could have been about realising what was and wasn't her fault, what she can fix by fighting and not fix by fighting and what's worth fighting for.

[@Zeyga]

The responses that Christian Links has had over all of these issues been absolutely crazy

[@GenerationOffended]

I haven't gotten to take a look at his responses yet but I imagine it will be something that I will have to cover later.

[@Lesbean_Burrito]

In a vacuum, the sex scene was fine. It just makes no sense in context. Vi was only allowed to cry this season and be sidelined in her own show. I have no reason to care.

[@GenerationOffended]

Yes exactly

[@jamida5287]

Theres only one MAJOR reason why they left Vi in the dirt, its because of game skins. In the game, Vi is not a popular champion so her skins doesnt sell much compared to Jinx and Caitlyn, their skins sell like hotcakes. Thats why theres a huge shift of focus from the characters, Caitlyn has more screentime and custome changes than Vi even if Caitlyn was just a side character in S1. Then theres Jinx, they made her a "hero" in S2, then LoL released a $250 skin after. Then theres Ambessa and Mel, the 2 characters that sticks out like a sore thumb in the show, has more focus than Vi, its because theyre gonna be released as a playable character. Its all about the money.

[@7hkey]

One thing I found strange in s2 is that Vi's outfits in Act 1 and 3 were a bit disappointing. The Enforcer uniform felt a bit off -- which did match her discomfort but at the time I thought she'd get a new one once she reunites with Cait as Piltover's Finest. Instead Act3's outfit is just ripped jeans a beige top...

[@MariSParrero]

There wasn’t outrage from Vi at Caitlyn because Caitlyn’s own plot twist was nonsense. There was nowhere near enough character development for it to be believable, so everything that came out of that plot was just as shallow. Caitlyn had been built before as someone empathetic, with an open mind to learn and beat Piltover’s prejudices, who would rather find diplomatic solutions. Based on season 1, Caitlyn and Vi could have well been the bridge between the cities. Then season 2 came and Caitlyn became a second thought cool, shocking twist. Everyhing about martial law was actually about Ambessa, Cait was there just for empty tension (and apparently to smash the beautiful relationship season 1 built for her and Vi). Besides, wasn’t there anyone left in Piltover in any position of power? No enforcer chief? The other councilor who survived? Piltover’s greedy, selfish, corrupted elite simply accepted a 20 year-old as the autocratic ruler now? Where the hell even was her father? It’s like season 2 only cared about introducing the Noxus next show; creating happy Zaun alternative realities and flashbacks; and redeeming Jinx to the point she lost all original traits that had made her a perfect character in the first place.

[@raeldri5867]

Another great history ruined by shippers, they turned her character to just be "lesbian" no longer a freedom fighter, a rebel and tragic hero

[@priscilacarreiropinheiro8534]

At a point in her story she'd have to become a cop. That's her lore. It could've been better developed though.

[@rob197982]

Animation 10 out of 10 Voice acting 10 out of 10 All let down by rushed pacing, shite writing and to many music videos.

[@GenerationOffended]

It all failed in the writers room

[@notsoproguy6755]

The season 2 was so bad that he had to make a multi-part video a month after it’s release

[@DianaDonineaux]

It is clear that Mel , Jayce , Heimeirdinger and Ekko had to disappear for months because they would never have allowed or even fought against the martial law . The Black Rose is nonsense we do not know what clearly happened or not between Ambessa and the Black Rose . In S1 , I thought that Ambessa was fighting against Darius or Swain not a mysterious magical entity . Caitlyn would not have to become a dictator because Ambessa would not have to plot because like she said in S1 to Mel : "you let the problems of your Undercity fester too long" , Pilltover and Undercity should have being at each other throat and Jinx's without the necessity for her to plot after the attack on the council .

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen5410]

Mel's arc is hilarious. She goes from shrewd politician to super saiyan "empath" (freaktarded) with perfect control over her abilities in an afternoon. And then leblanc is trying to allegedly recruit her but is just doing terrible things to mel, her friends, and her family for some reason. Leblanc is rolling a 1 on a charisma check before doing anything regarding mel every single time I guess

[@halfknight2310]

Isn’t Leblanc like meant to be super smart and cunning? (I am not fully versed with league lore). Surely she’d know killing someone’s friend in front of them would NOT get that person to side with you

[@moe5020]

Vi didn't even try and contact ekko to make sure he's alright after he got literally blown up ffs I'm pretty sure they don't interact or even mention eachother once in the whole damn season XD

[@GenerationOffended]

They do not speak to each other at all

[@moe5020]

@@GenerationOffended bruh

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah i know lol, neither does Vi and Jayce even though they are in multiple scenes together

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

​@@GenerationOffended remember Jayce and Cait being like siblings? 🥲

[@GenerationOffended]

@@Of_infinite_Faith Lol ohhh right, you know had I not watched S1 I probably wouldn't have known that at all.

[@YenB_prplka]

I don't even know what I hate more, Caitvi ship or people who defend this pile of burning garbage

[@GenerationOffended]

We can do both equally. The shipping ruined the writing and defending the show will ensure we keep getting more garbage like this.

[@7hkey]

@@GenerationOffended I feel it's unfair to say that the shipping ruined the writing when there is almost no story line or character that wasn't ruined in S2. From how the relationship was built in S1, Caitlyn and Vi's story deserved a payoff... sadly it was done sloppily, but it's just a 2 minutes scene and probably just an excuse to have Jinx alone so Ekko could show off the Z-drive before the final battle. In act 2 there could have been enough space for progressing Vi to deal with Zaun and her issues with Jinx, instead it was a music video, a stroll with Isha and family time with Warwick.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

​@@7hkey the shippers are the ones propping it up and calling it a masterpiece unfortunately

[@7hkey]

@@Of_infinite_Faithbut that also includes jayvik and even more prominently timebomb. Not to mention Isha fans... *rollyeys*

[@carrotbringer398]

nah man, they were cute af in s1, and u gonna need a whole regiment to change my mind.

[@Ellie-ro4bc]

Looking forward to the part 947 😁

[@GenerationOffended]

Haha its coming.

[@mishan3168]

Let this man cook

[@FlorV_007]

I mean.. as much as I'm sad to admit it, because I really wanted to love season 2, all your points are valid and I can find little pushback to them. If season 1 writing quality didn't exist, I wouldn't mind because Arcane would be what I thought it would be before I watched : a marvel animation with cool fights, grandiose moments and little plot. This is the disconnect between the two seasons writing that is really baffling. The superior quality of the animation did a lot of heavy lifting to dustract the audience from these writing problems, but the more you analyse it, the more problems you see. You've earned my subscription !

[@GenerationOffended]

I was holding out hope after act 1 still as well. I was hoping they would do a major course correction but they only made it worse and worse. Thanks for your sub, I appreciate you supporting my channel.

[@DonAsael]

Vi character in S2 Act 1 Cait: Vi put the uniform of the People who killed you parents and help me kill you sister. Vi: ok Act 2 Jynx: Hey Vi come with me, the sister you wanted to kill the last time we saw each other, Vader is alive, trust me bro. Vi: Ok Act 3 Jynx: bye sister, dont follow me even do i look super depressed. Vi: Ok Ep 9 Jynx: Vi, get the hell away from that killing metal thing! Vi: naw ama do my own thing now. Jynx "ded". Top tier writing Gentlemen’s.

[@dmitrigherson5160]

S2 was probably what people thought we will get in S1 once it was first revealed there's a show based on LOL being developed.

[@mishan3168]

I said It lot of times and will said again. Mel was supposed to die with jinx missile. Everything was point to that in every possible way. This would be great motivation for jayce and Ambessa. More room for Ambessa and Cait relationship. And just common fucking sense. It feels like they was afraid to kill actually important character, and decided to write that shitty arc for her just to sell skins. My god why this season so bad.

[@GenerationOffended]

I agree, killing Mel would have been the best move. I have thought a lot about that too. Jayce would have made for a better dictator of Piltover than Caitlyn was as well, as he was at least on the council and as you pointed out, would have been motivated by Mel's death.

[@DianaDonineaux]

If Jayce would have become dictator, how do you think Caitlyn role would have been ?

[@littleyew]

Her survival was pretty heavily foreshadowed. I never understood people insisting that she should die. Was Mel the sole reason season sucked?

[@mishan3168]

@@littleyew she is not the only problem of season, but definitely not a strong point neither. And if this was foreshadowed, it's still doesn't make lot of sense and doesn't doing her "mage" arc less meaningless

[@halfknight2310]

11:00 yeah. Like I always wondered that. How the hell do you expect to gain someone’s loyalty when you kill their friend. Also. Leblanc and the black rose are meant to be SUPER smart and cunning. But that’s one of the dumbest decisions. Here’s away to get Mel to side with you. Take her away when she’s about to die. “Save” her and her friend. Tend to their wounds and treat them as equals. Help them and that will actually get the person you want to side with you. Teach Mel to use her gifts. Do all that and maybe Mel would side. Just do something to actually get the person to side with you. (If they wanted to force her powers to awaken, maybe pretend to kill ellara and stuff, forcing her to awaken. Only to reveal Ellora was fine and it was just a test.)

[@barb-bi]

Thank you for uploading again. Ive been lurking your channel all week ❤🎉😁😁

[@GenerationOffended]

Its my pleasure to rip this show apart. Thanks for the support!

[@1unpaid_intern]

Love to see that you're still at it and justafiably so, there's just this much to talk about! Aside from too many half cooked/rushed plots and unrecognisable characters, I'd say the fumbled themes and questionable messages are also worth talking about. The most obvious one is of course the abandond class conflict between Piltover and Zaun. Almost every character conflict in season 1 was somehow connected to it, so when the writers forget about it all these relationships suffer as well. Catvi is the most prominent offender for me. Vi suddenly being ok with dressing up as an enforcer and gassing her people makes no sense, she was completely anti-enforcer in season 1. (Even if she saw that some of the enforcers weren't so bad through Cait, that's still way too big of a jump.) Then when the two of them fight Jinx, Vi stops Cait from either accidentaly shooting a child or traumatizing a child by shooting a loved one right in front of her. And as thanks she hits Vi almost exactly where she was hurt before and leaves her crying. Now, even if Vi going along with Cait's plan makes no sense, there still was potential for this relationship. IF Cait actually had an arc where she realizes that she both mistreated the people of zaun and Vi in particular AND THEN properly apologizes PLUS we see her being sorry/ showing remorse or (god forbid) be disgusted by her own actions. But tha's not what happens. We basically skip over her dictator era, so any potential doubts and remorse are off screen (no, one sceen where she disagrees with Ambessa isn't enough). Even though Cait still did terrible things she is forgiven almost immediatley and faces no consequences (no, her getting stabbed and loosing an eye doesn't count because non of the people she directly harmed confront her). Also the way she completely folds after one "cupcake" from Vi is just so stupid. As I already said we don't see her "arc". She even hits Vi AGAIN before she "captures" her and has the audacity to apologetically shrug. This is not ok. It basically trivializes Cait hitting her partner "because she can take it". The "happy ending" for them also has so much toxic potential. We have Cait still in a position of power (somehow) while Vi lost her entire family (except for Ekko but the writers forgot that these two actually know each other). In other words, Cait (or piltover in general) might have done bad things but she didn't know better and was emotional so it's actually up to Vi (or zaun/victims in general) to forgive her, because that will solve all your problems. (Almost the same thing can be applied to Silco and Vander btw. If Silco only found the letter and forgave him then everything could have worked out. Nevermind that they tried to murder each other) Another thing I find concerning is the fact that all the suicidal characters "happy ending" is them sacrificing themselves. I know the message wasn't intentional but it's still there and no Jinx probably surving doesn't change anything. Also the reason why everything in the alternate timeline turned out better is so stupid. So basically everything bad that happens is the fault of Viktor and Jayce wanting to help the people with technology and the solution is Vi, the protector who has a bad habit of sacrificing too much for others, dying. I see nothing wrong here /s

[@squirrel1226]

What made season 1 a masterpiece in my mind is that the plot was driven by the characters. We see their motivations and how it drives them to make the decisions they do and the result of their actions create the story. Season 2 felt like the plot was the main focus and the characters were just the device for the plot to happen. The characters don’t get as much screen time since there’s so many of them and unlike season 1 where a lot of their stories were connected, they were all kinda doing their own thing and so we don’t get to focus on one character for long and learn about them before it abruptly switches to another character and their story. I also wish they spent more time on the Zaun vs. Piltover plot. I feel like it’s crazy of them to spend the entirety of season 1 setting this up only for the two cities to team up because an even worse enemy shows up. If they really wanted to do the whole Noxian and Viktor invasion, they should’ve done a third season because the heart of the story should have been Vi and Jinx and how that impacted Zaun v. Piltover.

[@julitakamaki4386]

I hated that they turned Mel into a mage/fighter. I found her more interesting as a politician or expert manipulator. Someone who tries to avoid violence. The complete opposite of her mother. Also making her instantly proficient with her new abilities screamed Mary Sue and that is not fair to her character.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

Yup pretty much They just couldn't wait to turn her into a champion

[@acid7904]

Isha honestly was the most unnecessary character in Arcane. I could deal with Cait and Vi losing all meaning, but Jinx and Vi? Who the series was supposed to be about? All of the development that could have happened between Jinx and Vi happened between Isha and Jinx instead. The ending, Jinx choosing to "kill" herself, it genuinely could have been a great moment. If Jinx and Vi had that connection. It doesn't feel deserved, it doesn't feel right.

[@bilgeakaln6335]

Finally! A thumbnail I can get behind Lol I didnt realise it was you untill I heard the “number 6” cant believe you’re still doing this😆

[@GenerationOffended]

Its never going to end lol, i am here for eternity

[@Son_rae]

i agree, the thumbnail is pretty cool

[@mauvacottage5148]

Vi is still one of my favorite character of all time due to how great she was in S1. I've never seen a female character like her and I doubt we will for a long time. Her treatment in S2 confuses me and I think if they took better care of her it could've fixed quite a few issues in the show. But oh well I guess she sells less skin than Cait or Jinx so...:') Thank you for this video!! You're so spot on on everything!

[@jennadougherty4695]

The writers: “Look it’s Kino. 😏” Viewers: “That’s the Black Rose.” The writers: “But pay attention because there’s a twist…” Viewers: “Yeah, that’s the Black Rose.” The writers: “Omg I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you find out the truth!”

[@hawkins347]

Kinda hard to have a surprise reveal when you've already established the dude's dead in s1.

[@Keetsoona]

Something I wanted to mention is that the ‘test’ was likely to make her be more attuned to her power set related to ‘sensing others and bending their magic’ by figuring out that wasn’t her brother; therefore sensing through their deception and breaking through to ‘evolve’ in that life or death situation after being trapped. She couldn’t awaken when her and her best friend were first captured because she didn’t have that revelation of figuring out LeBlanc. I personally believe this is also reinforced with Mel ‘cutting off’ LeBlanc and saying ‘I see through your lies, deceiver.’ to make LeBlanc show their ‘true’ form.

[@littleyew]

It strikes me that most of the failures this season go back to the refusal to give any meaningful focus to the what is, in fact, the central conflict of Piltover v Zaun. So the characters with any sort of political power go instantly off the rails in ways that make them ineffective: Jayce, Mel, and Caitlyn. The rest...Warwick, Viktor's cult, the Black Rose, the alternate timelines all serve as distractions to the fact that the central conflict is never dealt with. A whole season of "look over there!" Based on the interviews, the whole thing kind of reeks of editorial interference. They wanted to do one thing, but someone above them quashed the idea. France loves a class warfare story, but the US doesn't. Maybe I assume too much, but it's clear something went wrong because the skeleton of season 2 is already there in season 1. Something as simple as having Mel go into the undercity to try to prove her mother was behind the memorial attack while Ambessa tries to manipulate Caitlyn and Jayce.

[@fellipepessoa1685]

Mage Mel's design is one of the worst things to happen this season. Mel went from looking like an Arcane character to looking like a League of Legends character

[@AmomenttobeReal]

I had a friend tell me that I didnt know what I was talking about after criticsm how Jinx passed from being very bad mentally ill to seeming... Normal? In a way to jinx being kept constantly drugged by silco. "Its obvious silco drugged her!, i dont get how you dont understand she does not have more allucinations because of this. Look at her eyes when she was with silco!" Me: the only time you know for a fact she was kind of drugged was after singed 'fixed' her and that was NOT something Silco liked. Being how Arcane was if the show had wanted us to know Jinx was constantly drugged by silco they would have shown it. You cant say she magically got better after silco died because 'he was abusive and drugged her and he is not around anymore'. I get it that the kid could have helped her stabilize since she had to take care of another oen, its a nice concept but this is miles away from the storytelling from S1 Or... "Its natural Vi had sex with Cait there brcause knowing Vi who is a person that needs to take stress off by violence and action, people forget sex is a way of relieving stress. I totally see vi doing that" I could not say anything to that... XD just that I didnt see it.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

Silco saw jinx as "perfect". why the hell would he drug her lmao. We never see him drugging her. She's the one giving him medicine. What the hell is that person talking about

[@AmomenttobeReal]

@Of_infinite_Faith I don't know. I tried to understand but I still don't know. Same as I don't know how Ekko forgave Jinx after she killed people close to him and his cause. So yeah. No, I don't get it

[@fidoriko302]

I had been wondering why season 2 felt off…

[@GenerationOffended]

Glad I could shed some light on it.

[@eumefmeauh6193]

Finally someone articulated my thoughts on Season 2! Like!

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks man, glad there are people who see what i’m saying. The fans are very defensive of this season

[@G0_somewhere_else-j1s]

I really didn’t like Jinx’s arc in the last episode. Like she was literally GOING TO OFF HERSELF and then all of sudden she’s at her absolute best 30 minutes later? Personally imo 1-7 were great, but 8 to 9 was so much going on with so little time to execute it properly. An HOUR of Jinx and Ekko moments in the final episode were cut that seriously should’ve been added to the final draft. This season’s biggest flaw was that it really needed time to flesh things out (at least an hour per episode and 1 hour and a half for the finale).

[@GenerationOffended]

Lol but thats how mental health works right? Some guy you used to know when you were kids shows up out of nowhere, says something cheesy and meaningless, then you’re 100%

[@G0_somewhere_else-j1s]

@@GenerationOffended That hour cut of content between Jinx and Ekko seriously needed to be included because I literally felt whiplash just seeing her like that. This season (especially the finale) really needed way more time.

[@Quran_Rushd]

"Lack of time" is just a banal excuse for screenwriters. A skilled screenwriter can write a high-quality story, even on short notice. It was just not necessary to complicate everything Ourselves, because the genius lies in the simplicity and understandable to all stories.

[@Mr.Schnaps]

Yeah they really did vi dirty here, even her dirty scenes where poorly done. Having the black rose plot is fine and sets up the next show but like you pointed out the way they did them created sucha big power scaling issue, like why didn't they snatch their target ages ago. Also mel being a mage is but going from not even knowing to being in full controll and over powering the black rose just seemed like bad pacing. But with your point about why would she wear something from them, she was using her mom to bait them, trying to out smart both sides.

[@RedWolfWindgear]

Shame they didn't delve into her life in Prison after the events of the first part of season 1. I kind of wanted to know about the story of her tattoos and what she did to not lose her marbles in the joint.

[@imafrog6179]

Thank you for this!!! I knew season 2 wasn’t as impactful to me as season 1 was, and you pretty much explained in detail all the issues I had with this season lol. You gained a follow ❤

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks for supporting the man!

[@nooshy805]

Another great analysis, as usual, i don't know how anyone can enjoy season 2 at this point.

[@GenerationOffended]

Thanks man! Even if only half the stuff I said was true, this show would still be irredeemable

[@nooshy805]

@GenerationOffended lol I think everything you said is true, season 2 was a complete failure compared to season 1. It was painful watching your analysis on Mel's story because I never really noticed how bad it actually was, I knew I didn't care about what was happening before and every time the show switched to what was happening with her it was more exhausting than anything to keep up with it all but now I see it was completely garbage and didn't make much sense whatsoever. Can't believe that people are willing to defend this season especially when you compare it to season 1.

[@Totemparadox]

​@@nooshy805 He's not gonna let you hit bro 💀

[@diamond-sk2ll]

oh my god, ive found my people. thank goodness, i feel like ive been going crazy

[@GenerationOffended]

You’re not alone here haha, we have all been going crazy

[@lawngrease849]

I was immensely disappointed with season 2. Fortiche was probably very creatively restricted by riot inc, and that makes me very frustrated. im speculating a bit, but i thnk this is further supported by how the creators of arcane had to BEG riot to let them make season 1, and it was incredible. then riot saw its success and popularity and bought a portion of fortiche and got more heavily involved in season 2 cause "woah this is profitable! yeah we'll be taking some creative liberties from here." all in all i try to give the original writers and creators the benefit of the doubt.

[@Chrisslitteprincess]

4:38 had me bursting out DYING. dude, the caitvi sesbian lex scene may not have held a candle to the plot, but damn, I think it was pretty worth it....

[@euoplo1007]

the broad storybeats themselves arent that bad but it was way too rushed with no nuance that made the first season so good. At some point "being rushed" is just "bad writing"

[@TheRoyalGherkin]

Mel really should’ve died, she finished her character arc. Her existence only serves to take up time

[@GenerationOffended]

I agree, they should have killed her off, she really didn’t impact the plot enough and could have been written off

[@TheRoyalGherkin]

@ it also would’ve helped lead into Jayces decision to make hextech weapons after being so vehemently against it.

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah exactly, it would have been a great motivation for him and Ambessa to fight Zaun

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

​@@GenerationOffended personally I'm stuck between Mel and Viktor dying. Mel's death would motivate ambessa to attack. But Viktor also accepted his death in s1 when he asked Jayce to destroy the hex core. The only reason for him to survive was bc they wanted that machine Herald fan service. His death in the explosion might also serve to motivate Jayce to weaponize hextech.

[@moe5020]

I would put Ambessa in the room and have her die 1. The invasion of Zaun happens basically because Jayce is just absent from the vote even though stopping the war would be his top priority and mel the political genius just lets that happen, him and mel together could have easily overpowered salo and caitlyn and then forced ambessa to leave. If Mel and Caitlyn are both in the same boat of avenging their mothers then it makes way more sense the Mel could use her influence to oust Jayce in favor of Caitlyn which would be ironic as thats what she did to heimerdinger. 2. I feel like Mel needs to live as it's a more interesting way to set up a future noxus show to make Mel have to take up the reigns of the medarda clan after her mothers death and then have to make the same hard decisions ambessa had to make which leads to her understanding ambessa better.

[@Modrzew1988]

Good to see that someone else recognises how the second season plunged a promising story. People mostly mindlessly jumped on the hype train, they all really wanted Arcane to live up to the outstanding first season, they wanted this so badly they told themselves it was amazing, despite the second season being a huge mess. Most of my friends were delighted at first and when I tried to point out all the minor and major script silliness to them they claimed I was nitpicking and that the show was written in excellent fashion. I for one was incredibly disappointed with the second season and no one around me could understand why. It's comforting to know that after the hype has died down they are starting to notice how the characters and plot have been destroyed. Thanks for your videos, I pass on each new one to friends who are slowly opening their eyes to how a series with great potential has been butchered. I gave you a sub and hope to see your analysis of other storylines in the future.

[@GenerationOffended]

I have been hit with the "nitpicking" label many a time. Especially when the new season first came out. I think you're right, in time people will start to open their eyes a bit more to how bad it is. This new season was certainly overhyped. I really appreciate your support man. Its been fun working on this channel, I wouldn't have gotten this far without people with open minds, like you.

[@ProfessorLobo]

Hoping there's more parts. I know hes a small part of the show, but I kind of hated Singed as well. Having three seconds of screen time with robot girl is not an arc. What I would've done is brought back Orianna at the end of Act 2, who ends up hating him for turning her into a monster. He ends the show alone and hated with a lifetime of questionable ethical decisions, but he does end up getting what he wanted in bringing his daughter back.

[@GenerationOffended]

There will be, at least one more. I haven’t forgotten about Singed, he got way too happy of an ending for all the horrible things he did. Thats a solid idea, it would have been far more fulfilling than the ending we got. I think the lessons would also be a lot more interesting than Singed just getting away with everything

[@Lesbean_Burrito]

They gave Singed some cringe lines too. "Man is the real monster" or something like that. Like he's 14 years old 🥴

[@AscendantStoic]

Now that you mention it, yeah .. she was literally dragged around by everyone ... then assassinated her character completely with the Vi x Caitlyn scene in the cell, in which she is going down on Cait while her sister is trying it kill herself ... ooof XD

[@Totemparadox]

So because the viewer knows this then so must Vi? Edit, actually ignore this comment, you make degenerate horndog AI edits. Your opinion means less than a peanuts.

[@zoneoperator]

Am I the only one that realizes Caitlyn being a lesbian AND an only child means she is single handedly ending the bloodline of a great house?

[@malafakka8530]

And why does that matter?

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

Honestly I'm curious too. What will happen to the kirammans??

[@wasupp_pal]

🤣🤣🤣

[@carrotbringer398]

they don't really explain how heritage works in that world, so yes you are.

[@Siena2209]

I totally agree with you. Besides the weight comparison with 'a 16 year old girl with bulimia'. That was fucking tasteless. A different analogy next time please... :)

[@rainchld]

Read the channel name. I'm afraid joke policing isn't going to work on this guy.

[@Siena2209]

​​@@rainchldSeeing as he liked your comment, you must be right.

[@pam007]

Love your video agree 100% but didn't expect the hate for arcane season 2 part 6 now 😂

[@GenerationOffended]

I keep trying to wrap it up lol but then I’ll find something new to rant about. Hopefully the next video is the last one

[@Quran_Rushd]

If you loved Arcane and appreciated it as a quality work, then you will, no, you should criticize those "Screenwriters" who decided to spoil this art with their disgusting script. And someone who doesn't criticize, it means he doesn't care, like someone else will manipulate your favorite characters for the sake of his own incomprehensible. ambitions.

[@ThePrincessCH]

I thought Mel and Kino's interaction was animated that way to make it feel unsettling for the audience, not the characters.

[@thesilverspree2511]

What hurts me the most is I could find myself relating to a lot of Vi's struggles. Maybe not the trauma as a whole, but the fact she was the oldest of her surrogate family taking up all responsibility for everything that happened to them reminded me so much of myself, and thus love the character as a whole. I also come from a place where we are told a certaon group of people is of higher privelege than others, so her motivations stuck with me. Season 2 completely deprived her of this perspective and turned her into a soft-lil'-puppy type'a character, which certainly was a huge letdown-

[@dacoolestzzz]

2:38 random but the transition from cait and vi to patrick and louis made me laugh cuz they’re both weird gay situations/relationships lmao. Rip Vi she died when she did that guttural yell in season 1 :(

[@Lesbean_Burrito]

That Scary Movie clip was so good lmao WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!!

[@dmitrigherson5160]

While I'm glad Vi and Cait ended up together, one of the problems with the prison scene is how out of place it was. I understand that VI suffered trauma and abuse during her 6-7 years of imprisonment, but it was never portrait in the show as a core defining inner trauma she has to overcome, it wasn't something that would break her. If anything, it made her more resolved. (Unlike Jinx, for example, who carried the guilt and the trauma of S1E3 events with her and it was a core part of her psyche). But try questioning the scene in any way and you're immediately labelled as a homophobe.

[@verigumetin4291]

I couldn't get passed episode 3. I just got bored. I watched those initial 3 episodes, and I said, "Guess I'll tune in next week." And then next week came and I just had other better things to do.

[@Totemparadox]

You were too busy stealing.

[@TheRoyalGherkin]

I’ve never really liked caitvi even in the 1st season. besides its rushed pacing and forced nature, I’ve always felt it acts as a detriment to both characters(mostly vi). Caitlyn in my opinion acts merely as a parasite upon vi’s story because she doesn’t have anything interesting of her own. Season 2 only doubles down on this: reducing vi to a pathetic simp for Caitlyn, even getting a depression montage(not over the fact she turned her sister into an insane terrorist, but breaking up with a girl she’s known for like a week) “Dirt under your fingernails” 🤢

[@Totemparadox]

Bro has never been loved and it shows ♥️ Don't worry, it gets better. Maybe one day you'll be the dirt under someones fingernails.

[@TheRoyalGherkin]

That line is the corniest and you know it.

[@Totemparadox]

@@TheRoyalGherkin So what if it's corny? Everyone knows it's corny. That's what makes it great.

[@GenerationOffended]

No its just bad, its not romantic, Vi and Cait have no reason to be together

[@TheRoyalGherkin]

it’s honestly a pathetic relationship. That fails to elevate the character’s in anyway and just detract from them

[@celloj3703]

part SIX?! what did I miss?????

[@GenerationOffended]

Too much to mention here lol. Still more to come.

[@zachallan7545]

They spent 3 yrs animating not writing lol

[@GenerationOffended]

Yeah they lost over half of their writing staff from season 1. All the talent with them obviously.

[@skrtethan]

yeah this is what happens when you make an adaptation and try to write new characters. Vi is an absolute waste in this series, still love my lesbo queen kicking ass tho.