ARCANE: The Good, The Bad & The Jinx

[@thrillcollectors]

29:33 yes bro 😂🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@Jukeri]

I loved your analysis!

[@stylethe8]

if i hadn't known this was a final season, i wouldnt have understood that just by the last episode because it doesn't actually feel like an ending and that makes me really sad for this show

[@milabond7416]

I put off watching your take on this for a few hours because I was worried it would be more focusing on the (valid) criticisms there are for the finale but you voice so much of what I felt also! I so love this show and you were able to put into words the feelings I had while reflecting on and watching the final episode. I want the show to have all its praises sung, and to have its themes engaged with which I think you did amazingly with this video.

[@Richaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I fucking love this show and your video man on point💘✨❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@15aia5]

I love arcane I love people talking about arcane I love the inspiration arcane brings to artists I love Rebel heart, Ashes and blood, Cocktail molotov, Dirty little animals, Our love, Dysnaties & dystopia

[@Elle-xf8mw]

One of the reason people think the season 2 was rushed is because this show was such a masterpiece we can't get enough of! when it ended we were still thirsty to see more.... eliminating around 60 min of this show for sure had a reason. The other reason is we are too use to watching prolonging shows, Arcan went right to the point, unapologetically and masterfully narrated it's own story and left us in awe!

[@ditabruvere9579]

i feel like the creators knew the history of netflix giving only two seasons and didnt want to risk it

[@StellaBella488]

I have been so impressed how many movies are so much more artistic than it’s been in the last decade ❤

[@Eldenpro469]

14:31 exactly how I felt 🤣😭

[@IskE]

Thank you friendly space ninja now I don't have to kms anymore

[@LadyQAB]

I agree so much with your point about Viktor changing soo fast. I didn't know for a very long time if what he was doing was actually bad because his character has always tried to do good for people and he was still doing that. It wasn't really shown that his cult really was bad in any way or that there was any sort of corruption in his 'healing'. Jace had been known to make more flawed decisions so I had way more faith in Viktor than in Jace. Also I found it was kinda hard to believe that he would be capable of changing the world into this place that Jace is in and kinda thought it would end up being Jace who would have created this instead of Viktor because he was afraid that Viktor would destroy the world and then his fear would cause HIM to F-up the world. Because of his obsession with creating HexTech and him not really caring about consequences and the undercity Edit: Spelling

[@RabbiJoeInJerusalem]

Perfection! "Pretend Like It's the First Time" (Arcane s02e07) = "The Constant" (Lost s04e05) = "Far Beyond the Stars" (DS9 s06e13)

[@dcapitan7]

I enjoyed watching your analysis. There are three things I want to add... 1. Vi did not really save Jinx in S2 E9, though her words may have helped. Ekko was the one who saved her life. 2. The most frustrating part of the series to me is that we did not see what Ekko said or did that changed Jinx's outlook in Episode 9. Jinx's mental issues have been a central theme of her character. She was mentally done after Isha died. To not see how Ekko helped Jinx is disappointing. 3. In addition to what you said about Caitlyn's time as a dictator, I wished we would have seen more of Vi's time as a pit-fighter. We would have learned more about Loris and better grasped Vi's levels of despair. Also, pet peeve of mine, I wished the showrunners would have had Vi fighting just women in the pit. Still, Arcane is a great series. If we could get an "Extended Cut" of Season 2 where the issues you detailed and the issues I describe are adequately addressed, I believe this would have been the best animated series I've ever watched. Finally, I ❤️ the "Fourth of July" cover that begins @ 2:19.

[@EibonAQT]

26:35 Heimerdinger didn't actually die. He's a Yordle, which means he respawns in his hometown of Bandle City every time he dies.

[@Ernelion]

Also fun fact as OG league player. Originally Victor in the game had to buy just 5 items instead of 6 like every other champion. He had the hex core as one of his items and you had to evolve it as the game progressed - that gave you new abilities. I totally forgot about that until season 2 of Arcane where he came back for hex cores to finish his evolution...

[@cee_ves]

i feel like people love episode 7 of season 2 so much because it gives it room to breathe. you’re allowed to just exist in that alternate reality with versions of the characters you love. it almost reinforces that ‘what could have been’ vibe. it’s slowed down (as much as possible), it’s full of emotional beats despite the low stakes, and you can just watch some of your favourite characters interact. all before you have to cut it short and leave and return to the plot going at light speed like ekko has to

[@Second_Splitter]

24:30 I’d argue that it wasn’t rushed at all considering they showed Caitlyn and Ambessa disagreeing/being passive aggressive with each other. “The blade cuts both ways.” “Why is justice always the excuse for violence?” The conversation with Maddie in EP4. Plenty more details that I could find on another rewatch. They just didn’t show the worst of her dictatorship.

[@randimfox30]

😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@someguythatdoesstuff7658]

Ambesa was my favorite part of this season. One of the greatest villains ever put on television (of course along with Silco and S1 Jinx).

[@Kekekekenn]

There were some things I didn't like this season, but my god the animation is the best ive ever seen and I'll never regret watching it. Absolutely stunning

[@victoria-arg]

i think we all just wanted more of this

[@mmem4264]

This is my hope for Andor season 2

[@Xenawarriorprince]

My favorite line from Jayce in season 2 is "there is beauty in imperfections" and I feel like that sums up season 2 perfectly. It may be flawed, but its flaws don't stop it from being a beautiful work of art that has made huge strides in animation and storytelling.

[@hawkins347]

That line is absolutely stupid given that Viktor was never trying to cure his imperfections but his very real terminal illness.

[@PersonYayyy]

Animation, yes. Storytelling? No, the story is a massive step back

[@Jay-yp6ft]

It’s a step back but it’s not MASSIVE let’s not lie to ourselves here because of expectations from season 1

[@Jay-yp6ft]

@@hawkins347Viktor was only trying that initially tho. The conversation he had with Jayce about human emotions and how eliminating it would eliminate strife and conflict was clearly the focus of the line here

[@PersonYayyy]

@ yes it is massive. Seriously, take off the rose tinted glasses season one gave you and ignore the (amazing) art and just look at the story itself and how it’s developed. It’s terrible, and especially compared to what it’s following up, but even without that there’s so many problems

[@dairallan]

Season One is a flawless masterpiece. Season Two is a flawed masterpiece. But Season Two has that dance...

[@nonyourbusiness165]

That dance (and the song) is everything to me 😞

[@Canadish]

When season 2 shines, it shines the brightest. It just has a tiny bit too much going on. I think even 3 more episodes could have massively helped offset that issue. The best episode is 7 and funny enough, it's the breather episode that takes its time.

[@CzarsSalad]

Season 1 has flawed storylines with unnecessary characters (esp. Ambessa) Season 2 tried to fix season one's issues

[@CzarsSalad]

​@@Canadishepisode 7 is the best episode because we don't have to see unnecessary characters

[@LizardSpork]

Shame cos it could have been 10/10 with a few extra minutes here and there to explain the character motivation change and an extra episode to flush out the PvZ conflict so it's resolved more naturally.

[@notmynamedammit]

I think the reason for season 2 being the way it is is that they tried to find a way to fullfill all the following conditions: 1.) They had several stories they wanted to tell (Warwick, Glorious, Sister Part, CaitVi, Noxians and banding together against Noxians) and they didn't want to drop any of them even though those stories don't necessarily go together, so they just did all of them. 2.) They very firmly didn't want to do another season. 3.) IMO they wanted to escalate the conflict instead of doing just another well done personal story. > Personally, I think just adding a couple of episodes or another season wouldn't really have solved the problem that those stories don't necessarily go well together.

[@soldecle]

Starting a war in one season and ending it in the same season is just crazy the conflict between piltover and zone is much too complicated to be resolved so fast

[@iSmartMan1]

Still better than anything else released in the last decade

[@DeuteriumH2]

Jinx's war-balloon takes on a bunch of Isha's motifs in the battle against noxus

[@Allex1171]

Viktor having the 2 most beautiful lines in the whole show, 1 for each season is just incredible.

[@isaacxcheng]

Viktor: *has beautiful lines* also viktor, while breaking into Heimerdinger's lab: "Wait a minute... this isn't my bedroom!?"

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

Season 2 could've used another 3-4 episodes to flesh out these plot lines better. As it stands, it's nothing short of a miracle how good S2 was despite it rushing so many interconnected storylines.

[@chickensalad3535]

@@ThwipThwipBoomAgreed. Season 2 is still a masterpiece, just not flawless like season 1 is.

[@casualfanatic4217]

S1 Viktor: In our pursuit of greatness, we failed to do good S2 Viktor: There is no prize to perfection, only an end to pursuit

[@isaw9969]

@@casualfanatic4217 and "if youre going to change the world, don't ask for permission". A gorgeous line on its own, and in hindsight it even kinda foreshadows his s2 "plot"

[@trapsberry]

14:34 OMG yes! So emotional🥹💙🩷

[@sarabsd.]

OMGGG

[@nijuu8053]

about himerdinger : he's not actually dead, yordles can't die they just respawn in bandle city.

[@CommanderLexaa]

Wouldve been a god tier show with 3 seasons

[@thegreyfox2105]

Yeah, I also believe just 1 more act could have been enough

[@CommanderLexaa]

@@thegreyfox2105 for sure, I miss the moments in season 1 where they allowed moments and decisions to breathe. It needed one more act or longer episodes

[@razvantrifu]

I'd argue it's still a god tier show despite the pacing.

[@CommanderLexaa]

@@razvantrifu In my very subjective opinion, there were some writing decisions that kinda soured the season for me and they were clearly made because they had to fit in other stuff, like sidelining Vi and making her an extremely passive character, which could work, but you can tell they just wanted to focus on other characters (which is what Christian said). The animation tho? God tier always.

[@zantiquechm3960]

No I hate waiting. At least I know it's not coming.

[@stargazer5780]

I came to the first season with a lot of skepticism and felt quite emotional in the finale. But season two felt kinda hollow on this part. Characters barely interacted with each other. The story was moving with arcane, Viktor being god and time travel. Well...

[@jaketheman7402]

The foreshadowing is insane. For example, vi says the undercity is going to eat you alive cupcake, and in season Catelyn' cupcake was indeed eaten by undercity.

[@ThemBEanss]

It’s Gray DeLisle who voices Azula on ATLA

[@wuyangteioh7374]

i LOVE all the puns

[@sketchycat6223]

While watching certain scenes in season 2, I kept saying “damn. No wonder this took 3 years”

[@thecod2345]

Honestly, I think the contents of act 1 to the beginning of act 2 should have been its own season. That way they wrap up the Zaun and piltover story with exploring VI’s depression, Caitlin’s Mussolini arc, Jinx’s mental state and the vacuum Silco left behind as well as setting up the nature of the Arcane. Then s3 you go into Vander, the Glorious revolution, and the generally more high concept stuff. Cuz as it stands, s2 is a miracle for how well it holds together so many plot lines…but it’s still very rushed and there’s no true character moments that blew me away like s1 outside of episode 7 which was actually very fleshed out outside of Heimerdinger’s death.

[@Golmov_the_Wretched]

I agree! By the act 3 I'd actually stopped caring about any of the characters because it was so rushed I could no longer believe the character transitions between season 1 and now. What a waste.

[@paulkyle]

@@Golmov_the_Wretchedthe last two episodes had me disconnected from everything on screen

[@thegreatfitzgerald2660]

As a devout believer in that S2 is a lot better than people say (for example, I completely disagree with this video when he says that Viktor's switch in ideals/behavior was done too quickly, as we get so many hints and dialogues from the end of episode 6 onwards), having the first 5 episodes of S2 be it's own season would be so damn good. Imagine S2 ending with Jayce coming back and killing Salo, and that cliffhanger would set the stage for S3

[@anonymoustuestudent]

@@thegreatfitzgerald2660 people still love it tough, just like me they are bittersweet about the fact that this show had the potential to be great, if not the best series of all time. Its just aching that it wasted that potential cuz they had to explore other lol characters and had limited budget. Btw, I would love season 2 to end as the act 2 ends, would give a whole year of jayce pfp wars on tiktok.

[@Itisoverthere-rw]

Caitlyn's Mussolini act made me imagine Caitlyn with her head shaven and her chin in the permanent cringe pose of Moussolini and I can't stop laughing.

[@shitaishiro]

arcane season 2 had so much potential to exceed the first season but as many remarkable projects, it gets stained by corporate intervention. reducing the writer's room, pushing to end the story in only its second season, and rushing the production when we've seen how great an arcane with proper time and development could be. the writers did the best they could for an impossible task.

[@meicox3924]

Yo, j'ai dû chercher cette vidéo moi-même sur ta chaîne parce qu'un de mes potes m'a dit que tu avais sorti une nouvelle vidéo. Aucune apparition dans mes recommandations ou même sur ma page d'accueil KZbin ? Bizarre, bizarre cet algorithme ! Bonne video though !

[@ВераЮрасова-е8ю]

Man, I wish they did something like a Director's Cut for the second season. Feels like this show had so much more to offer.

[@supposedlymel]

we knew there would likely be imperfections because it's incredibly hard to top something as good as Arcane season 1. but you're right - arcane at its weakest is still LEAGUES (pun intended) ahead of many other shows these days. i hadnt watched TV in months before s2 came out, and now this show is all i can think about. that means it's had an impact, despite its few flaws. and if 2/3 of the acts left me sobbing hysterically, well you know you've done something right

[@TheAdamGiles]

Omg. I didn't even realize heimer died. I just thought he went back with echo and then never stopped to consider he was not around. Pacing. Like, seriously.

[@reubenhugo6450]

The way Ambessa spun Caitlyn’s head is something I’ll never forget 😂

[@ankapartizanka6827]

Someone probably already mentioned this, but just in case they didn't - Heimerdinger belongs to a race called yordles which, in LoL lore, cannot die. Upon "death", their spirit returns and reincarnates back in their realm that exists outside of conventional time and space. That is also why their lifespans are so long. It's also notable that upon the 4s death scene when they are testing the Z drive it is clearly shown that Heimer explodes, while in the final Ekko scene he simply disappears, implicating that he either gets teleported to another alternate universe or is sent back to Bandle City (the yordle land)...It also helps that the creator confirmed he's not dead 😅

[@HorseEmoji]

39:05 Preach it, brother.

[@MrxBako]

I sincerely think the writers didn't even needed a whole season, three more episodes (12 total: 6 for the Zaun / Piltover stuff - 6 for the Viktor / War stuff) and we would had have a literally PERFECT show Still fucking amazing show and loved s02 just as it is

[@imain8403]

One of the most iconic shows to ever be produced

[@jonathanhamlet1942]

Period!✨🔥❤️☺️

[@solarydays]

idk watch some anime. while on a technical level arcane is def outstanding, there are even better stuff and story wise it's very mid

[@Loveheart__]

@solarydays have you watched season 1? Season one is spectacular in every aspect of the word. Season 2 stumbled, but it doesn't detract from the Season 1 story line in the slightest. Anime is good I'm not gonna lie but Arcane is on a completely different level.

[@solarydays]

@@Loveheart__ animation/art is more advanced in season 2. why wouldn't I have watched s1, you think I just jumped on s2 randomly not knowing anything about it? there is not much logic behind your assumptions. there are plenty of animes that beat arcane by miles with both story and animation, don't even have to go back very far

[@Loveheart__]

@solarydays A. That was a rhetorical question. Obviously if you watched season two, you watched season one.I'm not stupid 😐 B. I would genuinely like to hear your examples of Anime that complete floor Arcane in writing

[@ChipnChep]

I get wanting more, but the denseness of the scenes, where no moment no gesture no word is "fluff" is what makes Arcane so great. stretching a story beyond its intended length is the difference between LotR and the Hobbit movies.

[@jocortez3816]

I had a blast watching this with my teenagers. Holy shit we all bonded over talking about this show so hard. My daughter in college would call me to talk about it. I really hope the industry takes notice and wants to achieve higher standards with character development and world building.

[@Sporadic_Order]

I know this is inherently subjective, but Warwick hugging his daughters is objectively the best scene in the entire show.

[@r1sky838]

I believe Arcane and Spider-Verse are the greatest animated media we’ve experienced in the last decade or two, from its writing to themes and characters, they’re phenomenal and influential, and especially in terms of visuals. If Spider-Verse is a comic book come to life, Arcane is like a grandiose fantasy steampunk painting brought to life

[@e.ogigia]

And they are both so different and original animation wise. They are going to be so influential in animation for the next decades.

[@lavenderbambi3501]

It's game, lol universe, come to life

[@GladwinAbel]

I ain’t wrong haven’t had this feeling like when I finished watching spiderverse nor arcane. Even people that hated animation or superhero films liked arcane and Spiderverse. I’ve seen people that complain about woke movies like Spiderverse. Good storytelling cannot be denied. Both fandoms are extremely passionate about their stories too

[@brittf1847]

Blue eye samurai is a solid third!

[@chickensalad3535]

Arcane is the best animated series of all time, hands down.

[@StellaBella488]

This was beautifully done! But I wonder what inspired the story. Like bro that amazing!…but are you ok? Lol😅

[@ubermaster134]

On some character deaths Warwick most likely isn't dead, Isha blew him up pointblank with the hextech gun, and he regenerated almost immediately after. What's a normal bomb from Jinx going to do. Heimerdinger isn't dead, though not stated in the show, Yordles like him are undying and will respawn in their home realm called "Bandle City" when their physical form dies. As long as magic exists, they will never die.

[@wiseathena97]

I havent seen any other comments point this out so I feel like I should point out that Heimerdinger is probably not dead either! I don't play league so I know very little about stuff like lore however apparently his species is immortal and cant really be killed in the traditional way. So hopefully we will see him again. I also adored him in the show, he added such levity in darker moments

[@isaw9969]

7:08 and are those complex character arcs in the room with us right now Vi's struggle with alcoholism is only shown in one music video clip and then never adressed again. her being at her lowest is true for aprox. the 4 minutes of said clip. when she meets Jinx again, she's wary, yes, but in no way does it reflect the absolute low she just was in. The idea of "Vi finally letting go of her need to protect others" is just such bullshit. When does she actually fully do that, huh? In act 1 she still protects Cait and Isha, in act 2 she is depressed due to the fact she doesnt have a goal anymore, but she never WORKS IT OUT ON HER OWN. She just meets up with Jinx and Isha again and is, yet again, given the task of protecting someone - Vander. In act 3, we barely see her, and when she lets Jinx go, who clearly wants to end it all, she has a Fun Time Scene with Cait in the same prison her sister was just showing suicid4al ideation in. We never see her actually learn to live for herself - the plot just keeps ripping people away from her. These two things are NOT the same. Jinx's struggle with being (for some reason) the face of Zaunite resistance is covered in 2~ episodes. we see the Jinxers fight while Jinx stays at home as she doesnt want to do all that, and we see her break them out of prison, where they all touch her shoulder. Thats the arc. We do not ACTUALLY see her struggle with it as much as we should have. There is also, imo, no reason for Jinx to be the face of the resistance when Ekko, a boy who dedicated his entire youth to saving the people in Zaun who were in need, was Right There. Jinx being an involuntary figure wouldve been great, were it either 1) expanded upon more, or 2) the people of Zaun realise they mythisized her, and realise the people actually fighting for them (Ekko, but mostly SEVIKA, hello? How did that speech not rouse them) are the ones they should follow. That would also have been a nice contrast to the Caitlyn plot - instead of rallying behind someone who only did their actions for revenge, they rally behind people who want their lives to be better. Isha dying could have been The Thing which would make Vi and Jinx connect. Not only does Vi see her sister is not just the maniac she thinks she is, but Jinx would also maybe come to terms with Vi not wanting Powder to be with them with all jobs - she now knows the stress, the fear that comes with caring someone who is so much smaller and weaker than you and whom you love dearly.

[@KingCarb]

The thing I struggle the most with in this season is how they handled Jinx. She was one of the most compelling, nuanced, morally ambiguous characters in the first season. In this season, they drop a plot device named Isha onto her head literally from the sky and use this to transform her entire character over an off-screen time skip. I wanted to see that transition, especially through her relationships with established characters like Vi, Ekko, Sevika and even Caitlyn, not Isha. They erased the most interesting aspects of the most interesting character just so they could suddenly make her the "big fat hero" of the story while completely ignoring everything that happened before. And we as the audience are just supposed to accept that. I can't believe these are the same writers as season 1. I'm not upset at where she ended up at the last episode. I 100% expected a redemption arc with her. I did not for a second think that they'd hide all the leg work for that arc off screen.

[@lavenderbambi3501]

Ekko isn't face of resistance, he offered home to those who were affected by criminal king pins in Zaun but he was never aiming for revolution, just community. He did attack silco's Cargo when it looked like he was expanding and that's that 💀 Other than that, do u need a KitKat?

[@lavenderbambi3501]

​@@KingCarbthat transition wouldn't have happened bc literally none of the characters u have named cared ab her at that point, least of All cait

[@officialname9817]

I disagree with Ekko he was protecting firelights and no one else that's what the whole firelight music video was about the declared war against ANYONE, Jinx kills firelights and enforcers but never in s1 targeted ppl of zaun ever and her direct attack on the government is more than Vander silco or ekko have ever done so it makes sense that they'd rally behind the person who is quite boldly targeting the enemy. Also Isha didn't change jinx, she juts made her happy all of s1 was jinx being traumatized over and over again with the return of Vi, we see her dancing to music in her room before silco lectures her, we see her being affectionate with silco and see her messing with Chuck in the bar so she has a fun wildcard personality we just never saw much of it because s1 was about her trauma and not her being happy

[@KingCarb]

@@lavenderbambi3501 I mean...yeah...that's why you write them into circumstances that force them to find common ground. That's what writing a story is lol. Do you think that just because characters don't like each other, they can't impact each other's growth? It sounds like you just lack imagination.

[@kleelf9278]

As a student in animation, Arcane is my bible. The last feew weeks were full of Arcane. In my art school, everybody talk about it. This is the type of show were you have to analyse frame by frame to see if their is a clue you missed. Arcane is clearly my favorite show of all time. And I can't wait to buy the artbook! love your video!

[@julient.6311]

I am not in the animation industry, but I can imagine how Aracne have build a "standard". There will be probably a "before" and "after" in the animation world.

[@keytobalance]

11:00 Didn't Jinx specifically say "to the new us" in season 1 and left Vi to be with Cait? The only voice that bothered her after that was Silco. She came to the conclusion that she should get rid of her last family member only after Vi became an enforcer and came to kill her by gassing air.

[@hotaruuruki8045]

Why isn't anybody talking about how Silco and Vander's timeline is messed up?

[@ItsVegaSama]

Most league fans already know it would be a banger, RIOT has shitty video game practices but if I have to give them any credit, their music and animation department has ALWAYS delivered bangers

[@lexbro95]

Honestly I was expecting much more of a critique haha but all the points you called out I was nodding along like ‘Yes!’ But can I call out the non-Vander character cause I was convinced until the finale that this man was a figment of Vi’s imagination, cause he barely does anything and barely interacts with anyone 😂

[@isaw9969]

The main problem of this season, to me, is that it relies way too much on "this happened of-screen": Cailtyn gassing the undercity - and all other absolutely horrendous acts she did, the heightened police violence in act 2, etc - is never actually shown with the weight s1 would show it. Caitlyn getting suspicious of Ambessa happen immediately after she and Ambessa team up. Vi and Caitlyn becoming besties again ever tho their last scene together was one of betrayal and heartbreak. Ekko talking Jinx of the ledge and ralying the undercity together happens of-screen. Sevika being convinced to fight for Piltover instead of letting it just perish (which s1 and act 2 Sevika would absolutely have done). Ambessa's reaction to finding out her daughter is kidnapped. I can go on. In season 1, you always knew WHY something was happening: why did. To quote srslylini from Tumblr: "Why did Vi know where to find Vander after Silco took him? well of course because of Ekko who was established in the first few minutes of the first episode to be the character to be on look out. // Why did Viktor help Jayce? Because he didn't want to stand in Heimerdingers shadow as just an assistant anymore. He was sick and knew the problems of the undercity first hand, he wanted to help. Of course he would, if there was a chance hextech could do it. // Why did a shimmer induced Huck help Caitlyn out? Why because as early as the very first episode in Vanders first speaking scene he gets help from Vander and well why wouldn't he then show that help for Vi, knowing he can?" It never relied on the suprise or shock value, which made it such a good tragedy; you knew the horrors and how it could never end well, but the characters didnt. season 2, however, keeps the majority of its cards hidden and then never reveals them in the end. It leaves you with so much questions that you just have to fill in yourself. This isnt "show dont tell", btw, cause half of it isnt even SHOWN.

[@strehlowo]

yeah honestly. the neither showing nor telling really ruined the season. or at least contributed to its ruin

[@cakecow9259]

But it does show it tho? The music video in ep 3 and her gassing the brothel with the grey. Caitlyn motive for turning on ambessa is explained in ep 6, Vi explains that the beast that ambessa is looking for is her father and they might be able to save him. Caitlyn still loves Vi, and she doesn’t want to use the beast she wanted to kill however she doesn’t want to hurt vi, all this is explained in this one episode I’m always so confused as to why people say Caitlyn turned for no reason where it’s legit explained. Tho I do argee that jinx and ekko needed more time in ep9, so Jinx main theme of self creation could of been explored more, and her conclusion would be easier to communicate her journey to destory jinx and powder and creating a new person, that new person needed more set up and showing jinx and ekko more in ep 9 would of be a lot better.

[@damianwilson7526]

Perfectly explained how I feel too. A major example is Viktor's extremist turn in act 3. His little community is nice and all, but if we had seen more of his efforts to build it, then I would sympathise more with his abandonment of flawed humanity when their conflict causes it to be destroyed. Having Viktor's motivations feel as underdeveloped as they are really diminishes act 3 and his ultimate realisation that sterile perfection is the worst kind of failure.

[@isaw9969]

@@damianwilson7526 youre so so right im gonna add the viktor thing to my og comment too. this man went from "there is always a choice"/"i will not sacrifice his humanity for your cause (war, etc)", to "choice is false" and "we are all of one mind", supposedly just because his partner didnt wanna work together with him anymore?? what?? dont even get me started on the choice to make the character who in s1 was the one most opposed to war and violence and weapons and the one most devoted to his desire to help people in need, turn out to be the one with the highest kill-count of Zaunites specifically and become the Big Bad Boss. having it implied in e9 by jayce that "he always wanted to fix what he thought were imperfections" is also insane in relation to that. those were NEVER viktor's sole motivators, ever. now im supposed to believe the disabled dude turned into a eugenics god bc he was insecure abt his imperfections??? pure rage at how they butchered his whole character by their rushed and sloppy writing.

[@e.ogigia]

I guess it was a budget issue because some writers have said that they did have more scenes they just couldn't put them in the episodes and I genuinely don't understand why Netflix didn't give them more time and money. If not a third season or another act simply hour long episodes would have made an incredible difference to the better and they had to know everyone was going to watch this show, like the money would be very well invested in 20 more minutes of animation.

[@reubenhugo6450]

I was punching air when Vi wouldn’t take the jump 😂

[@Ernelion]

According to league lore yordles cannot die which even in the game some characters refer (Aurora asks yordles if they just spawn in Bandle city if they die), so I suppose Heimerdinger or Smidge never dies actually since the show is supposed to be canon.

[@b_a_t_m_a_n_]

Dude now you MUST watch and make a video about BLUE EYE SAMURAI! Its got fantastic story, intriguing characters and gorgeous animation! Give it a try, I BEG YOU!

[@thrillcollectors]

I don’t think it needed another entire season but it DEFINITELY could’ve used a few more episodes. Oooh, or, ORRRR…. They could’ve done this season and taken more time to set up for a Netflix movie finale. Like a 2 hour movie with movie pacing and structure. I feel like that would be a masterpiece. Also the film would be endlessly rewatchable as the big climactic finale that’s only a couple hours

[@BigBaked]

I disagree with you on Ep7 being rushed to a fault. I think A) that’s the episode where they actually gave a plot line A LOT of time, obviously more could have been cool but they gave it an adequate amount of time. B) The rushed feeling in that episode was intentional, it adds something to the story. The quick passage of time is mirrored by ekko’s desire and panic towards getting back home as soon as possible, however when we finally see the scene start to breathe and take it’s time, as the scene literally slows to a crawl (4fps) we see the first time Ekko is truly living in that universe and that’s also the moment when he finally makes those connections he needs to make. That part of the episode was in perfect speed all the time, because ekkos main theme and entire character (in game and in the show) really revolves around time, so I think it was beautiful that the pacing of the show really mirrored his thought process. He was so panicked and ready to go home that he almost skipped the dance and went straight home while the plot was bursting with speed, but he was forced to slow down and live in the moment. TLDR: The pacing in Episode 7 was fast but it worked in context of the episode to make the overall message more impactful

[@shadowone01x99]

Well said. I agree with you.

[@jorgecortes3789]

yeah it was so weird because i also think ep7 is the only properly paced episode in the whole season. It gives time for ekko to learn that jinx is still worth saving as well as to let himself enjoy a little bit of life. imagine how good the show could've been if we got the same treatment for vi's lowest point at the fightpits or caitlyn power trip instead of a quirky music video

[@BigBaked]

@@jorgecortes3789I in some ways think it was intentional i think the writers and animators knew the final act would be a crunch to fit all they needed in, so they gave us a little bit of breathing room with Ep7 while also showing us the pace of the rest of the show

[@wuxian1]

i love this!!!!

[@Killroy007]

Yeah, I feel like act 1 and ep 7 of season 2 are great in its pacing but act 2 should tell more stories and act 3 needs to build up on that

[@amandamoore7512]

The three episodes per act structure the show maintained would have been even better for a third season

[@casualfanatic4217]

Arcane S2 may not have lived up to S1 but it’s still a great experience and leagues better than most Disney+ shows

[@Alkios]

39:05 just watched it. I’m devastated. This makes me hate corporatism even more and I didn’t think it was possible

[@chanmarr8118]

22:00 Same! I had went to bed after starting the first few mins of the last episode and they were in the war room talking. When I came back to the episode the next day, I thought I must've fallen asleep for some of it and missed half an episode. I went back to the last episode and rewatched the last 15 mins like, nope I remember all this. When I started the last one again with that quick transition to the war, I really said to myself "oh wow, so we're just jumping right into battle..." Lots of time jumps. I thought it was just me.

[@julient.6311]

Very good analysis, I find myself in everything that was said. This show is absolute master piece and emotional overwhelming. But can we please STOP saying that ARCANE is one of the best show on TV. It is just one of the BEST SHOW.. PERIOD ! Honestly we don't care anymore about what media or support the film is broadcast on. I don't make the difference anymore between cinema and TV series. The budgets are the same and the production times are identical. What matters in the end is the story, the emotion and the experience lived.

[@kindakool05]

It’s funny how I dint even realise that Jayce and Viktor died in the finale until I read other people’s comments on KZbin videos kinda concerns me 😅 (I don’t want to blame this all on the show tho, I can be oblivious sometimes)

[@thrillcollectors]

Another FSN video?? About Arcane?? It’s a goooood day. Here’s hoping for a Penguin review.

[@gregoriomassa8529]

Isha was such a plot device bruh

[@Marci.B]

I've been trying with all my energy to watch this show cos I *know* it's supposed to be good, I *know* it's supposed to look amazing, but I just cannot do it. And like I work in tv animation man, animation is my life's purpose, but there is something in this show that just repels me and I cannot put my finger on it. I envy yall

[@victorhilmerssoN]

Mel and her storyline with the black rose is most definitely gonna come back in the next animted show Riot is doing. Theyve already said that theyre going to Noxus next. That might also be why Mels story is somewhat rushed in season 2. They mightve not wanted to go too deep into it to not leave the viewers with even more questions. An entire season of 9 eps could be about only the black rose and it wouldnt be enough.

[@Kat-fd7ff]

Someone summed it up nicely when they said that the longer you think you about season 1, the more you fall in love with it. The more you think about season 2, the worse it seems (only from writing perspective, the animation is arguably even better this season). For me, the abandonment of Vi's character and Cait's entire arc (and lack of consequences/weird favouritism writers showed her) were just prime examples of why this season wasn't as good.

[@blue_lynch]

27:25 i disagree with vi not acknowledging jinx's death. she has a breakdown when jinx presumably dies and later (i assume at least some weeks passed) we see she sitting looking at the fire humming the song she and jimx hearded from their mother while drinking something from vander's cup she doesn't need to ALSO be suicidal to deal with jinx death and she also has a support system (Caitlyn) to help and ground her through it

[@darksaint0124]

Season 1 was so tight that it feels like a whole different writing team wrote this mess of a season. The thing that truly irks me about the show is how many things they just throw away. Characters in the second season have completely different personalities for no reason. It was when I realized that Jinx just has no opinion of Caitlyn's even though she despised her in the first season. Add to that the fact that she no longer blows people up and you realize you are dealing with a completely different character that has little to do with the entire journey of self discovery in the first season. Vi finishes her traitor arc and there no consequences, something that never would have happened in the first season. Caitlyn's entire dictator arc happens off screen. No consequences for that either. I don't even want to get into Jayce and Viktor because that was the most poorly handled out of everything. I mean seriously, they abandoned the main 2 storylines of the show because plot. The sisters and Piltover vs Zaun have no resolution, just because they want a big team up fight that wasn't earned.

[@shadowone01x99]

Many in the comments demanding for watered down spoon feeding non-deductive audience participatory fluff filled writing style which i think will ruin what makes this show brilliant. Frankly i do not think we would have seen anything deeply riveting with too much focus on riots and raids then attack and counter attack going back and forth in the Piltover vs Zaun when already knew it was happening so we mention it and allude to it and move on to what ACTUALLY matters and important. Perhaps we could have gotten some screentime dedicated to knowing the other houses on the Piltover leadership council and the other gangs/ factions in Zaun but it becomes filler whereby we just get shown politics just for politicking sake which are ultimately inconsequential to the primary characters and the central plot going forward.

[@kkelseym]

I agree that the only issue I have with this season is pacing. Viktor literally becomes a god in 7 episodes, Vi & Jinx feel like they become background halfway through the season, not to mention Mel is revealed to be a witch in like 2 minutes. A third season would've helped to give some breathing room but I still want to give the writers of this show their flowers because the season was still incredible. Even though we were following 4 different storylines and 15 different characters I still feel like everyone got good enough time. I just wish we had some more, even if the third season was just 3 episodes to wrap things up.

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

He doesn't become a god. Not even close. The "astral plane" was just a visual representation of what happens in his mind. Real gods of Runterra would dunk on him.

[@lavenderbambi3501]

​@@itsgonnabeokay9341ig ppl who don't know the lore just don't get it

[@solarydays]

you should give flowers to the writers who did season 1 and set everything, not the ones who hijacked season 2

[@teyayaa6392]

This. Honestly, I don't understand why people are treating this season like garbage. Yeah, it had its flaws which you and FSN put very well into words, but it is nowhere near shows that are actual garbage.

[@madelynscorner]

​@@solarydaysfuck you mean hijacked I'm pretty damn sure the writers are the same

[@shaggyrogers6769]

I hate Cait She goes full blown facist dictator, gassing people, trying to shoot a CHILD, hitting VI for stopping her And no, her grieving her mother and being influenced by Ambessa are not excuses To clarify, The fact that she went there it’s not what pisses me off,but rather the fact that she did and then faces no concequences whatsoever P.D. I do like jayvick, but the way many of it’s fans have been so racist to Mel kind of ruins it for me

[@sno7599]

i heard rumours it was netflix pushing them to shorten it. but i've found 0 evidence of it. maybe they'll release a directors cut if it's true

[@spirsom8750]

The most damaged character not Vi, it' s Jinx. She lost Vander, heist frinds too, suffered from Vi betrayal when she choice to stay with Cate in the bridge, Silko and the heaviest blow - Isha. She tried to commit suicide so many times. In the end she completely dead inside.

[@7SUNZz]

Unpopular opinion: Season 1 feels like characters move the plot, that’s why it feels so real Season 2 feels like the plot forces the character to do what they’re supposed to do for the sake of this plot Still good but… yeah.

[@chrishaven1489]

Agreed

[@Golmov_the_Wretched]

A very *accurate* opinion I think.

[@mariannestrgzr9374]

Agreed. And the characters suffer from that a lot imo, they’re just not as deep as they used to

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

I heavily disagree. All characters and their actions are completely understandable if you think about it. The issue is, people rarely think nowdays.

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

​@@mariannestrgzr9374 Wdym "used to"? They are the same characters.

[@Fellefan]

seeing things from an outsider's perspective (meaning; someone who doesn't know league's lore) is really interesting and honestly a bit refreshing. I agree on many of your points, but I also disagree on a lot of others. overall a very interesting watch, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@sameerkashyap1750]

Should have had 1 episode more for each arc.

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

Despite the flaws, Arcane really satisfied me with the ending. Pacing went off and storylines were rushed af but geez Louise Marise it’s soooo hard of the curb. I can’t think of something that attained this level of maestria.

[@crod9905]

I heard this show was supposed to be 5 seasons, but Netflix canceled it so that's why it felt rushed. I don't know if this is true or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. From the first season, I always thought this was going to be a 5 season show.

[@asteteamekstasy5719]

Speaking of great shows that stick the landing, have you seen / heard of the show Black Sails ? Conceived as a prequel to Treasure Island, it's become one of my favorite shows ever, it only has four condensed seasons of completely original material (though based on some existing characters). It's really one of the best shows you've never seen, and it's not really well known on KZbin. I would love to hear your thoughts on it cuz the ending has the same kind of bitter sweet feeling as Arcane.

[@alexandre4970]

Lots of people are saying that an extra season or act would've solved a lot of things. But that's not entirely true. The writer's room (and schedule) was severely reduced to just 3 writers. The same people who spent a lot of time interacting with the fandom, hence the feel that some moments are straight of ao3. A lot of flaws would've still been there. Seasons 2 and 3 would've never been as sharp as Season 1.

[@amivalentine3380]

This makes so much sense. I agree, the flaws go deeper than just pacing. Some of the dialogue was straight up awful, and I'll never forgive the retcon on Silco's character. That truly does just feel like a fanfic version of him.

[@Poisonedprincess]

I kind of liked how fast episode seven was because it really showed how rushed the moment must’ve felt for Ekko . He lived his whole I guess adult life so close to someone he loved so dearly but deep down knew he could not spend time with because of her madness, and of course, terrorist activities but in episode seven that’s the one moment that he can truly enjoy the time that he spends with her, but it goes by so quickly because it truly isn’t his reality and never would be. As nice at as episode seven was it can’t last forever so the fact that it was went by so fast really highlighted how short the moment must’ve felt for him, how short-lived the happiness was.

[@SecretMagician]

The fact that it technically slows down during his dance with AU Powder as the frame rate drops to 4 frames a second (just like his time machine only goes back for four seconds) shows how he chooses to treasure this memory instead of rushing through it. Episode 7 is DEFINITELY one of my favorite episodes of this show, and it is VERY close to being number 1 if not for some Season 1 episodes. I've been re-listening to Ma Meilleure Ennemie ever since.

[@eliarossini5037]

I feel like in this second season the writers have made a fantastic script but couldn't capitalise on it fully. It's like they cooked a fantastic meal but left home a lot of meat

[@reubenhugo6450]

Jayce and Viktor is the ultimate bro relation… true brotyera

[@zoyieruffin4453]

Nah the cutting to the middle of the battle threw me off too !!! I was like did I miss something

[@rokkudai]

I think every episode of S2 needed 10-15 more minutes. If every episode had that extra time the pacing could have been where it needed to be.

[@cherrypopbaybe]

not a single mention of Sevika and how dirty her character arc was done after Act2..DIABOLICAL