JAYCE's Arc is IRON MAN 1 (But TRAGIC) | Arcane MCU Theory

#Marvel #LeagueOfLegends #Netflix
Jayce's arc in Arcane overlaps beautifully with Iron Man 1, but with some key differences! Both stories are about the dangers of technological progress as experienced by celebrity inventors who take matters into their own hands. Obadiah Stane and Silco both function as the corrupt businessmen who want to steal Arc Reactor technology and Hextech for their own purposes, resulting in a confrontation between our heroes and their non-scientist foils--but to opposite end results. Arcane's handling of science and tech shifts the narrative slightly to pose different questions, deal with different personality flaws, and reach a different conclusion. Marvel's classic heroic tale finishes the story with a triumphant bang.
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[@spacedriver952]

Hm..I´m not sure if I would say that Jayce´s approach at making peace failed. Not entirely. Obviously, yes, the season ended in chaos. The damage he was trying to avert was already done. Throughout acts two and three we constantly see Jayce struggle with topics all around responsibility and responsibility for power. Because, interestingly enough, I think that Jayce embodies both positions, or more so, I think there are three: 1. BEING the power (as a politician whose words alone can change everything for a whole city) 2. being confronted with the choice of USING external power or to not use it (as a human caught in conflict) and 3. positioning oneself OUTSIDE of the struggle for power, without realizing that one brings the opportunity for it (as an idealistic scientist). So then the question of his arch would be: Am I aware of the power I create, have AND use and of how I use it? I think Jayce is kind of an interesting character. In a way he uses power recklessly and without thinking, when it comes to his vision. He is willing to sacrifice his integrity and what he thinks is right in order to secure himself the support of the council to make it happen. He wants to do good, obviously. That´s his whole thing. But his idealism has him blind towards a lot of things; the danger of his research, to the duality of human nature and (frankly) his own actions as well. He wants to bring his vision into the world, at all costs, because he wants everyone to have the same beautiful experience with magic that he had. When he gets roped into politics, he (for the first time in his life) has to concern himself with what people want for THEMSELVES, not with what HE wants for THEM. (And not any people at that but politicians. Those who embody power and what Jayce will think power is or has to be for the following episodes.) He is confronted with corruption and political games. Where there was a right and a wrong before, everything suddenly becomes blurry and we see him stumble from one conflicting situation into another, trying to make the right decisions. His time as a politician confronts Jayce with his own naivety concerning the impact his work and his choice have on the world or even just one person. And the question: How much good did this do? He learns the hard way (by becoming the person who chooses to use power destructively and out of fear (personal power and external power)) what Heimerdinger tried to teach him from the start. Taking responsibility for an invention by acknowledging everything that it can become. Jayce has good intentions. But he doesn´t really know how "good" works. How do you actually do good for people? If Iron Man and other Marvel movies try to inspire to do good, Arcane brings up the question: What even IS good? And I think that Jayce´s arch tells a lot seeing the bigger picture, making realistically "good" choices and taking responsibility by using your own power with care; not necessarily giving others something that you want for them, but what they need from you. In the end, instead of protecting Piltovers interests, he chooses to protect the innocent people from the Undercity who would get wrapped up in a war they can´t win. He recognized the destructive potential of the device he created. And in recognizing this, he chooses responsibility for peace over responsibility for war and death. So, I guess, for me it is a story about awareness (in a broad sense) of the ground our intrinsic personal power rests upon and putting that awareness to use, in choosing how to use external power to follow your goals or do "good". And maybe his attempt at peace failed, because Jinx fired her weapon. But at the same time, it kind of didn´t, because Jayce successfully convinced the council of his proposal. From Piltovers side, peace was the accepted option. It wasn´t Jayce´s choice of how to use his power that decided the ending of the season, it was Silco´s and Jinx´s responding choice to that. Another reason why I don´t really think his attempt failed is, that for the first time in a long time, Jayce makes a choice based on integrity and his own morals again, not caring what the other council members think of him. And even though there might not be peace between the two cities - Jayce made peace with himself. 😊 And I think that´s powerful. Hope this makes sense. Your videos are great by the way! I always look forward to watching them. Maybe you´d be interested on doing a take on Mel some time. I would be really interested to know what you would make of that scene when she said that ominous sentence to her personal assistant: "Jayce isn´t ready". Anyway, have a great day!

[@matthewhungerford1861]

well it was clearly in Pitlover interests to avoid a war as trade is the lifeblood of their economy and people were already cancelling orders seeing the un rest in the city. Jinx long range weapon dooms Piltover economy they are shown to hugely relent on the hex gate for import/exports than in the past when they relied on the undercity for the same product. said weapon end any trade by air ship or boat. also i don't think the undercity is helpless one chem tank guy kill 5 enforcers, thats more his typical Piltover arrogance showing. it would be a bloodbath on both sides as they a relative equal now. think Jayce would be mad at Vi and Caitlin for not telling him Jinx was his daughter and he handed him a deal he would refuse.

[@schnee1]

This is profoundly well articulated! I'm pinning this! I think the dilemma your evaluation of Jayce is grappling with has to do with his undeniable success in the realm of character. He went from blindly idealistic to a descent into the morally blind world of politics to a further descent into the even blinder brute force ethic and somehow came out seeing the clear moral path of offering peace, ignoring all these outer and inner forces that have blinded him this whole story. Definitely commendable on a character level. He's overcome his naivete, but also hasn't become jaded and corrupt, or vengeful and belligerent. But all this did not coincide with success on a plot level, since his efforts failed to produce the external outcome he aimed for. Does that jive with what you're saying or am I misunderstanding you points?

[@spacedriver952]

@@schnee1 Yes, that is exactly what I was trying to say :D. Your wording makes it even clearer (even for me xD). On a character-development level he very much succeeded, on a plot level his efforts were fruitless. But hey, I guess one can´t have everything xD. It´s still pretty great. I was (personally) pretty annoyed with Jayce throughout the series at a lot of points, but delving deeper into this conflict has shown me something to really appreciate in his arch. And seeing potential in a character makes so much more fun than judging them anyway.... ;D Thank´s for your reply! It means a lot.

[@schnee1]

@@spacedriver952 Felt the same about Jayce, but I've been noticing that with every character I initially either didn't feel particularly attached to (Viktor) or didn't really like (Sevika), thinking into them even a little bit has brought a wealth of understanding about the show and its themes! So amazing

[@spacedriver952]

@@matthewhungerford1861 yeah, that is a valid point. I won´t argue that it probably weren´t thoughts on his mind. We all kind of calculate practical reasons alongside with reasons of morality, don´t we? In that case I would simply say, yeah, he probably tried to do what was best for as many people as possible by trying to avoid blood bath on both sides as well as economic collapse. Because war usually means both. That doesn´t necessarily make him cold and calculating. And maybe he underestimates the Undercity, or (more likely) they both hugely underestimate each other in a way. Jayce may have undergone huge character development, but he certainly is far from perfect ;). And when it comes to Vi and Caitlyn passing on a lack of information...in their defence, they simply didn´t know the extent of genuine affection and care Silco has for Jinx.

[@mrmeteor64]

But Jinx was able to build fishbones in a cave with a box of scraps.

[@schnee1]

best comment 🤣

[@mrmeteor64]

@@schnee1 yeah I was feeling like saying that yesterday because some admin on a twitch stream was calling Jinx the worst things possible. So the stars aligned I guess.

[@aguadoll8162]

well I'm not Jinx 😐

[@zephaniahdejene1746]

Ekko: cute I created a time machine in a cave with a bunch of scraps

[@floral_bunni1076]

I understood that reference hehe

[@InZayne]

its crazy that you missed that Jayce is extremely conceded like tony. He signed every page of his own notes, he is constantly looking at himself in the mirror and "getting ready". He drinks out of his own mugs and he loves that everyone knows his name

[@schnee1]

lol good points! i wanted to have the clips with Jayce drinking out of his Jayce mug and Tony drinking out of his Stark Industries mug side by side, but I couldnt find the Jayce clip..

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

I imagine his ego probably got shot down near the final arc, also quite like Tony Stark.

[@ninamodaffari1412]

I agree! However I would say that Jayce does seem to be a very self-conscious person, and the overgrooming he does might be a sign of anxiety, not narcissism! I know I tend to be like 'oh shoot do I look good' before I go out everyday, and that leads to a lot of mirror checks.

[@nox8600]

@@ninamodaffari1412 That also adds up with the signing your notes thing, people sometimes do that when they’re worried about them getting stolen.

[@Batmannotbrucewayne]

@@ninamodaffari1412 well i mean, isnt that pretty much tony after the first avengers and until he died.

[@contentstarved991]

Hex is just an archaic word for magic or witchcraft. That's why hextech isn't shaped shaped like a hexagon. Hexa in hexagon is the Greek word for six while hex as in witchcraft or magic is Germanic in origin and is actually related to the word Hag.

[@onebilliontacos3405]

Came right down here to comment this, though I never knew that hex stemmed from the word hag.

[@Gerolinger]

Im german and in german witch is called „Hexe“ and using magic can be called „hexen“. I assumed this might be the reason for the name Hextech

[@contentstarved991]

Interestingly, the word tech is Greek in origin, having the meaning of art or craft. So hextech is a neologism of mixed loan words of different language groups. I can see why someone would ask why hextech isn’t shaped like a hexagon.

[@fcayhr]

i believe the hexagon association comes from the game, where each space a character occupies is a hexagon! (i've only played teamfight tactics, but i imagine it's the same in LoL)

[@Maric18]

@@fcayhr barely any hexagons in league, maybe in some character designs but i can't even think of one with pretty hexagons that arent just stylized "janky" circles

[@JayboiTv]

This channel is like if your 11th grade literature teacher taught creative writing using present day stories. You are underrated. Best of luck to your channel

[@schnee1]

thanks a lot!! ironically... i do teach 11th grade (math lol)

[@karolinakuc4783]

@@schnee1 math is queen of all science

[@projectjt3149]

@@schnee1 which Math specifically if I may ask? (I’m guessing trigonometry?)

[@projectjt3149]

@@karolinakuc4783 More like the Mother of Sciences. When science tries to break the rules, math grounds them.

[@justarose]

​I wish you were my teacher(

[@buraxisgames6153]

One thing I haven't seen anyone talk about is how in this show when ever someone chooses to fight or use violence to solve a problem both parties lose. Think about every fight in the show. No one just wins a gets what they want. I would love to hear your thoughts or see a video on how this show views violence not as a solution but the cause of just more problems and loss for everyone.

[@schnee1]

I had the inverse realization making this video: that basically EVERY story these days (besides arcane) portrays violence in a positive light as a GOOD solution to problems. Like the entire MCU, every action movie, it's just war war war. Even though, like you're saying, Arcane's lose-lose portrayal is so much more realistic. I'm not a "violent video games are bad" kinda guy but it is shocking to realize how pervasive it is..

[@buraxisgames6153]

@@schnee1 I also was thinking about superheros and violent video games.

[@Zephirite.]

@@schnee1 There’s a fantastic video essay called “Redefining the Anti-War film,” analyzing the war movie “Come and See.” The movie is an 80s film set during the Holocaust, utilizing traditional horror techniques to highlight the dread of war. Reminds me of your sentiment, of which I fully agree; Any action movie that isn’t a tragedy or a horror is pro-war propaganda. How can people say older media “wasn’t political” when Captain America and Superman were created as pro-war, American, nationalist propaganda?

[@andreasmeyer6697]

which makes it the exact opposite of marvel. putting mcu and arcane in the same video.ridiciolous

[@Zephirite.]

@@andreasmeyer6697 Opposite in their use of violence, but that’s not what’s being dissected here. It’s the relative place of technology in Jayce and Tony’s lives. And it’s being contrasted in how ‘successful’ that approach is in each world.

[@wpelfeta]

I don't think hex is a reference to the shape. They probably just wanted some cool way of saying magitech, but the term magitech is overused in tons of technofantasy series these days.

[@TheRumblewagon]

Hex is used in the manner of "to cast a hex"; not in the manner of a shape.

[@todddeboer3203]

A hex is a curse so it's literally cursed tech.

[@TheRumblewagon]

@@todddeboer3203 Heimerdinger would consider that to be an accurate description.

[@caelstrom9289]

You're not wrong. Anyone denying it is just fooling themselves. It's Riot's way of differentiating itself from magitek. Does it work? Kinda.

[@Crause88fin]

Hexes are a sort of spell or a curse, as mentioned - also derives from the scandinavian word "hex", meaning witch. It all boils down to referencing magic, not shapes.

[@bumble9207]

I’d be interested to see what you think of Sevika. I know she’s a minor character, but i remember watching your video on vi and Caitlin with regards to the values held by the under city (loyalty etc) and how Vi is “more under city than the under city”. Even though Vi and Sevika differ quite a lot, i found it strange that they are both very under city esc at the same time. I’m very interested to see how Sevika changes as a character if she’s in season 2...

[@schnee1]

Sevika has been a tough character to understand, especially since she doesn't exactly have an arc, or at least not a full arc. But your comparison to Vi is key, I think she's clearly designed to be a foil to Vi, and her anti-arc is like a mirror to Vi's, her relationship to Jinx is a mirror to Vi's, etc. But I have to think about it more!

[@t.h.mcelroy6597]

@@schnee1 YES!! I feel like Sevika is a vision of what Vi could have been had revolutionist Vander/Silco or a similar leader had raised her. She represents a fantastic What If type reflection of Vi. I think Sevika is extremely underrated, and I'd love to see more analysis on her!

[@RedBalloonSky2750]

@@schnee1 phew okay I’ve been waiting for ANYONE to bring up Sevika so here I go… I completely agree that Sevika is Vi’s foil, a perfect parallel line to her. Part of me believes that Sevika is who Vi could’ve ended up being if she didn’t end up in prison. Silco was the figure head, but Sevika was in charge, the muscle. It’s exactly what Vi would’ve been once she got older IF Vander was still alive. One thing that caught me was in their first match when she says “I see you never learned patience” that moment she takes to “tsk tsk” her for me demonstrated she recognized herself in Vi and their potential as equals, but Vi’s need to be dominating and reactive (in Sevika’s mind) weakens her. Which in itself is ironic considering Sevika’s blood lust for war under Vander, but I digress lol I also liked their fights! Even then you see Sevika recognizing Vi as an equal to a degree in the WAY they fight. They fight pretty fair with the lack of cheap shots and not kicking one another while their down (so many scenes where one looks winded/not on their feet and the other waits). Anyone else Sevika kind of just wipes, but Vi she goes blow for blow. Sevika’s character is so interesting to study BECAUSE of the concept of loyalty and how subjective it really is… she’s supposed to be this somewhat motif of loyalty because of her relationship with Silco and even has her shining moment with Finn in the office. BUT she became a realized secondary character after BETRAYING Vander, being DISLOYAL. At first I thought it was a goofy contradiction, but then realized it’s the presentation of the argument that loyalty is subjective, EARNED, and lost depending on the person giving it. Still trying to decide in what way that factors in with Sevika being “so undercity”. There’s a tie to that somewhere I know it, still trying to analyze it lol

[@Msvalexvalex]

​@@RedBalloonSky2750but how loyal is Sevika? After she kills Finn, when Silco asks her if she thought about betraying him, her answer was surprising! Basically she would have for someone more worthy to her than Silco. She's all about the cause, not the boss.

[@abdeel_]

I think that the message of MCU in broad terms is a hero can come from anyplace, from the most humble origins to galactic empire levels, but not alone, they need the support of their friends, family and peers, and like you just said, be responsible with the power they wield

[@kasio7993]

I really love how both stories succed at their respective goals in such a masterful way. Also, I think Raimi's movies can be considered part of the MCU Multiverse now :D

[@leonie.243]

If his films were apart of the MCU, that means Tobey’s Spider-Man would be in the same universe as Tony, Steve, Thor and so on, but he’s not. He may be connected, but he isn’t in the same universe.

[@kasio7993]

@@leonie.243 yes, what I meant is that he can be considered part of the multiverse (like all the What If...? characters)

[@jaketerpening3284]

Is MCU multiverse the correct term? I would think it would just be MCM. Marvel Cinematic Universe Multiverse is contradictory.

[@markkocsicska2590]

Don't forget that Jayce was going to release the stabilised hex core to the public. So even if Jinx had never stole it, hextech weaponry was only a matter of time. Also while Jinx was the first one to implement the hextech technology with the primary goal of making a weapon, Vi and Jayce presented that the items designed for working enviroments not only can enhance the fighting abbilities of a person, but take down the best non-hextech weapons that were available at the time.

[@ringsaphire]

"Strike first" out of fear or bloodthirst is the option for cowards and opportunistic bastards. All subsequent justifications smells like sh*it after that. Silco and Jinx may have been interesting and compelling villains you can understand and ampatize with, but they both still deserve to die. Even if the core was released to the general public, as long as both sides are granted access to it, the peace can still be maintained if both side's leaders are willing to cooperate for it. Plus, such a revolution in technology would have had both Piltover and Zaun deal with outside influences, and adding third parties in a game often gives more balance to the situation. So: no, war was not the only way and Jinx took it upon herself to make that choice for Zaun; thousands more will die for it.

[@urieldaluz250]

You say releasing the hex core to the public would benefit Zaun, but the people of piltover probably thought the same of the Hexgate, while it instead removed their reliance on Zaun for trade and left the under city behind. What reason would piltover have to give anything to Zaun? The main thing we see stated in story is that they basically leave them to rot whenever they’re not actively being a problem. Yes Silco and jinx objectively make things worse by introducing shimmer and escalating the conflict respectively, but new technology being released by the already wealthy part of the city wouldn’t necessarily do anything to help Zaun. A rising tide does NOT raise all ships in this world

[@markkocsicska2590]

@@urieldaluz250 I never said that Jayce was going to release it to help Zaun. I don't think that ever occoured to jayce or anyone except Victor to use the hextech to help Zaun. Jayce was more likely releasing it to the public generally and if Zaun gets it then they get it, if they don't whatever. I just made the point that if Jayce decided to release it (which was coming had it not been for Jinx's attacks) terrorists like Jinx would have had access to it anyway with a simple legal purchase. And the technology would have been weaponised anyway (which was exactly what Heamerdinger warned Jayce and Victor against, they just took it the wrong way. Heimer only told find a way to build safety feature into it that protects against misuse) I don't think anyone developing the hex cores was thinking about Zaun. Jayce's "improving lives" is more like a general purpose, not specifically aimed at Zaun at that point. He and even Heimerdinger only consider Zaun after going down there themself. But at that point, it is way too late for that.

[@urieldaluz250]

@@markkocsicska2590 That was actually meant for ringsaphire, sorry, sent it from my phone so it didnt properly @

[@supermonstars]

Your Arcane videos are seriously next level, this is fantastic.

[@rustkarl]

That’s the point I liked about Arcane. Sooner or later, one way or another the technology, the science and the power it brings will disseminate. It can be stolen, replicated, altered or repurposed and ultimately the intentions of the scientist, the creator *do not matter*. But the people who hold it do. And it’s about the people that I like Arcane so much. Characters like Jinx, Silco and Singed are not dangerous because they can harness technology, power, skill and violence, but because they will, and *why* as people they would. The damaged, the ruthless, the desperate, the extreme or one of any number of possible traits would lead into them with their finger on the trigger.

[@troikas3353]

It should be mentioned that the peace Jayce chooses isn’t the completely moral win either regardless of its failure. Jayce’s arc completes with him making his own choice yes but the choice he makes is also an extension of his same failure in the shimmer factory. Jayce sees upfront the cost war can bring and is unable to bear the weight of making that hard decision. So instead he goes right back to, as Vi puts it, burying his head in the dirt. Handing Undercity over to Silco will have the same destructive effect on lives as going to war with him. Probably more so in the long term. The only difference being with peace Jayce, and Topside, can wash his hands of the mess instead of actually having to face and fix anything. Jayce’s season arc ultimately ends with the positive that he’s finally taken agency in his decisions but also the negative that in the end he is not up to the task of leadership. The Iron Man comparison feels a little stretched but you could say this mirrors how Tony, even in his newfound moral resolve to do right, also ends up making things worse with Ultron.

[@strawberrycatastrofy257]

Oh Viktor's a lover.

[@theafterburner6231]

When I was watching Arcane for the first time, I remember seeing the scenes of Jayce building his hammer and working shirtless in his fabric and said "Damn, he is Tony Stark"

[@fishiefish6179]

2:56 even the posters are so similar

[@mattwoodard2535]

I would like to point out one thing. We don't know if Jayce has actually failed yet. We don't know there is going to be a war. In fact it could be there will not be one. While Arcane isn't LoL, it's heavily based on it. If there was a war in Arcane, both sides (whoever won) would be screwed, it would be a bloodbath. But in the game Piltover and Zaun still exist and don't seem to be at war. Also the voice over for the Season 2 announcement seems to point at Vi and or Caitlyn going after Jinx big time. Jinx's capture seems to be something that could stop the war. Also there could be an outside force that stops a war. Say the threat of an invasion by Noxus. The Arcane writers have tossed a lot of curve balls at us. I don't expect that to stop soon. sm

[@karolinakuc4783]

Well said

[@CocTheElf]

It's called "Hex" because it is magic.

[@kasio7993]

Would you kindly elaborate on your statement?

[@schnee1]

ohh didnt even think of that! now im wondering why "hex" can mean "magic" and "6"... 🤔

[@randomname191]

@@kasio7993 hex is used as a term for magic a lot. Like if someone gets “hexed” it’s like a curse or something. I think in Harry Potter a hex is a type of spell. I’m sure there’s way more examples that I can’t think of right now.

[@remithefrog350]

In terms of Jayce and Viktor's being lovers, there's AT LEAST subtext. There's the infamous "Wait a minute, this isn't my bedroom" throwaway line hinting that Viktor is very much not straight, and in the Council Archives on LoL's site there's Jayce's diary in which he sketched Viktor for some reason. idk kinda like a 14 year old with a crush, it's pretty great.

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

I think, Viktor is more along the lines of War Machine to Jayce.

[@markkocsicska2590]

11:50 I would disagree you on the "if science falls into the wrong hands" expression. Both Jayce and Tony Stark change their mind due to the actions of such power in the good hands. Tony was heavily against the state or anyone else having any say at all with his powers. Then later after the Avengers were failing missions and having accidents that cost many lives, Tony changes his mind. Tony decided to give up his ego and try to put checks and balances on himself and the Avengers. Not after having his power fallen in the wrong hands. But after learning that unchecked power in the good hands can also lead to disasters. And I think I don't have to tell you that the same was true to Jayce. He never changed his mind after Jinx's numerous terror attacks. And he doubled down on throwing fists when he learned hextech was most likely used already to forge weapons. Jayce changed his mind, when the power he created resulted in misuse even in the good hands when left unchecked.

[@SauronGorthaur01]

Man I gotta say your Arcane videos are really Insane everything you say makes me appreciate the Series even more.

[@schnee1]

thanks!! :D

[@maem7462]

An answer to how does science affect society is that it changes the word forever whether that change is good or bad depends on a lot of factors. It depends on the specific research and the reason for it and if the main reason gets a bit lost and could possibly become worse. It can also depend on who gets their hands on it and whether or not that is a good option depends on a lot of factors of society

[@piesmuggler7268]

both hammer stuff and look buff

[@john80944]

I like to use the term "superhuman society" to describe worlds like MCU. There are three general phases of superhuman society: the chaos of beginning of superpowers, the legalization and systemization of how superhuman got included into society, the power balance between the individual and the society. Some design of powers can easily push the story out of this structure, like the doppelgängers who can represent groups of people (hurting them is hurting the group), like the maze-like alien dimensions who have its own persona and individuality. From the perspective of worldbuilding, Runeterra is rather traditional in how they push story forward with superpowers, but MCU is even more traditional in this aspect. I really like how worldbuilders use these worlds to try out new political system and to convey the belief or questions about the idea of good&evil. Using some metaphor of TTRPG, Arcane have some really shit roll of dice: the consequence of characters' actions are rigged against them, and TRYING to do good isn't good enough sometimes. The "powers" in Arcane is much more brutal than MCU imo, and powers have THEIR OWN agenda in this world, which makes them become characters with dynamics. These kind of designs makes Runeterra closer to real life imo, but the realness will makes it closer to postmodernism.

[@buraxisgames6153]

I love your arcane videos. You have a great what of explaining things. Your editing is also good. I know how long it takes to do good editing.

[@schnee1]

I appreciate this comment soo much! I do all the editing on my phone too, it is SUCH a pain! 😵

[@buraxisgames6153]

@@schnee1 wow, respect. I did my channel on my playstation. Lol

[@schnee1]

@@buraxisgames6153 lol, nice 😅

[@audrei679]

i grew up with iron man and he was, as such, my favorite super hero for most of my life. it makes total sense now why i liked jayce immediately, despite his flaws and condemned actions.

[@itayschool4544]

And, hopefully, they are both the start of a cinematic universe (:

[@kingtut6243]

I have nothing in particular to add to this, just wanted to say your analysis videos are some of the most fantastic i've ever seen. I love writing story analyses myself, and the way you've been able to break down various parts of a show that is so rich and complex like Arcane honestly makes me speechless. you're inspiringly fluent in the language of storytelling, your vids are so great and you're just super underrated :)

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

just a little note : Hextech is not named after the Hexagon shape, but after Hexing which is basically, witcraft, you know, cursing, magic that kind of thing, because it's using magic crystals. "Magic tech" wouldn't have sounded as good don't you think? Also, that's the same thing with the Arc reactor, it is not named after the shape of an arc, but after the electric arcs that are created inside the original Arc reactor in the Stark facility

[@randylianabella4861]

Magitech is a term that flows quite nicely, its just that its been used a lot by other fictions now.

[@MarkWendland]

Your videos are great discussion starters. KZbin comment analysis at this level is a rarity, and is partly due to the way you frame your own thoughts and questions. Speaking as an ELA teacher, all of your videos are beautiful models of how to explore literary themes within and across texts. Subbed.

[@Ridlay_]

Man I’ve been loving these videos. I absolutely adored Arcane from the moment I watched it and to continue to dig into how deep it really is awe-inspiring.

[@rustkarl]

I don’t dislike Iron Man or the MCU movies, but I won’t say that their subtexts, morals and messages are innovative. At least to those with a functioning moral compass, though I won’t deny that some people appreciate the sense of self-esteem narrative. (Though I find myself a little confused considering said narrative often shows these people being smart or successful usually with superpowers, not something we can all reliably fall back on.) But Arcane gives warnings, several different warnings in fact with varying layers. There is of course a fairly standard and blatant anti-war statement alongside warnings against ignorance and classism among others. But there are also more potent warnings that I would think to be more impactful, not warnings about morals but of consequences. (Sure morals mean something, but consequences always DO something, particularly being wary about the amoral or immoral taking the power afforded by the success and development of technology.) To try to be insightful about the ramifications of your actions, the dangers of your success. Hextech fell out of control, from a development of wonder to improve the lives of others to a weapon made to take life regardless of Jayce or Viktor’s feelings on the matter. The fragility of the life we know, how much we can’t see of someone else, the importance of support and interpersonal relationships. Jayce clearly didn’t see that Viktor was almost at his limit until much later, when they had both allowed something terrible to happen because of their well-intentioned but poorly handled use of Hextech. And this extends to more than just Jayce. The same could be said of Jinx or Silco. Jinx’s catastrophic first success with the monkey bomb in the past, how she inadvertently hits her allies with her reckless aiming despite how well functional her minigun is in the present.

[@leonardopires9344]

another point: hextech is NOT named after a shape. hex in english means to cast a spell or bewitch. in german, a Hexer is a wizard/warlock. hextech= magic (hex) + technology

[@schnee1]

I guess I always associated "hex" more as a "curse", or at least magic with a bad connotation, which is why it didnt come to mind with hextech. Makes sense though! (Good foreshadowing too!)

[@leonardopires9344]

@@schnee1 yes, it can also be associated with curses

[@chriscross8547]

I find it interesting that Heimerdinger's warning against Jayce giving hextech to everyone is meant to be a point of similarity between Jayce and Tony - who's aware of the risk on his own

[@emilywalker6595]

Wow, awesome analysis! Really love these parallels you've drawn!

[@Wingedmagician]

Hope this channel branches out to more quality stories outside of Arcane. You’ve got a great mind for thinking about story man this is amazing

[@HimitsuHunter]

I think you've missed a vital part of both characters. Arrogance. While one is confident, and the other is more humble... both have a Fundamental Arrogance which drives them to be 'The One who Makes the Solution'. Which is also their fundamental failing.

[@andyseinfeld1954]

It's called hextech bc it's a real item from the game Arcane was based on and "hextech" also means magic + technology

[@colpul2103]

It's a similar PLOT, it is an entirely different story. It is the same basic plot but told with quite different stories. Plot: 'sequence of events where each affects the next one through the principle of cause-and-effect.' Story: 'an account of events told for entertainment.'

[@lenanana8]

This parallel makes so much sense. I'm a professional astronomer and I've met many Jayce-like "scientists" in my career - all claiming to be scientists and in pursuit of higher understanding and progress, but what they are really after is glory, fame and validation of their inflated ego.

[@keiichi8191]

"There's been speculation that I was involved in the unsanctioned events that occurred in the Undercity. The truth is... I AM Hammer Man."

[@maem7462]

Some other characters thats have similar arcs is Jinx and Varian from the tangled series. Both start out in a similar place and have a simple event happen but of course both the stories are different bc Jinx is hurt for longer than Varian is

[@commandervimes1417]

You know, I think this is great and I agree with a lot of it, but what struck me as I watched the show as someone who's not only seen all the IM-movies but knows the comics as well - the thing is that the story and characteristics of Iron Man/Tony Stark in Arcane are evenly split between Jayce and Viktor, or actually, Viktor's arc, despite the obvious differences, is closer to Tony's arc and its themes. Why, you ask? - Tony's arc is about his body/heart failing him, about him literally dying and trying to save himself in that cave. Viktor's arc is about his body failing him, and him trying to save himself is what drives him further in his inventions. Viktor isn't 'just' the accessory/friend/love interest to Tony's arc, though of course from a perspective mostly interested in the parallels of Jayce's story to IM1 one can treat him like that. In the series, he is a brilliant engineer, like Tony, with his own inventions. - Viktor literally builds an external heart lol I mean honestly, the hexcore is the arc reactor, if I've ever seen anything like it :P - Viktor views tech as a way of fundemantally altering himself and his body, because he cannot accept the body that he has and that tries to kill him (and other people don't accept it either, in his eyes and a lot of his experiences, and of course 'not accepting his body' goes further for him - Viktor does not value himself very much generally). Tony fundamentelly alters his body with tech as a way of surviving, and he is actually very self-hating, which is explored a lot in later films (but btw I'd argue that that's already very present even before his 'awakening' in IM1, ultimately his playboy-personality is not presented as the way of life of someone happy in the film), and of course comic Tony is a self-hating mess :P - lol Viktor might turn into a cyborg-being :P, which is sth later Iron Man films explore more than IM1 (where the most cyborg-y thing really is the arc reactor keeping his heart running) and the comics explore that A LOT. I mean, let's not even talk about the potential of the whole glorious evolution-theme there - e.g. the Extremis-arc in comics explores very similar thing - From Viktor's perspective, Sky is his Yinsen. They both try to build tech to help people, to save them, instead they end up dying, and it's a moment of moral awakening for them that readjusts their ethical compass and leaves them with a guilt complex. - As an aside: those 2 have the same self-destructive, wholly absorbed attitude to work where they don't eat and sleep etc., sth Jayce lacks imo (and it is more explored with comic Tony than with MCU Tony, but it IS there) So yes, I think Viktor is at least as much 'Iron Man' as Jayce - and that btw also gives me hope that the show won't do 'Viktor is evil now as a cyborg and the herald of a new technology', and that instead he keeps on having a stance that's framed as just as 'good' or 'bad' as any other, because that's sth that different media have managed to do with Tony Stark for decades.

[@j.t1221]

You are amazing and your observation is just next level. What is this skill, and how do I learn to do this???

[@ISpiers]

Right?

[@razum1448]

Your videos are art. Loving it!

[@schnee1]

thanks!!! :D

[@waltlock8805]

When William Shakespeare was alive, he was interviewed (yes, he was pretty famous even when he was alive). Someone pointed out to him that some of his plays were the same story, only in one case a tragedy, and the other a comedy. Shakespeare explained the difference: In a comedy, the actors see the problems coming, and take steps to avoid them. In a tragedy, they don't. (I'm probably butchering the quote from memory).

[@hilossrt4]

Correction: Hextech is not named after the shape but rather hex as in refuring to a spell en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse . As for the Arcreactor it is also not named after the shape but the arcing of electricity from one medium to another. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_arc Great video though, keep up the good work.

[@epicebones7329]

Thank you I was like, "Is he joking? He's gotta be joking."

[@Imnoonewhoareyou]

The mic makes a difference :) incredible channel!

[@powerofanime1]

Others have mentioned the other definition for Hex, but I wanted to add that in fantasies, hexes are consistently compared in magnitude and nature to...jinxes. In most cases, they're both decidedly minor and malicious acts of magic - though hexes are more severe than jinxes in wiccan and similar belief systems. Fittingly, even though they are so much more powerful in Arcane, Jinx's action is a singular incident that - while it is basically guaranteed to spark war - the target could still come through safely. It's hextech that changed the world at large in ways it can never come back from.

[@kikinek2029]

Hex doesn't stand for hexagon in hextech. It refers to the magic part of the tech.

[@exurii5844]

I wrote a whole script for a video about the comparison between Silco and Thanos. Once you dive deep there is actually so much! Never got around to making it into a video though simply because I don't have a mic that would work and my xbox one was playing up. Edit: forgot to mention, feel free to do something with this yourself. There is actually so much to cover, including their father relationship with stolen little girls. Then intricate things like each person's morals, ideology and towards their goals. What they, why they are and how they came about.

[@abanustrickland368]

Now that im thinking Bout it Jinx has some paralells with scarlwt witch a sometimes hero sometimes villan who plays with dangerous rune magic

[@isi8422]

I would love seeing an individual video for Viktor :)

[@crazygmanssimstuff]

I mean...not really. Jayce was motivated from a young age to harness magic into hextec because magic is what saves him and his mother, and he saw it as a something that could help those in need, if only regular people could harness it. At the beginning of the show Jayce is already in the process of developing it, but due to the break-in incident he is now forced into a time crunch to develop it right away or face expulsion which becomes the main conceit, him rushing through the process and pushing recklessly ahead worked in act 1 but it's through following through with this hubris that causes problems later on. Tony on the otherhand is mostly directionless, Idly following what he perceived his father was up untill the point where he is mortally wounded. Only the desire to save his own life causes him to develop the arc-reactor, and then only a sense of guilt that the company his father built was hurting people caused him to use that technology to hunt down the bad elements that where using his weapons. Tony initially isn't really driven to share arc-reactor technology, it's a best a side quest to replace weapon manufacturing for stark industries and even after Iron Man 1 and 2, Tony is still left without a real sense of purpose that isn't focused inward until the Avengers. In contrast Jayces main goal is to develop hextech for the betterment of everyone, but it's that drive to overcome the political obstacles to it's development that causes him to lose sight, to strive for something great rather then do good. Jayces mentor relationship with Hiemerdinger has no really equivalent when compared to Tony Character. just as Tony's relationship with his partner/surrogate father Stane, and Stanes jealousy and resentment of Tony doesn't really have an equivalent in Jayces development. Silco barely knew Jayce and vice versa. Also for the two characters and there relationship with there mentors, Stane ends up betraying Tony, while it is Jayce who betrays Heimerdinger. The characters are very different in my opinion.

[@carbuneskinny5797]

Great analysis !

[@ghourmi]

Great video man! I prefer Jayce in arcane because it's closer to our reality.

[@NikkiLayne]

I find it interesting that Iron Man is set in a sort of parallel to the real world, with very clear real-world kinds of conflicts going on, but doesn't do even half as good of a job at exploring the themes and questions of morality in science (specifically pertaining to weapons of mass destruction) as Arcane does with its much more fantastical setting and overall world. (Hopefully) well meaning scientists created nuclear fission bombs, and only realized the gravity of their actions too late; and subsequently, two civilian cities were nuked. Weapons will always end up in the hands of people willing to use them, and Arcane so far has done an excellent job at being a cautionary tale for this principle, both with Fishbones and shimmer.

[@panther202]

Bro tell me what I have to do to know the analytics skills you have amazing 👏

[@catcat6427]

I don't know where I heard it ( I think it might have been TBSkyen....) but I remember that League Jayce was supposed to be based on early Tony stark...like some of the comments said, being extremely conceded, drinking out of his own mugs and stuff like that, it's like how Mundo was their (League's) kind of version of Hulk.

[@charliethechampion7511]

1:06 I think it’s hex as in magic hex, not the shape hex

[@ashemoney3173]

Love all your vjdeos on arcane Your doing the lords work haha

[@schnee1]

thanks!! :D

[@Mori-man]

@schnee it's not called hextech because of hexagon. like hex as in spell as in magic fused with technology

[@cronos30011]

okay, I know this might sound dumb, but what is this type of analysis/field called? I'm loving this kind of content

[@jalcome4201]

8:09 that montage blew my mind. Shit i love this channel

[@schnee1]

thx!! :D

[@archerkuro4158]

this video gets my hyped for future seasons of arcane or whatever ather show tittle they use when they leave piltover and go to other regions me and my friends have guessed that we are gonna go to noxus next and this video makes me wonder what the major themes will be

[@ringsaphire]

Well, for one, Jayce is more of a team player and is just one main character amongst many. And both him & Iron Man, their story is old like human history... From the first man who invented the silex, to the smith who forged the first bronze knife or even the team of scientists from the Manhattan project who pleaded for the Bomb not to be used...

[@nemasisdemarini8339]

1:05 Arc Reactor, an electric arc reactor designed to be extremely compact. It's original purpose was to create a strong and safe enough electric field so as to keep imbedded shrapnel from digging deeper into his heart. Hextech, the general term for the technologies that rely on a magical fuel source. Similar to saying something could be electrical tech, steam tech or nuclear tech. Hence devices like the mining gloves are called Hextech Gauntlets, the same way ones running on electricity would be called electric gauntlets. Most likely the names for these devices are more to describe their function and purpose, rather than their shape. Sorry, just felt like pointing this out.

[@berryblue.]

My theory is that hextech is named because of the word hex being associated with magic and combining it with tech for technology. Therefore "hextech" basically translates to "magical technology".

[@stevesmithy5644]

ted kaczynski was right. “It is not possible to make a lasting compromise between technology and freedom, because technology is by far the more powerful social force and continually encroaches on freedom through repeated compromises. For example, consider motorized transport. A walking man formerly could go where he pleased, go at his own pace without observing any traffic regulations, and was independent of technological support systems. When motor vehicles were introduced, they appeared to increase man’s freedom. They took no freedom away from the walking man, no one had to have an automobile if he didn’t want one, and anyone who did choose to buy an automobile could travel much faster and farther than a walking man. But the introduction of motorized transport soon changed society in such a way as to restrict greatly man’s freedom of locomotion. When automobiles became numerous, it became necessary to regulate their use extensively. In a car, especially in densely populated areas, one cannot just go where one likes at one’s own pace; one’s movement is governed by the flow of traffic and by various traffic laws. One is tied down by various obligations: license requirements, driver test, renewing registration, insurance, maintenance required for safety, monthly payments on purchase price. Moreover, the use of motorized transport is no longer optional. Since the introduction of motorized transport, the arrangement of our cities has changed in such a way that the majority of people no longer live within walking distance of their place of employment, shopping areas, and recreational opportunities, so that they have to depend on the automobile for transportation. Or else they must use public transportation, in which case they have even less control over their own movement than when driving a car. Even the walker’s freedom is now greatly restricted. In the city, he continually has to stop to wait for traffic lights that are designed mainly to serve auto traffic. In the country, motor traffic makes it dangerous and unpleasant to walk along the highway. Note this important point that we have just illustrated with the case of motorized transport: when a new item of technology is introduced as an option that an individual can accept or not as he chooses, it does not necessarily remain optional. In many cases the new technology changes society in such a way that people eventually find themselves forced to use it.”

[@Crause88fin]

This was, simply, great.

[@arawn1061]

The thing with hextechs name is that it is made up of two words: Hex, which comes from the Swedish word Häxa or witch. Hex is essentially an acronym for magick. Hexcraft = witchcraft Tech is swlf explanatory

[@bunnywithmonocle5324]

Okay, this video was great, but I just read the first 3 pages of Minor Champion and holy goodness, I can hardly wait til there's more!

[@schnee1]

OMG THANKS! This makes me so happy! 😊

[@NikkiLayne]

The humor in your videos, when you decide to be funny, is deliciously understated.

[@vismaykedilaya1318]

they even look similar. Jayce kinda looks like a 3d model of Tony, and vice versa. idk if this was intentional, but it seems to me that they were, at least on some level (perhaps subconsciously), aware of the similarities, and designed Jayce accordingly.

[@GustavoMatiasp]

Victor was based in viktor Von doom which is a Iron man vilan

[@baltofarlander2618]

If we are comparing Arcane characters to superhero/villain comics, then I cannot be the only one who sees a lot of parallels between Jinx and 2019 Joker... I don't have much time to enumerate them, but maybe later.

[@tpcoy]

I am also seeing parallels with Le Miserables and a tale of two cities. It also mimics the story of C.W.'s Batwoman. It seems a reversal of Lea Miz.Bateman has two sisters Katherine and Beth separated by tragedy. One chooses an ev ok path changes her name and embrace s chaos. Like me Mix a little girl is lost in the city and searched for by her protector. Like tale of two cities there are two cities one rich one poor.

[@Goldfisher]

So I don’t hex isn’t referring to the shape for hextech. Hexes are a form of magic, thus hextech, the magical technology.

[@datoasthelikoptera6969]

Arcane: *makes clear signs that Sky loved Viktor and that Mel and Jayce had a thing + that Ekko and Jinx were just childhood friends and then started fighting* Arcane fans: *start making fanart of Viktor × Jayce and Jinx × Ekko* Arcane: Am I a joke to you? (well at least everyone agrees on Caitlyn × Vi)

[@corenlavolpe6143]

The hex in hextech doesn't seem like it's referring to hexagons, it's referring to magical hexes, because obviously (I'm sure this was pointed out somewhere before tho)

[@Zephirite.]

My theory for why Arcane isn’t canon to LoL, is because Arcane is gonna transform the current characters into their league versions. I’m exited to watch Arcane Jayce’s ideological contrast with “Glorious evolution” Viktor, with respect to how this end-season bomb will jade them. Hell, maybe they’ll begin the next season in a parallel way to the bridge massacre from the first, but with Jinx’s bomb. The focus could be on Jayce and Viktor’s deteriorating relationship, in reference to Vi and Jinx’s.

[@graysopa]

Ok so I have read a lot of comments and no one has mentioned the jokes of Viktor and Jayce being possible lovers through the video and like can we like maybe talk about it. Because I want to hear others people's opinions. See the caption at the bottom at 2:30

[@yassharthmanitripathi5980]

Awesome Theory

[@EskayRogue]

Hextech is not named after a shape, it is named after hex as in curse, the type of magic, which origniates from the nordic Heks meaning witch.

[@HxH2011DRA]

Ok your analysis skills are too good, I have no choice but to subscribe

[@schnee1]

Thx!! 🙂

[@MikaelaKMajorHistory]

One minor note (sorry if someone’s mentioned this already), HexTech is called HexTech because the Hex stands for magic. When you’ve been hexed that means someone’s cast a spell on you.

[@end_orfino]

1:06 i always thought hextech was named from hexing, as in, yknow "[im going to] hex?" Since it's related to magic isn't it

[@sicger]

i only have one question... why is most replayed at 12:56 XDDD

[@That0little0witch]

Since we're talking about Viktor as Pepper but you mentioned she doesn't help him with the science aspect, let us not forget Dr. Ho Yinsen: "Dr. Ho Yinsen (portrayed by Shaun Toub) is an engineer who helps save Tony Stark's life by creating an electromagnet which keeps shrapnel from his heart. He later helps Stark build an armor to escape from the terrorists who kidnaped them both. He then sacrifices his life in order to let Stark escape, with his last words being "don't waste your life, Stark" " So if we want to talk about Tony's partner in a scientific AND moralistic window, I think Yinsen is the better parallel. Even though I love Pepper Potts (I named a cat after her), and think she also covers a lot of other points that Yinsen doesn't as she is with Tony through it all like Viktor is with Jayce.

[@vultoire6416]

This is phenomenal.

[@karolinakuc4783]

Good vid

[@richaelvargas8474]

I just love that u labeled Victor as a lover hehehe.

[@thanadesashina1552]

This is probably kind of a nitpick but the hexgates are called like that because hex also means spell so basically hexgate is a fancy way to say portal

[@lolli_popples]

So... live action arcane where Viktor is played by Gywneth Paltrow anyone?

[@Homesicktraveler]

Allow me to bring my own nerd shit into this- Based on their meyers Briggs type, It also shows alot in their cognitive functions- it makes sense that Jayce, and ENFJ, would originally be inclined to proceed in technology for a moral reason, while with Tony he has to develop his Tertiary Fe throughout his arc. It also makes sense that Tony would win where Jayce may fail in some aspect because his Ti is much more developed, which I think is what allows for that confidence to bloom more effectively- it'd also explain why Tony is more developed in his science than Jayce.

[@DarthRayj]

There's a cynical part of me that can't dismiss the amount of military funding present in the budget for Iron Man (and many other MCU movies as well) and see a darker motive to the theme of empowerment and "the right move is to fight" thinking? Arcane may have it's own questionable funding sources in part, but there's a striking difference where it presents violence as, while sometimes the right move, or an admirable or necessary move, still mostly a "last-ditch option, no one wins, please avoid as much as possible, even if you succeed at your goal, it will have unexpected consequences." And this is actually quite the opposite when compared to most of Riot's music videos, which are much more focused around getting you to want to play their game, which is about *FIGHTING.*

[@sarahnkanu]

Was looking for someone to point that out! The US military industrial complex of the MCU. That whole “we need YOU” to fight for the nation ideology as a darkness to the empowerment you shared & the “making the person BE the weapon” or see themselves as apart of the weapon that the video talks about all coming together. Very different from what Arcane the show is doing

[@DarthRayj]

@@sarahnkanu I mean, Arcane very literally says "Nobody wins in war" and then goes on to show us exactly what they mean even before any actual war starts I love the writing for this show so much, I can't wait for November

[@InitialPhi]

Excellent video as usual! I agree. I find it beautiful when stories serve almost as foils to one another. I'd say Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gurren Lagann are foils.

[@chazjohannsen]

“HOW IRONIC, JAYCE!”

[@meneither3834]

The issue with saying that Science has bad outcome in Arcane is that you're missing that in the broader world of Runeterra Piltover is probably the best place to be in while Zaun is somehow not the worst.