Jinx and Vi together at last...*SORTA* | Therapist reacts to S1E6 of Arcane League of Legends

[@the.truth.doctor]

Hi everyone! If you're at VidCon today come find me. I would love to see you! ❤️ This episode was INTENSE. I am really nervous/excited for the next arc. How did you like the ending on Episode 6?

[@joshfread1081]

I like how it reinforced Jinxes beliefs and makes the voices in her head that much stronger. In real life it would be terrible, but in a fantasy world it makes the story arc so much more interesting.

[@AlexGonzalez-tx8qs]

Hope you react to the Enemy music video you can do it at any time it’s non spoiler. But there is things I’m sure you can give insight on. I’m sure you know but Enemy is the name of the intro song

[@davidtestasecca6300]

The “Are you real?” really broke me. Jinx’s scenes are always on point but this sentence really shows how she is the first one to know she can’t fully trust her own mind. And you can tell how, despite ep. 3 and the years of growing bitterness, she really missed Vi. A simple hug and an arm touch really snap Jinx out of her.

[@selfsabotagingbanana0451]

Yeah, her reaction to Vi hugging and touching her also showed how starved she was for some simple physical affection.

[@theheron3404]

Gives insight as to how affectionate she was with Silco as well earlier

[@TexasSnyper]

The "Are you real?" is always a gut punch

[@mophin]

The worst part about it is that I was also wondering whether or not it was real, but already hoping it wasn't. This show manages to convey the characters' feelings very well and put us in their shoes

[@Thisisnotadreamhaha]

Yea... after all this time .....are you real. I understand that

[@SyntheticaYT]

The show had a whole sequence where Heimerdinger was just listening to the music while all the other counselors were making deals with Jayce. So it’s not really that surprising that they all decided to back him instead of Heimerdinger. It also illustrated how out of touch Heimerdinger is with what’s going on around him.

[@getawayfromme44]

He has been in power in Piltover for all 200 years of its existence. He had the power to change things, but because of his ignorance, all of the problems with zaun arose. It’s basically like if one of America’s founding fathers was immortal. Sure, the guy would be wise, and a beacon of our nation, but the dude would have lived through slavery and done nothing. His immortality has made him not understand time in the same way as humans. He can afford to be patient, to wait for things to get better, but we can’t.

[@skywalkerjohn8965]

@@getawayfromme44 This. Heimer best interest was based on his comfortable zone which is not something people like Viktor can afford. He can easily do what Jayce do without issues and mistakes, but because of his experience he lives with fear. He refuses to risk everything even if it mean progress will be slowed down. He would rather spend 1000 years to do what Jayce has done instead of taking the risk

[@ThePunkina1]

Can we talk about how good the voice acting is for jinx it feels so real and raw

[@semperfi2314]

Beyond any political motives, Jayce kicked Heimerdinger out because he was threatening to destroy the hexcore, which is his main hope to cure Viktor, so he wanted to make sure that he couldn't do that and used the other corrupted councilors to his advantage. Kinda late, but i'm really enjoying these videos so far ^^

[@Sataandagi96]

Lol, "PANSEXUAL PANIC", I felt that. They are just so beautiful together 😍

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

I didnt read that flare scene as them supporting her. Theyre her trauma, demons, her sins and in this part theyre quite literally "on her back". I think its to symbolize the weight shes been carrying and just how "heavy" that flare was to her. Its a Hail Mary attempt to find her Sister and save herself from the darkness. They could have depicted her head and arm stickning out under earquake rubble and crying for help and it would've given me the same imprssion. Only the rubbles are her lost brothers and her cry is a signal flare. Also theyre not depicted in a supportive manner, they have agonized faces and are turned away from her and it would also be really kinda weird cuz never in this show, after their death, has they ever been depicted as supportive or positive memories of Jinxs. I dont know for sure, but I really think youre wrong on that one, Doc 🤔

[@chuckmanion1128]

I think the council got rid of Heimerdinger because they were choosing to side with Jayce. Jayce controls Hextech, the next big thing which they all want to hitch their wagon to. They had all just made deals with Jayce and would profit greatly from such a partnership. They did not want to put those deals in jeopardy. They were voting with their wallets in mind. Also, I disagree about Jayce being selfish. We've repeatedly seen Heimerdinger refuse to act because of an excessive amount of caution. Some caution is good, but he definitely is too risk averse. I think rather that this is the moment where Jayce becomes disillusioned with Heimerdinger's superiority. I think its a telling moment back in ep4 where Jayce and Victor are waiting for him in the lab and Jayce reassures Victor that Heimerdinger will see the merits of their latest work and Victor asks "Will he?" Heimerdinger was a mentor to Jayce. Jayce was always excited to show him the latest developments and was blind to Heimerdinger's inability to act. But after seeing him hold back hextech, the attack on his lab, the corruption with the hexgate manifests, and now him going against the thing that could save his best friend! I think that's the bridge too far for Jayce. I think this is Jayce's Moment of cognitive dissonance. Him reconciling the belief that Heimerdinger is the best mind and a great mentor, versus the problems he sees.

[@unearthedbaby2014]

I found your channel a few hours ago and watched your arcane videos so I'm happy to be early I subscribed for this series love your videos ❤️❤️😁🙏🏾

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you so much wow!! ❤️

[@unearthedbaby2014]

@@the.truth.doctor you're welcome I look forward to more content from your channel 🙏🏾🌸

[@thegoodvillain777]

I'm not sure I'd say Silco was displaying cognitive dissonance. So as long as his interests are benefitting, he doesn't care much about the actions he takes. He cares about Jinx, he has an interest in Jinx, so he does whatever he deems best to help her. Marcus letting Vi live and allowing her to roam the streets again is a potential problem for his relationship with Jinx. And since Silco doesn't seem to value anyone who isn't Jinx or himself, I wouldn't expect him to care about threatening a father with his own kid, it's just business.

[@dominikuhlir2347]

I experienced dissosiating for about 6 years during my worst depressive episodes... and didnt even know what to call it... Now I know, thank you

[@estherapobangpo]

I’m learning so many things through your reactions, it helped me figure out so many things that is going on in my personal life, AMAZING

[@Senfree]

I actually dissociate when I do breathing exercises. My therapist was talking to me about sometimes people with trauma will do that because calming down, for them means being vulnerable, so calming down or relaxing, oddly enough, makes me anxious. I have to do the senses exercise to bring me out of that mind set, what I see, touch, taste. Ect.

[@babette5918]

I always feel conflicted when I hear Jayce's argument of "Humans don't live forever!". Humans sort of do live forever... as a species. What Jayce is really saying is "I don't live forever." Meaning that it's important to him that the "progress" happens during his own lifetime. It seems short sighted to me. Big change needs to come generationally. Dr. King understood this for his "I have a dream speech".

[@emptynight4861]

Jayce isn't concerned with progress happening in his own lifetime, his argument is that people living in the present shouldn't be made to suffer now for fear that change COULD go wrong. You say big change needs to happen generationally, but even in our own world conservative policy like that has its own pitfalls that, in piltover, have already come to be. When you mix in the fact that Piltover is a mixed population of species with vastly different ideas of what a generational timeframe is, you get into very dangerous territory where the consequences of corruption are severe.

[@piotr3561]

I think that Jayce by saying "Humans don't live forever" didn't mean himself but Victor. Like, Heimerdinger was quite literally ready and determined to destroy Viktor’s only hope of survival, without any explanation as to why besides “I’ve seen things, trust me”. It had nothing to do with "progress" and much more about saving Viktor's life. Honestly, I would be pissed off if I was Jayce too. First Heimerdinger asks then to postpone releasing Hextech by a decade (easy to say for a long-living species) and then tries to destroy the only thing that might save Viktor's life.

[@mathies3598]

Actually... "viktor doesn't live forever"

[@babette5918]

@@piotr3561 I see. I was thinking of the argument that Jayce was actually making and not the subtext that he was talking about Viktor. But the council doesn't know he's talking about Viktor... They are voting on the argument being presented to them.

[@piotr3561]

@@babette5918 Yeah I agree about the council, though the fact that Jayce made some deals with them in episode 5 (concert scene) and Heimerdinger was talking about holding each other accountable (some councilors probably weren't excited about that fact) may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

[@handy864]

Personally I prefer to go to logic and reason as a defense rather than amplified emotions. I will say one thing that's good about this show is just like real life that no one is just evil they all have motivations and values but also everyone has their corruption. Flufferdink seems like a special case but the same as Vander his corruption is fear.

[@reactionwatcher7652]

Totally enjoying your analysis of this show. Able to see a great show in a whole new and different good way. Very educational too. Would love to find out about the patches on your jacket. Thank you.

[@ikahloayza3530]

I love Arcane. It's a master piece! 😍

[@carbuneskinny5797]

Every time Cait hugs Hukk i get teary eyes .. lets not mention the reunion :)

[@marius1800]

I love your content, and I learn a lot with it, I started to see you with the reactions you have made of Arcane and I have seen a few other of your videos like the one of turning red. Will you continue to react to Arcane?

[@Pichi312]

Great vídeos! Keep it coming, i love Arcane and your insights

[@pathandy8188]

Lonelines is an insight to a gifted mind.

[@EzrulieDantor]

"Are you real?" doesn't get easier. It's like the funeral in One Piece.

[@Shiftry87]

Heimerdingers fear of magic or Arcane as they call it has a valid reson. He has lived for a few 100 years and him being a Yordle he knows what destruction magic will lead to if its not highly controlled. They have only shown Piltover and the undercity (Zaun) so far into the show but the world of Runterra as a whole is smacked full of powerful magic users that could fairly easily rip ppl and even citys apart. Not to mention if some1 tried to use magic and it backfired horribly. Yordles in general have an incredible affinity for magic usage so while Heimerdinger is trying to protect the city he build from the influence of magic, The others only se the benefits magic could bring while Heimerdinger is trying to protect them from the consequences. He only says trust me and isent doing a good job.

[@brittvaughn9447]

Every success that Jayce has in terms of politics is engineered by Mel. The others followed her vote after she engineered the 'make nice' with them and Jayce.

[@MyOvercoat]

Step 1: Like video Step 2: Watch video

[@Threaxe]

If you had some time for processing this after the act 2... You better do an appointment with a psychologist after act 3

[@Sinewmire]

An interesting aspect of Heimerdinger is that he only offers vague platitudes in the meeting, "pulling together" "hold each other accountable". Given his long perspective, the specifics of a situation must seem somewhat irrelevant to him, and the broader picture and feelings probably seem more important. This backfires given how greedy and short-sighted the council are, perfectly simile'd in the concert, where they are all using it as a place to make deals while Himerdinger is enjoying the music. He does not understand the people of the city, or of the council. Did you recognise Huck, the shimmer addict who sold out Vi? He's the small man from episode one, whom Vander stood up for when his business partners threatened and underpaid him. He's a clear example of the difference between Silco's undercity and Vander's. Whilst there's a lot more money in the undercity now, the weakest whom Vander looked after have fallen through the cracks.

[@JNDReacts]

I think the other councilors voted with Jayce for a couple of reasons. Number one is that his company, Hextech and the Hexgates, have made Piltover a lot of money. Jayce also made all those deals with the other councilors in the previous episode, so they’re specifically going to benefit from his company’s progress. Another reason I think they voted out Heimerdinger that I haven’t seen or heard discussed is the fact that he talked about holding each other accountable. Of course none of the other councilors want to be held accountable, or to stop being greedy! For being over three centuries old, I think it’s a bit naive of Heimerdinger to believe that politicians are going to go along with that. I also found it ironic that Jayce singled out Heimerdinger as not being held accountable, when it’s clear that that’s the case for all the council members. You talked about cognitive dissonance earlier in the video, and I think that applies to Jayce in this scene as well. Heimerdinger is the only council member opposing some of his company’s inventions/research, so he only sees Heimerdinger as not being held accountable.

[@sametucar9544]

... 👍👍...

[@al_sprays_paint8669]

*****Hey, I know that you’re probably not going to see this but I want to thank you for the video that you made about Elon Musk and his experiences with autism. My roommate has autism spectrum disorder and I gained unexpected insight on how I can communicate and set boundaries with him in a more thoughtful and compassionate way. Thanks!

[@zekeyeager47]

17:18 and another thing to add to what you said is Jinx first trauma was her parents killed by the police force, So when she saw Vi with Caitlyn (wearing police uniform) that was another factor to trigger her defensife mode

[@kenjutsukata1o1]

While I do think Heimerdinger's heart was in the right place, he really failed the city in many ways. Especially the undercity. Heimerdinger was a founding member of Piltover, which means his neglect led to the undercity becoming what it is. While most of the council were too busy doing shady politics to help the people, Heimerdinger was too busy vibing to music to help the people. As for why they got rid of him... I'd guess they've wanted to for a while. But who would dare to try to oust one of the city's founding members? Heimerdinger was a problem they worked around. But he still held them back. So when the new, bold upstart makes the motion they wished they could have, they are able to get what they want without having to be the ones to initiate it. I also think Mel's vote was essential, as they definitely would have all waited to see who would vote first. Just the way the council woman with the tech jewelry was trembling told me that this is something they'd wanted, but we're terrified of attempting. That's my take, anyway.

[@alarichrul6639]

4th episode. Jayce and Mel: "It's Heimerdinger" - "When it's not. " It seems they all were irritated by this Yordle, so they voted out him with pleasure. The only thing they need is to sold it out for population Heimerdinger is respected, beloved founder of the City), but people love Jayce more than Heimerdinger, so it would work.

[@sunflowerice]

I can totally understand where Heimerdinger came from with his fear, but he never really explained to anyone WHY it was such a big deal.. he just assumed everyone would listen to him when he says "it´s dangerous, get rid of it". A bit more explanation might have given him more understanding. Well, to be fair, at progress day Jayce clearly was on his side and held back as he was told by Heimerdinger. But what the yordle failed to see was Jayce and his willingness for risks when the stake is on Viktor´s life.

[@kalinora3901]

@@sunflowerice Even when Heimerdinger learned of Viktor's issue, he just said, "I'm sorry, my boy.", and didn't attempt to do anything that may help him. All he had was words, but no action. One would think that a scientist living for hundreds of years would have tried to help a "friend"; but he didn't. He could have done great things to help both the undercity and Piltover, but he did nothing. His inaction, along with the council's neglect and, at times, abuse led to a lot of the problems we see in the current timeline of Arcane.

[@FiendTheWhacked]

This, exactly. I've no doubt that Heimerdinger's intentions are pure & his concerns well founded, but his reluctance to act has caused the quality of life for the majority of his citizens to degrade and for corruption to spread right under his nose while he's nearly oblivious to all of it. And all the while, he offers no actionable solutions to any of these problems beyond caution and "be better".

[@babette5918]

I think that the council goes along with Jayce because they are now financially invested in Hextek. Greed. Heimerdinger wants to move slowly and cautiously with Hextek... bad for their investment. Once Jayce made all those deals with everyone on the council their fortunes were tied to him and to the success of Hextek. Mel created a political monster.

[@cavalryscout9519]

One thing I didn't get until I saw this a million times is that in this episode, Caitlyn switches from relying on her rifle to relying on Vi. In the last episode, Grayson talked about how for her the rifle was a tool to protect Piltover and asked Caitlyn what she was shooting for, and that's answered when the next time we see the rifle come out, Caitlyn is using it to protect Vi from Sevika (while specifically avoiding killing Sevika). In this episode, the rifle again comes out to protect Vi, this time by trading it for Vi's medicine, but when Caitlyn needs to protect Vi from Silco later the rifle is gone, and we see Cait impotently throwing herself against the support beam trying to knock the sign over. Cait's smart and she has good ideas, but she lacks physical power - she needs something to be strong for her. But by this point Vi has gotten to know Cait, and she saw Cait as her mother and heard Cait as Vander in this episode, so she can recognize Cait's wisdom, so Vi applies her strength to Cait's plan and knocks over the sign. Vi's own plans usually work out really badly for her, so she sort of needs someone like Vander or Cait to keep her on track. In the very first scene of the series Vi is looking for someone to guide her. It's really clear that both characters are incomplete alone.

[@crystalwang1532]

There’s this fanart of like a mini version of Vi sitting on Cait’s shoulders. And I think it’s so accurate. Caitlyn is the one with the plan, the one that has all the clues laid out in her bedroom and is piecing shit together. Vi is her gun, so to speak. Cait trusts her to be strong and Vi trusts Cait to point her in the right direction.

[@DarthRayj]

@@crystalwang1532 The line "I'm your gun" is used to a powerful effect in the sci-fi novel series 'Machineries of Empire' which I do highly recommend reading.

[@VJArt_]

Huck, the person who sold out Caitlyn and Vi also said "Tell her I'm sorry, for everything" because he probably already knew silco was coming. He was also that trader in episode 1 who Vander protected when he said the line "Don't threaten the guy who pours the drinks" so it also shows how powerless some people felt after Vander was gone.

[@Knoleeiseytoedom-jz5li]

Woah I did not know this, I thought that guy was Mylo on shimmer or something.

[@floofyguinepig9795]

@@Knoleeiseytoedom-jz5li It is Mylo

[@gdaxolotl8510]

​@@floofyguinepig9795It is not. Mylo died a long time ago and the comment already said that he was the guy who pours the drinks back then.

[@th3voice]

I don't think there's any cognitive dissonance in Silco's treatment of Marcus and his daughter. His thought process is clear and without ambiguity. He has nothing but contempt for Marcus, seeing him as a traitor, a failure, a coward. He may be useful, a tool, but he is not loved, liked, or accepted. He is an asset, a pawn. Last episode, he clearly intuited that Marcus was growing resistant to threats to his own well-being, when he noticed him considering blowing himself up and ending the dynamic he is trapped in (he clearly noticed, as his comment to Jinx was "he's faltering (...)"). Maybe, at that point, he would back off, try to give him a little time and distance to feel better before he put the pressure back on, but then he learns that someone he has considered essentially his property has, in fact, kept a very important piece of information (the fact that Vi did not die) from him, and mislead him about it, for many years. Well, if threatening HIM no longer works, he has to find a different lever. The child is that lever. I doubt Marcus considered, until that point, that Silco could reach him at home. It's possible he didn't think Silco was aware that he had a daughter. That illusion was a comfort that Silco had no option but to shatter, making a play to either fully break Marcus' resistance, OR finally drive him off, because the ambiguity, the uncertainty, isn't something he can afford there. So he threatens Marcus through his family. There's no dissonance there. Silco never saw himself as someone who WOULD NOT do that... his whole spiel was that he was willing to do ANYTHING to achieve his objectives.That he treats his in-group differently from how he treats someone he considers beneath his contempt and in the fulness of time as an enemy is likely a fully consistent, reasoned and fundamental aspect of his thought processes. I doubt he has any WISH to harm the child. If Marcus does as he's told from now on, I am fairly certain the daughter will never be harmed, and may even have a modicum of protection, given that she is proving a useful lever. But I don't doubt that Silco WOULD kidnap her, and/or harm her, should Marcus still prove unwilling to obey. Heimerdinger may have the best of intentions, but he is an actively awful communicator, a negligent and complacent ruler, and his moral fiber is dubious. He was perfectly willing to ignore Jayce's crime in episode 2 until it became politically untenable to keep supporting him, when he would not stand by the lie by omission he was told to tell. He is most interesting to me because he has all the trappings and mannerisms of "old, wise and profound", but he is anything but that - he's reactionary, foolish and incompetent. Voting him out of the council was necessary, though the immediate effects will not be beneficial in a moment when stability might be important. My read on Jayce at this point is very different. I don't think he is acting from a position of believing he knows best, but from a point of desperation that the best avenue to save his dear friend and sworn brother from his imminent demise is being cut off by someone not offering an alternative other than "letting him die and remembering him fondly". Heimerdinger may draw comfort from bronze statues of his deceased friends in his office, lined up like action figure mementos, but Jayce isn't willing to settle for that, which frankly, while it can be consider an egoistical impulse, is about as altruistic as anyone is likely to get - to do something you dread doing, and which has a personal and professional cost, in your best effort to save someone you care about. I would still like a deeper delve into the mental health of Professor Heimerdinger from you, especially from the perspective of someone who is VERY old but without any of the degradation of mental faculties that we normally associate with that (or at least, not that I can see). As such, Heimerdinger may be the least human-like and prone to diagnosis of the characters we've seen so far. My read is that he's clearly traumatised and not dealing with it particularly well. I'd also enjoy a more thorough examination of Singed (the scientist Viktor interacted with, and the creator of shimmer) and his mental character. Granted, we've not seen THAT much of him, but he is also very consistent and clear in his beliefs and what he values throughout the show, so unless his entire behaviour towards everyone at all times is a carefully constructed deception, there should be something to consider there, to wit - is he a sociopath? Is that a necessary portion of his behaviour?

[@n0bleonline222]

++ Great analysis 👌

[@Fionalah]

There's two real conflicts in Arcane - primarily, the haves and have-nots, and secondly, the conflict between progress and tradition. Heimerdinger represents the latter, as he's long-lived and has witnessed things that short-lived humans have not. I feel the main reason Jayce ousts his old mentor isn't so much self-confidence, as panic over trying to help Viktor. All Jayce can think of 'saving you'. He's ignoring the dangers in his urgency to save the man he sees as his brother. I think the reason the other councillors side with him is because a) Mel is pushing to get her boyfriend as council leader, and b) the others want the money that comes with the Hextech and Hexgates. One last thing in this episode that tends to get missed between the Jinx reunion and the CupCait near-kiss is what happens to Silco after our heroines escape. He completely loses his shit, beating up his own goons in a temper, the first real sign that he's slipping and losing control. Would like to know your feelings on how our antagonist is changing as the last episodes play out.

[@otaku11bts23]

I get full body chills and goosebumps during the part with the smoke flare. It nice to see that powder needs vi and it’s one of those moments where I think, she has to know that vi is alive

[@WaywardVet]

I tear up a bit. Fully exposed, demons at her back, calling for help after years of "I'm fine". Even if I had orders to shoot on sight I'd lower my gun and drop my guard. Lemme talk to this one, they are dangerous but not a threat. Everyone else stay back. To borrow a line from RWBY, "Nobody needs to die today."

[@gracetaylor2767]

Yeah, same! It also SHATTERED my heart when Jinx asked if Vi was real-

[@tawniacampbell4491]

The council agreed with Jayce for a few different reasons. Firstly, Jayce had already made deals with each of the council members ensuring their trade deals, so when Heimerdinger said to put aside their greed, they saw it as a loss. Secondly when Heimerdinger also said "accountable" it was a trigger for them knowing that what they had been doing was wrong, so they would not only lose but would also be in trouble. Heimerdinger's words also meant that the status quo would more than likely change. And since we process change like we do grief, it would be easier to follow Jayce's lead since that would more than likely mean that things wouldn't have to change. You could see where some of the council members hesitated as they weighed their options but, in the end, decided that going with Jayce was in their best interests. -That's what I got from it anyway.

[@renascienza.bazarclub]

Jinx have a tattoo on her skin of a blue cloud, that seemed meaningless to us until that moment. This show that she ever dreamed and fantasize to the moment when she can light this flare. Even "knowing" that her sister was dead, she kept it. Jinx didn't killed the pink hair girl on on the 4th episode because she "was" Vi. She did it because the girl wasn't actually her... The only thing that Jinx hate about Vi is her absense.

[@itayker22]

Omg I never noticed the tattoo. Like I saw it, but never really thought about it. What's amazing about it is that original lol Jinx, made in 2013 (well before arcane was an idea) also has the same tattoo. So It's not a setup, but a BRILLIANT use of a pre existing character

[@JoeMama-yd1ve]

ahhhhhhhh that's so brilliant. Thanks for this comment!

[@LOLOsugoi]

I used to think that before, but looking back at her design in the game, I realised I was dead wrong about it. In fact, Jinx in League of legends doesn't just have blue clouds tattooed on her arm, she also has pink bullets. PINK BULLETS. When I noticed that, I realised that the blue clouds were there to symbolize the death of her first family, and the pink bullets when she lost her second family. Her tattoos refer to both events where she jinxed everything... She's gonna have the pink bullets tattooed on her arm in s2. Mark my words.

[@BGTitanAvatar]

The hug is one of my favorite Cait moments and it’s what sealed in my love of her character. She has such a big heart and just wants to help everyone. It’s such a sweet moment. It’s why her and Vi tie for my fav character. Gotta give props to Jinx’s VA. She goes from sweet and broken to deranged and angry very well. It’s also worth noting, not only does Jinx think Vi replaced her but that she replaced her with an Enforcer (though technically Cait was fired but semantics). Which, that has to be an even bigger insult. While Heimerdinger is kind of the only non-corrupt council member and can technically be considered a good person… he really was not a good leader. He’s allowed the Undercity to become what it is. He’s ignored them almost entirely and he really has lost touch with how short a human lifespan is. Viktor especially doesn’t have a decade to “perfect the research.” As others have stated, Professor H was an obstacle to work around for the other council members, but now with him gone and Jayce being part of the shady dealings…. Whelp. It’s open season. The “pansexual panic” caption was perfection. The reactions to that moment are always so fun.

[@alwaysbam]

They way you explain things psychologically is wow! I'm seeing these characters in such a new light. Thank you 😊 💓

[@L0stwitn0nam3]

Fan of your Arcane react series, long time watcher first time commentator. As for Silco and double standard belief systems, I believe the reason Silco didn't threaten Marcus daughter was based on his relationship with Jinx. This was more of a show of power than actually putting Marcus daughter in danger or threat of danger. That's why he's playing with her, building. By having his enforcers to support him, it would equalize Marcus' power had he tried to use his position as sheriff against Silco in his home. The true threatening position is taking his daughter, and leaving him a note ensuring her safe return after the job was done. Silco didn't even need to be present for any of this but choose to make sure his daughter felt comfortable because she was the innocent bystander. The fact that he personally there speaking in undertones but leaving her at the comfort of her own home sends the message of "my power reaches anywhere" which kidnapping her would have done as well but also speaks to the father to father severity. "If I lose my daughter so do you" without traumatizing Marcus' daughter and explicitly telling Marcus how serious he feel about Vi being on loose. The writing in this series is so well crafted and purposeful, that these characters choice of words and action all come from depth of that character's motivations. I don't believe he's acting contrary to his belief system but true to it. Hey "my daughter is threaten and what you're feeling now with me in your home is how I feel about Vi in the lanes." This is a problem you created and I need you to help fix it. I could be as if i was never here and your daughter would be fine. Don't take care of this problem and 'accidents can happen.' " Also Enforcers are nothing but enemies to Jinx since they not only killed their parents but consistently abuse and attack people from the lanes. So Vi teaming up with an enforcer is just traumatic as Jinx teaming up with Silco for Vi. Also, knowing the series and seeing where the writers are taking show, I would rewatch the Vi and Jinx scene again. For example, Jinx might have issues she's also very self aware and says something important to Vi. "Don't speak to me like I'm a child." Vi and at this moment you believe her taking the name Jinx is solely based on that moment of trauma in episode 3. I would suggest coming back to this scene and really looking at everyone words and actions before moving on to the episodes because they all tie together in a beautiful way from a narrative point.

[@n0bleonline222]

Great analysis 👍

[@emanymton713]

My brother is schizoaffective. He has accused me of betraying him *many* times. (I’m a law abiding citizen, he definitely is not…so yeah I can see from his logic, I have…) He *still* comes to me when he feels like he can’t handle his life on his own.

[@erickeker8761]

Wow .. that must be emotional exhausting. Hope you can deal whit it.

[@emanymton713]

@@erickeker8761 it certainly * can be* , but yes I take steps for my own mental health and welfare.

[@KeijiMaeda86]

I think it's important that you understand that Heimerdinger is like 300+ years old. Yordles(his species) are essentially immortal. The frustration Jayce feels being told to wait and have patience isn't just human impulsiveness but rather that Viktor is dying NOW. Jayce(and Viktor) can't afford to wait another 10, 20, 30, etc. years to get the technology completely perfect and safe to heimerdinger's standards. They need to act now. Mel is acting out of her own self interest to gain political and economic power by unseating Heimerdinger. The rest of the council we don't know their exact motivations but based on previous episodes we know they're selfish and somewhat corrupt. For all of them removing Heimerdinger is positive as he is the one that often impedes their profits in the name of safety.

[@selfsabotagingbanana0451]

Heimerdinger has his heart in the right place, he just is blind to how dire the situation in the undercity really has become over the years. Jace and Victor on the other hand know that a solution is needed NOW regardless of the risks that might be involved, since the situation is about to escalate very badly if they wait any longer.

[@littymarquis764]

On the other hand, their solution has seemingly only made the problem worse (hex-tech leading to Jinx's attacks, escallating conflict, etc.) so in that sense, Heimer was right that it would lead to greater destruction.

[@idk-ye7ur]

And their solution made the problem worse, they wanted to do something unlike Heimerdinger who just didn't do anything. But both we're in the wrong for different reasons. That pretty much Arcane, nothing is gray.

[@selfsabotagingbanana0451]

@@littymarquis764 I get your point, but literally no one could have predicted what Jinx did (stealing the hex-tech gem). Even Silco was surprised at how ruthless and out of control his adoptive daughter can be.

[@littymarquis764]

@@selfsabotagingbanana0451 I think Heimer recognized the two-sides of Hex-techs destructivity: (1) the extrinsic destructivity is the social impact it makes when this tech is weaponized and used in war, which is seen in Jayce's arc, and (2) is the intrinsic destructivity in the sense that the arcane which is channeled through these crystals naturally leads to death and destruction, which we see with Viktor. In the end, there's no clear person who was in the right. Heimer was right to warn of the dangers of hex-tech, but he was wrong to ignore the social problems beneath him.

[@selfsabotagingbanana0451]

@@littymarquis764 I have to agree with this one, there sometimes is no simple solution. There are a lot of situations in this show where finding a common middle ground with both sides communicating with each other and trying to do their best could have prevented terrible things from happening. But this is unfortunately not how real life - and especially people - work.

[@pfarabee]

So many subtle implications in the dialogue in this show. One of my favorites is when Silco is having his little chat with Marcus.. and he asks the little girl "could you imagine being separated from your father?". I've seen people interpret it many ways.. threatening to harm her to punish Marcus, threatening to kidnap her, etc... but when you take it in context with the "her father went on a long trip and she was left behind"... I hear that as "Don't worry, Marcus.. if you make me send you on a... long trip... then I'll make sure she doesn't get.. left behind.. she won't be lonely, because she'll be with you."

[@MegaMilenche]

He could also be saying he doesn't want Jinx to be separated from him. The very next thing he does i try to take out Vi so she can't come between Jinx and him.

[@nighthiker]

Hello, Courtney! I think one thing you might have missed in regard to Heimerdinger's state of mind is that he looks overly traumatized by the seemingly catastrophic event involving the arcane. The memories triggered at those moments were not, in my view, too different from flashbacks triggered by PTSD. It looks like that left him very averse to any kind of risk, which as a consequence led to total inaction on his part. And unfortunately, due to unavoidable asymmetries of power and the fact people will always want more than what they already have, stagnation will most unavoidably lead to further inequality, as those above take from those bellow. While I think his removal from the council might have been an overcorrection on Jayce's part, I don't think it was unwarranted. Too bad they could not get to a middle ground. We'll see how that will impact everyone in the next episodes, though.

[@j_b2397]

I see the problem with Heimerdinger as this: He will hold back all progress till its 100% safe. In the meantime millions will die because he wont change ANYTHING at all till the change is proven 100% safe. Nothing is 100% safe. so nothing will ever get done.

[@Peridact]

Yeah, and it kind of doesn't work out too. He wants things to be safe so nobody gets hurt or dies, but holding back progress allows exactly that to happen. It's a difficult choice.

[@maxmichalik4938]

While it might not be in your area of expertise since it addresses the psychology of someone in a situation that doesn't exist in real life, I am still curious what you think about how Heimerdinger, an immortal, talks to Viktor about his imminent death. "The flames that burn brightest burn out the fastest" might be an interesting observation that Heimerdinger might think of as sympathizing and consoling, it seems quite an out of touch thing to say to someone literally in the late stages of a fatal disease. Something else about Heimerdinger and his immortality, which is also the reason many people actually agree or at least sympathize with Jayce when he enacts his coup, is that Heimerdinger has been the founder and head of the Council for centuries. He's had every chance to change the city's laws and policies. Every other Council member is a mortal that joined the Council either with Heimerdinger's consent or at least by following the rules of gaining power that Heimerdinger helped create. Any crisis the city faced in the pat that led it to being in the situation it is now was a crisis that Heimerdinger personally presided over and took upon himself to be responsible for. And yet he talks about "coming together" and other such naïve stock phrases that show that he must have been out of touch and isolated from the plights of the common folk since longer than one or two human life times at least.

[@KingApeiron]

Arcane is just a series of very important hugs.

[@erinhaury5773]

I mean... you're not wrong. ^^;

[@coreym7209]

Heimerdinger definitely does have the best interests of the city at heart, but he’s not really done anything to accomplish that. I’ve heard people say about him and the trope of the “old and wise mentor” that Heim is just,, old. Not so much wise (at least not yet). He loves his people but needs to learn that human progress is different than his immortal progress

[@erinhaury5773]

This episode was simply heart-wrenching the first time I saw it. The dynamics between Vi/Cait, Vi/Jinx, and Jinx/Her Trauma were so well scripted. I think the thing I love the most about this series is how tight the characterization and story-telling are. Stories like this are my bread and butter as a writer, and the writers for Arcane are simply top-notch. Every scene has meaning and the characters all react realistically to the situations they're put into. There's not a wasted line of dialogue, nor of bad cinematography. Between the writing and the camerawork, Arcane really takes things to the next level. I'm super excited for you to start Act 3, you're going to have a field day! (Bring Tissues)

[@renascienza.bazarclub]

Is clear that Vi probably have PTSD, right? She had a hole on her guts and even so she jumped from a cliff. Is clear that she feel pain like everyone, but never seems to care about it. She punch concrete and metal, offer her face on fights, try to do parkour without a second thought when she actually need to be on a bed. To her, bleed (her blood or from another people) is just something that happens, almost like sweat. BUT... Hallucinations isn't part of Vi's standard mental state. She was delusional on that scenes due lack of blood and probably suffering from infection already.

[@luizaires9809]

Yeeees!! I literally look for updates in your channel everyday to see if you finished reacting to Arcane because I really want to see your thoughts on it.

[@the.truth.doctor]

You are the best! We try to upload every Thursday but our schedule can be flexible for mental health reasons. Thank you for your patience. ❤️

[@luizaires9809]

@@the.truth.doctor as long as you're ok ♥️♥️ take your time, we can wait

[@ScorpionViper1001]

Can't wait for you to see the next three episodes. If you thought the series had been full of interesting demonstrations of how people deal with trauma and self-destructive behavior before, boy howdy the next three episodes ramp that up tenfold. Even the opening song in the next episode foreshadows the worldview of the Firelights' leader. And I loved all the insights you had about dealing with trauma and the patterns we get stuck in and the conflicting desire for change. It's the kind of thing I'm thinking a lot about right now, trying to change but not comfortable in the new mental attitude I'm trying to take.

[@frog2801]

I love how the captions keep hearing “Vi” as “Vai”

[@wtimmins]

I've watched reactions to this dozens of times, and Vi meeting Powder makes me tear up every time. Man.

[@martins.4240]

Ella Purnell REALLY sells it (they all do, to be fair) This performance is legendary, and is well deserving of the Annie Award(s).

[@timidwolf]

Like that you referred to the visions Powder had in the first episode, most seem to forget about those or not realise what they are at the time. Another massive indicator of her/Jinx's current mental state I've noticed is the use of violin in the score and soundtrack, violent and erratic when she's least in control, melancholy when she's sad and longer sweeping notes when she's at her most lucid.

[@Threaxe]

Hey, these songs from Riot are free to use! You don't need to mute then (except Enemy, it's from Imagine Dragons and has Copyright)

[@Nyxean]

The thing that caught my attention was Jinx's insane reflexes and it made me wonder if it is possible to have faster reflexes than normal people if you are someone who is having hallucinations and suffering from some mental disorders. Also before she dodged the attack came from above there was some drawings on the screen seemed like telling her to dodge and I wonder if something like this really possible.

[@carpediem3991]

I don't believe in animal cruelty... But I devour bacon cheeseburgers lol Cognitive dissonance is delicious

[@jolliapplegirl]

Hiemerdinger is the only member of the council that isn't corrupt so it makes sense the others want him gone. With him gone, they can openly take bribes and the like.

[@tithannisk7470]

Cognitive dissonance or «Don't let your thoughts be ahsamed of your actions»

[@kaijingarou6526]

The other members of the council seem to be utterly motivated by greed. Jayce is literally called 'The Golden Boy" now. Where he goes, they follow, specially if Mel agrees too. If Jayce had threatened them with leaving with his inventions for good unless they kicked and spit on Heimerdinger, they probably would.

[@ganaroth7766]

Depressed so I can't get out of bed, which makes me more depressed... Why are you in my head?

[@Balderdash1000]

I love your stuff, and it's really interesting to see your views on what's going on in this show, but I think you did a misread on the Jayce/Heimerdinger interaction. Jayce wasn't fighting to move faster in general. He'd shown before that he respected Heimerdinger's views on that subject before. He was coming from the place that Heimerdinger's hesitations were a threat to the only way they could find to save Victor's life. He was making general arguments for the rest of the council, but the human that wasn't living for centuries there was Victor. Jayce was literally fighting for his friends life, and, typical Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger didn't even make the connection. That's how little Victor's life meant to Heimerdinger. After all, there will always be new humans, right? Heimerdinger totally took Jayce's arguments as an expression of dissatisfaction for Heimerdinger's cautious approach, and it never even occurred to him that Jayce might be upset cause he was trying to close the door on Victor's only chance of survival. ... Typical Heimerdinger.

[@Fionalah]

Yep, you said that far better than I did! Neither Jayce nor Heimerdinger are blameless in this instance.

[@mlinxl9090]

Is it possible that jinx will see the wound inflicted by the firelight as proof her reunion with vi as real?

[@n0bleonline222]

Definitely . Additionally, I think Jinx can tell if certain things are real by physically touching them. She did that for Violet and Silco.

[@scirrhia_kruden]

Absolutely loving this reaction/analysis!

[@danh8804]

Really nice to see some in the mental health profession doing this show that doesn't ludicrously treat Vi as a negative presence or influence in Jinx's life in Act 2-3

[@Belbecat]

Remember the corruption of the council members that Mel taught Jayce to play along with during that opera scene - so the council will follow them because they allow them to get their own ways with things that they want. Heimerdinger is the only person that had no idea all that stuff was going on underneath his nose.

[@denzh6980]

One of the best episodes, 4-5-6 are best middle part. A lot of people like 7, it is great, but I still consider 7 and 8 weaker (they still very good) than 4-5-6 ... and the grand finale 9 is grand! Act 2 is for me more balanced, than Act 3 ...

[@carmandirda]

I am incredibly late to this reaction party (I watched the show at launch but not reactions to it), but I really really hope she has more to say about Silco in later episodes. It's been surprising how little has actually been explored and talked about with him in this react series, but I think part of that is the idea that "he's the villain" or "just a villain" so maybe she's not analyzing him as deeply when he has just as much to say in his actions as everyone else.

[@mcanta2898]

Jayce and medarda pretty much have control over the council: they control the hexgates, and have reasonable cause to close them at will. if they do, that would mean a big hit on their own profits, as well as the livelyhood of the people hat depend on them. meaning they have to weigh that against just heimerdinger, whose scientific expertise can be take on by jayce.

[@belindatsakonas5533]

In the first scene with the scratched out hallucinations were when powder had her eyes covered. So in my opinion it was Vi who was being effected. When Vi is vulnerable she hallucinates. (when she was stabbed. And when she was almost knocked out by sevika.)

[@charliesalvatore5176]

So, this popped up on my feed and I decided to watch it. I HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE PAN TOO JJGDSHHKJLD

[@karolinakuc4783]

Is it even cognitive disorder in case of Silco? Marcus is noone important for him he is his pawn. He doesn't belive in karma or justice. And treating others well doesn't guarantee that you will be treated well by others coz in competitive environments like Zaun people are likely to take advantage of you even if you tret them well. That happened to Vander

[@johanstenfelt1206]

The End of Act 2 of Season 1.

[@Fionalah]

Also, one last piece of advice - before you see Episode 7, watch the official Imagine Dragons video for the title song. All will become clear!

[@ThePunkina1]

Yes it gives some good back story

[@MegaMilenche]

10:50 They were killed by enforcers because they themselves were trying to kill enforcers, first. Your parents were soldiers in a conflict. They were not innocent civilians who were gunned down by police who swatted your house with illegal warrant.

[@Gandorhar]

I dont know if I understood what u asked for early in the episode, but my for example, I can emphasize with people (or also characters from shows) but when it comes to people im "close to" I dont feel emotions at all, except maybe hard emotions, like my dad and sister died, and I didnt feel shit, until my mom started crying at their funeral, then I feelt it, but as soon as I didnt see her emotions again, I stoped crying, and I never cared anyway, I just cried because I saw her, feelt her but even when I didnt I didnt know why.

[@aaronsiganoff134]

Can I just tell you how poetic that bit about nobody being able to be in our minds, and that our minds are vast- is so profound, I cant even. I have anxiety, but nothing more serious (that I know of) aside from that, but the "connectiveness" of that statement, and probably more importantly- the advocation of embracing our own minds is like....awesome. Intrusive thoughts aside, of course.

[@aritw5726]

I usually get triggered when someone tells me "I love you" or that they generally care about me. Mainly because I've heard that several times before and it was a lie. The rare times in which it wasn't, namely from my family, and not someone from the outside, ended in loss. Thus I am very anxious of something happening to my mom, since she is the only one I have left, and when someone from the outside starts telling me how much they love me and how much I mean to them, I just get very angry, because I feel lied to, even though I am aware that, the person saying it did nothing to deserve my distrust In that specific moment. It's funny how I was initially the unpaid teraphist in my group of friends, but now I feel like at least to an extent, I really relate to Jinx and her struggles more.

[@youmusenju2307]

I guess my post got deleted... Well. Thanks anyway for the mental health education.

[@Flum666]

you do know you can play any scene or any music except 'enemy' by imagine dragons, it's not copyrighted?

[@sunflowerice]

the end of this episode was chaos, Caitlyn showing up was already bad for Jinx - thanks Sevika - and the Firelights made it worse unfortunately^^" one of my favorite parts: Silco playing with Marcus´ daughter (her name is Ren btw) while threatening him. I mean Silco has clearly learned a lot from his own parenting xD ^ Btw what does it say about Silco that he was the one entertaining her and not his henchmen?^^ They just got to chill around and he helped her constructing a card tower and until the moment he dropped the card on it she clearly didn´t seem scared of him.

[@th3voice]

I think that so long as the day is unremarkable otherwise, Ren, the daughter, is unlikely to remember this day very strongly. I remember several times my parents had colleagues or clients come over to the house. I spoke with some of them or interacted with them a BIT... but even when they spoke while I was there and they were interacted with me, I couldn't tell you one whit of what they were talking about between them. My child brain, probably a fair bit older than Ren even, sorted it under "boring grown-up-stuff" and filed it in the trashcan. Marcus won't forget this encounter for the rest of his life, but I think Ren would need some other thing to happen for this to stand out as anything beyond "someone who knew dad stopped by the house once when I was a kid".

[@striderbob10]

@@th3voice I'm not sure about that. Every kid reacts differently to situations and I don't think I'd classify Silco as forgettable, even to a child. He also had 2 of his goons with him and not to mention the malicious undertone to the conversation. Kids can be surprisingly intuitive.

[@th3voice]

@@striderbob10 I've no doubt she will remember the details of this day, but not because of this visit.

[@sunflowerice]

@@th3voice You mean because Marcus told her to never open the door to strangers again when alone at home? xD

[@th3voice]

@@sunflowerice yes. Obviously.

[@mittri1990]

As a person with social anxiety and depression I often find my self thinking I am not good enough for my SO or that he deserves better than me and thinking of self sabotage. So far it has only been thoughts though.

[@kikidinasor]

On the triggers topic; I get quiet when someone is mad. "Out of sight , out of mind"

[@Arty_McParty]

I don't think Siclo was threatening the little girl , he was threatening him , i don't think he would hurt little child.

[@WaywardVet]

Two words on why some council members raised hands. Mob mentality.

[@ShoNuff3K]

Yeah this is great, but her lips and or lipstick is perfection.

[@n0bleonline222]

Silco realized that Marcus was contemplating a suicide bomb plan, and after Marcus left the room, Silco replied, "floating." Later, despite Silco and Marcus' 7 years of work, Silco learns that Marcus is keeping a very big secret. (Lying about Violet's living talk) Marcus was going behind Silco's back, And Silco caught that. I don't know how likely Silco is to harm Marcus' child or any other child. Given Silco's history with Jinx, this may have been out of the way. Silco doesn't seem to have threatened Marcus so far, at least not about his daughter. I think it's understandable that Silco was starting to move towards Marcus when he learned that Marcus was hiding the suicide bomb plan and the situation that Violet was still living in. Silco, I believe you said this to keep Marcus in line. I thought if Silco said anything about Marcus' Daughter, Marcus would stop running things behind Silco's back.

[@StayFractalesque]

where in the show is Marcus' contemplating a suicide bomb?

[@n0bleonline222]

@@StayFractalesque Marcus goes to Silco in episode 5. Silco gives one of Jinx's bombs to Marcus as a Firelight bomb. (as evidence to give to Jayce) After Silco hands Marcus the bomb, Marcus imagines detonating the bomb, saying "this is getting too much now". Silco realizes that something is wrong with Marcus. "his faltering" Later, Silco discovers that Marcus was lying about Violet (thanks to Sevika) When Violet and Caitlyn escape from Silco, Silco can't help but explode. He's beating his own servants.

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Hehehe, from here, the Show will get real, prepare yourself.

[@jimballard1186]

Oh, you think you panicked this episode.

[@MarcelloBranca]

haunting her , not supporting , 😅

[@pathandy8188]

Powder didn't die, she fell down a well.

[@kaijingarou6526]

22:36 Haha, hilarious image.

[@iandor1381]

"Humans don't live for centuries!" That's true, but in a few centuries there will still be humans and those humans can benefit from a carefully designed technology or they can suffer from a carelessly designed technology.

[@hero4life15]

Where is the finaleeeeeeeeee

[@robertwhite9621]

Waited for this all week, love your insights and glad you're enjoying the show :)

[@pathandy8188]

Are you real?