Therapist NEEDS a Therapist! Arcane Episode 3 Reaction (Therapist REACTS)

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

There are some additional analysis of Jayce's jump scene and Vi' on the Bridge Scene from Episode 2 on my Patreon (link in description)

[@charlestonjew7587]

I think you're the first react Tuber who didn't immediately think Vi realized Powder caused the explosion when she sees the head of her monkey toy/bomb on the floor as she was trapped under the door, when she had no reason to do so. Vi knows Powder's bombs don't work, let alone cause a massive explosion with such devastating effect and more than likely, believed it was Silco trying to blast his way in through the door. She told her to stay behind. Her greatest fear was losing Powder and at this point, seeing the monkey toy would confirm Powder disobeyed and followed them. As a result, Powder is dead, along with Mylo and Claggor. The tears on her face show just how excruciating this is for her to watch. Remembering what Vander last said to Vi at Benzo's, "Protect the family", flash forward to Vi hovering over Vander and his last words to her, "Take care of Powder." Vi lets out a primal scream because she believes she failed them all and everyone is dead.

[@kasut0139]

Are these other videos ever going to come out on the main channel or are they going to stay locked behind patreon?

[@jamesanderson3191]

Some people pay hundreds per session to get insights from a good therapist IRL; and here this man is applying his incredibly marketable and specialist skills to our favorite TV show? Take my money

[@MomokaViixiv]

Silco's claims makes sense and in the state that the under city is in they are just slowly bleeding out and technilogically being left behind and dying slowly, they would have not survived if they played the long game that vander was playing something would have had to change. Silco wants to fight for that change and i dont think silco is trying to manipulate Jinx/powder i dont think thats his intention i think he saw himself in her and he connects with her and get her. And so he wants to help her, and he even if hes doing it i dont think its intetional i think hes just trying to help her in the only ways he knows how, not saying hes doing a good job or well equipped to do so but in his own ways he is trying to watch out for her help her stand back up and encourage her in the ways he knows how and in what shes good at.

[@BlackShardStudio]

Oh, the misery. Everybody's gonna need some therapy!

[@jamesanderson3191]

you sir are a poet and a scholar 👏🤣

[@Jasongilliar]

Nah bro just wants more clients😂 I mean the good thing is, we all need therapy after that, he knows why, hes a therapist, i hope after s2 ep9 he makes a video giving us therapy 😭

[@barknkams8528]

why are you in the every arcane therapist react video

[@BlackShardStudio]

@@barknkams8528 it's an obsession

[@Me-bd7qt]

@@BlackShardStudio i cant deny

[@aaronialguyman]

The absolute speed my finger moved to click on this video should be studied

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

Literally spat my tea out at this comment lol

[@DNVgb]

Would you let me study you?

[@TheCakeMachine]

SAME. Subbed over the first video and these have been my favorite things to watch. Second I saw it I had to click.

[@junkyred]

Same, didn't even realize how recently it had been put out.

[@angeloalvarez5520]

SAME HERE

[@gaara_of_the_desert1118]

It's always painfully ironic hearing Jayce call Piltover the land of equality, while the undercity is treated like it is.

[@jamesanderson3191]

This has been something that stands out to me more and more every time I watch

[@yeroc7114]

They also show Jayce in the light after it while keeping Viktor in the shadow

[@anangoohns]

//MENTION OF EP 7 for those who haven't watched that far// Its so interesting to notice the difference in Mel's behavior towards Viktor over time. In this scene, even though she keeps the light mostly on Jayce (metaphorical here obv), she still acknowledges Viktor and replies directly to his questions and statements, the same as with Jayce. In super stark contrast, there's a scene in ep 7 that it took me until the 3rd watch through to notice it, but its when Mel is introducing the concept of making weapons to Jayce and Victor after the letter from her mother. Go watch it again and she literally never addresses Viktor in the whole conversation, only Jayce. She barely even looks at him, just little glances as he talks, then immediate back to Jayce to speak. Victor replies to her, but Mel doesn't talk TO him at all. She addresses everything she says to Jayce. Not to mention her line of "I'm only asking you to prepare to defend your people." While Viktor is sitting right there, definitively NOT one of "your people" since its Zaunites who will be on the other end of the Hextech weapons. Obv I dont think it's cut and dried classism. She was acting that way I think bc she has a goal, Jayce has the power to do what she wants, and she has the means to get Jayce to do to it. She can't manipulate Viktor in that way bc he doesn't really trust her (or the political machine of Piltover) so she sees even bothering to converse with him, his concerns, and his priorities as a waste the effort--something she can simply bypass by getting Jayce on her side. But that's partially because Viktor DOESNT have almost any social power besides his work with Jayce. His background allows the circumstances for her to dismiss him because there's 1) no gain from him, 2) no recourse for treating him as nonexistant. But it gave me an awful feeling watching it realizing she was doing that. Just "Ive calculated everything and you won't be useful to my needs, so I won't even waste words or a glance on you bc Jayce is the one I can actually use here." Because I've been in situations like that where people have acted like I'm literally not in the room or that I haven't even spoken and the level of feelings of dehumanization that brings are nauseating--its almost a physical feeling. Sorry for my Ted Talk 😅

[@Sinewmire]

As well as Jayce being considered as being from a lesser family because his family are only minor industrialists and inventors. He's already wealthy beyond the dreams of Ekko and the Undercity.

[@Adonna2424]

@@yeroc7114 which is interesting when you get Viktor's background being from the Undercity

[@OpDDay2001]

"It's probably not as deep as that," he says about a thing that is deeper than he realizes.

[@JustMarq]

W spore pfp btw.

[@FredrikRyland]

What time stamp was that?

[@mondwine]

@FredrikRyland 31:39

[@FredrikRyland]

@@mondwine thank you🙏

[@BurnDem101]

With Arcane, it's always as deep as that. They are very cyclical in both their storytelling and visuals if you pay close enough attention.

[@Cykoha]

Therapist needs a therapist 😂 best title ever

[@junuka7362]

I mean many of them have supervisors when working with patients, so it should be kinda normal, or am I wrong? Anyway, if the title is like this after 3 episodes, he might need more than 1 therapist after that 🥲

[@babette5918]

The scene where Powder is falling mirrors when Silco is drowning because it was a "moment that changes you forever" for both of them.

[@abrenaline]

I don't think I've ever seen ANYONE point out the heartbeat from dying vander, now THAT's some amazing attention to detail, Kudos to you.

[@peachykeen53]

Agreed! I don’t think I even noticed until he pointed it out, man. What a work of art.

[@lucasrocha3126]

41:57 it most likely wasn’t preplanned. Silco mentioned earlier the “rumor” that Vander left town with his children and was never seen again. He was planning to kill all of them. He probably asks her where her sister is so he can kill them both but when powder says “she is not my sister anymore” it resonates with him, he felt that same abandonment with Vander, hence the whole “brother” conversation they had earlier in the episode

[@Nr4747]

My thoughts exactly !

[@RiRiplays]

Love that you said "Romantic" LOL during the scene with Viktor and Jayce with their Hextech Dream 😂

[@carpiim]

👀👀

[@czar6203]

👁👄👁

[@Ev-fm6ev]

He’s already onto them lol

[@miaomiao_siopao]

even a therapist can see the chemistry between them .... Viktor Nation approves

[@NoctilucaBloom]

I think it's kinda funny how in English that word has connotations mainly for relationships, while to me (and in my language) it is also as much of a literary term. Spoilers for s2 . . . . . . . Don't get me wrong, knowing how s2 goes, I WOULD use it with both meanings lol, I just assumed he meant it in the literary sense while I was giggling over the future implications like "oh he has NO idea".

[@Fabio_26]

"its probably not as deep as that" oh boy trust me when I say I really think it is, this is animated by hand, every single frame of arcane is thought of for such a long time, every single detail has a reason to exist, every single time, that's why it's so good!

[@BlackShardStudio]

@@Fabio_26 it absolutely is

[@FredrikRyland]

What time stamp?

[@lockekappa500]

@FredrikRyland I believe he was referring to the parallel between Powder falling after the explosion, and Silco drowning in the water. And yes, it was definitely intentional. If anything the answer with Arcane is always ITS MORE DEEP THAN THAT.

[@lockekappa500]

@FredrikRyland 31:30 btw

[@Jackfwaust]

its crazy how every little detail from background props, framing, or dialogue is a double or even triple meaning in nearly every scene

[@BurnDem101]

Mia Sinclair Jenness was 11 years old when she did Powders VO performance btw. Such raw emotional acting from so young is beyond impressive and deserves more recognition.

[@TheMattSturgeon]

She's said in interviews that she struggled to separate (from reality) the emotions she tapped into whilst playing Powder. In Bridging the Rift Ep3, she also describes drawing on some very real familial bonds; imagining a scenario where she becomes estranged from her brother. 😢

[@virodhiful]

Apparently Jason Spisak (Silco) heard a recording of her doing the final scene for episode 3 and was like "that's what we have to live up to huh?" and that's just delighful to me.

[@raistormrs]

@@virodhiful yes he had to go in after her, poor guy. 😅

[@WickedHumor]

Every time I remember this, it makes me tear up. Powerful stuff.

[@Deathadder90]

Yeah, ooff. That high note in her final "Violet". Ripped the heart out, the first time I watched it.

[@jamesanderson3191]

Can we take a moment to appreciate Stu clocking the real dynamics at play during that scene with powder and the monkey? 90% of reactors root for that monkey to work (myself included); meanwhile Stu is able to immediately clock that it's an issue, articulate exactly why it's poor decision making, why the decision was made by powder, and why it's better that the bomb DOESN'T work

[@DembaiVT]

My reaction was "oh hell no, this is going to work and it's going to be awful". 😢

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

I'm guessing that both his experience as a therapist and as a former soldier with multiple deployments in warzones helped shape his perspective on that one, unfortunately.

[@iadknet7429]

I love that you caught Vi looking at her hand after striking powder and connecting it to Vander saying “This doesn’t solve your problems, it only creates more of them” I don’t think I’ve ever seen another reactor catch that callback. There are so many small callbacks and connections weaved throughout this show. It’s part of what makes rewatching this show “enjoyable”.

[@speedcuber8037]

Right almost everyone missed that reference 😢

[@The_Story_Of_Us]

Well also the fact that Vander’s last words to her were ”Take care of Powder” and her sudden realization of what she just did. Just this irreconcilable mix of grief, guilt and anger.

[@stevenwojtysiak6392]

it's also the way the show started.. Vander sees Vi and Powder, sees their mom then looks at his hands before dropping his gauntlets.

[@-siranzalot-]

I like how you put the enjoyable quotes 😅

[@merodeadorNocturno]

I wish I could say it gets easier Kiddo, but I'd be lying. Great reaction, thanks for sharing.

[@jamesanderson3191]

I see what you did there ;) Cheeky, and accurate

[@merodeadorNocturno]

@ I just couldn’t resist

[@moritzmolle6609]

hey, yo, no spoiling!

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

@@moritzmolle6609 I agree, but that's so vague without context that it can't really spoil anything. But generally, yeah, having Arcane spoiled for you must feel almost as devastating as simply watching the show. 😄

[@LiveForever13]

I felt so bad for Vi at the last scene, she's 15 and has so much weight on her shoulders. Seeing Mylo, Claggor and then Vander die was just too much for her. And its heart-breaking to watch that play out with her little sister. Its so sad. When I first saw this, I was in pieces. The show has some amazing writing. CA/CSA survivor here. This show really tested my healing journey. But, after a few months/year, its now therapeutic to me. It's helped me process my own history.

[@DarkHarlequin]

I love to hear that the show is kind of triggering/testing to them, but it also seems to help to process things and show you that you can heal and that you have become stronger 😊

[@T.Florenz]

I have difficulty emotionally processing things that have happened in my life, so I also find some relief/release in media like Arcane that helps me process it a bit.

[@mihlali.mangena_]

Lets go, time for tears and analysis

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

That should become the name of my channel!

[@beyondviolet]

@@Connection_through_Reaction genuinely that would be a great way to get more clicks 😂

[@PredatorH2O]

​@@Connection_through_ReactionI mean, your whole profession really.

[@nerea2847]

10:51 "look at that shot, almost seems to be romantic there" aww 💗

[@benhill70]

Whenever you think something isn't as deep as it appears in the show. It's actually that deep! That is the beauty of the show.

[@FredrikRyland]

What timestamp was that?

[@benhill70]

@FredrikRyland @31:36

[@FredrikRyland]

​@@benhill70Thank you🙏

[@Hleler]

Arcane maybe more than any other show really embodies the "nothing is done by chance". Every single pixel in this damn show is so carefully thought out

[@matthewadamlock]

I didn't actually notice until this video that Vi does regret her initial reaction, that look in her face definitely shows regret, and then she goes off to (in my mind) calm down a bit and doesn't realise she needs to go back until too late Really really powerful stuff. That end scene just cements them on this horrible path forward and it's exactly what you said about the point of no return, no coming back from that I absolutely love the voice acting from the person who plays powder when she realises that she's inadvertently k*lled her family. It's not even other people telling her she's messed up anymore, it's all that guilt and trauma reinforcing that idea that she's a mess-up And earlier in the video when you said that Vi was having to be strong for Ekko, and having to be strong to lead the rest of the team, no wonder she was so deregulated when it all fell apart, she'd been having to hold it all in to protect the family, and then all that falls out from under her, she loses all the people she was holding all those emotions back for, so it all comes out at once, powder is the only one she has left so it's where all her emotions are directed Love the video ^

[@dead_cea9365]

It seemed pretty clear to me when you see the fist. The first thing I remember is Vander's scene in the first episode when he takes her hand and says that it's not going to solve their problems... the series is full of parallels.

[@TheMattSturgeon]

Theres a really great behind the scenes thing with Mia Sinclair Jenness (the voice of Powder) ~8.20 into Ep3 of Bridging the Rift: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5WUo4KqqpmGg6s

[@veronikamajerova4564]

Yeah. And it looked like she didn´t want to LEAVE Powder. She just needed a few moments to compose herself, so she won´t say or do anything harsh to her sister again, and then return to her, which is completely understandable. Sadly it was ruined by Silco and Marcus. 😞

[@stef-w5j]

im honestly surprised how many people blame Vi so much for this. She is a child too and at that moment she lost her family again and your little sister went out of her way, disobey your order to stay safe and blowed everyone up. Powder sadly jinxed it but she lives in her own world unable to see the reality. She left the scene to cool off her head, she obviously would never abandon her last family member Vi broke down in that scene and directed her frustration, anger and grief towards the one she loves the most(and the one who ruined this mission) wish peple were more forgiving to vi as they are to powders actions.

[@TheMattSturgeon]

Interesting you say that powder lives in her own reality. I interpreted that differently; I think Powder has a lot of self-hatred; she blames herself for everything that's gone wrong, and is desperate for some validation that she is not a jinx.

[@stef-w5j]

​@@TheMattSturgeonI think she struggles to keep the inner voice blaming herself for everything silent. She hears voices, unable to face reality, doesn't communicate and blames her sister for creating jinx. She even ignores what others tell her and she makes up stuff in her head(especially about vi and silco) Yes she indeed does live in her own bubble unable to face the reality that she jinxed the mission and killed her foster family .. She keeps telling herself she is strong but in the end she can't face the truth. Sure deep down she fills guilty which is nicely portrayed by her voices but she cuts them off every.single.time It's really a shame, a mentally stable person would easily reunited with her family

[@balanceofjudgement4282]

Right? I thought exactly the same. Vi is supposed to be somewhere between 14 and 16 in this scene. A large portion of 14-16yo kids cant tell their head from their ass on a normal day, and this kid has just witnessed her two best friends die right before her father figure died in her arms as well; and that happened moments after she fell from the 2nd story of a building. Even if you dont take into account the age, she'd be having copious amounts of adrenaline rushing through her body at that point. The fact that she slapped Powder and only that is a miracle in of itself. Her reaction is not right, obviously, but it is most definitely >human

[@believeume122]

I didn't blame Vi at all. I actually would have had a similar reaction. Their friends and Vander are dead now. The reaction was deserved because powder doesn't listen. However after this episode Jinx becomes my absolute favorite. I ignore any and all wrong doings. 😂

[@monkeydance3894]

I think you are right that people are too harsh on Vi, but I think most people find it easier to empathize with Powder.

[@mondwine]

Much to talk about in therapy after finishing arcane

[@andredorea4529]

When you sayed "Is probably not as deep." Oh boy, it is.... DEEPER than you can imagine on first watch. The writers and animators and artists are geneious.

[@MGZetta]

I usually don't listen to reactors when they pause and speak, but I listened to your every single word. This shows how good your remarks are to me.

[@lateshow4783]

He's great at understanding perspectives & further observing possibilities, reminded of recent decisions & events. How he can put them into reality, too, just makes it more interesting even relative. Just awesome.

[@LambdaHDvideo]

I'm sure this was mentioned on Patreon, and you might touch on this later in the video, but Silco was genuine when he takes in Powder. Because he sees himself in her - they both had a sibling that betrayed them. He went up to Powder with knife in hand, his intention was not to take her in - that switched when he heard what happened

[@TheStephaneAdam]

It's also right to point out Silco is the kind of guy who seeks out vulnerable teens to exploit though. That "super soldier" he used this episode recruited this way.

[@LambdaHDvideo]

@TheStephaneAdam oh for sure. his tendency to use child labor later in the show too is not something to look past. but nevertheless, i dont think his intentions eith powder were ever conscious manipulation and exploitation

[@funnysillyloser]

The animators did a great job with the characters' facial expressions, because in the scene after Mel lets Viktor and Jayce enter the lab, you can see Viktor getting upset for a moment when Jayce showed that admiration look at her 😭😭😭 incredible job with this, seriously.

[@RealKevinJunior]

I've watched a lot of Arcane reactions and analysis, but the depth and details that you notice are totally unique! I never noticed the subtle heartbeat when Vander was dying, that was such a cool detail

[@OpDDay2001]

Silco is a very interesting character. You'll get to understand him better in the coming episodes.

[@cirmoscicajaaaj]

I think nobody really understands him until the very end of the season.

[@BaronVonScrub]

@@cirmoscicajaaaj I think HE didn't even understand himself till the very end of the season. His whole last episode is him questioning everything about himself, his principles, his values, and everything that led him to this point - and Vander to the same point, previously.

[@ShayGhost02]

Silco did not plan on taking in Powder when he first saw her and I think if Violet was still with her he'd kill them both without thinking about it which is why he asked where Vi was, however Powder who was in her mind betrayed/abandoned by Vi (as ofc she didn't know Vi was coming back and just needed a moment understandibly) is similar to what Silco experienced with Vander, two brothers and two sisters. While it could still be manipluative of him whether Silco is doing so purposely or not, he does see himself in Powder and in that moment decides to take her in and nurture that growing hate and determination in her just like he had done for himself.

[@guccipucci3941]

You can see his entire demeanor switch when she says „she is not my sister anymore“. Before that he had the jovial tone he later used with Marcus‘ daughter in her room after he found out Marcus kept Vi alive in prison. When she said that he looks up and towards Vander, before his gaze softens and he looks back down at her. He puts both arms around her, his tone gets low and at first it is sort of triumphant, up-beat when he says They will show them but then he almost growls like a wounded animal „we will show them all“ and I think he meant that. He projects himself onto her and in that moment they become a family, maybe even the same person. *edited for spoilers

[@-siranzalot-]

​@@guccipucci3941dude while I agree please edit out that last bit. It's far too early

[@duckgooseyswan]

Season 2 spoilers . . . . . . . . . . And the way the two older siblings - Vander and Violet, had lashed out towards their younger siblings - Silco and Powder because of something they fatally messed up with (I think Silco caused Felicia’s death, while Powder caused the deaths of her adopted family). Then Vander and Violet tried to fix it, but circumstances outside of their control never gave them the resolution in the end.

[@Vickiraytive]

If Vi had just given Powder a job to do, like "Powder I need you to stay and keep an eye on The Last Drop. Pay attention to who may be on our side or against us. This is really important and I need you to be here to inform us when we get back." Then Powder would have felt like her role mattered instead of just being left as a liability.

[@The_Story_Of_Us]

I think Vi being who she is couldn’t have done that, because it would be disingenuous, she’d be coming up with some task that would never cross her mind as an excuse to keep Powder away from rescuing her dad. And also, Powder would understand that’s what she was doing, she just heard her dad’s been kidnapped and Benzo killed. The root of Powder’s problem here is feeling helpless, useless, undervalued and guilty for failing the group, being told to keep watch on an empty bar is not going to make her feel better than Vi being honest and telling her it’s dangerous and she doesn’t want her to get killed.

[@Vickiraytive]

@The_Story_Of_Us that's a valid opinion. I think Vi could be that person if she hadn't been so horrified by the events she had witnesses. And I think Powder would follow through because I think keeping an eye on the Last Drop is actually valid. Vander being kidnapped, Benzo being dead - that all means nobody is looking after the bar. Vander must have left it to someone when he went after Vi, but who's to say an extra pair of eyes wouldn't be valuable in that moment? The key would have been to ensure her safety without hurting her already fragile ego.

[@The_Story_Of_Us]

@ I still don’t buy it, I think Powder would see right through it, the bar is just a bar, it doesn’t matter in a situation as horrific as this. The way I see it, I think that Vi should have stayed honest, but instead of just telling Powder to wait there, she should have told her to go and take care of Ekko instead, since he just went through something devastating seeing Benzo brutally killed and he’s her best friend. It’s the only other thing she could do that involves her actually being there for someone. I’m unsure though still, because while it gestures at and appeals in a way to what she wants, ultimately she still wants to use her inventions to make a difference to and feel valued by her family and knowing they’re out there all at risk of death while she sits sidelined somewhere else may still be too much for her to cope with whatever else she’s been tasked with doing. Ultimately I think the only thing that could have stopped her from doing what she did with the gemstones was to just let her come with anyway. Yea it’s dangerous, but that shit goes both ways, Mylo and Claggor are in danger too and if they all die, what’s to become of her? And if she supposedly can’t be trusted on a mission like this, how could she be trusted to act with good judgment abandoned and on her own with no supervision? I don’t think Vi was equipped to deal with this whole whirlwind of violence, emotion and circumstance, none of them were.

[@Mourninghowl]

While I think this kind of conversation would have gone a long way in preventing the tragedy, I also think that it's unreasonable to expect that kind of thinking from Vi in that moment. She may be the oldest, but she's also just a kid in the middle of a life and death situation still unfolding. She's not focused on trying to soften blows for her sister right now. She just saw some abomination kill Benzo. Vander's life is at stake. Her focus is making sure she and Powder don't lose ANOTHER father. She isn't mature enough to be able to do what Vander does later for Mylo telling him to breathe, to slow the pace down to offer some kindness and grounding in the middle of the chaos. That's too much to expect from most people in a life/death situation, let alone from a literal child who just saw someone die right in front of her. And in true Arcane fashion, that's a consistent character flaw of Vi's that we see throughout the series. She is incredibly great at focusing on a job, on where to put her fists. But she's just not the most empathetic person especially in the height of conflict. She never quite picked that piece up from Vander. Her focus with Powder in this scene was on physical safety, not emotional safety, both out of necessary prioritizing and because she generally doesn't allow herself to be emotionally vulnerable enough to meet Powder on that level. Which isn't surprising considering how much she's had to neglect her emotions to take care of Powder after their parents died.

[@Vickiraytive]

@The_Story_Of_Us telling her to look after ekko would have been a good idea. I understand it's a lot to expect from her. My original point wasn't that she should have known better. It was simply meant to convey that if Powder had been made to feel important rather than a liability, things could have turned out differently. The thing about arcane is, it's a tragedy. Every circumstance that goes wrong could have been different if just about every situation had been handled better. I think your opinion is valid and it's apparent you've thought this out very well. My comment was just a simple what if. Not really meant to discredit what anyone else may think about the characters and their choices.

[@angelajaime5155]

I swear you're the only reactor I've seen say so much positive stuff about Mylo! I feel like people are too hard on him most of the time, but I ADORE that you can clearly see ALL of them as the children that they are

[@midnight1672]

I think you're the first one who understood that, when Vi sees the broken monkey bomb, her thoughts are not "Powder did this" but "Powder was here and might be dead as well". If she suspected her to be the culprit by then already, she wouldn't have been as surprised as she was when Powder happily exclaimed that her "Monkey bomb finally worked!". It's just a minor detail and not very important compared to all the other stuff that happened in the episode but I still think it's remarkable that you caught that correctly.

[@Adonna2424]

Chronic pain patient here and it's 100% true. There's no escaping it, it never shuts off, you never get a break and it wears on you. And no one has answers, and you keep begging for help, trying anything to have it fail. That's why most people with ME CFS choose that way out. They call them the 'Missing Millions.' The world has forgotten us entirely and how do you exist when the world has already given up on you? Edit: I have to add that seeing Silco try to hide his pain and his reliance on shimmer as a pain reducer is really relatable.

[@metoo7557]

When Vander says he didn't 'have a choice', it doesn't elaborate it at this time, but as the series progresses it explains it indirectly and you know why he had no choice.

[@Oubaama]

I mean it was already explained in the first two episodes. Vander and Silco both led the rebellion across the bridge, which took the lives of Vi's and Powder's parents. Silco, not being as close to the children as Vander, wanted to continue the fight, while Vander saw that the price of their freedom was too high. So Vander saw no choice but to kill Silco. He failed and Silco went into hiding to plan a new strategy and develop Shimmer, while Vander brokered an armistice with Grayson. Silco acknowledges that Vander had no other choice because the Lanes had no real chance of winning in a fight against the enforcers. But now he believes that with Shimmer the fight is in their favour, and he tells Vander this in hopes that this will win him over to the cause again. When Vander refuses, he decides to get rid of him instead and take control of the Lanes himself.

[@Dnttdream]

This is the episode that holds the series together. Everything that follows is a direct or indirect consequence of what happened here, even what seems like a minor detail becomes important later on. ...it lays the foundations for what will be the future of the characters that drive the series (Vi, Powder, Jayce, Viktor, Silco). Excellent video, I subscribe without hesitation.

[@titi3736]

31:40 I actually never realized the parallel between this scene and Silco's drowing scene but it's absolutly on purpose, man this show is so good with all the dualities/parallels. There is so much and most go unnoticed. Great catch

[@monkeydance3894]

43:38 As someone who experienced something not on this level, but similar, I think you really touched on why so many people rewatch reactions just for this one episode. For me, it hurts to relive, but so validating when I see people side with Powder. As a child, having a caretaker you thought of as perfect hit you and degrade you in a time of turmoil feels like reality itself broke. Shock, betrayal, but due to your built trust, you also believe them. Not that I don’t understand Vi as an adult looking in, but Powder sure doesn’t. And seeing that validated by others is intoxicating

[@ToniTerrier]

Been waiting for this! Hope you had a great xmas with family

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

We did thanks Toni, hence the slight delay in editing this one for youtube! Family first!

[@cheesemanwario8677]

I think something that nobody really thinks about heavily is how good the voice actor was for powder. Honestly one of the best voice actors I've ever heard and she it still relatively young. Seriously amazing

[@BlackShardStudio]

It's highly appropriate that you released your analysis of "Hurt" less than 24 hours from this.

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

I saw one of your music reactions a while ago and enjoyed your perspective so much that I immediately subscribed. However, I don't watch reactions very regularly. I usually go on reaction binges, rather. Now that Arcane has become pretty much my favourite piece of media, ever, I am so glad that you are reacting to this. Your profession and the fact that you very much seem to be a well rounded and highly empathetic human being, with humour too, makes me look forward to your reactions to this entire show, a lot. I could hardly imagine a more perfect reactor for Arcane. All notifications enabled. 😄

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

Thank you for such kind words. Hope you enjoy what will be coming soon with my arcane videos.

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

@@Connection_through_Reaction Speaking of reactions, that was a quick one. 😂 But seriously, thank you for replying and I am 100% sure that I will enjoy your Arcane content.

[@i-maxwalker3401]

Legends say that Therapist profits raised dramatically days after episode 3 came out

[@pintex2181]

Let's go! Another episode from Arcane. I'm always so excited to hear about your psychological analysis. Just adds so much depth to the series, thanks

[@laurence4352]

I love the "She is NOT my SISTER anymore" line because it really affects Silco deeply. you can see how Silco looks up at Vander as she says it, he sees himself in her. Vander was like a brother to him and Silco felt betryayed by him. just like how Powder feels Vi betrayed her.

[@sofiajohansson1438]

As soon as I saw which episode it was I was like 'yeah i understand that you'll need a therapist efter this episode'. Welcome to tears and trauma. This episode is so important for the show, it really sets the tone and shows how far the writers are willing to go. One of the best written episodes, and the animation of course, it shows what a masterpiece this show is. Thank you for pointing out not only Powder's POV at the end, but also Vi's. Her struggle gets over looked a lot in that scene. Yes, she acts out of anger and grief, and what she does is wrong, but she stops herself, removes herself to calm down and tries to go back for Powder when she sees Powder in trouble. People tend to forget that she is also still a child, she's only about 15 years old and she's been through so much trauma already.

[@hardbasskvass597]

Something I noticed in this show is how character's eye colors change as they develop. Like Powder and Vi's eyes are grey at the start of the show, but at the end of episode 2 when VI decides to turn herself in to keep Powder and others safe her eyes turn blue meaning her character has developed. Powder's eyes changes to almost purple at the end of this episode when embraced by Silco This is some really good visual storytelling

[@MushroomButtons]

“Almost romantic” DONT GET ME STARTED IM GONNA CRY

[@rowanjoshvillena9315]

This is where it starts!!! You are up for an epic, emotional roller coaster of a ride. And I'm gonna be here from start to finish

[@kenmatree.3167]

Yesss

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

People always misinterpret Silcos reasons for taking in Jinx. He has no use for a street kid, they are a dime a dozen in the underground. The only reason he did not kill powder then and there is he sees the paralells between himself and Vander with Powder and Vi and that creates an almost familial need to protect Powder from what he himself suffered after being betrayed by Vander. There is also the fact that he and Powder have a connection through friends and family that is spoiler territory that I won't go into but you will find out later though whether he recognises her at that point is uncertain.

[@troikas3353]

The parallels are only surface level, in actuality their situations are nothing alike. But it is true that he projects onto her and thats the only reason he doesn't murder her as he was planning to do. Had nothing to do with protecting Powder though, he was doing it for himself. If any one thing about that scene had not happened just right to let him project his own issues onto her and make her situation about himself, he'd have slit her belly and not given it a second thought (even with that connection). Silco's only ever self motivated.

[@00000005547]

​@@troikas3353 This is what SO many people miss about Silco and even think he's a "good" character (as in morally good) because of it. He doesn't love Jinx, he loves himself. He just so happened to share that feeling of betrayal and hatred and created a mini echo chamber with it. He then gaslit and manipulated her over the course of 6 years into believing that he is the only one who sees her for who she truly is and how she is Jinx and that Powder is dead... Literally he weaponized Powder's love, intelligence, and need for acceptance and turned her into Jinx. The gaslighting was so strong that it took her blowing herself up 3 times, a child sacrifice, and a time traveler to get her to realize that she was still Powder, just heartbroken and never got a chance to heal.

[@mordor2594]

You are absolutely right that people who have been through this(abandonment, rejection, not accepted) to some extent really really relate to powder throughout the whole series. And the thing about this show is that you can understand everyone’s perspective, like Vi at the end here is just not able to process all of this and is letting it out on Powder. Vi is also still very young here, like 15 maybe.

[@GuimaraesDreamers]

And so ends the first act of the first season, completely destroying us, the writers definitely know where to hit. On the other hand, we have Jayce and Viktor happy because they will be able to make their dreams come true, this duality is fantastic

[@jkljosh7392]

Arcane is ALWAYS that deep

[@TenshiCA]

Silco is literally disarmed by Powder's hug, and later you'll see how he allows himself to be vulnerable with her. It's twisted, but he carries on Vanders dreams, including being a father.

[@benhill70]

Keep in mind one thing about Silco. He actually feels empathy for Power due to his betrayal. Notice, he looks at Vander's body right after Power say that Vi isn't here sister anymore.

[@Nikowo1610]

I think he out of all people will definitely be able to figure that one out, having a job like this just makes you cut out for watching this show

[@virodhiful]

I feel like Silco goes into the final scene with several of his own trauma buttons hit hard (not that he'd ever admit it.) See also: getting grabbed by the neck by Shimmered up Vander and having an immediate flashback to being drowned by the man. And then this heartbroken moppet glomps onto him because her sister abandoned her and... well... what can you do?

[@theyeetus1428]

YES!!! Please analyze the ending song! It's called "Goodbye" by Ramsey, and when you pick apart the lyrics, you could imagine it being sung by nearly every important character from this episode. (Vi, Powder, Vander, and Silco)

[@Cornberry]

“It’s probably not as deep as that” oh no… it WAS as deep as that 😅

[@mxnobxnp6246]

That last scene from the sisters gets me every time... it's so tragic. I stumbled upon your 1st ep reaction and watched them all so far! Love your takes and inputs as a therapist. Arcane has become my favourite show, I hope you keep uploading these reactions until the s2 finale (and ending of their storyline), i'd love to watch it with you!

[@MtheRaccoon]

“Therapist need a therapist” you are so real for that😭😭😭

[@-siranzalot-]

I'm already pumped for every coming iteration of Powders formulation! Please keep those coming as well :) In regards to what you said about the therapeutic effect of watching Arcane: I can at least attest that it made me feel somewhat seen and understood with things I went through myself which is certainly a nice change of pace to the usual challenge of getting others to understand a troubled mind. And while it doesn't solve anything by itself, the show still prompted me to reflect on some stuff from my past and get to know myself a little better yet.

[@ratster_9529]

Its amazing seeing a reactor have so much empathy for the characters. The amount of reactors ive seen just blame everything on Powder not even thinking about that shes a child and Vi´s just a child too. Cant wait for the next video!

[@EgoJinpachi_]

U started well but landed on the same boring thing everyone says, the real W was the empathy he showed for Mylo, most reactors take the easy way out and just shittalk him for being a "bully" to powder but they never make an effort to see his side, he doesn't want to have a jinx on the team and come back empty handed from a job, if powder was competent then Mylo would be happy to have a solid team.

[@jamiee7912]

Great video! I have never commented on a KZbin video before, but your reaction to Vi compelled me to. A large majority of analysis seems to focus on Powder's trauma, maybe because many can identify with her. But my poor girl Vi and her trauma gets over looked because it's not as flashy, (especially regarding what happens during the 7 year time jump between episodes 3 and 4.) It was nice to hear someone recognize how well she's doing despite her trauma and parentification. All of the characters are written very well and have complex character developments. Arcane is so good! Btw ages in Act 1 so you don't spoiler yourself Googling them: Powder is 11-12 yrs, Ekko a bit younger, Vi 14-16 yrs, Cait around the same age, Jayce 24 yrs, Viktor and Mel a bit older. Every 3 episodes is an Act, and the last episode of each act is always a biggie. Excited for the next video!

[@cotc4x153]

When you update Powder's formulation you should also make a short column or short formulation for Silco. The relationship between the two and the parallels between the two are interesting

[@Zut0502]

I don't know if the authors experienced similar situations, translated here in a "real" way or "transposed" in a pictorial way, but it is true that in any work, we put a little of ourselves into it. There was a whole team that worked here. Experienced people, scriptwriters who can only be empathetic, musicians who understood the essence of the scene and animators, in addition to being artists, who knew how to crystallize the moment in expressions or cutscenes. This show is a masterpiece and I hope you continue to watch it because it is worth it. And when it comes to psychoanalysis, you will have plenty to do.

[@AW-xc1xc]

I do hope you continue to react to Arcane throughout the series, it's one of the best things in television right now. Loved this reaction and your commentary!

[@bobthet-rex2718]

Silco felt like he was abandoned by the man he called his brother, and now he is standing in front of Powder, a girl who believes that her sister has abandoned her. As you watch more, you'll see how this develops into one of my favorite character dynamics, such a twisted and unique exploration of character that is hauntingly realistic. Also, definitely check out the Enemy music video, it adds to Powder's note of self harm.

[@VidDuality]

35:31 "That is an amazing attention to detail. 🙂😧😢" Pretty much sums up how I feel about sooo much of this show! Brilliant and painful.

[@jamesanderson3191]

I never caught the bit with Vander's heartbeat slowing down until Stu pointed it out

[@junuka7362]

I subscribed because of Arcane. I‘d like to stay and see you watch more films/series

[@Connection_through_Reaction]

Any suggestions?

[@lafatte24]

@@Connection_through_Reaction A Tale of Two Sisters, Train to Busan, Beef, Yellowjackets, Chernobyl

[@junuka7362]

@@Connection_through_Reaction I mean as a trauma therapist arcane is like the perfect topic for you - and there‘s still a lot to come with season 2. I don‘t have any specific suggestions but anything with a huge psychological background sounds interesting, if you analyse it. Thinking about something like „killing Eve“ - it‘s about a female serial killer and her relationship to a detective. Very interesting charcter design as well imo. But it‘s hard to recommend something after you watched something as good as arcane

[@mike-wyant]

​@@lafatte24I second Train To Busan. That would be wild!

[@J_Ace27]

There is a lot to cover from a therapy person The Bear. I was thinking maybe Succession too.

[@vinkobacek4827]

some have pointed out at 41:11 - the parallel with Alexandre Cabanel's Lucifer painting - "The Fallen Angel". Honestly, the attention to detail in this show...

[@TamNguyen-zs3gc]

I love the way how you watching in detail. It's worth because every character's story in Arcane is also well-writen. By the way, you are really impressing me by your analysis 👍👍👍

[@yoanastancheva4920]

you're one of the first people i've seen who noticed the parallel between silco and powder as she's falling from the building and him in the water! good job!

[@noobando7883]

Man, it's incredible how no matter the amount of times i have already watched this scene, it still hits like the first time.

[@aaronhardman3492]

I LOVE the detail in even your initial reactions! The animators and voice actors put so much into the expressions of all the characters and it’s so beautiful to see someone really recognize that and use it to dive deeper into the show! Thank you!

[@DavidGowers]

I'm glad to see you on this show now because there's SO MUCH to unpack, and I'm especially looking forward to seeing your thoughts on Powder from here on out. Fortunately, I've only ever had to deal with similar rejection and abandonment issue to Powder's and not the rest of what she's going through, and her reactions track really well with what I've had to deal with in that regard. I have a really difficult time picking a favourite character, but gun-to-my-head I think I'd have to go with her. EVERYONE is just so well fleshed out though!

[@DembaiVT]

What is it like to have been traumatized and see trauma like this on the screen? Like someone laid my heart out on a table. And I'm crying for me, but I'm also deeply glad someone is showing it. Because I can't. I have DID and I can easily state things that I didn't personally experience, but if the alter who did is fronting, they can't keep it together. This is the best of both worlds. The trauma. And the emotion. But also the CLARITY. the CLARITY that I can never express about what it all was like with emotions attached. My trauma is different than this, but there's some parallels. Enough that even though I'm crying, I'm glad SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING. AND PUT THIS OUT THERE.

[@zla6973]

Silco’s character is so interesting in this episode, you get to see why he is the way he is and how that happened through his relationship with vander. 41:06 Although when he chooses to in a sense adopt powder, because of his character it’s assumed this was a way to almost get back at vander or to use her. But I think through his hesitation you start doubting it as a viewer. He does seem to somewhat care for this sort of extension of vander. Also unless he overheard powder and vi talking he also would not know she was the cause of the explosion. The fact he doesn’t know this and much like powder doesn’t know that vi was coming back for her I think makes him feel bad for her as he feels she truly has been abandoned much like how he was betrayed and abandoned to his ideals alone by his own ‘brother’ vander. In this way I think he sees himself in powder. The show does such a great job of making the relationships so intricate. The first time I watched I couldn’t help but feel that silco wanted to do powder justice like he wants for himself even if I was uncomfortable that he took her in due to his established character. Love the series just subscribed to keep up with it :))

[@dead_cea9365]

Violet's character is also very three-dimensional. She is a character who is portrayed from the beginning as a good-hearted person, but she is very impulsive, has a lot of anger, and fixes everything by hitting her. In the Enemy music video, you can see a scene where she argues with Powder and, in order to avoid hitting her, she takes it out on her with a chair. It's the small details in the series that make you empathize with the characters and understand their arcs. The fact that he hits her in that scene doesn't feel out of place with what is shown of the character.

[@believeume122]

I love the "we'll show them all" from Silco. He instantly recognized and could relate to her pain. As Silco was also abandoned and betrayed by Vander. 😢

[@ObliqueReference]

You are AMAZING at how quickly you're grasping the trauma responses everyone is having. I can see the years of real world experience right there.

[@jellyshelly]

You’re the first person I’ve seen to react to this show in its full and intended scope. What makes Arcane so interesting to me is the detail and complexity of the relationships, which mirror real life, allowing us to experience rather than just watch the story unfold. Often it’s found in the little things; the nuance and emotion behind the stressing of syllables, subtle tics and facial expressions, the motivations, fears, self-concepts and other paradigms that you make room for. “Geeking out” is actually a great way to put it and so you cannot imagine my excitement-after watching others pay little attention to these things, forming surface-level takes consistent with stereotypes and obvious media tropes-to know that you’re riding the same waves I am when I watch these scenes! This show isn’t relevant because it’s stylish or action-packed, it’s relevant because of and thanks to its connection to life and people, which is the thing that really matters, and the discussion we should be having a lot more of. Thank you for watching it in this way and using it as a tool and bridge into your area of expertise. Sharing that knowledge and perspective is a treasure and great consolation to those who see themselves represented, perhaps for the first time, by language that offers them a broader understanding and skill set to apply to their life. Your work here is just brilliant!! I subscribed from the first episode.

[@Wet_Rat1]

"Is it fixing things or reversing time?" He knows too much

[@yeetus076]

Never clicked faster on a video, the moment I saw your arcane reactions I knew ep3 was gonna make the therapist need a therapist like I needed one after this show

[@felixhenson9926]

Hound of the Underground! I dunno if you ever played LoL bc if not i LOVE that you caught that relatively easy to miss detail. Vander is, indeed, the Hound of the Underground.

[@chudez]

45:51 "Vander's ... have to bin it... " We all knew this when you did Vander's analysis early on, but we didn't have the heart to tell you.

[@Hohum37]

After Vi strikes Powder "You don't come back from that, do you?"... Notice that Powder says "why did you leave me", not "why did you hit me?" or particularly acknowledge the strike. Vi's next words and her walking away is what gets Powder. (Vi, I think, walks away to try and reign herself in.) Regarding Silco taking in Powder. I think there is more storytelling going on there than you comment on. When Powder jumps on Silco, he's both physically (knife skitters away) and emotionally disarmed. When she says "She's not my sister anymore" Silco's eyes go to Vander - the brother who betrayed him, and he feels a kinship with Powder - someone who he thinks he understands and who may understand him.

[@metoo7557]

Yea this is one of the rough ones. If you can make it through this one, you should enjoy the entire series, but this isn't the only intense one.

[@carpiim]

ive been dreaming about this video 😅😅 so excited!!!!!!

[@gabriellebatista6497]

Its such a comfort to watch you react to Arcane, please do the whole series, is such an interesting watch!

[@gabriellebatista6497]

As someone who experiences trauma due to emotional neglect growing up that last part with Powder begging her sister to stay, the only person that takes care of her at an emotional level, and to see that person rejecting you for the first time is so devastating and so real. It is something that is so incredibly hard to recover from.

[@weeaboh]

ive watched this episode multiple times and i've never noticed vander's heartbeat fading out like that. probably because i get so distracted by the emotional despair.

[@jakobrotzer8532]

I love your reactions! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this videos.

[@jamesanderson3191]

yes; I feel spoiled that we get to have a professional of this caliber to take us through his journey into this series

[@Kevlin_cristina]

I'm Brazilian and I'm really enjoying your reactions to Arcane, even with the subtitles I can still understand, and I love these psychological analyses too, seriously I can't wait for the next episode.

[@__-fm5qv]

People tend to give Vi a hard time on this episode because of how she lashed out at the end. But honestly shes done so well to that point, and shes lost so much that I cant blame her. And I do think that when she abandons Powder it's not really abandonment in the traditional sense. I think a lot of it is "Oh god what have I just done and said. My headspace is not right right now I need to just get out for a moment and process this" and of course shes so overwhelmed she can't articulate that to Powder. But I dont think it was ever her intention to leave for good.

[@oincognita3636]

25:07 makes me realize something, thats a nice foreshadow, keep this question as far the series go.

[@cascada373]

36:30 something that a lot of people don't notice, and I noticed it myself when I found the comment... but notice when VI gets up to go somewhere to count to 10. VI gets up after hitting Powder. Then Powder blocks with her arms because she thinks Vi is going to hit her again ---> watch it agian.... sooo hurtnesss

[@midna2800]

Something that helped me, as someone who saw myself in Powder, is to see perspective. It doesn't help with my self worth, that will take some therapy, but it has helped me see why I am who I am and also put myself in the shoes of those who didn't ever mean to hurt me but accidentally did. I was looking forward to seeing your reaction to this episode in particular, hearing your initial reaction and opinions gives me even more perspective. Looking forward to the rest of the series, also hoping you will watch season 2, to see where the characters end up❤

[@maxd2767]

I hope you took your time to appreciate Powder VA, because she was around the same age at the time of recording, a child actor, and she's perfect.

[@moritzmolle6609]

I like how you get from analysis mode (poor decision making on powder's side) to just going with the action ("cheating! come on! come on! Vander!") =D

[@petervitale4431]

You are genuinely the first therapist reactor who picked up all the details and caught what they were all experiencing on your first watching of this. Great job, and very insightful.

[@RattusCorvus]

I'd love to get a formulation fot Vi. Also there is so much potential to analyse all the songs, even beyond a first reaction. I can relate to Vi and Powder both so much in those emotional scenes. It's fascinating that an animated show feels more real and deeper than most other media for me. Maybe it has something to do with them not beeing portrayed by real people/actors that makes suspense of disbelief easier. They feel so real to me.