Viktor: Arcane's Lonely, Gifted Mind

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Songs Used:
Song 1: Under Martial Law (Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster)
Song 2: Home Sweet Home (Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster)
Song 3: Corridors of Time (Chrono Trigger)
Song 4: Fonsa Myma Night (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
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My reaction series on Arcane: • Arcane Reactions

[@Sarcastic_Sophist]

One of the scenes with Viktor that hit me the hardest was him running after using hex tech on his leg. I grew up with severe asthma to the point running was genuinely a health risk for me. I spent years conditioning my lungs to get somewhere close to normal and the meds that helped had lots of unfortunate side effects. Yet, much like Viktor, the sheer joy of getting to run when I could was somewhat overwhelming. Finally getting to experience what so many often take for granted.

[@arthursboypusshe3613]

Viktor: has been dying since forever and will probably not have a future because of it Jayce: almost died young but can now live a normal human life Heimerdinger: will outlive everyone Love these 3 characters

[@ereh11]

Fuck heimer in game and in lore

[@lollel3974]

I grew up being a nerd. I am currently underweight and science, math, and logic are my saving graces. Learning, making, and enjoying helping others are my passions. So when I saw Viktor I immediately related to him. I can not believe how much he made me cry he is an inspiration but also a warning. He is one of the most powerful characters for me ever so seeing this video was one I was waiting for a while to get so; Thank you Alec really great video and I am so happy you decided to make this for me even though it for sure was not intended for me!

[@Aleczandxr]

You're very welcome, I'm delighted you enjoyed and thanks for sharing!

[@TehvtremOST]

All of Arcane's characters are tragic in some capacity, but the one I feel the most empathy for is Viktor, and this video was a good insight as to why. He and I have a very similar background (obviously his is more dramatic) and I think I relate to him a lot. Many thanks for making this video.

[@Aleczandxr]

My pleasure!

[@anonamemous6865]

Yeah and I even want victor to become the protagonist

[@justmyopinion79]

I LOVE Viktor. From the moment he looked at Jayce, he had my heart.

[@Cbb88dragonborn]

Viktor's story made me the saddest by far. Even though Jayce did everything he could to help him, his own mortality and disease pushed him to become a monster

[@coletrain41]

I wouldn't go so far as to all him a monster (yet). Yes, his recklessness caused the death of Sky, but it opened his eyes to the path that he's walking down. He's definitelly desperate, but monsterous? Season two will probably give us the answer.

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

I think he'll become a monster, but yeah he isn't one quite yet.

[@HimitsuHunter]

@@calcelmoanayru5870 He'll abandon Humanity... but never kindness. Maybe you can call that a monster but I would not.

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

@@HimitsuHunter ??? Obviously? I'm talking about if he DOES become one, he will have abandoned it. He hasn't done it yet, which is why I said he isn't one yet.

[@HimitsuHunter]

@@calcelmoanayru5870 And I'm talking about what is to come ^_^

[@GrayderFox]

It is so fucked up that Viktor is such a character in Arcane. This man is a goofy mad-scientist in the video game. And yet here the concept is treated with respect, care, seriousness! And it works! Man, I love Arcane.

[@SeseOB2003]

I finished season 1 of arcane earlier today, and Viktor’s story was very emotionally resonant to me, so he is one of my favourite characters in the show.

[@Gintoki_Freecss]

Damn, it's kinda amazing how literally all characters in Arcane are just so fucking well-written, and not a single one of them feels like a bad character at all. Great video as always, Aleczandxr.

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers!

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

Arcane is the only series where there isn't a single bad character for me.

[@gizel4376]

@@calcelmoanayru5870 arcane is the only story where i never heard anything bad about it, i would say while other masterpiece have an ovewhelmingly positive critique, arcane have an unanimously positive critics

[@friedux2065]

Viktor is the character I played most in the game so I have an attachment to his character more than anyone in Arcane. I hope they do him justice as lets just say he undergoes a glorious evolution.

[@mepollack]

Another excellent video essay. Victor has some really interesting aspects that make him distinct, but that line “in the pursuit of great, we failed to do good” could be a mantra for so many of these characters. With all of their high ideals, they become monsters in their own ways. It takes some brilliant writing to make that path seem almost natural, to make you sympathize with their choices. Arcane excels at that kind of character study.

[@travenvaulato888]

Some things I've noticed by rewatching the show one to many times. When Viktor was playing by the water as a kid the girl that was watching him was Sky his future assistant. She seemed interested in him even back then, but Viktor thought she was only interested in the boat. Many of the cast can be seen later on in the series grown up another example is the kids that attacked Vi in the first episode. Another bit of symbolism that I liked is that she was Viktors assistant in the lab his right-hand-- which she literally became after saving him. lastly, I was confused why Viktor seemed so sick in the last episode after running and seeming better than ever the previous night. I think when the hex-core zapped him it also took away its power to punish him.

[@jimmyichigo7410]

Viktor to me was the most emotional character in Arcane. I don't really think that there's any chance he won't be the best in the series after Season 2, especially if he goes dark.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

He already is for me, other than Jinx.

[@gizel4376]

season 1 was Jinx and Vi arc, i think season 2 will be Viktor and Jayce arc, i know the lore so i kinda know what's gonna happen and it will be a shock for those who don't know about the lore

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

This boy Viktor was destined for the great darkness. I can’t imagine him not falling into more tragedy

[@nyxipuff]

he's just a little guy ;-; i love him

[@tophatgeo]

You always have a great way of articulating points about shows I love. Viktor failing to destroy the hexcore but asking Jayce to do it was probably own of my favourite moments in Arcane

[@protoaltus]

This is a truly good time to be refreshing the homepage. An Alex post. Golden.

[@lovelaxo]

omg i never noticed the paralell between the two boat scenes where he runs, that's so beautiful ;;

[@gizel4376]

from the lore Viktor is my favorite character, from arcane, he's number 3, which mean the best has yet to come

[@bandigustin1038]

Viktor was one of the great surprises of Arcane. I'm dying to know how he'll become the cold Machine Herald

[@youngbando2376]

Viktor really is a great character and this video sums that up perfectly. What Arcane character do you plan to analyze next?

[@Aleczandxr]

No plans for any other Arcane videos right now!

[@jessepbigjdp]

My favorite character in Arcane, love the comparison you make with him and Silco who is my second favorite. Lonely boys unite! Nearly half of the best quotes in the series so far are from Viktor, with the best going to, "In pursuit of great, we failed to go good."

[@suto5704]

Great video. Viktor was one of my favorite parts of Arcane and I'm unbelievably hyped to see how his story continues in season 2

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@Caspianm2]

As someone with a genetic disability that causes difficulty with prolonged standing, mobility and having an overall sizeable impact on my life, the scene where he runs down the docks, shouting in defiance (with the boats in the background paralleling him running and falling alongside his own boat as a child) had more impact on me than any other scene in fiction. Such an incredible character and story.

[@BattlesOver]

This is a great breakdown

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you!

[@BattlesOver]

@@Aleczandxr Also I appreciate the Chrono Trigger music in the background. A subtle nice touch!

[@invincibleluis]

When you're going to change the world, dont ask for permission.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

Very nice, thank you for the breakdown.

[@GumshoeGamer]

I hope this show gets another season, I swear it has some of the best character writing

[@spiderzvow1]

Yay. Was hoping ur would cover this show. Ty for the video

[@tituslee2153]

Always a treat to see your videos on Arcane!

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@ryanregan5079]

Great video and breakdown. Your voice and video style brings a real sense of character and depth to your work.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers

[@im_sorry_i_forgot_my_username]

AJ coming out with more Arcane content you love to see it

[@dwight3555]

Amazing video as always!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@zigludosama]

A VIDEO ON THE GOAT LET'S GOOOO

[@Tupadre97]

"In the pursuit of great we failed to do good" I will never forget that quote as long as I live

[@TheAngryLibrarian]

YOOOOO, my man making a video about Viktor, let's goooo! Thank you! x3

[@Aleczandxr]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

I see you using that Final Fantasy music. Nice video.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yes! Thank you!

[@9LivesDeepDives]

In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good.

[@nimadarillian8573]

Great video, thanks for making it! And thank you for your much more nuanced take on Viktor's character! I've seen a lot of other people framing his arc as just a full-on moral corruption arc, based on some kind of "prioritizing his survival = selfishness = immorality" logic, which I frankly find a really baffling thing to take away from his story. Also I think what further adds to Viktor's desperation, and his urgent need to survive, is that with the recent way Jayce and their friendship has developed he can no longer trust him to continue developing Hextech with their original shared goal in mind. Not only would he be dying unable to finish anything he wanted to achieve, but also knowing that as soon as he is gone it is very likely that the things he managed to achieve together with Jayce will be weaponized and used against the undercity. His whole life's work used to hurt and kill the very same people he wanted to help, without him being around to do anything about it. I think that might even be the final straw that triggers him to go through with his reckless Hexcore experiment without telling anyone. At least as far as I remember the conversation with Mel and Jayce about weaponizing Hextech is the last scene with Viktor before his first Hexcore experiment. (It's still only one of several factors of course, but I do think it plays an important role.)

[@Aleczandxr]

My pleasure! Thanks for sharing.

[@CoreVin975]

Here's my biggest theory for season two: Many wonder how Jayce and Viktor loose there friendship with each other like in the original games lore. As do I. This is something that I'm pretty sure will happen in S2. However I'm suprised to hear that no one has been addressing a single detail that could be defining thing that separates Jayce and Viktor. The hexcore. My theory is that it will not only be the conflict of Piltover vs Zaun that separates the two, but will have to do with Jayces promise to destroy the hexcore. In my opinion to save Viktor from near death due to Jinx's missile, it's revealed that he's always been hesitant and wasn't sure he could keep his promise to Viktor. So in a moment of desperation he uses the hexcore, and as a result over the span of the series it takes over Viktors mind. Before it does so, Viktor becomes nearly enraged at Jayce because he couldn't let him go. And therefore in a way there relationship ends not only with Viktors resentment of Jayce, but with him slowly loosing his mind by the end of the season. Of course I do think there are other possibilities that could replace this outcome, but based off of the duos promise to each other in season one regarding the hexcore, this doesn't seem too far fetched to me.

[@poyokirby]

“I don’t want to portray Viktor in too mechanical or tunnel vision a way” Oof, F for my league bois in the chat.

[@TheOneTheyCallShandy]

HE WILL BE GLORIOUS

[@zacharywong483]

Very nice video, Aleczandxr!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you very much!

[@zacharywong483]

@@Aleczandxr You're very welcome! Keep up the great work!

[@criminalsen2441]

The Zeal song you played in the background couldn't have been more appropriate

[@Kaygu_]

I see Arcane, I click. Great analysis for great character

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks Kaygu!

[@mutantmagnet]

I wonder in what way you mean the peace plan for multiple reasons. Did you mean that it could never get off the ground or the actual basic terms Jayce wanted Solco to agree on never could work?

[@meleronnef8411]

Wonderful video

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nateszigeti3653]

its crazy how my favorite character from a game i don't play anymore looks exactly like a character i came up with for magic: the gathering before viktor had this design. anyway, i love viktor for those aware of mtg lore, my character was in the Izzet League, so basically the same guy except my character didn't have a physical disability thats basically the only difference

[@ihatetobethatguybut...5135]

Can’t wait for the new season this year

[@seemonuzumaki723]

I don't think it's this year?

[@ihatetobethatguybut...5135]

@@seemonuzumaki723 They said it wouldn’t be in 2022 so I would Expect it to be this late this year or early 2024 at most

[@seemonuzumaki723]

@@ihatetobethatguybut...5135 It would be rushing if it was this year, I really hope not.

[@suto5704]

Commenting for the algorithm

[@Magni87]

1:28 I see what you did there.

[@AidanqtFeesh]

gosh I missed your vids

[@soccerstuff8071]

I didn't see this one on my notifs. Will check it out after One Piece video.

[@sogekingsniper4637]

Nice vid. Hope you've been enjoying Amazon Lily.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks, it was good!

[@killua6226]

I wish you make a video about the sisters.

[@topcat59]

Cool vid bro.😺

[@kexcz8276]

Amazing video, except one thing- I feel like everybody misunderstoods WHY was Viktor unable to destroy the Hexcore- not because he couldn't do it, but be ause THE CORE did not let him. The core is connected with him, that's why it knows Viktor wants to destroy it and so it warns him at first, then it prevents him to destroy it and then it shocks him to remember to not try it again. That's why he can't destroy it... ;)

[@Aleczandxr]

Personally I don’t see it that way, but cool take!

[@neilweaver2356]

8:13 I know an Osamu reference when I see it.

[@Aleczandxr]

LOL

[@sepix7414]

now that monster is on Netflix will you be talking about it again? i would love to see that :)

[@Aleczandxr]

Nope! I've talked about all the topics I want to talk about for it, nothing to add. Sorry!

[@sepix7414]

@@Aleczandxr ooohh I see, completely understand :) thanks either way!!! love your content

[@alilweeb7684]

i dont feel you tapped the the arcane potential well just yet, soo many things could be said about minor caracthers and plot elements

[@Aleczandxr]

I definitely have. I have hours and hours of Arcane discussion, I have the most extensive reaction series to the show on KZbin. These are just more succinct and polished overviews and the things I’ve said in those.

[@outsideboxer1448]

Pog

[@maxrosling599]

damn he jus like me frfr

[@greenmareviews]

I'm just like Beyond Netero waiting for Arcane season 2

[@friartuckshops2467]

I know this is unrelated but I thought I read that you had some plans to make a video on Umineko, is that still happening or did the video idea get scrapped?

[@venniksu]

Alex talking about Arcane? Man, how much money do I owe?

[@parkdowning2855]

If you go to his second channel he reacted the whole series and there's probably over 15 hours of him just talking about arcane would recommend

[@venniksu]

@@parkdowning2855 well, Im not into reaction videos much, probably wont watch them or maybe Ill do. Anyways thanks for telling me.

[@nanashi7779]

@@venniksu He also has extensive discussions after the reactions if that's more your style

[@seemonuzumaki723]

Viktor is a much better character than Silco. Thanks for the video.

[@MrHeroBrian]

Sudden Arcane video huh???

[@rob2540]

arcane is a thing

[@jimwang17]

Do you think you can look at victor through a more selfish lense? Instead of trying to make humanity a better place, he is doing this to save himself. He wants to live, so he breaks the law and uses shimmer. Instead of making new inventions that may help the everyday peoples lives, he instead focuses on the hexcore because he knows once he figure it out, he can save himself

[@nimadarillian8573]

Well, he can definitely not help anyone when he's dead. It is very much possible to do something both for yourself and for others, or wanting to live to be able to help others. Also if the Hexcore would work reliably it could also be used to help tons of other people.

[@corabloom5959]

As someone with a body like Viktors, he mainly thought if his research can help other people who are sick it's worth it. Only problem is to see if it works you need to test it and given what happened to Rio he doesn't like testing on other people without permission. But if he's going to die or is in pain already he finds that he may as well.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yes, and I’ve touched on that through my reactions and discussions for the series. He definitely wants to leave to both leave a mark on the world and simply live, but in this case that selfishness integrates with a very important and beneficial goal for society at large.

[@justmyopinion79]

Do you think Viktor had romantic feelings for Jayce?

[@michaelyu6250]

No more LGBT stuff please.

[@renni6861]

First

[@michaelyu6250]

Him and Jayce weren't romantic IMO.