WHAT COULD'VE BEEN!?! Arcane 2x07 Episode 7: Pretend Like It's The First Time Reaction

[@flywoodpaperplanes]

17:04 honestly its really beautiful how a formerly suicidal person fights so hard to survive. Never thought id say this but kudos to jayce

[@garmadonthesensei59]

This comment broke me you’re so right 😢

[@shadywolf6464]

I like to believe that in this universe Mylo and Clagger stepped up as siblings for Powder.

[@rblprd]

Them all losing Vi would've changed how they felt about each other, learning the hardest way possible how much it hurts to lose a sibling and how important it is to watch out for and care for each other.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

It's heartbreaking that no matter whether Powder becomes Jinx or not, she'll still end up losing someone she cares about. It's like the universe doesn't want her to be completely happy.

[@viniciuslopesmodena]

Uhm lets see, Jinx Universe: Lost Mylo, Clagor, Vander, Silco, Isha and all connections to Ekko, and she lost Vi for 5y until time skip for S1. Powder grow up Universe: Lost Vi While Sad, powder had all the emotional support needed to move forward, while in the other she lives in constant tragedy, in this universe is a opportunity to grow instead of crumble. Death is part of the cycle of life, Mylo stoping being mean to powder also was growth, it is sad but not necessarily a bad thing

[@viniciuslopesmodena]

You can be sad for the rest thought, jayce was probably in prison/exiled/ or lost his research, while victor died for health problems and Caitlyn... Is happyish, she didn't meet Vi, but grow in the care of her mother and her tutor, as Grayson is probably alive here

[@SwordTune]

​​@@viniciuslopesmodenaOr Jayce was also dead. It seems in this world the explosion happened a little differently. Jayve could'vecaught some stray rubble.

[@dio-o-nisio]

​@@SwordTune I believe that after Vi died, Viktor saw no reason to believe in Jayce's research, so when Jayce decided to jump from the building, ending his life, Viktor wasn't there to interrupt him, which ended up leading to Hextech never being invented. It's probably because of him being dead in that universe that he ended up in another place, while Ekko and Oppen-Heimer took the bodies of their counterparts on that new universe

[@viniciuslopesmodena]

@@dio-o-nisio or he himself saw that his work was dangerous, took the deal, and they destroyed the rest of his research. Our time skip is 5~6y, heimer said he is there for three, so he couldn't save hextech, Jayce jumping or not could be a possibility still, but judging just how powerful Viktor is in the future he could be the one that personally brought Jayce to his future, since he is also capable of sending him back

[@YoelSchwarz]

I saw a headcanon that Himerdinger arrived in this world and decided to help the Piltover/Zaun relations in this world. I like that.

[@SilverKnightXx]

Its a confirmed headcanon I would say since Heimer himself said that the achieved wonderfull things in this world and it probably doesn't mean he opened up a Pizza place! He now has knowledge of how the people of the undercity live and probably tried his hardest to help them, also probably making strides in new tech specificaly to help them, we can't forget that he is THE professor of the academy and probably has a small army of scientist that he can lead towards his goals.

[@WorldWeave]

I mean, he’d apparently been there for about three years before Ekko showed up, so I’m sure he did SOMETHING to help, but probably not EVERYTHING

[@et5216]

@@WorldWeaveseems like with Silco there’s the possibility he received the letter. Or perhaps the death of VI one of his deceased friend’s children dying got them to reconnect. Perhaps Singed doesn’t exist, after all Silcos eye is normal though he could have simply stopped using Shimmer.

[@7Seraphem7]

Add in that Vander was still there keeping Zaun together and working to keep things from descending into the chaos of crime lords it is in the main timeline, so with Heimerdinger actively working to get the Council to help out, yeah... things would be a lot better.

[@Jcartist_10]

3:39 it you look closely The reflection of Powder is instead Jinx, Ekko had saw her reflection first and that’s why he backed up so quickly.

[@ravenhurst96]

Good catch! I didn't notice when I watched the episode! 😮

[@withxoutxlife]

Another really cool artistic choice is in the time machine that Heimer upgrades. As the Arcane passes over Heimer and Ekko bodies, you can see their alternate timeline selves.

[@esdrasfilipe431]

That's just an artistic representation, it wasn't literally Jinx on the reflection

[@BananaMike780]

the jump cut from Jayce fighting for his life in arcane silent hill to that delicious looking plate of crepes gave me whiplash

[@KingVasuki]

It made me laugh so hard, when the berries(?) made the same sound as Jayce hitting the ground

[@justinriley]

Ekko and Heimerdinger went Back to the Future. Jayce got sent to a Terminator movie.

[@Dawg-Bone]

Literally

[@Lightice1]

Jayce's experience reminds me of Rebuild of Evangelion, after the Third Impact.

[@heinzerhardt7047]

Heimerdinger connecting the cables (and staying behind) was also so reminescent of Doc Brown doing the same in Back to the Future. It was surely an intentional reference.

[@richardbrown3055]

8:46, we haven’t actually seen what Jayce had seen at this point. Even though I knew it wasn’t the case from having already watched the episode, my brain spit out the idea of Jayce having seen this exact timeline, experiencing a reverse “it’s a wonderful life” where the world is 💯 % better off without him, and deciding “nope, you all can get F’d, I’m going back and taking you all down with me”.

[@JessParker-nb2cn]

​@Lightice1 "Cruel Angel's Thesis intensifies."

[@Wrigglevision]

That kiss and last dance between them, more than any scene in the show, broke me immediately. The shared understanding that he can never have this again brought tears to my eyes SO fast.

[@theycallmebad]

As much as one would not blame Ekko if he had decided to stay, it would be incredibly unfair to the alternate Ekko; he just got hijacked, possessed even, by our Ekko and missed out on the dance and everything.

[@Amber_Witch]

Yea agreed, I'd like to think I wouldn't stay cause I'd hate to rob the other me of their life. Plus it'd be unfair to everyone else in this world too cause you'd take their Ekko from them.

[@KamenArts]

To be fair, Ekko never saw his 'other' self getting possessed, nor did he see his 'other' self waking up from the possession afterwards. From his perspective, he just arbitrarily woke up in a different timeline. I'd totally choose to stay there, fully not knowing I 'hijacked' a completely separate individual.

[@tuschman168]

So that timeline's Heimerdinger just died then, right? He was basically dead the moment our Heimerdingèr arrived. That's... unsettling.

[@IoFoxdale]

@@tuschman168yordle’s can’t die.

[@Magda-ly5rp]

​@@KamenArts You're right but I feel like he would figure it out. He woke up looking COMPLETELY different. He would also start to question where the Ekko of that dimension went. So I feel like he figured it out

[@Szych.a]

6:24 that was me WHOLE episode when watching it for the first time like I WOULD NEVER LEAVE and it's actually so heroic, that Ekko did. He literally gave up heaven to save his people from hell

[@zerox23454]

Wow my friend you will spot on with that that's amazing I do not mean that sarcastically😊

[@theycallmebad]

I feel bad for alternate Ekko getting hijacked though.

[@zerox23454]

@@theycallmebad I know right he's going to be like what happened I mean what is that jinx going to say to him that some other you was piloting your body

[@f1nger605]

The thing I really like about this timeline is that Powder's circumstances aren't really that different from the timeline we know. I get the impression that Powder still blames herself for Vi's death, but whereas her grief and guilt in the other timeline was channeled by an angry and hateful Silco, this version of Powder had a healthy support structure to help her through it.

[@bandido1244]

eso no significa que el momento feliz sea eterno, es un segundo todo se puede desplomar y seguira siendo igual a cualquier universo, el mismo Viktor lo dije, no importa cuanto se tarde en cualquier linea temporal, es el destino de la magia con lo arcano es inevitable

[@rblprd]

She had not only Vander, but Silco as well, who would TRULY understand being able to move past something that difficult.

[@ravenhurst96]

​@@rblprd Not only that, but Mylo and Claggor were right there with her when it happened, so they would've been able to share in her grief and help her through it knowing what Vi meant, not just to them, but most importantly to Powder.

[@The_Game_Professor]

Also Vi didn't slap her, call her a Jinx, run off, and then from Powder's point of view VANISH for multiple years. THAT'S what fucked Powder up enough that she fell down a well. The fact that she was convinced that Vi HATED her. It's not her fault Marcus kidnapped her, and walking away to calm down was the right thing to do, but that SPECIFIC sequence of events on top of the rest of that horrible night is what fucked her up so badly.

[@andrewdowns3673]

Oh, so that's what the other side of Elijah's room looks like. Neat.

[@olivia_rv100]

Fr!!!

[@haugwen]

are they dating?

[@kimbqrafries]

​@@haugwen yep

[@Hobi_Noodle_Soup]

@@haugwen 0:53 to answer your question

[@PlasticSinks]

so trippy

[@Wo1fnsheepsSkin]

So happy to this alternate universe! I don't think powder will use the hex gems. She understands the danger after losing her sister. Her putting that necklace away was her way of letting go of ekko.

[@rblprd]

Her way of saying goodbye to the Ekko she realized was another version of her Ekko, that had seen a vastly different world. Can't even imagine how hard that choice for him would've been. But he is "The Boy Savior"after all

[@zenmastermtl]

Interesting fact: The framerate of the dance is at 4 frames per second. An obvious nod to Ekko's Z-Drive's 4 second limit. I will never cease to be amazed at the subtlety of this show.

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

it's like he's trying to freeze time during the entire dance😭

[@zackakai5173]

Ah, I see you too were recently on r/arcane 😜

[@Mejoree113]

I love this show, but imo that's reaching a bit. There are lots of moments in this show that have reduced framerates, the vander flashbacks, some of the comic book esque scenes. There's so much to read into in this show, it is possible its a connection but seems pretty tenuous imo.

[@japercefull]

@@Mejoree113 Yeah, if it was 1 frame every four seconds, maybe.

[@hugonagelt6176]

@@Mejoree113 the framerate was clearly an artistic choice, i belive its meant to symbolize that those seconds are very precious to ekko and that he would rewind them over and over again to relive them if he could. Ekkos whole theme is learning from the past while realizing that he cannot live in it

[@YoelSchwarz]

I've seen people refer to Ekko and this Powder as "Miles and Gwen but with died hair." And i got to say, it fits.

[@MikeHawke83]

Powder's blue rose pendant has Ekko and Powder's faces in silhouette incorporated in the design

[@rblprd]

Ok, I hate you now. That was not a kick in the feels I was expecting this afternoon

[@ravenhurst96]

Wait, does it? I didn't notice. 😮

[@bluewolf6323]

​@@ravenhurst96 It's like, if you slow down Powder twisting the necklace, you can catch it. It's blink and miss kind of!

[@ravenhurst96]

@bluewolf6323 "Blink and you'll miss", huh? So basically on par with everything else in the show. 😅

[@iCyberDev]

dude i was going crazy. I saw it the FIRST TIME when i watched this episode, and i SWORE i saw 2 faces looking at eachother, and every time i tried to rewatch it again, i couldn't see it anymore. I feel like it's one of thos frame rates that if you actively look at it directly, your brain doesn't see it but if you look it while focused on another part of hte scren, your brain fills the gaps of the rotation and shows it to you.

[@DanteShadowfall]

So funny thing about that necklace Ekko left her...Its a blue rose which symbolizes so many things. Peace and tranquility, love(both regular and unrequited), healing, forgiveness. All things that fit them so perfecctly. And their faces are in it, ekko on the left powder on the right.

[@endertuber8300]

Ekko and Heimer: having overall a swell time, dancing, enjoying what could've been and overall getting closure with people they loved but passed away in their timeline Jayce: FIGHTING FOR HIS F*CKING LIFE IN HELL AND GETTING SCHIZO-PILLED

[@zerox23454]

The very spot on their my friend😊

[@ravenhurst96]

Wow, that was the most apt description of this episode. 😶

[@bluewolf6323]

ON GOD THEY TRYING DROWN ME IN THIS HO!!!

[@zackakai5173]

Mosco: "It's toasty warm in FL right now" Floridians: "This is the one week it's actually cool enough to wear a hoodie" 😂

[@davidhospe]

Was gonna say, we just had our coldest weekend of the season, had to cycle my heat

[@zackakai5173]

@@davidhospe honestly 😅 I was at the zoo in Tampa this past weekend, it was the first day since like January I've actually been able to wear my jacket without drowning in my own sweat inside of five minutes 🤣

[@davidhospe]

@@zackakai5173 I'm near the water just north of Clearwater, so it doesn't get as cold, but some of the people I drive for are further inland and even just 10 miles made a big difference

[@zackakai5173]

@@davidhospe you're actually not that far away from me in that case 🤣 (PH resident here). No word of a lie, I moved back and forward between here and Orlando a few times over the past decade, and the temperature inland was noticeably about 10-15F higher on any given day.

[@Orthus100]

Love how we all have to congregate to argue for how cold it is for us.

[@jaine-o9v]

It hurts even more when you understand the lyrics of the French song 😭😭

[@Jenozie99]

what are the lyrics?

[@Kroiznacher]

​@@Jenozie99 something in the likes of "you're my best enemy"

[@MechadonPrime]

My dearest enemy.

[@shadycactus7896]

@@Jenozie99My favorite enemy is you

[@DanGamingFan2406]

That scene with Powder and Ekko dancing is just beautiful. I especially love the reduced framerate. It's actually the same number of frames as the limit for Echo's z drive in the game. I love these little references.

[@ravenhurst96]

I heard that was actually debunked by people who actually timed it. They confirmed it wasn't 4fps specifically, just that it was reduced fps.

[@Kenobeno]

Its not. You can check yourself, which you should, before spreading stuff that’s not true.

[@Spectralyzed]

I see that ending shot of the gemstones as a symbol of her ending another chapter in her life. Because she doesn't take them out; she puts the pendent of her and Ekko into the drawer with them.

[@plothole181]

Its under her memorial wall, so I feel like this is a good read.

[@richardbrown3055]

Yeah, those are the things that took her sister away from her. It’s why she is resistant to some forms of change. In order for this world to take the big leap it did, to becoming the beautiful world we see, it had to leave Hextech behind, and Powder is helping it do just that.

[@echo_thebatdragon6943]

I sort of took it as her actually adding to the memorial. She has the gemstones that would have killed Vi in this timeline, and adds the pendant from Ekko into it after seeing that it was given to her by a different Ekko than her own. Like he's another person she's "lost," since she'll never see him again. Or it could be the end of another chapter too, if she takes his (and Vander's) advice to start doing bigger things than "spending her life in a bar."

[@alexelion7084]

Yeah, I think so too. Ekko might have inspired her to be more ambitious, but this doesn't mean she'll start working on Hextech now

[@Spyko-]

I had the exact same reaction to the Silco jumpscare ahahah Jayce went through hell but Ekko had to give up heaven, the boy savior has way more resolve than I'll ever have lol love the set up btw, it's super neat ^^

[@dunningkrugerfxs5848]

I don't know if you've seen League of Legends cinematics but alot of them have three stories going simultaneously. So it comes to no suprise that they are good at transitions telling multiple stories.

[@purplecolored_sheep1833]

I believe Ekko and Heimerdinger saw what could have been without Hextech, because they were always scepticle of it. And Jayce saw what will have been, cuz he is the inventor

[@gracec8c]

On that sort of metaphor, Heimerdinger ended up in the past (the man who spent most of the series lost in it), Ekko ended up in the present (the character least hung up on their issues and genuinely working to make his city better) and then Jayce of course ends up in the future (The Defender of Tomorrow).

[@purplecolored_sheep1833]

​@@gracec8c damn haven't thought of that, thank you for sharing :D

[@lordmorklen5166]

here's another thing - in the timeline Heimer and Ekko are in, Jayce is dead. He has no alternate self to latch on to like the other two. So he ended up in the one he needed to be in by himself cause Ekko and Heimer are dead there. People keep saying Vi's death saved that alternate timeline but it's Jayce's death that did it. Vi was just a casualty. She was just as much a product of her environment as the rest of the kids. Her death only changed that Powder did nothing with the Hex orb pieces she kept hidden. Viktor and Jayce were the architects of it all, without Jayce Viktor never found the path to his "Glorious Evolution" and probably succumbed to his condition or the steps he took to improve it.

[@bandido1244]

el hextech es inevitable, es destino y esta en todas las lineas temporales a corto o largo plazo, sea una ciudad sin guerra o con guerra, Viktor dijo que el unico que puede revertirlo es Jayce, esta facil explicado en la travesia de Jayce con su propio yo

[@jasonmarbach]

This was the best ep of the whole series, as far as I’m concerned. Absolutely devastating and heartbreakingly beautiful. Achingly serendipitous and bittersweet.

[@altairajgar920]

Vi : Most unlucky girl accross the multiverse. Standing for the true hero of Arcane.

[@mundoatena1674]

Makes you wonder if she wasn't the actual jinx lol poor Vi

[@lordmorklen5166]

Mos: Yeah! Let's go see Vi! Me: Oh no!

[@ravenhurst96]

I watched all of Act 3 when it came out, so now that I'm watching everyone's reactions and they make a prediction about something or someone, I'm just full thousand yard stare the entire time...

[@lordmorklen5166]

@@ravenhurst96 same

[@ravenhurst96]

@lordmorklen5166 Just tight-lipped, wide-eyed stress. 😅

[@JustAJinx-ci6hg]

Without Hextech and everything, Silco must have found Vander's letter in the mines...

[@lorettabes4553]

It was Hextech that made Silco fear the gap between the Lanes and Piltover. Very true...

[@ThePonderer]

From not being at all concerned about Timebomb to it being my OTP.

[@Dead-fire]

Same

[@broadwaybroad]

They’re too toxic for me to enjoy.

[@jittercritter]

I’m so glad everyone agrees that Mylo’s mustache is NOT it

[@rblprd]

It's such a universal cringe thing, it transcends everything. We've either been that guy or know that guy at some point.

[@lorettabes4553]

He either cuts the side burns or removes the moustache.

[@shannarong3475]

I’m not surprised so many people are saying Ep 7 is their favorite this season or even their favorite in Arcane overall. I’m totally with them. I mean, it might not be my number one, but I still see it as an exceptional episode that encapsulates so many aspects of what makes Arcane great. In terms of the story, it reflects how much sacrifice Ekko is willing to make. The dude legit gave up a dreamlike world where he could’ve been happy with someone he loves, just to dive back into his rough reality and try to save everyone else. And he knows that even if he succeeds, he’s stuck in a world where most of the people he loved are gone. That’s some next-level sacrifice right there. And the whole multiverse/alternate timeline idea is a nice way of meeting both Arcane fans and hardcore League lore fans halfway. It’s like they’re saying, “Yes, this is the canon, and some characters you love might not make it here. But somewhere in another timeline, they’re happy. And all that old lore you loved still exists it’s just a different possibility.” As Riot continues to expand the Runeterra universe through animations, music, games, comics and even live-action shows/movies, I think people are going to get used to the idea. It’s kind of like how we’ve all learned to roll with cinematic universes doing their own spin on things. Feels like the same vibe.

[@endertuber8300]

It's also just perfect pacing-wise and truely feel like a S1 episode, where the characters are allowed time to develop and their actions feels both weighted and deeply understandable, where overall the Season was mostly all gas, no brakes

[@shannarong3475]

@@endertuber8300 Agreed

[@gracec8c]

Yeah and to expand on this, while obviously Ekko is the star of this episode (and oh boy he deserves it!), the Jayce stuff is great too. It's utterly creepy and gorgeous at the same time, and the dread of knowing that this will end with the Jayce that blows Viktor up only adds to it. What did he see in this terrible future that resulted in that? It's also a fun parallel to what Viktor had to go through. Jayce falls to the bottom of the undercity, breaks his leg (by his own hammer, Arcane loves its on the nose metaphors haha), and then has to build a brace and claw his way to the top, a fascinating microcosm of what Viktor had to go through with his disability and his undercity background in order to succeed in Piltover. Also that final bit where Jayce's dead body gives him the hammer is so cool, very sword in the stone vibes. Immaculate. And while it's a total meme at this point of Heimerdinger and Ekko having a lovely time and smash cutting to Jayce in hell, while I will not pretend it's not funny, I do think it really works on a more serious level. It's a constant reminder to the watcher of what will happen if Ekko doesn't go back. As much as it's lovely, he can't stay in this beautiful world, because the home he's from is in danger. Piltover and Zaun in the main timeline are going to be destroyed if Ekko doesn't go back. Even though due to world/time hoping shenanigans there's not a ticking clock, there's still tension. But yeah, what a good episode. Well crafted in basically every way. It also has the best song in the show, I want an entire Heimerdinger album.

[@sakurap95]

Vander having Vi’s name tattoo on his hand?! Stop! I’m gonna cry again! 😭

[@AbstractJJJ]

23:50 If I thought leaving that reality wouldn't bring back their Ekko, I would probably stay. Otherwise, the pressure of getting back to the original timeline and helping out there coupled with giving back the proper Ekko would be a little much to ignore. Also, for all he knew, the other Ekko ended up in the original timeline trying to make sense of all the stuff going on there.

[@plothole181]

Which would have actually been an interesting story line. Not necessarily more interesting, but I would have liked to see what non-Arcane Ekko made of the Arcane world.

[@Dead-fire]

As someone who said “I’m so tired of other studios using the multiverse and Alternate Universe crap nowadays” I gotta admit that this episode is definitely my favorite episode of the entire season and it’s a love letter to Jinx and Timebomb fans

[@sakurap95]

I know people talk about how Vi and Jinx can’t both exist together in the same timeline and be happy, but I’m also sad that neither Vi or Vander can see their father/daughter grow older. 😭

[@greywarden5513]

23:45 That boy was not thinking about the Firelights when he left 😅

[@Gemini-Lion]

Honestly, if I was in Ekko’s situation, I don’t think I would’ve returned

[@brandongaylord1039]

I think it’s nice to see Mosco reacting to Arcane in Elijah’s room ❤️.

[@JPong1234]

Really like your reaction and observations as you watch! I know a lot of reactors don't really want to pause but arcane is one of those shows that just has so much going on all the time that pausing every now and then really helps to take it all in. At 24:22 you're one of the only people I've seen that was able to pick out the significance of this episode. His time spent in this timeline with Powder makes him recognize his failures with his Jinx in the original timeline. A lot of people think that since it's an alt timeline, it doesn't really matter and the episode was just fanservice, but it's much more than that if you take the time to recognize it. It'll serve as his newfound motivation and will be pivotal in the final episodes.

[@lorettabes4553]

If people think this was only fanservice than they have to watch it again. The next episode literally shows the entire reason all of this happened.

[@alexandruulesan7009]

Was there a little bit of Spider-verse homage in there? The glitching, Powder rocking the Gwen Stacy outfit, returning home into a glowing energy sphere.

[@Morbacounet]

28:07 Hextech is inevitable, it was delayed in that timeline because of the explosion.

[@heximiasmagaming3995]

Everyone keeps saying, "If Powder had all them shards, why didn't she use them?" To that I say ya'll for got the trauma she faced back in season 1 when the first time she tried, she suffered a flashback to Vander dieing due to her monkey bomb laced with a hexcore, and she didn't actually witness Vanders death. In this timeline however Vi died in front of her while mid robbery, so if she was that traumatized by Vander, imagine just how much more she is now having watched her sister die. But now gaving seen their potential, she may develop Hex tech all on her own in this timeline now.

[@Lightice1]

Plus, without Jayce's notes, the gems are just strange explosives to Powder. She doesn't know what they are for or what they can do. And her and Vander's conversation implies that she never does anything of her own, just helps other people with their projects. But as you say, that can change now that she's seen Ekko and Heimerdinger's notes and figured out what the gems can do.

[@mxbubbles4753]

Loved this episode and how the worlds they where sent to gave both what they needed, for Jayce it was to show him what will happen and that he must stop victor whilst Echoe was shown a more beautiful, happier world in order to restore his hope

[@mrpalaces]

Stories about impossible love and people who've had harsh lives finally finding happiness really get to me for... reasons. Most of this episode had me crying.

[@SilverKnightXx]

I have written it before but I have to again: Ekkos first words in season 1.... "Give me a few seconds"

[@ravenhurst96]

Holy shit... I completely forgot about that line... 😶

[@alexelion7084]

While working on a clock I think

[@ravenhurst96]

@alexelion7084 Do clocks have pistons inside them? I don't know what they have other than cogs and gears.

[@alexelion7084]

​@@ravenhurst96 Just rewatched the scene, I think I was wrong. Wasn't sure about it to begin with. Also English isn't my first language, so maybe I just missed something

[@ravenhurst96]

@@alexelion7084 English is my first language and I still could've missed something, so can't really fault you for that. 😅🤣

[@sakurap95]

I could not live in a world without Vi. Too heart breaking. That said, it’s amazing that this alternate world used her sacrifice to honor her spirit and make their city a better, brighter place. Her impact changed their world. She’s honored as a hero, but she didn’t get to live to see it. 😭

[@KiidDirt]

I don't think I'd be able to stay in an alternate timeline everyone you know isn't really everyone YOU know, you know?😂

[@riccardobert1950]

This scene is just so heartbreaking, i was a wreck after this episode 😭 the pendant he gave to powder has the blue peonie on it which stands for eternal unattainable love :( the dialogue and the authenticity of the voice actors just make this scene SO insanely beautiful. Absolute masterclass in media on all levels

[@alastor8571]

ngl i enjoyed every bit of jayce's suffering lol

[@bluehawkgaming6055]

"Yes lets go see Vi, I wanna see where she's at" oh, trust me, you dont lol

[@XOISHTAR]

I love that while Vi dying in the explosion (and possibly Jayce, or he just faced the trial without the gems and without winning Viktor’s curiosity because it was a Zaunite kid who was killed and so Vik never stopped Jayce from jumping) definitely changed things… it’s not the only change. Silco found the letter and reconciled with Vander (and they are adorable together) so Zaun was more united at that point, and then Piltover wasn’t able to further oppress Zaun and jump so far forward through hextech meaning (odds are with Heimer’s assistance) that Zaun was able to grow and odds are reached an equilibrium with Piltover to where they share industry and progress together instead of one progressing at the expense of the other. And we have no idea what else changed independently of Vi’s accident, because Ekko was very single minded and didn’t explore Piltover.

[@crow8776]

YESSS my favorite episode of the season!! I’ve been so excited for your reaction and Elijah’s too.

[@Hleler]

I saw this other great analysis in Jayce’s journey, he was essentially made to live Viktor’s journey. He gets crippled purely by bad circumstance (Viktor presumably born with it, the hammer smashing Jayce’s leg), he is then put down in the depths (the undercity) and has to make it to the top (Piltover) with nothing but his sheer determination. Watching this back here it seems even more clear when he gets up with his madeshift cane and brace, so reminiscent of Viktor in s1

[@shadywolf6464]

I think that draw is for Powders secrets, the things she knows about and doesn't tell anyone. I think that's why she puts the necklace in the drawer that our Ekko gave her. I think she's protecting Zaun/Piltover from those crystals after what they did to her sister.

[@rblprd]

This, this is what I accept and no other explanation, ever.

[@mimic1984]

-Season 2 Episode 7 Spin the Wheel Lyrics (Vocals by Mick Wingert/AKA the voice of Heimerdinger): [Verse 1] Go spin the wheel and see where it lands Join in the circus, stay for a dance, and Right when the war quiets down, ya strike up the band Keep marching on, my friends And do what you can [Verse 2] Wait 'til your brothers and your sisters, see where you been And if you loved the journey more than the end, go ahead Just turn that hourglass around and count to ten This ain't goodbye no more Nah, it just began [Bridge] March on, my friends Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-ooh Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-ooh [Verse 3] Go and make some mistakes, you live and you learn And where the chips fall, it's not your concern, nah Like the wind gonna breeze, the fires'll burn Just let the gears, my friend Oh, just let the gears, my friend Let 'em turn 🧡 💜 [ ] Z

[@ThatAutisticGuy2005]

This episode is sad yet some of it is wholesome. Great video, it was cool

[@Rixec2]

You know, this question really does boil down the motives of everyone down to a single question: what is the price you're willing to pay for the world you want? In Arcane, we had Vander who wanted a world where he could raise Vi and Powder in peace, but he had to stop actively trying to make the world better for everyone. Silco was willing to kill so many as pawns in order to bring about great change to the world. Jayce was willing to kill Viktor to stop the world he saw from happening. Caitlyn wanted a world without Jinx and resolved to use the Grey to make it happen. Heimerdinger once wanted a world where nothing extremely bad happened, but the price paid was Zaun suffering for it since he never took any big steps in quick advancement. And even Vi was willing to leave it all just to be with her sister before. In this world, Vi's life was the price for it to be the way it was. Maybe even more, as we never saw Jayce there. Maybe he died in the explosion, or maybe his attempted suicide succeeded here, especially since now Vi was killed in the explosion. And then Ekko had his own price to choose. Either let everyone he knows suffer and die for him to have this happy world or to leave it in order to fulfill his promise to them all. And that is what makes him the boy savior when he chose them over himself. If I had to make a choice, I'd go back. People would be depending on me, and I can't just replace another me to have something so good while all I know are left all alone. As a side note, Heimerdinger truly has shown how much he has grown. He was never really oppressive, but he was too idle. Back in the opera scene we see how he loses himself in the fantasy while the dark reality goes on around him. He lost himself in his own vision he never saw or ignored everything around him. He saw what the worst magic could do and never wanted it. He always slowed down progress for safety. He could afford to wait. But everyone else couldn't, and Zaun paid that most of all. But now he's learned to adjust for everyone who needs faster progress. He truly understands they can't just survive bad times; they need to live for good times within all that. Ekko showed him that. He's no longer being idle. Heck, because of his growth, this time when he advises Ekko to take it slow, it works because they don't rush how far back they can go. Heimerdinger isn't just trying to hold them back out of fear, but because this is something new and advises caution as they try it out. He is actively helping instead if just expecting people to obey.

[@lorettabes4553]

W comment

[@quincyconnors9391]

~3 years. That's approximately how long the Professor was there. Edit: In Ekko's place, I would leave that good timeline. My friends and allies would need my help, Jinx would need help, and everyone in the regular timeline would be in danger. Plus, I wouldn't be Powder's Ekko; I would just be stealing a life that isn't mine.

[@Airwinsy9948]

It's not Heimerdinger's fault for the situation in the Undercity, it's the council and Piltolver in general. In the first season it showed Mel and the other councilors being corrupt. Piltolver got rich at Zaun's expense Edit: and the proof of this is that after Heimerdinger got expelled from the council, he went down to the undercity to help people. And he was the one who gave jobs to Viktor and Sky, the only Zaunites shown in Piltolver

[@LuckyDucky81310]

If I was not needed that much I would have stayed but if I was needed like Ekko was I would have went back to help with what they needed me for

[@kylearchbold5189]

Jace would have been banished/imprisoned by the council since his unauthorized research killed a kid, hence no hextech

[@ghostlyexe]

It’s also definitely what helped bring peace to Piltover and Zuan, allowing them to coexist as equals

[@hamishsewell5990]

This episode tore at my heartstrings in a way few pieces of media have. Love your reactions Mosco!

[@MagicalAnimecat]

This is such a beautiful and heartbreaking episode. I don't think I would have the strength to leave an alternate timeline like this. Especially if I needed to invent my own way out. That's a lot of work to put into something you don't really want to do, even if you feel you need to. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Ekko to do all that.

[@SOAPhia083]

It's heartbreaking that Arcane clearly spelt out to us that in no matter what world, Jinx and Vi just can't have a happy ending together😢

[@wolfcraft16]

I don't think the explosion killed Jayce, as the officers seemed shocked seeing dead Vi in the room, but if the explosion killed a child, then he likely wasnt shown leniency at the council and probably committed suicide with Victor not interupting like he did in the other timeline.

[@RSR4DG]

Halfway into the episode I thought Jayce was dropped into the future of the same universe as the others, and that whatever Ekko and Heimerdinger do to get back home is what destroys Piltover. Glad that wasn’t the case

[@flywoodpaperplanes]

I have a theory that the other timeline jinx wont use the hex gemstones. The final scene is just to show that she’s the reason why Hextech wasnt a thing in this universe. After the explosion killed her sister, she kept it to never be used again. I dont like when people say Vi’s death is what made everything better, its really more of if Hextech exists so I hope they dont bring it to this universe

[@ArmadiusC]

23:23 fun fact about ekko and powder's dance. this scene is specifically designed to be 4 frames per second. the same amount z-drive allows a rewind without an explosion.

[@rickymoranjr9609]

it's good to know that even League of Legends has the Multiverse in it

[@homersmith8017]

If you and Elijah watch the next two episodes together, you will absolutely lose your shit.

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

Fun Fact: All of Heimerdinger's VAs in every language dub of the show recorded a native language version of his song in this episode.

[@SilverScribe85]

Just you wait, Mos! The final few episodes are going to REALLY take a toil on your mentality

[@StarkKarstVT]

I hope you can enjoy and relax and recover while you spend the next few months at Elijah's place. Take good care of yourself and an awesome reaction btw!

[@mimic1984]

-Season 2 Episode 7 Ma Meilleure Ennemie Lyrics (Vocals by Stromae & Pomme): [Paroles de "Ma Meilleure Ennemie"] [Couplet 1 : Stromae] T'es la meilleure chose qui m'est arrivée Mais aussi la pire chose qui m'est arrivée Ce jour où je t'ai rencontrée, j'aurais peut-être préféré Que ce jour ne soit jamais arrivé (Arrivé) La pire des bénédictions La plus belle des malédictions De toi je devrais m'éloigner Mais comme dit le dicton Plutôt qu'être seul, mieux vaut être mal accompagné [Pré-Refrain : Stromae, Stromae & Pomme, Pomme] Tu sais ce qu'on dit Sois près d'tes amis les plus chers Mais aussi Encore plus près d'tes adversairеs [Refrain : Stromae & Pomme] Mais ma meilleure еnnemie c'est toi Fuis-moi, le pire c'est toi et moi Mais si tu cherches encore ma voix Oublie-moi, le pire c'est toi et moi [Couplet 2 : Pomme] Pourquoi ton prénom me blesse Quand il se cache juste là dans l'espace C'est quelle émotion, la haine Ou la douceur quand j'entends ton prénom Je t'avais dit, ne regarde pas en arrière Le passé qui te suit, te fait la guerre [Refrain : Stromae & Pomme] Mais ma meilleure ennemie c'est toi Fuis-moi, le pire c'est toi et moi Mais si tu cherches encore ma voix Oublie-moi, le pire c'est toi et moi 💜 Translated to English: You're the best thing that ever happened to me But also the worst thing that ever happened to me The day I met you, I might have wished That day had never happened (happened) The worst blessing The most beautiful of curses I should stay away from you But as the saying goes Rather than be alone, it's better to be badly accompanied You know what they say Be close to your dearest friends But also Even closer to your adversaries But my best enemy is you Run away from me, the worst is you and me But if you're still looking for my voice Forget me, the worst is you and me Why your name hurts me when it hides When it hides right there in space Which emotion is it, hate Or the sweetness when I hear your name I told you, don't look back The past that follows you, makes war on you But my best enemy is you Run away from me, the worst is you and me But if you're still looking for my voice Forget me, the worst is you and me 💜

[@lorettabes4553]

My best enemy is you 😭

[@maciekzelichowski1411]

The worst thing about this timeline is that Caitlyn and Vi never met.😢

[@SamHeness666]

Heimerdinger-Ekko-Jayce were sent to the Past-Present-Future

[@Darcadius]

Holy fuck, you are so fucking perceptive! Love your pauses to make an analysis. Subscribed, and looking forward to future reactions.

[@killermery]

I keep wondering what happen to Jayce and Cait, did they also die? Was that what made everyone decide to united?

[@infernosphantom]

Season 1 Episode 7 - Ekko and Jinx episode. Season 2 Episode 7 - Ekko and Powder episode. Coincidence? I think not!

[@chrisburgin7599]

Sad to hear you were having a hard time at home, but glad you're happy getting to spend time with Elijah.!

[@pleaseclap7890]

I feel like if I was in Ekko’s situation I would’ve stayed if going back would’ve erased the version of myself in that perfect timeline. Like that would suck for the people in that timeline to have me just blink out of existence without a proper explanation. But knowing I was hijacking the body of myself from that timeline, meaning that this timeline wouldn’t lose me and that if I didn’t leave then I would have effectively killed the version of myself in this timeline, I don’t think I could justify staying.

[@samsgreatadventure812]

If I was Ekko I couldn't leave. I do not have the strength.

[@littlewormyguy]

14:50 I feel like your playing up how much of heimerdinger's the oppression of zaun was. He was easily the least corrupt of all the counsellors in season 1 and was mostly oblivious to the shadey dealings going on. Yeah he is definitely to blame for not taking notice if how bad the city got but nothing he did actively worsened the oppression. To add to this, blaming heimerdinger for the slow corruption of piltover over the course of multiple centuries, respectfully, about as useless in an argument as "its vanders fault for lashing out at silco and stabbing his eye" or "its hinx's and vi's ancestors faults for leading to them eventually having to be in this situation", because while technically true it is unreasonable to blame all of zauns problems on heimerdinger when the bulk of the issues have slowly occurred over time at an unnoticeable rate and we have already seen that many councillors choose to go behind his back for corrupt means

[@rblprd]

His was oppression by neglect, his life span warped his view on everything. What a few decades to someone who will live for hundreds of years. He was the optimistic fool, blinded to the now, by looking too far in the future. Ekko brought him out of that future, to be more in the present, hence the line "since I've met you lad, I've truly lived"

[@Bundalaba]

I like how the arcane is like a powerful Consciousness and like all sentient existence it is ultimately self serving like in Nature it's not about good or Evil

[@Reavyn1]

absolutely love that hoodie and just ordered one!

[@RavenRose91]

Powder looked so much like her mom

[@NickyTannock]

Jayce was likely banished from Piltover in the good timeline since his illegal experimentation inadvertently led to the death of a child.

[@bittybaff3541]

Staying isn't selfish, so many friends and thousands and thousands of strangers actually live much better here, people who are dead and dying where you came from

[@Simon-A.-Tan]

That makes it selfish. Ekko had promised to help those people, not the ones that are living better.

[@Reavyn1]

I want a slice of life show for that Arcane timeline. I need it... Also, I'm selfish. I would have stayed...

[@DragonTwilight]

Something I haven’t seen a lot of, Heimerdinger has been in that world for 3 years, and he’s seen what happened when he didn’t help Zaun before. He’s had the time to help it here.

[@KlooKloo]

No, Powder is referencing the oft-repeated claim that genius and madness go hand-in-hand, calling Ekko both.

[@med5674]

In Ekko’s position I could never give that up. The girl of my dreams, friends and family back from the dead and a perfect world. What can I say except he’s a stronger man than I am.

[@samphoenix1674]

oh man after a second viewing of this episode , ive realized it shows multiple forms of time travel, mental travel to alternate timeline (ekko waking up in this new time) , sending memories back (ekko rewinding time by 4 seconds) , thrown into the future (jayce in the destroyed future ((assuming its the original timelines fate)) , persistence of altered future ( ekko rewinds time after himerdinger explodes and rewinds and powder brushes off dead himerdingers tuft of hair from ekkos face despite himerdinger perfectly intact and now theres extra himerdinger fragments), and multiverse travel (ekko brings the rewind machine from the good timeline to the original). oh and this also shows a paradoxial object , jayce second hammer has no origin as its perpetually existed. as in the statue jayce that gives him the second hammer when it was alive saw that future got the hammer from another statue went back with it only to fail and end up in that same place (repeat ad-infinitium till external influence changes things)

[@greywarden5513]

23:23 Because, he had his own Powder/Jinx to save 👑

[@jacobsmith7254]

What could have been.

[@Jacklyn_4Ever]

FIRST OMG 😆 I LOVE THIS U BETTER BE READY FOR 2x08 👀🙃😭❤️

[@brandonmonsivais9817]

Also, if you look at the pendant that Echo gave Powder, you can just subtly make both of them out on it in the pattern on the flower!

[@analuizahenriques1703]

Oh the dance moment between Ekko and Jinx, AND THE FUCKING SONG To everyone who speaks french, it hit different. I cried almost this whole episode 😅

[@dhackett1565]

I read the last scene with Powder putting away the rose pendant more hopefully - that she is leaving this version of Ekko she got to know for a couple days in her past (with Vi), and the same goes for those crystals. And that therefore this timeline is safe from any future Arcane muckery (at least from her).