By Janie Walenda
“Sometimes taking a leap forward means leaving a few things behind.”
What is “Arcane” about? Its sprawling plot lines and interwoven character arcs make it difficult to pin down. But the answer to this question is pivotal for both the highlights and the letdowns of “Arcane’s” final act.
When I asked my brother what “Arcane” was about before he watched season two, his answer focused on the conflict between Piltover and Zaun. This conflict, mirroring the journey of Vi and Jinx, was the driving force of season one and seemed to be the focus of season two in its trailers.
Three years ago, when I first told my brother about this cool new show I was watching, he responded, “Is it about magic? Because it’s named ‘Arcane.’” My response at the time was that it wasn’t really; it was more about politics and science. But if there’s one thing season two made clear, it’s that “Arcane” was always about the arcane.
Focusing on the arcane magic isn’t a negative in itself. The highlights of season two have the arcane magic at its foundation, whether it’s the hextech malfunctions during Vi and Jinx’s fight, the reality-wrapping journey of Ekko in episode seven or Mel’s fight against the Black Rose. Jayce and Viktor’s arcs are magnificently fleshed out, and their journey from starry-eyed scientists to broken men wielding power beyond their comprehension is incredibly compelling.
The negative is not the added focus on the magic, but the loss of “Arcane” season one’s complex look at the politics of Zaun and Piltover. The twin cities take a major backseat in season two, losing the vibrancy that made the location itself a main character of season one. The resolution to the rebellion that season one was building up completely fizzled out, leading to a “working together for the greater good” ending that is uncharacteristically flat for a series with otherwise intricate writing.
The good news is that the abandonment of Zaun and Piltover’s storyline is the only major negative I have with the season. I do think it’s rushed, and there are some issues with the character writing. It’s easy (and correct) to say that one more season or act of episodes would fix a lot of the problems with season two. However, the reality is that the animation, one of “Arcane’s” greatest features, sets both a time and monetary restraint on the number of episodes.
One of the things I was happiest about with season two is that my favorite characters from season one, Mel and Ekko, got a chance to shine. I spent three years believing that Jinx’s rocket killed Mel, so I was thrilled for her to not only be alive but also gain her own magical powers and continue her character arc with her mom.
Ekko’s alternate universe adventures in episode seven is one of the best episodes of the series. It not only allows us to reunite with long-lost characters, but in a season that revolves around the chaos that the hexcore brought, it gives us an important look at a world without it. It also cements Ekko as one of the few morally good characters in the show. He’s in a world that is better for him in every way, but his priority is to get back to the people who need him.
It’s repetitive at this point to say that the animation was jaw-dropping and the soundtrack was top-notch. “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” and “The Line” have rightfully received great acclaim, but I would like to nominate “Wasteland” and “Spin The Wheel” as the emotional gut-punches of the act.
Despite a few bumps in season two, “Arcane” remains an unexpectedly brilliant show. It pushed the boundaries and expectations of 3-D animation and video game adaptations, helping to change the landscape of both industries. It wove a tragic story of complex characters that hooked me and all of the friends I forced to watch with me, maintaining our investment across three years. Fortunately, as three other shows are in development, “Arcane” is not the end of this world or these characters.
“Arcane” seasons one and two are streaming on Netflix.
Janie Walenda is a senior Global Business major and the A&E editor for Cedars. She is overly passionate about musicals, caffeine and weirdly enough Dracula.
Images courtesy of Netflix
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