Arcane Season 2 Act 1 Ending Explained

Arcane The first act of season two came to a dramatic conclusion, putting important relationships under pressure and creating potential chaos due to Jayce’s experiments. After three years, Arcane returned in style – with a burst of action, intense character work, and absolutely stunning artistic talent. The second season begins with the emotional finale of Arcane Season 1, which saw Jinx fire a rocket at a Piltover Council meeting. Now, Piltover and Zaun are on the brink of war.

Arcane Season two, the first act, begins with Caitlyn and Vi trying to quell the conflict by bringing in Jinx. At the same time, Jayce and Heimerdinger begin an investigation into a mysterious corruption that they realize is spreading as a result of Hextech. Once again, everything ends in a dramatic moment – which makes the second act equally intense.

Jayce discovers the damage Hextech has done to reality itself

Hextech’s power risks corrupting all reality

To understand Arcaneyou really need a basic understanding of Hextech – the branch of science created by Jayce and Viktor that allows for the manipulation of magic. Arcane is inspired by League of Legendswhere magic is drawn from other realms of existence; Jayce appears to be combining the power of the Material and Spiritual Realms, merging them in powerful and creative ways. Hexcore is the next evolution of Hextech, created through the additional fusion of blood. Unfortunately, it’s clearly dangerously unstable.

Jayce and Heimerdinger discover that the Arcane is leaking into this reality, distorting and corrupting it in terrible ways. Their investigations expose them to its power, and they are sure to be dramatically transformed by what they are going through. That said, the biggest concern lies in the fact that Arcane transmuting power has been leaking through the ventilation systems into Zaun. This probably means the inhabitants of Zaun themselves are being subtly altered.

Meanwhile, Viktor has been transformed by Hexcore in mysterious ways. His body is now no longer truly organic, but appears to be composed of substances beyond the Material Realm. He heads to Zaun, deliberately drawing those who are suffering to him and demonstrating powerful transformative abilities. Viktor’s dialogue implies that he has taken on a sort of messianic bent, though it’s unclear what his true agenda will be.

Caitlyn and Vi’s mission puts new pressure on their relationship

Is their romance already doomed?

These revelations come at a time of turmoil in relations between Zaun and Piltover. Silco’s death plunged Zaun into chaos, and Jinx took advantage of this to prepare new attacks against Piltover.. In an attempt to prevent a war, Caitlyn leads a strike team – armed with advanced Hextech weapons and gas – to neutralize JInx. After much soul searching, Vi agrees to join the strike team and the two team up. Finally, in a wonderful moment that will delight fans, they kiss passionately.

Unfortunately, the romance between Vi and Caitlyn clearly won’t go smoothly. Vi is desperate for stability, but Caitlyn is still grieving because her mother died when Jinx attacked the Council. The two confront Jinx, and Vi is horrified when Caitlyn is willing to risk collateral damage to neutralize her sister – even killing a child who got in the way. Vi is shaken by Caitlyn’s actions, horrified by what the woman she loves is becoming.

Arcane Season 2, Act 1 leaves Vi and Caitlyn’s future in doubt. Caitlyn is clearly heading down a dark path, but Vi won’t walk alongside her. This could lead to more conflict, with Vi forced to step in and take down someone she loves; Alternatively, it’s possible this story ends in redemption, with Vi persuading Caitlyn to abandon that path. The relationship between Vi and Caitlyn feels like the central theme of Season 2, so this arc is sure to continue in exciting (or heartbreaking) fashion.

Jinx launches another attack on Piltover, but is injured when she triggers her trap

Piltover is still not safe from Jinx

Jinx set a trap for Vi and Caitlyn; although it doesn’t work the way Jinx planned, she is still able to launch another attack on Piltover. This reroutes the ventilation system that keeps Zaun safe, blowing polluted air into Piltover – and she’s added even more paint and gas bombs to the mix. It doesn’t seem like a particularly dangerous attack, but it’s clever; a way of telling the people of Piltover that they are not safe.

Jinx increasingly looks like a version of Heath Ledger’s Joker; she is simply someone who wants to watch the world burn. Your actions are making war between Piltover and Zaun seem inevitable, and it’s hard to say how things will play out. Piltover has better weapons, but Zaun would have the home field advantage if Piltover invaded. It is very difficult for even a technologically advanced army to deal with guerrilla warfare, which explains why Caitlyn desperately tried to avoid it at all costs.

Jinx is injured during the battle, losing a finger. This may seem like just a minor injury compared to other characters, who have literally had entire limbs vaporized and replaced with cybernetics; but Jinx is a tinkerer and a skilled marksman, and this will affect her aim and dexterity. Caitlyn may have shot to kill, but the wound she caused will have a huge effect on Jinx as Arcane season 2 continues.

Caitlyn is placed in charge of Piltover

But is she anything more than a figurehead?

Arcane Season Two, Act One, ends with a shocking final twist: Noxian warlord Ambessa orchestrates the takeover of Piltover, using her power and influence to position Caitlyn as head of the Council. Caitlyn reluctantly accepts the role, but is unaware of Ambessa’s true motives. Ambessa is being pursued by a secret Noxian cult, the Black Rose, who have just launched an attack on her. It’s reasonable to assume she wants Caitlyn to be nothing more than a figurehead.

The problem, though, is that — as Vi discovered — Caitlyn isn’t exactly in a good place right now. She is still distressed, motivated purely by anger and revenge, and the breakdown of her relationship with Vi is unlikely to have helped. Ambessa may believe Caitlyn can be controlled, but she may soon learn otherwise. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where Caitlyn’s pain turns her into the true villain of Arcane Season 2, which would be a truly tragic twist in this tremendous animated saga.