On Nov. 9, fans of the hit Netflix series “Arcane” excitedly watched the release of the first three episodes of the top show’s newest, and final, season. “Arcane”. The season was released in three episode ‘acts’ with act two releasing Nov. 16 and the final act releasing Nov. 23.
The show follows characters based on the video game “League of Legends,” such as sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder, later named Jinx (Ella Purnell), who follow different paths of life after they’ve grown up. The show takes place in the rich innovative city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity Zaun as they battle for power. Season one had many plots, but mainly followed Vi from the undercity as she searched for Jinx, and befriends Caitlyn Kirramman (Katie Leung) a character from the uppercity.
When the first three episodes came out, I was ecstatic, although I heard it would definitely be a tearjerker. The first three episodes did not disappoint, and I loved seeing Caitlyn develop after her mom was killed. While I was watching the first two episodes, I did feel it was a little rushed, but the third episode fight between Jinx and Vi made everything make much more sense, and the rushed feeling made viewers think the act was going to end on a happy note.
When the second act was released there were many surprises. Caitlyn’s turned ‘evil dictator’ arc after a fight with Vi brought some crazy elements to the plot, including the introduction of the character Maddie Nolen (Katy Townsend) who I disliked from the start. A leak of Maddie and Caitlyn in this act the week prior made fans infuriated, as leaks were a common occurrence with this season, and just made me like her character less. However, I did like finally seeing Vi and Jinx put aside their differences and act like family again, especially with the short lived return of their adoptive father, Vander (JB Blanc).
Finally, the last act was released, following the aftermath of Viktor (Harry Lloyd) becoming one with the Arcane. Episode 7 showed an almost Marvel-esque theme, with Ekko (Reed Shannon) being transported through time into an ultimate dimension of what could have been if the inventor Jayce Talis (Kevin Alejandro) didn’t harness the Arcane’s power to make Hextech. Seeing Viktor and Ambessa (Ellen Thomas) become the villains in the final battle was something I didn’t prepare for ultimately, as I was assuming it would’ve been Jinx. I was happy to see Vi and Caitlyn make up from their recent argument, and finally grow closer than ever. I was excited to see the characters banding together, and the battle was a big highlight for me. While I felt the last episode was predictable, it wasn’t a bad thing, wrapping up the show with all the things I wanted to see.
Jinx’s character evolved a lot within the season, going from crazy to suicidal, so I was extremely upset to see her die an exceedingly unnecessary death. I had many suspicions about the ending, and with Caitlyn looking at some blueprints of vents in the last episode, I think it is entirely possible that she could have survived through them.
Although season two was the final season of “Arcane,” the developers of “League of Legends” still have much in store, with “Arcane” producing the background needed to lead the way for a possible release of three upcoming spinoff series. In the end, while “Arcane” finished its final season, I have a feeling the story isn’t over.
