#did love the mel and viktor hallucinations

[roseofspades]

I feel like we all brushed passed the scenes of jayce in the void realm surviving in the cave real fast because what the fuck was that. His progressively rotting leg. The scenes of him eating whatever those bugs were or whatever. Creepy as fuck. How did he even survive that what the hell.

[morallygay]

I KNOW I knowwwww ppl can ship whatever and obviously are gonna ship them and I love making (un)doomed yaoi jokes about them just as much as the next person but that’s a different matter— since my tolerance for amatonormativity has gotten lower all those posts that are essentially like “there is no platonic explanation for this” about jayce and viktor annoy me so much

My point is that it’s possible to ship them without denying or being reluctant to acknowledge the canon platonic love because you don’t know why but just feel that it’s ‘lesser’ than a romantic interpretation

[akascow]

okay so

i think the viktor and mel hallucinations during jayce's whole Moment in 2x07, their eyes are just completely black. and its VERY faint but u can KIND OF see the outline of their irises if u look REALLY close (irl)

to show u what i mean:

first ones are just normal settings (tho my computer brightness is all the way up), i only messed with the exposure n highlights of the pictures and stuff in the middle ones, and outlined the eyes in the third ones

​which could make sense in terms of his mental state i think ? he maybe feels like he let them down, or betrayed them or couldnt help them in a way ??

they dont feel human to him anymore. or maybe hes created these images so theyre judging him as he can only reminisce on what happened and how he left things

mel’s vision looks maybe like either angry, stubborn, strong willed or annoyed lol... her chin is kinda turned down, with downturned eyebrows, and her lower lids are halfway closed implying that shes like glaring or narrowing her eyes at him, her lips almost look pursed together and i think ? her nostrils are flared but its so hard to tell lmao we only get like three frames of over exposure HAAH take these with a grain of salt lmfao

viktor (even tho i cannot for the life of me read his expression HAHA) to the best of my ability i think kinda looks hurt or confused, maybe innocent for lack of a better term or scared. ((which given how he left jayce it would kinda fit lmao)) BUT his brows are ever so slightly scrunched together, one is higher than the other which usually implies confusion or thinking or admiring. eyes are wide open, mouth is agape a teenie bit, these are usually seen with softer, positive or more admirable expressions, and his chin is tilted upward. im not trying to turn this into a jayvik thing i swear im just comparing to my facial recognition knowledge HAHA

and as he loses himself deeper in the hexcore, the more he starts losing and/or fearing the two ppl he loved most ? ... and worries how he’d get back to them (if at all) and how he would imagine they would react.

the two ppl who not only made and brought him to who he is today, but uplifted and supported and stood by him for ~10 years despite everything

anyway this theory would all pair nicely with the voices that start playing in the background during his lil Montage lmao it kind of culminates into a massive guilty conscious, that then outwardly presents itself in their hallucinations:

“i never asked for this” - jayce to viktor, after their conversation about him breaking their promise about destroying the hexcore, resulting in vik leaving him lmao. also jayce literally turned viktor into this metal husk so hes gotta have that sitting on his shoulders too lmfao

“[heimer] was my mentor, and i betrayed him” - jayce (to mel) abt voting heimer off the council despite heimer ending up being completely right about magic in the first place

“it corrupts” “you must destroy it” “ive seen nations destroyed” - heimer about the hexcore, jayce screams over this as those lines play, anguishing over the fact that he literally did this to himself and hes the reason Piltover is (or will be) no more bc he ignored the warnings

“its your time now jayce” “perhaps its time for the era of magic” - mel to jayce, context is in the quotes HAHA. jayce is screaming no! no! and please! during these lines, i think its just to hammer (pun intended) home on the fact that it all ties back to him for ‘creating’ magic. its on HIM (at least in his own mind) for the destruction of Piltover and all of its people

not to mention the reason hes stuck down there for so long is because his own invention (hextech hammer) disabled him enough to make him unable to climb out for (as far as we know) weeks or even months... more outward projection of self guilt, but like far more literal than symbolic i guess

and as other people mentioned already, it put him in the same position of viktor (down in the depths of zaun having to pull himself up to piltover with the challenges of a disabled leg and illness and no one to support or help him) which allowed him to relate to viktor in a way he never could have before

maybe im just thinking too hard about it idk (im not). or unless this was extremely obvious to the average viewer HAHA. in my defense i spent this whole montage pausing every .6 seconds to take a picture of seggsy and broken and whimpering jayce so i wasnt really paying that much attention to it all AHAHA

anyway do u think this was a hallucination or was it actually the mage standing here with him for a flash lmao

okay sorry for that long ass post i would add a page break sooner but it would interrupt my flow of thoughts that i need u all to experience like i do HA

...

also shameless self promos but u should check out my jayvik butterfly effect and viktors humanity symbolism analysis posts if u liked this one >:)

[kaoskuantico]

In case someone hasn’t seen Act III yet, ARCANE ACT III SPOILERS

Mirroring my previous post about things I hated about Season 2 (click), here's another list with the things I LIKED

The art, animation, soundtrack...I think we can all agree Arcane created a before and after in the Animation industry and artists all over the world (although I only liked Ashes and Blood, Isha's song and Remember Me. The rest are a bit meh for me)

Jinx realizing she can be a good person when she met Isha. And she almost realized she doesn't have to choose between Powder and Jinx personas, she's both.

Sevika bonding with Jinx, both of them mourning Silco and getting to work together. Jinx making a whole new arm for her, basically.

Vi realizing Jinx has good in her when she saw how Jinx treated Isha.

Ekko stopping Jinx from killing herself five times and being patient with her.

I don't like Timebomb, but the dance scene being at 4 fps representing Ekko's ability to rewind time 4 seconds was on top.

Ekko not even hesitating to find the way back home, choosing to leave this perfect life and timeline behind.

The pianist who went to the war. He wasn't made for this, but he chose to be there.

Loris leaving Vi when she pushed him away. Loris tried to help her, but she refused it, so he had to leave for his own good.

That Jinx's follower who first touched her shoulder in prison, dying just like that during the attack. I liked how they showed people were dying without it being spectacular, they're just gone.

Vi trusting in Jinx when Vander/Warwick found them in the mines and was berserk. Vi chose to hug him instead of fighting, as she has always done with every conflict.

Jinx's first action when she found out Vander is alive being to look for her sister and find him together, not wanting to commit the same mistake.

Jinx being unable to shoot Vi when she had the opportunity to do so, in Act I.

Sevika ignoring the original plan and protecting both Jinx and Isha.

The Jinx vs Vi fight from Act I, they weren't trying, at least not as hard as Sevika and Cait. Vi had Jinx at her mercy a few times but didn't kill her, and in the second half of the fight, Jinx basically only slaps her face.

Jinx and Vi's interaction in Act II. It felt refreshing, seeing them 'fight' in a much lighter tone.

Jayce telling Viktor there's beauty in imperfections, that he admired him. It contrasts with Viktor's desire to make everything perfect (but including Viktor's terminal disease was weird).

Viktor and Jayce meeting in every timeline, Jayce being Viktor's salvation.

Viktor saying that trying to heal Warwick was a risk worth taking.

Isha seeing Jinx beyond the Powder/Jinx dichotomy and being the one to bring that happy nature from her (I loved Jinx acting as commentator just to make it fun for Isha).

Jinx being OFFENDED because an enforcer insulted her pants.

Jinx using her new mechanical finger (with a face painted on it) to give the middle finger to the enforcer who hit on her.

Sevika knowing how much Isha meant for Jinx, and Sevika not making fun of her when Jinx had another hallucination (after months of not having them). Sevika looked concerned.

Jinx protecting Caitlyn in Act II (although Cait never did something similar for her).

Mel's story centered on her family and not any romance.

Jinx's skills with her gun and her enhanced abilities thanks to the shimmer. She's so cool with her gun and managed to stay on her feet against Warwick at the beginning.

Jinx writing her name on her cheek just like Vi did (and it's funnier because Jinx did it by following the image in the mirror).

The voice acting. Especially Ella Purnell (Jinx's voice actress). They're all perfect for the roles, and Ella's raspy voice is the cherry on top.

Powder in the other timeline still having the hallucinations but showing she became Jinx because of her environment. She's much healthier and se's a genius in both timelines, it's her environment which decides if she'll use it to create weapons or to have a fun science competition.

In Act II, when Jinx and Sevika go to save Isha and the others, when the Enforcer they want to use to get arrested and taken to Stillwater: I liked how she relaxed once she saw Jinx, not firing at her immediately and even...Having a normal conversation with her

The designs. They made Vi SO MUCH BETTER. And I absolutely love Jinx's design as well, they're so perfect

When they were fighting in the mines and Jinx slaps Vi's cheek, the cave glows. And then they start fighting pathetically on the floor like actual sisters and the cave glows at the rhythm of their hits xd

I'll keep updating the list for a few days.

[stuffnthangsss]

JayVik & “The Fourth of July” by Sufjan Stevens

The evil it spread like a fever ahead

It was night when you died, my firefly*

What could I have said to raise you from the dead?

Oh could I be the sky on the Fourth of July?*

Well you do enough talk

My little hawk, why do you cry?

Tell me what did you learn from the Tillamook burn*?

Or the Fourth of July?

We're all gonna die

Sitting at the bed with the halo at your head

Was it all a disguise, like Junior High

Where everything was fiction, future, and prediction

Now, where am I?

My fading supply

Did you get enough love, my little dove

Why do you cry?

And I'm sorry I left, but it was for the best

Though it never felt right

My little Versailles

The hospital asked should the body be cast

Before I say goodbye, my star in the sky

Such a funny thought to wrap you up in cloth*

Do you find it all right, my dragonfly?

Shall we look at the moon, my little loon

Why do you cry?

Make the most of your life, while it is rife

While it is light

* According to Genius, “Sufjan addresses his mother using terms for various manifestations of brilliant light that quickly fade” such as firefly. Tb to when Heimerdinger said to Viktor smth like how those that shine the brighest also burn the brightest.

* According to Genius, Tillamook burn was a forest fire. I personally see that lyric with the imagery of Jayce stuck in the ditch in the future world and where he “learns” from the fire scene where he hallucinated Mel and then, Viktor.

* “Sufjan yearns to be the sky in which the display occurs, much like a canvas that is painted. His mother is the firework – beautiful, explosive and fleeting – and he wants to be the thing that allows her to shine, bringing light (life) back to the darkness (death).” Makes me think of Jayce bringing Viktor back from the darkness that consumed him.

* “This could also be an allusion to Jesus’s body being wrapped in cloth both after he was born and after he died, mirroring the resurrection line from earlier in the song.”

[kacievvbbbb]

Okay so the thing with JayVik is that it’s really the juxtaposition of Viktor with Mel (Jayce’s canon love interest of a time and who he clearly still has some kind kf feelings for) when it comes to Jayce it’s always Viktor and Mel literally one after the other. When Jayne hallucinates into the fire it’s Mel that morphs into Viktor. Like that brings to mind such a specific connotation.

Like I’m not a die hard Jay Vik honestly think they should just be a threesome with Mel. But like why are people acting so suprised? Why are the creators acting surprised that people see them romantically? Like y’all are the ones that did that! Nobody made you do that!😭😭. If you wanted their relationship to feel more brotherly then the people they should have contrasted them with is Jinx and Vi. Like I know narratively they mirror each other but imagery wise it’s not there. Like they did this with Silco and Vander they damn well could have done it with a Jayce and Viktor if they wanted but no they choose to contrast Viktor with Mel…… and you’re suprised by the ship?

[purpleshimmer]

ACT II THOUGHTS - MAJOR SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

Episode 4

JINX AND ISHA ARE SOOO CUTEEEEE

Girl go to your rally…..

Singed what are you doing here

I love all the Jinx outfits + hair everyone is doing

ISHA AND SINGED AWW

The Warwick sequence is so so cool wow

YOU CAN SEE HER BLUE HAIR THAT HELMET IS HARDLY DOING ANYTHING THIS IS STRESSING ME OUT

Star Wars ass prison break in

Oooo the Jinx and Warwick fight scene is dope

“POWDER” I’M GOING TO CRY

Episode 5

Jinx and Vi teamup YAYYYY

Caitlyn looks so fine in that cape 

I’m crying this Caitlyn and Singed interrogation is literally the soyjack vs chad meme

MEL NOOOOO

KINO?????????

Aww :(

Vi looks so good hello

Noooo Singed don’t do it

He’s planning something; there's no way he’s actually teaming up with her. Right.

SINGED’S DAUGHTER? YOUNG SILCO? THERE’S SO MUCH HAPPENING 

What.What are they implying here. Guys if they’re actually going to prove the “Mel is pregnant” theory right I’m going to sell all my Arcane merch and rate the season 0 stars

Where was Singed getting the funding to do all this 

Caitlyn is actually making me mad this season man

You’re telling me Kino was in this prison with literally nothing to do for like 20-30 years and never realized there was a puzzle on the wall, but Mel went in there and found out in like 5 minutes😭

Of course it wasn’t her brother I’m stupid actually.

“Sister??” What is going on I do not like this Black Rose plotline I’m sorry there’s too much going on

VANDER AND SILCO FLASHBACK YAY

HELP SILCO’S REACTION

Old Silco was fine as hell but so is younger Silco like woah

And now I’m crying again!

JAYCE WITH BEARD JAYCE WITH BEARD JAYCE

Huh. How is Viktor speaking through Salo what

Once again….this is too muchhhh I need to make a separate post about this bc it’s really bothering me 

JAYCE WHAT THE HELL😭

Episode 6

Dude what is thisss stop

I don’t like this.

He never gave a fuck about Sky before why is she suddenly such a big part of his motivations and talking to him now. I know he feels bad about accidentally killing her but why are they besties now what

I don’t like this space thing at all it’s too weird I’m sorry

Mfw the show called “Arcane” has magic in it I guess: 😠

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Isha please don’t take the gemstone lol. Isha. I’m begging you please put that down.

Guys I’m worried!

Am I just a hater or is anyone else getting pissed off at the wacky hextech speaking-to-people-in-their-minds thing

AND I'M SORRY I DON’T HATE SKY BUT WHY IS SHE HERE. AM I MISSING SOMETHING

JINX AND VIKTOR TEAMUP REAL???? RARE CORRECT FAN PREDICTION HOORAY!

Actually stop with the space hextech thing it’s making me MAD 

I’m sorry I don’t mean to complain so much I love this show but I actually cannot stand this please forgive me

IT JUST FEELS SO CORNY

Ooo I like this watercolor animation

Singed whyyyy 

OKAYYYY CAITLYN 

Jayce are you good buddy….?

JAYCE NO!

Am I stupid why did he kill him….is it just because he thought he went to far with Hextech and the crazy hallucinations he was having? That can’t be it? Did he not mean to kill him? I am so lost rn 

VANDER :(

The music that played in s1e3 when he fought Silco in the cannery :(

I KNEW ISHA WAS GOING TO DIE BUT THAT WAS SO SAD 

[kurthummeldeservesbetter]

the way there are so many parallels in arcane like this is insane cause so far I can think of:

Jinx-Vi/Viktor-Jayce: Codependency and it's destructions, with both not being able to move on (Vi not being able to let Powder go, Jayce unwilling to let Viktor die) and it's effects in turn (Attack on the council, Viktor becoming the herald) so it becomes codependency that has two ends; people who are able to learn to live without the other, and two people who cannot. Separation is how Jinx and Vi can both live, but separation is what causes Jayce's and Viktor's destructions.

Jinx-Vi: Healing and moving on. Both take extreme destructive paths at the idea of the loss: Jinx takes Silco as an adoptive father that only fuels her worst traits, and Vi is unable to let go of the idea of Powder. They try to kill the other because at this point, it's preventing them from healing, but neither can really go through with it. It takes the loss of another family member (new with Isha, old with Vander) for them to finally reconnect and heal, and move on.

Jinx-Viktor/Silco-Jayce: What "saving" a life that is almost gone (or gone, depending on if you believe Viktor did die in the explosion or he was close to death). Both Jayce and Silco take extreme measures (Shimmer, the Hexcore) to save their loved ones and it changes them permanently, as well as starting the path to destruction. (Both also remind their loved ones of their "perfection" in their last moments together.)

Mel-Viktor: Magic being "forced" upon them, with all it's benefits and dangers, it's lasting effects due to the choices by a loved one. For Mel, she is able to resist it's overwhelming capabilities, and take back her personhood, but Viktor is unable and is overwhelmed by the arcane and what it can do. Magic that can save vs Magic that can destroy.

Singed-Heimerdinger: Action vs Inaction: even joking that all of Singed actions cause all the problems in Arcane, it's not wrong. Singed never stops experimenting, changing, searching for all the answers, but Heimerdinger's inactions also cause all the problems; having lived more than anyone else on the council and doing nothing to help Zaun, refusing to offer explanations as to why the arcane is bad to Viktor and Jayce. Heimerdinger's inactions are just as destructive as Singed' actions.

Jinx-Viktor: genius that comes both unchecked by their loved ones (Silco not really caring about Jinx's death toll and destruction that follows her, Jayce ignoring the warning signs of the hexcore being destructive because it could save Viktor) which results in their own destruction, hallucinations (any of Jinx's, Sky for Viktor, just general being haunted by people who's death you caused). Letting go of their pasts/choices in order to save their loved ones (only difference being is that Jayce is given the choice to stay and he chooses to stay, Jinx does not give Vi that choice).

Silco-Vander: probably the most clear and spelled out by the show, "anything as undoing as a daughter". Is willing to give it all up to save their daughter(s). Is killed by their daughter(s) but still thinks of them with love in their last moments. Wanting what's best for Zaun (though Silco....makes interesting choices on that regard).

Ekko-Vi: willingness to let go of a loved one when presented with the choice. Ekko, despite getting to experience what is possibly the best world for him, makes the sacrifice to leave for the better of others very quickly. It takes Vi a longer time (respectfully because they are sisters) to let the idea of Powder go, and it takes the choice itself being taken away from her (Jinx's supposed death) for her to let go. (I fully believe had she been trust into a similar universe where everyone was alive and well she'd never leave, and I don't blame her).

Vi-Caitlyn/Viktor-Jayce: Pretty easy: A Zaun/Piltover pairing. Both almost instantly click and are sent through the ringer when it comes to action/emotion. Both have moments where one is ignorant (unintentionally in the 1st season) about the other's birthplace (Caitlyn being ignorant about enforcers, Jayce's comment on the bridge). The other partner in the "break up" head back to their birthplace and try for a new life. Both deeply love each other they aren't able to let go of the other; for Caitlyn, she's able to provide support in Vi's grief and is rewarded with never losing her again, and Jayce's love for Viktor is able to save the world and return his partner to him.

Mel-Caitlyn: Understandings of war/grief and destruction. Having grown up around war, Mel understands the need for peace more than anyone, and tries to make the decisions (even in grief of loss for her brother, and her anger at her mother) that will result in peace and the least amount of destruction, but since Caitlyn grew up well-guarded from violence and destruction, her grief consumes her and sets her on a path of violence and destruction. (Thankfully Cait is able to come back from this).

Viktor-Jayce: In the end, these two are are a braided bracelet of fate, no matter how you view their relationship. No one believed in them but each other. No one understands their choices, their wants, their desires and intelligence but each other. Because of this, as well as the two other main people they talk to continuing to support their destructive path (Mel for their whole ideals for Hextech, being their main driving force to continue creating and supporting Jayce in the council room, and Singed encouraging Viktor to keep testing on himself and go deeper "the mutation must survive" with a destructive path). Both come to learn of the damage their creations cause, a little too late, but are able to save the world just in time with joint sacrifice. Hell, both admit their main desire (world "peace", giving magic to the world) doesn't matter if the other isn't there with them.

[sinfiltrate]

Act 3 spoilers. (pt 2)

JAYCE TIME!!! I love that man and I NEED to talk about him.

Again, I'm gonna start with what I'm happy about.

I enjoy how they demonstrated his ingenuity and perseverance in episode 7. Making a leg brace out of his hammer? Eating whatever animals came through that cave? Being able to tolerate those beings that watched his every move without going completely insane? It was amazing to see someone who was previously suicidal fight so hard to live.

I was pleasantly surprised with how he could still be considerate after everything that happened to him. He hadn't let that experience erase his former self entirely, his kindness was still able to pull through, which is just another example of his tenacity.

The development of his relationship with Viktor. It was beautiful seeing Jayce admit that he admired Viktor all along, and his imperfections even more so. All of you who ever thought the opposite of him BE ASHAMED. He loved Viktor so much, and after everything, finally realized that Viktor should've been his top priority because he's what he cared about this whole time.

Jayce looked absolutely gorgeous in this act, as expected, THANK YOU.

Now, what I'm mostly just disappointed by.

The lack of attention paid to his hallucinations. There was one more in episode 8 and that was it. I guess I was just expecting more of that, considering how frequent it was in episode 5 and 6. I really wanted them to explore his trauma. Surviving for what seems to be months in an abandoned part of the world that you took part in destroying, unintentionally or not, can do A LOT to someone's head, especially someone like Jayce, who had once been so naive to and inexperienced with suffering. He was NOT privileged, mind you, but he was raised in Piltover, a city built on peace and wealth.

The ending Jayce received was, to me at least, underwhelming. It's a win for JayVik fans, but it is NOT a win for Jayce Talis fans (or just me idk man IM UNSATISFIED). I feel like it really undermines Jayce as a character, revealing that his entire life begins and ends with Viktor since he is the mage he met as a kid. It makes it seem that Jayce was simply a pawn in Viktor's story, like nothing he did ever actually meant anything because no matter what, he was going to drop it all for Viktor. Endearing in a romantic aspect, yes, but disappointing in every other. I really wanted more for him. I would've honestly preferred it if the mage wasn't Viktor, rather some other league character that could become a bigger part of the next series they're making. Having it be Viktor makes the world seem so small.

The build-up of him during episode 9 was ultimately unnecessary. He didn't even fight in the war, let alone fight Viktor while in his Machine Herald form. He just ended up talking to him with a "this isn't you" type beat and then proceeded to warp out of existence with Viktor. NOT DEAD... btw.. he's alive and well just on another astral plane don't get it twisted. I understand that they're soulmates destined to meet each other in every universe, but I didn't expect such a happy ending for them. I WANTED A BOSS FIGHT WITH SPIT BLOOD AND TEARS

Also, I feel like there was no true explanation as to why the gemstone had to be imbedded in Jayce's wrist? Was it simply so he could carry it into wherever Viktor was? For me, I genuinely thought it would give Jayce some type of control over magic, unlock his inner arcane or SOMETHING. The way Viktor said Jayce had too touched the arcane made me think that's exactly what was going to happen, like Jayce was going to unlock his connection to magic through the stone literally being inside him. It could've been an explanation as to why magic fascinates him so much, he just needed a link to it, straight from the source to realize his full potential. I'm honestly sad that they didn't delve deeper into that. Him and Mel would've been so powerful together. SOMEONE MAKE A FIC OF JAYCE BEING A MAGE PLEEEASE IT WOULD BE SOOOO COOL CMON GUYS

Back to episode 7, I also expected Jayce to fight those things he saw while in the other dimension. It would've been fascinating to see how severely they affected his mental state, considering they were literally breathing down his neck the entire time he was there. I would've liked to see him one day just snap and dismantle one of those things. Seeing how they weren't violent upon his arrival, I doubt they'd fight back, and he'd just take out all his rage and sadness and guilt on them. It would explain why he was so unfazed when he killed salo; both because he knows it isn't truly him and he's already killed so many, it no longer has an effect. And it might've given him more battle IQ, using them as test dummies and learning how to defend himself. That would've been a cool segment of his time spent there. There just wasn't enough time to go that deep.

In conclusion, they could've made him so much cooler, just saying. But seriously, I think I expected too much out of this act, and the second season in general. And I love Jayce, the end.

[stealerofthe2ndbraincell]

ARCANE ACT 3

LIVEBLOG TIME! 🎉🎉

(Once again, more like a reaction then a live blog but sssh)

S2 Ep8: Killing Is A Cycle

Mel in the Ebenezer Scrooge chains again (I know it was Jacob Marley that was in the chains throughout but still) :(

THIS TRANSFORMATION IS SO COOL.

Would be a bit cooler if she wasn't screaming bloody murder throughout but I get it.

They really took some of the excellent bits of her design and decided to really lean into them more for this.

I kind of wish the internet hadn't fucked over the word "empath" cause that made me giggle.

We can't see the sorceress from here but is she meant to resemble the girl from Mel's backstory?

I need to stop pausing to say this immediately before it happens.

Okay so it isn't her, duly noted. I would suck in a fight against this thing.

Did it really say "yeah you're cool but you can still be stabbed, so how powerful are you actually 🙄🙄".

Calamity and Red seem to be associated strongly cause I immediately thought of Breath of the Wild.

I'm living for this backstory.

She must be so cold.

It's all coming back :((

OH SHIT VIKTOR'S IN THE ORB NOW.

God. That's terrifying. Viktor is suddenly extremely terrifying to me.

I'm surprised Ambessa isn't remotely surprised at him mentioning Jayce. He was probably missing for months at this point.

"I will evolve all those willing" so everyone? Everyone in your cult, Viktor? Because they're a literal hivemind so I doubt he'd have much problem.

VI I MISSED YOU.

YOU DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE THAT ISHA FLASHBACK OMG:((

Why does it look like a pokeball? That's so distracting lol

God Maddie is failing across the board, it's embarrassing, girl...

This argument between Cait and Vi was so deserved to be honest.

Maddie is probably hearing all of this...

I never considered Jinx would surrender.

Is Jinx not eating?

Damn what if you just punched me in the gut wow...

Her nails bleeding HURT me so much

"no amount of good deeds can undo OUR crimes" I'm so interested in the "our" from Caitlyn....

Jayce, love ya, but I am not on your side in this argument.

Although, Mel I think calling him and Viktor a "wise investment" in this moment is probably not the move either but still

I was slightly concerned that Jayce's flashbacks (? Would that be the right term for these) would stop once Viktor was "killed". Apparently not.

I'm happy for this turnabout.

I thought in Act 2 he reminded me of S1 Jinx and I'm pushing with that idea now.

Oh nevermind. He almost shot Viktor again.

I know it is very likely one of his followers and not actually Viktor, but damn that robot waist line lmao

Poor Mel probably has very little clue what's going on right now.

I'm distracted by Jayce's design tbh. The black and red colour scheme is sooo nice on his new look.

....

...Well that caught me off guard...

He STILL wants Jayce to be his partner WHAT :'(

"My partner died in this room." OUCH

MEL, MY GIRL!!! 👏👏👏👏

I want to be more enthusiastic for her, but she looks borderline in pain whenever she uses her magic so far :((

WHY ARE YOU PURPLE, JAYCE??

WAIT SO WAS VIKTOR WAITING TO SEE IF JAYCE WOULD JOIN HIM BEFORE STARTING THE EVOLUTION?

After last episode I legitimately, for a second, thought Silco was still alive.

He's not a nice person at all obviously, but in Jinx's hallucination he seems to sound harsher to her?

I did not need to see her spit that out up close.

Wait. It actively fell from her mouth where is it?

O W

I AM SO SCARED, JINX. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO "BREAK THE CYCLE"

Is there a reason Mel needs to wear the cloak?

"You will never be a passenger". Listen , I was actually hoping for more from my Jayce and Mel interactions. Both scenes they feel very off-kilter and standoffish of each other. A lot more tense then before (for understandable reasons considering what they both just went through) that I was hoping would start to heal.... but has'nt. However, that line hit.

I am obsessed with the designs of these background characters.

Am I missing something? Who is that playing that random piano??

I feel bad. I don't recognise him.

This entire sequence hurts.

OH. Wait I think I get the inclusion of the piano man. I hope I do otherwise I've just completely forgotten a character lol

[modernmessydisaster]

Pre-Arcane S2 Act 3 Thoughts

Here I am again! Here are my predictions for Act 3! Just making them quick since I had a very very long day!

Was gonna post this yesterday, but I fell asleep! So posting it on the morning of!

EP 7 or EP 8

This has to be the episode about what happened to Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger! Hopefully, it will be a split focus on Jayce & Ekko.

Jayce, in the future, seeing the horrors of Viktor's cult. Surviving and finding a way back or someone/something sent him back. Maybe it was Viktor? Or what was left of Viktor after being possessed by the Void/Hexcore? Maybe future Viktor was the one to ask Jayce to kill him. (Not my ship, but love the doomed yaoi they are)

Ekko & Heimerdinger are in the past, maybe they see the Rune Wars? ( I do not know the game lore) or they could be in the future with Jayce but at different locations, but I doubt it.

Maybe a few glimpses of Mel & the Black Rose? Maybe the apocalyptic future involves Noxus & Black Rose?

Episode ending with Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger going back to the present. Maybe even Jayce's POV of EP 6

(Almost forgot, I wanna say alternate realities? Dictator Jayce possessing Our Jayce!? Since ya know the Multiverse is all the rage these days)

■■■

EP 8

This is the episode of the aftermath of Ep 6. Beginning with Vi & Caitlyn, probably another time skip? Vi & Cait repairing their relationship. There are probably still some fights, but they eventually make up.

BUT, they got alot on their plate. Jayce is not OK. Ambessa has made her base in Zaun? And is planning an attack on Piltover. Probably even tried to get Jayce on her side, that did not work. (Dictator Jayce, lol imagine)

Maybe even Jinx's fate, as in Vi telling Cait that killing Jinx won't bring back her mother. That Jinx isn't the monster Cait has made her out to be. CAITVI SEX!? :D

The effects of Ambessa using Zaun as a base. The people of Zaun losing hope in Jinx, she's even more absent. And with Noxus soldiers everywhere, they are quickly losing hope. UNTIL FINALLY, they listen to Sevika. She rallies the people of Zaun not to fight for a person, Vander, Silco, or Jinx but for themselves! Revolutionary Leader Sevika! Maybe wearing Silco's jacket?

The episode ending with Jinx. How she's taken over the Last Drop and how cold & dead it has become. We see Jinx at her lowest, the return of the hallucinations. Them bigger & louder. Maybe she's even wearing Slico's jacket, old or young. Still hoping for Supportive Slico Hallucination!

Jinx is on the brink of ending it all, Vi probably tried talking to her about helping the fight against Ambessa, probably Sevika too. Which Jinx rejected. (Maybe that's why Sevika tries again to rally the people by herself again) Jinx probably has planned to burn down the Last Drop and herself with it. But either Silco or Isha hallucination stops her. IDK, how Jinx gets out of her grief, maybe Vi? Remembering Isha wanted her to be a hero, maybe thinking dying as one is the best way. MAYBE EKKO BRINGS HER OUT OF IT?

Either way, Jinx does her makeover, cutting her hair, new outfit. She gets ready to fight one last time. Burning down the Last Drop and saying she'll meet them soon (Silco & Isha)

□□□

EP 8

The big fight! All the storyline together! Jinx & Sevika with the people of Zaun. Cait & Vi with the Enforcers. Ekko and his fireflies.

As we saw in the trailer, Noxus soldiers injected with Shimmer and probably Vander's Blood? Either way, our heros win!

Honestly, I don't know how this is going to go. Just that Jinx doesn't die, again. She hates that she can't die, maybe Janna even appears to Jinx in a vision? Either way, Jinx finds a reason to live again but decides she's done with Zaun & Piltover and says bye to Vi & Ekko jumping through her own made HexPortal.

Jayce & Viktor having a fight, probably a conversation between Viktor & Heimerdinger? Either way, Jayce & Viktor fight inside their lab and destroy everything. We get flashbacks to when they were younger, working together on projects. When they were still friends & partners.

Maybe even Viktor also leaves Piltover & Zaun?

IDK IDK

□□□

Quick thoughts that I wasn't sure where to put:

Vander/Warwick is alive but being used by Singed to juice up the Noxus Soldiers. Probably more Warwick than Vander, Vi & Jinx think he's dead.

A new council for Piltover & Zaun, Cait, Vi, Ekko, Sevika, Heimerdinger? As possible chairs

Mel is back in EP 7 or 8, again. She awakened her powers. I'm still on that she's Death Champion or something similar. Also her & Jayce kinda break up or not?

Ambessa dying, the Black Rose did it. It's probably during the last battle. Mel also leaves, going to Noxus and becoming the head of her family, Medarda Clan. Planning her own battle against them.

Singed going back go Zaun and curing Orianna? Making her into the champion we see in League?

ONE LAST JINX & VIKTOR MEETING, saw a theory of Jinx helping cocoon Viktor, and probably not but I CAN DREAM

Jayce meeting the mage who saved him as a child again, Ryze? Viktor? Maybe Jayce himself!?

Maybe ship confirmations? Ekko/Jinx? Jayce/Viktor? Truthfully, I don't care for either but hey it would be a win for their fans, and we need any win in these dark times

Ok that's it, I can't wait anymore. I gotta go watch Act 3 now! Ahhhhhh, me after I watch Act 3:

PLEASE LET JINX BE OK, SHES MY FAV SO SHE HAS TO HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A HAPPY ENDING

THE SAME FOR VIKTOR

[applebuttercringe]

Arcane episode 8 immediate thoughts

-NGL this is not the direction I thought Mel was going in.

-cool that she is a magical girl though, and made of gold.

-oh it’s the girl her mom killed.

-Mel’s outfit is very fan service

-Leblanc

-this is a lot to introduce in the second to last episode

-Well that didn’t take a lot of convincing…

-Richters funeral

-Time for Viktors T-shot

-Is Ambessa gonna lecture him into living?

-Viktor Machine Herald voice!

-No Viktor you are anti war.

-Oh, so Sky is her own will, disturbed by his actions.

-Do we not see Caitlyn’s reaction to Jayce.

-Ah she thought Loris was Vander

-Caitlyn’s haircut is hot.

-Is she still with Maddie?

-Maddie knows she is about to be cheated on

-Jinx isn’t eating, she is suicidal.

-the hair down

-The Jinx pain train is brutal, this is a lot even for Arcane.

-The Jayce Mel reunion?

-If Mel is untwined with the Arcane then Jayce’s mission will be to end her as well.

-Excuse me what?

-Viktor achieved the ultimate tenderness form? Mannequin.

-Why not come as Huck?

-Well, the Polycule is back together again. This time it is a three way breakup.

-Mel knows how to do the magic at will now?

-Why not explain what you saw? It might not change anything, but he didn’t even try.

-Viktor wants his evil BF back

-Aw man. Villain Viktor. That idea sucks.

-Once again Jayce rushes to Mel lol.

-Is Viktor gonna get broken up with on the astral plane?

-Jinx is finally hearing and seeing Silco hallucinations.

-Killing is a cycle and yet in Ep 7 Vi dying ended the cycle and healed its wound?

-Doesn’t the metaphor not work for Zaun? How do they walk away. They are trapped in the mines working forced labor and banned from Piltover institutions. Is the moral to become passive? Cease to care? How do you forgive and walk away when the crimes are ongoing and inescapable?

-The hug is good

-IS JINX GOMNA KILL HERSELF?

-That’s her resolution?

-Jayce’s self made leg brace perfectly fixing his untreated wound is bullshit.

-The shoulder armor is a CHOICE Jayce.

-How did he manage to get them together? They hate each other? His proposals for peace don’t work but he can get them talking and civil from off screen? Arcane is really abandoning the Zaun v Piltover thing. Like, straight up pretending it was never happening.

-Caitlyn gasses these people like a month ago.

-Yeah, start treating the Undercity as people so you can draft them. Whatever.

-Why the emphasis on the pianist

-I knew they were gonna abandon it but this is unreal to watch.

-Sassing your gf during her mental breakdown is insane

-Caitvi sex scene in a prison cell lol

-Maybe care that this is cheating

-Freaky~

-Damn

-The Tumblrinas are gonna love this

-The Medea’s scene is good

-She can touch embers with her bare hands

-Ambessa you’ve been trying to use Hextech for magic, TF do you mean you hate magic.

-Is there a delay on Viktor saying stuff and the clones saying it? Cause that happened a while ago.

-The song. So this was real Sky all along. She just really wanted him to use the Arcane this way. If this was the intention she should have had more S1 screentime to build up their relationship.

-He is letting them kill her again

-He’s gonna become Warwick?! That is a twist

-EW THE FEET SHOT

-He’s kindred? It isn’t a mask? It’s his head?

Ok so thought: This is a fumble for me. It feels like they are abandoning all the pre established plot and just rewriting the characters into new plots and then rushing those new plots to hell and back. They aren’t finishing what they started. The Jinx pain train is disappointing. Like, more Jinx being self loathing and suicidal, cool. Likely she will have a turn around in this last episode but. IDK. Did I like the time I spent with Arcane? Yes. Is it peak anymore? No. Sorry.

[mystic-orb88]

ARCANE SEASON 2, ACT 3 SPOILERS:

Stop. Now.

Can I just say Ekko is the most perfect and flawless character ever created and now I wish he and Viktor and Jinx could have all met somehow and done cool science stuff together. But this frame here genuinely makes me so sad. I’m crushed. But also, I like when conflicting circumstances tear characters apart, to me. I like the tragedy. So I’m glad in our Ekko’s universe, they didn’t stay together. It would be so out-of-character for my girl Jinx.

Also I like that it wasn’t just a boring fan-service episode. It proved a point, and we also had Jayce’s fun adventures in Nightmarefuelworld. ANDD THE Z-DRIVE, WOOOOOO!!!!

Jinx was already perfect, but so is Powder.

I’ve always hated romance, whether it was real life, or cinema. But this scene was incredible. I love them so goddamn much. Actually sickens me. They are everything to me.

Him smiling back at her the same way Jinx did after their fight on the Bridge. How dare you, Fortiche??

Jinx’s reflection in place of this world’s Powder’s.

Viktor and Jayce’s fight scene and…. Whatever that ending was, was gayer and more erotic than anything Violyn could fathom. Sorry guys. What the Hell was he doing cupping his face like that, wrapping his legs around him, faces mere centimetres away, all without actually being physically there but also exploding together in the astral plane?? The way he said ‘As partners’?? Likeeee, I ain’t never seen hand-to-hand combat like that. Look at these soulmates. Just as a platonic relationship I love it, and it’s wayyyy gayer than anything else. He chose dying with his space boyfriend over the insanely gorgeous Mel, who also got a fabulous glow up, is undoubtedly the hottest character in the show, ANDDDD has OP Arcane talents. Bravo Jayce, you simultaneously fumbled and won and disintegrated into nothing with your astronomical lab ‘partner’. Singed was right- One does unspeakable acts for love.

We got Viktor in Mel’s eyeshadow before G.T.A.6.. Slay my King. Thank you for your pretty little hallucinations, Jayce.

Alsoo, let us pay respects to this fine Yordle who waited over 100 years for Ekko, sure can sing, and sacrificed himself so that Ekko could get back to his right world.

I’m glad that at least ONE of my favourite characters had a happy ending. Singed wasn’t the most ethical scientist, but he sure is a Hell of a father for doing all that.

Sevika in the Council. She finally beat Silco’s corrupt underground empire and overcame the oppression Vander faced. She finally understood how he felt when she betrayed him, after the Zaunites wouldn’t listen to her, and now she can do something about it. So happy for her. She deserves it. The true leader of Zaun, everyone.

Alsoo, I’m a strong believer in the ‘Jinx is alive theory.

More critically however, I think there were too many needle drops (however good they were), the pacing was pretty rushed compared to Season One which was pure perfection, and I wish we got something more similar to League Viktor, because now Only-Arcane fans will not understand the true meaning of Glorious Evolution. I think Viktor’s character arc was over-simplified and I just feel empty about it. Kinda disappointed. He means so much to me. But damnnnn Jayce got validated as HELLLL. No complaints there. I hate him in League but always liked him in Arcane up till episode 6. Bro was just an idealist. Also their ending was ambiguous did they die together or just remain in the astral plane, forever integrated within the arcane. If Singed could save Orianna, can’t he find their corpses somewhere and save them?? I need cyborg Viktor. I wish we had the adventures of Blitzcrank and his cyborg father. I’m also bothered by that continuity error about Vander’s betrayal and when exactly it takes place. Also don’t like what they did with Silco’s character, in Ekko’s alternate world AND in the original world, because how could he just forgive Vander like that after all the hate he was always full of?? I’m sure there’s an explanation, but they didn’t have enough time to go into it.

This is the actual best show I have ever seen personally. Thanks for the stunning writing, flawless art-style, loveable characters and impeccable queer/disabled/POC representation. No other show has ever moved me so much. I hope Fortiche continues to make more series like this in the future. I love Runeterra and its Lore so much.

[clonerightsagenda]

Arcane S2E5

Oh hey it's the guy whose jaw Vi broke last season. He's got a metal jaw now. I relate to him.

Vi looks like she's doing awesome. Of course living in the underground she's constantly bombarded by either people cosplaying her sister or her ex establishing military law.

Are these drunken hallucinations, or does Vi also have elements of her sister's psychosis, and she just wasn't under the right kind of stressors to bring it out before?

Oh man Mel your skin has gone so ashy, have you been in a coma with no lotion for the entirety of the timeskip

What exactly did the doctor do to Jinx to save her life? She's corpse pale, and I don't like the look of those veins around her eyes. Did she die?

Journey into the transgender cave (trans flag walls)

Sibling behavior

Singed and Hilbert should hang out

That's… not really her brother is it

Nice, Mel caught on quick and immediately went for the kill, she internalized at least a little bit of being mommy's little monster. Not everyone could immediately smash the head of someone who looks like their brother

Oh hey, Mel has magic powers? Iirc she wasn't a LoL character pre-show so I figured she'd be normal

Unrelated but having rewatched s1 where Jinx was driven to a jealous frenzy over Caitlyn and Vi standing next to each other I'm surprised she threw in that "I hope you at least got to have gay sex before I kill you <3" comment. You'd think she'd be in more of a love loses mood.

Oh god I can only imagine how many people are now thirsting over scarless young Silco. Young Vander on the other hand is objectively a downgrade imo

Not sure how I feel about Vander and Silco knowing Vi and Jinx's mom beforehand. I kind of liked them just picking up random kids off the street rather than doing it because 'hey I know that kid'. Vander in the spirit of community mutual support, Silco because he has problems

Appreciate that Warwick comes with color coded mood signifiers

I'm sure this one moment of the sisters happily hugging their werewolf zombie dad is the last hope spot for the next 4 episodes. Since I just read Anne Carson's Antigone and it is On My Mind I'm thinking about the chorus while all the characters rush offscreen hoping to make it in time to stop the tragedy (they won't. it's a tragedy. they were all doomed from the beginning) going "we're still here, we're all fine, we're standing in the nick of time"

Aaaaaaand nick over, we are now in the industrial chamber of doom

Oh hey when the transgender furry mentioned a good doctor I thought she meant Singed, not Viktor. Well, enjoy your new legs I guess, elf council guy. Possibly evil legs? Because all prosthetics in this show are Sinister except Jayce's mom's fingers. Actually Jinx's finger is fine. You heard it here folks: fingers! the one body mod the showrunners don't think is too scary

Jayce is back from the shadow realm. Is he… glitching?

Jayce what the fuck man

Wait if Jayce was in some weird nightmare dimension that he just popped out of was he... in.... hammerspace........... (I'll see myself out)

[echo-of-the-eye]

Arcane season 2 arc 3 live thoughts:

SPOILERS

• Damn the timebomb shippers are being fed tonight. Gotta admit I never really saw it but I think I get it now. They’re cute.

• Time travel and alternate dimensions is. Interesting? Not what I was expecting exactly but I don’t mind (well the time travel I kinda expected. I don’t know shit about lol but I’ve heard people say that’s part of ekko’s powers). It can be kinda an overdone trope but I think they did it really well.

• Alt powder is interesting. Find it hard to believe that she’s this.. stable? Even if she lived a much better life she still lost vi in a very traumatic accident that was TECHNICALLY her fault. And I think it’s been implied that she was predisposed to mental illness even as a child. That said she might still be having hallucinations but is just better at coping with them. It was sweet to see her happy though even if she was barely recognizable (which I guess is kinda the point)

• Also alt powder looks like Melanie king (as much as you can look like a character with no canon design, but you know what I mean)

• Was there? Something between mylo and claggor?? I swear they shared a look.

• Heimerdinger no! (Jk I don’t really care about him, he was fun I guess. And he can sing!?)

• The apocalyptic timeline was scary as hell. Jayce had it ROUGH. His actions are pretty understandable now. Still not quite out of the question mark zone.

• MEL!?!!!!

• Viktor is alive! Good for me. Probably terrible for everyone else.

• Oh. Oh Viktor. Noo….. oh he’s so problematic now.

• Oh jinx:(((( my heart

• VIKTOR!!?!! Oh god he’s gonna be the main antagonist isn’t he? I was afraid this would happen. “My partner died in this room” AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH yeah he did. That’s not Viktor anymore:( He’s an extension of the arcane.

• God my feelings about him are so complicated. He is so so wrong. But I stand by my cancelled wife.

• Ok they’re not allowed to do this to me. Jinx I love you.

• Pfft. Jayce’s outfit looks ridiculous.

• Oh topside and bottom coming together

• CAITVI LETS GOOOOO!

• In a prison cell? Really?

• Vander:(

• Oh god Viktor. I didn’t think it could get worse. I’m guessing this is what the lol fans have been talking about. I’m kinda sad honestly. Viktor is my second favorite (after jinx) and even though everyone in the show is morally gray (except maybe ekko) it still hurts to see a character I love basically become a villain. Like it’s a good story and arc, but still sad to see. Especially cause I wasn’t expecting it going into s2. I guess I can kinda comfort myself with the fact that it basically isn’t him anymore. It’s easier to accept that he’s dead and what we’re seeing is not him (which is what Jayce did) but at what point do we stop being ourselves?

• Alright final episode, let’s see how it goes.

• Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck starting of strong I see! Jiiinnxxxx!!! My girl:(

• Nooo Vi’s friend is dead:(

• MADDIE??!?!!!!??!!?!!!???! I FUCKING KNEW SHE WAS TERRIBLE!!! Guess she didn’t take the breakup well (jk I’m guessing she was with ambessa the whole time)

• HELL YEAH!!! JINX AND EKKO LETS GO!

• Gotta admit I’m not the biggest fan of jinx’s new look

• Ah fate vs free will. The good ole question. Love that shit. (Viktor are you secretly with The Web?)

• Hell yeah Mel!

• Ekko to the rescue! Truly the boy savior.

• Omgogmgmmtogmgmtmshhahajak

• I. Do not have the words. I’m a sobbing mess.

• Viktor’s still in there! DOOMED YAOI! They’re almost as good as jmart (though nothing could ever live up to them). Good shit. I am now fully on board the jayvik train. I love them so much! Gay love couldn’t save them but at least it could bring Viktor back to clarity for a moment. ALSO I FUCKING CALLED IT ON VIKTOR BEING TGE WIZARD!! I didn’t say anything cause either thought I was being stupid but when I first saw him in ep7 I thought it was Viktor at first and then got the feeling it was him before he sent Jayce back! There had to be a reason they were dressed so similar! The time travel is kinda fucking with me but damn. Viktor is the one who saved Jayce!

• Jinx;-; heartbreaking but it felt like a fitting end for her. Going out with the monkey bomb, taking Vander with her.

• They fucking killed both of my faves! At least vi and ekko are okay

• God that was so fucking good. Was kinda concerned at first, the battle was awesome but wasn’t really feeling the emotions. Jokes on me cause the emotions definitely hit me

[mira-k]

ARCANE 2 SEASON 1 EPISODE COMMENTARY

I'm so excited to finally finish rewatching the first season and catch up with everyone, so LET'S GO

Well, for those who haven't watched yet WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!

///

It was a direct shot, what do you mean they're alive and well???

///

Why do MEL'S MUM get to command? She is noone in this city

///

Subtle foreshadowing with Viktor lying and Jayce running with him, in his hands... I like it

/// I thought one explosion would be enough, Hexcore had other plans

/// I'm hallucinating, or do they change the opening song's melody to make it more dramatic?

///

I like this new character design more

///

I hate how carelessly he's talking about war. It is so easy to be above all the real action

///

I don't like her, but she's right in this one

///

We love girls who stay by their principles

///

Can we appreciate the beauty of this shot (before everything shatters)?

///

You ask her to betray the whole city of people and join the force that killed her parents, you simply don't understand the weight of this decision

///

Bro, I don't understand either, but I doubt we get an answer

///

This maximalism and false heroism.. boy, you're annoying

///

IT WAS SAID DELIBERATELY i don't know whose scheme that is but they deff know what they're doing

///

Undercity dwellers prepared to attack so fast... How many days has it been?

///

What the hell are you doing here? Are you preventive military aid? Cause you have your own country to rule and your own son to seek revenge for

///

Do you understand that it is impossible after all they did?

///

SHE FINALLY UNDERSTOOD

///

That same attitude she did have towards Powder, I guess it's Vi's love language

///

THAT WAS SO HOT i almost melted in my chair

///

Dream team

///

Didn't pay much attention to it in the first season, but it looks to me like soviet propaganda posters and I hate it