Arcane Season 2 Act I kicks off with an explosive start, exploring grief, loss, and blurred morality, showing that there is no one pure villain.
Season 2 of Arcane, the League of Legends (LoL) animated Netflix series, has finally arrived, and Act I opens with a powerful return to the simmering tensions between Piltover and Zaun. Picking up right where Season 1’s explosive finale left off, it dives deep into the heart of grief, regret, and moral conflict in ways that grip you right from the start.
Act I doesn’t waste a second bringing us back into the fray, plunging into Piltover and Zaun’s complex layers of grief, loss, and anger after the chaos sparked by Jinx. It hits hard emotionally, peeling through the tangled loyalties and ambitions that blur right and wrong in every scene. Questions about loyalty, power, and the “real” villain linger, making it a gripping watch. The stakes are high, the emotional depth is richer than ever, and the storytelling digs right into the conflicts that fans have waited to see unfold.
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains heavy spoilers for Arcane Season 2. If you haven't watched the latest episodes yet, go watch them first before reading our review. You have been warned.
Episode 1: Heavy is the Crown - Grief, loss, violence
The first episode couldn’t have a more fitting title. Grief and desperation haunt every frame as Jayce and Mel emerge shaken but unharmed, while the rest of the council suffers devastating losses.
Caitlyn’s mother, Cassandra Kiramman, is among the casualties along with other key council members, leaving Viktor barely clinging to life. Jayce’s first act is a desperate attempt to save his friend using the Hexcore, setting the tone for the dilemmas around technology and survival that follow.
During a memorial in Piltover, the city faces a sudden attack led by Renni, throwing citizens into chaos. The Noxians, now in Piltover, step in to subdue the assault.
This was one of Caitlyn’s biggest turning points, her grief now fuelled by anger as she takes the key. As she takes on the symbolic “crown” left by her mother, the Kiramann heirloom, a sombre version of “Heavy is the Crown” plays in the background, marking Caitlyn’s transformation.
She looked at what seemed to look like a series of blueprints through a projector, with the final scene ending with an overlay of what seemed like a black wolf, over her eyes, coming for the image in the projector of a black wolf's face in the smoke.
However, this is significant because in Runeterra, the black wolf is one of the two essences of Kindred, specifically one representing “violent death.”
Caitlyn later on storms the council, her face hardened with anger. She brings her team of enforcers, including Vi, armed with Hextech-enhanced weapons, challenging the very principles they once upheld in Season 1.
From the onset, season 1 challenges the viewer’s moral compass: is violence the answer to terror? Is war the solution to peace? Is enhanced technology progress or just another tool of terror?
Episode 2: Watch it all burn: Denial, acceptance, transformation
Episode 2, “Watch it All Burn,” centres on Jinx, who like the others has endured deep grief and loss. I honestly expected Jinx to be a major antagonist this season, yet she’s surprisingly subdued here.
Still struggling mentally after Silco’s death, Jinx begins in denial, speaking to his corpse in a delusional haze. Eventually, she reaches acceptance, releasing his body into the river. With Silco gone, Sevika urges her to step into his role. But Jinx resists, refusing to follow in his footsteps. Instead, as she retreats to grieve, she ends up accidentally saving a child from the chem barons. The child, in awe, starts following her like an idol — much like the way Powder once looked up to Silco.
We then see Jinx mourning in her old arcade hideout, where Cait, Vi, and the enforcers ambush her. Jinx escapes but soon encounters the chem barons, eager to collect the bounty on her head. Just as things turn dire, Sevika intervenes. The fight sequence that follows is incredible — a mix of guns and augmented tech, much like how you’d imagine Runeterra champions, or even its side characters, battling beyond Summoner’s Rift.
The mystery package Jinx held in the teasers? Not a body, nor Fishbones, but an upgraded, janky augmented arm for Sevika. The casino-style attacks and colourful effects add a fun visual treat as Jinx and the child, Isha, watch Sevika pummel Smeech from the sidelines. It makes me wish Sevika was an actual LoL champion — especially now with the quirky new arm Jinx gave her.
I’m fascinated by this new direction for Jinx, who was the big villain in Season 1. She’s not entirely unhinged; as she slowly comes to terms with her loss, she mellows. Yet she seems uninterested in handling Zaun’s troubles, merely watching it all burn.
The episode also shifts to Jayce and Viktor. Viktor, now partially transformed into metal, parts ways with Jayce, saying they diverged long ago, bound only by affection. It’s a moving exploration of loss.
As a LoL fan, though, I can’t help but feel this is where Viktor’s arc veers off. Now he’s magically “saving” Zaunites, filling Shimmer-afflicted areas with metal upon touch, which feels so out of sync with his game lore.
For non-LoL fans, this might be fine, but for us… What happened to Viktor’s machine-driven path to “Glorious Evolution”? Now using magic?
Viktor in LoL is all about augmenting his body bit by bit to eliminate the fragility of flesh— “A mechanized heart never misses a beat, and never falters with emotion.” Arcane’s version feels like a different character. It’ll be interesting to see if hints, like the mask he holds in the intro, bring him back to his core.
Meanwhile, Jayce reunites with Heimerdinger, who introduces Ekko as his new prodigy. This lighthearted moment is a welcome bit of comic relief in an otherwise dark episode.
Episode 2 offers plenty of emotion, action, and intrigue, though some choices may leave LoL fans puzzled. It’s a mix that asks us to trust the process — and wait to see what unfolds.
Episode 3: Finally got the name right – Consequences and revelations
Episode 3, "Finally Got the Name Right," is easily my favourite of Act I — nearly perfect in its layered revelations, character depth, and the complex portrayal of morality where no one is a pure villain just yet.
It opens with a charged exchange between Ambessa and Amara, a member of the merchant’s guild who reveals herself as more than just a trader — she’s a powerful sorceress wielding shadowy magic linked to the Black Rose. LoL fans will recognise her as LeBlanc, The Deceiver. Her presence is pivotal for the series’ trajectory, as she’s known for manipulating world leaders, particularly those of Noxus, and she leads the Black Rose, a clandestine Noxian organisation that deals in black magic.
Meanwhile, Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger investigate the reason why the tree in Ekko’s underground Zaun hideout is mysteriously becoming corrupted. Here, the theory of Wild Runes surfaces. While runes are well-known within the game, Wild Runes represent something entirely new, potentially being the source of this strange corruption. It’s a refreshing addition to the LoL universe, bringing in something distinct yet still anchored in the game’s lore.
Then, we discover that Mel was captured by LeBlanc — confirming that Ambessa’s “something precious” is indeed Mel. But what role does she play within the Black Rose? Could she also be an existing champion from the game?
And the markings on her back — what if they’re sigils rather than the Locket of the Iron Solari from the game? How did she escape the blast unscathed, and why isn’t anyone in Piltover questioning her survival?
Finally, the episode then brings us to the intense confrontation between Vi and Jinx. Vi arrives, prepared to kill Jinx, whom they believe is behind all the recent chaos. The two engage in an all-out brawl, each move carrying the weight of their shared past.
As Vi readies for a final, devastating blow, Jinx resigns herself to her death. But the child who has been trailing Jinx, Isha, intervenes and attempts to protect her. Unwilling to harm a child, Vi hesitates.
Here, Caitlyn’s ruthless side comes to light, as she’s ready to shoot despite Isha’s presence. Vi tries to stop her, and at that moment, Sevika detonates explosives, sending vibrant clouds of gas billowing throughout Piltover. This incident causes a rift between Caitlyn and Vi, with Caitlyn feeling that Vi went soft on Jinx.
After the explosions, Ambessa elevates Caitlyn to Commander Kiramman, showcasing Caitlyn’s hardened, ruthless side — with Noxian soldiers now under her command.
Episode 3 is packed with conflict, mysteries, and satisfying revelations. The emotional confrontations, shifting allegiances, and the unravelling of many secrets make it the standout episode of Act I. It's a perfect blend of tension and intrigue that leaves a lasting impression.
Overall, Act I is an explosive start to the series, showcasing beautifully drawn animation, thoughtful cinematography, and substantial character development. The musical score is flawless, with Heavy is the Crown standing out as a memorable highlight. It’s a true treat for Arcane fans, offering depth and excitement for both League of Legends players and newcomers alike.
With two more acts to come, more mysteries are set to unravel, and an equally thrilling finale awaits. Yet, as a LoL fan, I'm crossing my fingers, hoping the story stays true to each champion’s essence without veering too far from their core lore.
