REVIEW: ‘Arcane’ Season 2 Act 2 Brings Both Darkness And Light

Arcane Season 2 Act 2 from Riot Games and animation studio Fortiche sees the conflict between Piltover and Zaun worsen. Under Ambessa’s (Ellen Thomas) direction, Commander Caitlyn Kiramman (Katie Leung, Cyberpunk 2077) enforced martial law on Zaun in her continuing efforts to arrest Jinx, who has gone into hiding. Even as the political crisis deepens, unforeseen forces move across the board, bringing unexpected outcomes.

Arcane Season 2 Act 2 opens with a montage showcasing the escalating oppression of Zaun as Enforcers are seen mistreating the residents of the Under City. Over it all stands Caitlyn, looking haggard and drawn out as she struggles to locate her primary query.

Despite making it clear in later scenes that Caitlyn isn’t going near as far as some would have her in the ongoing efforts to bring Zaun to heel and locate Jinx, it’s clear that she has gone much too far nonetheless. While there are some worries from some in her inner circle about her mental state and the toll the ongoing siege is taking on her, there is far more push for more action. For the good of Piltover, of course.

This darkening of Caitlyn’s arc fits within the story’s tone, even if many fans won’t love seeing their favorite “cupcake” lose her rainbow sprinkles. The toll pain and loss can take on a person can be grievous, driving them to do things they never would’ve considered before. Fortiche’s animation clarifies how much the character struggles with every movement. The visual design of her, wearing the long coat given to her at the end of Act One, has a thinning effect on her frame whenever a long shot is used. This further gives Caitlyn a gaunt feeling to her.

Just as the opening act felt like Caitlyn’s, Arcane Season 2 Act 2 belongs largely to Jinx (Ella Purnell, Fallout). Due to the attack on Piltover that ended episode three, Jinx has become a symbol for the people of Zaun. Jinxers dye their hair blue in homage to their inspiration. When the narrative first catches up with Jinx, she is less than thrilled with what others wish to make her into.

That Jinx wishes to fade into the darkness and let the world sort itself out feels like a more than understandable position for the tortured young woman. With the struggles of Zaun doing nothing but costing her the presence of those she loves, that she would shy away from reinvesting herself in any of it makes sense. Especially since she once again has someone to lose.

Isha, the little girl who stepped between Jinx and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld, The Marvels) during their climactic confrontation, has adopted a little sister role for Jinx. Seeing the two together is a joy when they first grace the screen. The two play and share laughs, helping each other heal from the wounds they both carry at far too young an age. While the dynamic feels new for Jinx, it quickly takes on a familiar tone for viewers.

Even as Jinx seems content to let the world turn without her, Isha feels differently. She knows what Jinx can be and wants her to pick up her gun again to liberate their shared home. The similarities between what we see here and Vander (JB Blanc, Horizon Zero Dawn) and Vi from the series’ early days create an emotionally cyclical feeling of Jinx’s place in her life. How Isha’s choices ultimately influence Jinx’s role in the unfolding narrative further reinforces the generational feeling of the story.

Once Jinx is forced to reenter the struggle, it’s only a matter of time before she has to confront her estranged sister. The circumstances that force the duo together won’t be spoiled here, but how the narrative handles the uncomfortable reunion and the places the pair goes provides some truly fantastic character writing.

How the script balances the sister’s remaining antagonism with their need to pursue their goal and their lingering love for each other is writing excellence. Steinfeld and Purnell take turns playing off each other, delivering tons of nuance and emotion as the pair are drawn deeper into their unfolding circumstances. The conflicted feelings of the duo come through even better thanks to the excellent animation that submerges every scene they are in with the emotions that resonate from the duo.

While the sisters and the cities’ troubles take center stage in Arcane Season 2 Act 2, the trio of episodes also follows up on the other plot lines. However, like in its predecessor, it’s not afraid to let characters remain hidden. Only going to characters when there is something essential for them to do, either narratively or for their own character’s sake, allows the series to pack an incredible amount of narrative into its 45-ish-minute episodes. Of these secondary plots, it is Viktor’s ( Harry Lloyd, Xenoblade Chronicles 3), whose shines the brightest. His continued evolution after merging with the Hex Core takes the character into compelling territory.

One of the minor hiccups in Act One was the placement of certain music-driven sequences. Happily, Arcane Season 2 Act 2 manages to avoid this trip-up. The timing of these moments in this act never feels interruptive to the narrative’s flow while delivering gorgeous music and visuals. These moments also carry a special weight as they are sometimes used as a vehicle to explore the past. One such sequence will likely become a fan favorite of the series.

While Arcane Season 2 Act 2 delivers on the expected dark tones of the middle chapter of a trilogy, it also manages to create a fair amount of warmth while not undercutting the dire straights the characters face. With the continued excellence in visual, sound, and voice work, this act brings the most flawless trio of episodes the series has yet to produce. All that’s left now is to wait and see if the final act can maintain the excellence established here.

Arcane Season 2 Act 2 is streaming now on Netflix.