Arcane’s Shift to Grandiosity Sacrifices Its Original Greatness

The Final Act of Arcane: A Mixed Emotion

As an ardent fan of Arcane, I must share that the series finale moved me to tears. However, it felt as though the concluding act missed certain crucial elements. Instead of intricately exploring the power dynamics that exist between social classes, the narrative took a grandiose turn, presenting a clear dichotomy of right versus wrong. In essence, the storytelling became larger than life, but perhaps at the cost of its core themes.

Visually Stunning, Narratively Rich

Arcane emerges as one of the most captivating animated series, both in terms of its visuals and storytelling. The character arcs are compelling; each individual’s motivations and struggles are so rich that they invite the audience into a moral maze, where perspectives on right and wrong are highly subjective. This depth of character development shines particularly brightly against the backdrop of class disparity between the affluent Piltover and impoverished Zaun.

The Essence of Class Conflict

Classism plays a pivotal role throughout Arcane, initially showcasing a world marred by corruption and organized crime as it pits the privileged against the underprivileged. The tension derived from these societal divides is what made the early parts of the series so engaging. Yet, as the narrative progressed towards its latter episodes, this focus seemed to dwindle, yielding to a more abstract and existential threat: Viktor’s vision of a “Great Evolution.”

The Rise of Viktor: A New Kind of Threat

Corrupted by hextech that was originally designed to save him, Viktor believes that true progress can only come at the cost of free will. His ambition, which threatens to strip humanity of its autonomy, signifies a formidable challenge that forces former enemies to unite. This transformation from class struggles to a fight against a broader evil raises questions about the intricacies of human choice and cooperation.

Are We Recycling a Familiar Narrative?

After the war is over, Piltver and Zaun come together to mourn — (Netflix)

The concept of adversaries uniting to combat a common foe is not new; it has been a recurring theme in various ensemble films, particularly within the Marvel and DC franchises. While this strategy can occasionally succeed, in the context of Arcane, it felt somewhat hasty. The intricate tensions between Piltover and Zaun, such as Caitlyn’s animosity towards Jinx culminating in extreme nationalism, faded into the background as the larger menace took precedence.

Simplistic Resolutions to Complex Issues

The finale oversimplified the underlying theme of healing a fractured society, reducing it to a binary choice: cooperate or perish. Viktor’s perspective, while flawed, identified humanity’s imperfections due to choice. In the climax, his assertion that suppression of free will would lead to unity unwittingly highlights an unsettling truth. Though there were fleeting moments when the Zaun fighters appeared ready to abandon their Piltovian counterparts, predictably, they returned to confront the greater evil side by side. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in a win, with Sevika gaining a seat on the council as a representative of Zaun, a tentative step towards unity.

The Decline of Viktor’s Character

By the series finale, Viktor himself seemed to lose the depth that initially defined him. His commune, now revealed as a hive-mind cult, highlighted his descent into tyranny. Unlike Silco, who was a shrewd and layered antagonist, Viktor lacked nuance, relying solely on brute force without the cunning that made Silco such a formidable villain.

A Brilliant Conclusion Despite Flaws

Arcane, season 2, ep 9, Ekko battles Viktor's machines — (Netflix)

Despite its narrative shortcomings, the ending of Arcane was undeniably spectacular. The first episode of the final act, ‘Pretend Like it’s The First Time,’ mixed beauty with heartbreak, serving as a testament to the series’ exceptional character development and storytelling. The quality of animation, musical score, and voice acting has remained unparalleled throughout the series.

The Future of Runeterra Awaits

Fortunately, this won’t be our last venture into the world of Runeterra. Spin-offs are on the horizon, promising further exploration of the intricate political landscape and the characteristic depth that made Arcane a standout. For now, a single existential threat may suffice, but many stories remain to be told.