Arcane Season 2 Episode 4 Review

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Arcane Season 2, Episode 4.

Arcane Season 2’s fourth episode kicks off the second act in style, providing even more unique animation techniques from Fortiche and putting many of the main characters on new trajectories.

Episode 4 titled “Paint the Town Blue” shares the title of Ashnikko’s original song for the Arcane soundtrack, and as that name suggests, it is very much a Jinx-focused episode. Where some of Arcane Season 2’s episodes have been stuffed full of competing storylines, Episode 4 slows things down a bit and takes the time needed to introduce a powerhouse new character.

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New World Order

Arcane is a series that has never been afraid to play with time and when things pick up in Episode 4 of Season 2, the story has undergone another time jump. While not as significant as the time jump in Season 1, there is a new status quo to be established in Episode 4. In the wake of Caitlyn’s appointment as commander, the Enforcers and Noxians have banded together to impose martial law on the undercity, with the only spark of hope coming from Jinx who has amassed a following in Zaun after her stunt at the end of Episode 3. All this is depicted within the first couple of minutes, via a series of black and white photos that feel as if they’re intended for print in a newspaper. The imagery gains some Arcane flair with the blue spray paint that embellishes Jinx’s style, hinting at a brewing revolution.

Unfortunately, the leader of the revolution doesn’t seem to want anything to do with it. In the time since Episode 3, Jinx has gone underground. She proclaims her new self “dead”, and has been spending her days amusing her new young friend, Isha, who reminds her a bit of her old self, Powder. Isha, however, is so inspired by her mentor that she dyes her hair blue and impersonates Jinx at a military checkpoint, inspiring the Zaunites with the idea that Jinx has returned.

Jinx’s return draws the attention of Piltover, particularly that of Caitlyn. As the commander, Caitlyn remains laser-focused on capturing Jinx, but she isn’t so fond of the long war it’s taken to get to her. With Vi out of her life in Episode 3, Caitlyn has found new comfort in the enforcer, Maddie Nolen. She’s also found a mentor in Ambessa, who takes every opportunity to ignite the spark of revenge in Caitlyn.

Prison Break

Sevika wants to rally the undercity together with the momentum provided by Jinx’s return, but Jinx maintains she wants no part of it. She doubts that she can be the hero the city needs. The rally goes ahead at Vander’s statue with Firelights, undercity goons, and Jinx supporters all gathering. Isha takes the opportunity to impersonate Jinx again, setting off a blue flare that has the undercity pledging their allegiance to her name, but it’s interrupted by a Noxian raiding party who arrests everyone they can. This includes Isha and the undercity scientist, Singed.

When Sevika delivers this news to Jinx the two immediately set off for Stillwater, enacting a plan that involves impersonating enforcers and infiltrating the depths of the prison. The entirety of Episode 4, but particularly the interactions between Sevika and Jinx, are where Ella Purnell’s performance really shines. The range she brings to Jinx in her performance gives the character more personality and relatability than ever before. When Jinx and Sevika free the imprisoned Zaunites, Jinx is surprised to find her people accept her, instilling her with a sense of newfound heroism. However, Jinx and Sevika are not the only ones intent on breaking into Stillwater prison.

Warwick Makes His Debut

Before his arrest, Singed managed to activate the beast lurking in the depths of Zaun by drawing blood, the scent of which leads the creature (who League of Legends fans know as Warwick) straight to his prison cell. Arcane, once again, manages to level up its animation techniques, showing Warwick’s point of view through murky red paint streaks. The beast’s introduction is treated like an old-school monster movie, hiding the true face of the creature until the last possible moment, and building the tension of its arrival through what isn’t shown.

When Warwick is fully unveiled on screen, the ensuing battle is one fitting for his character. The action is ramped up through heavy rock music, and the color palette of blues and reds perfectly offsets the nail-biting fight that occurs between Jinx and Warwick. While Jinx holds her own, Warwick ultimately has the upper hand. But, right when things look their worst, Arcane utilizes a plot twist (one that many fans have been theorizing for years). Warwick’s rage is suddenly quelled when he recognizes the face in front of him, revealing that the man beneath the beast is Vander.

Episode 4 Slows Down the Pace of Arcane Season 2 In The Best Way

While not every character makes an appearance in this episode, it remains admirable just how quickly Arcane can establish a changed world in just a few scenes. The balance of storytelling felt more manageable in Episode 4 and allowed for an effective introduction to Warwick as well as providing added depth and moments of humor and playfulness from the main characters, particularly Jinx.

Arcane Season 2 Episodes 1-6 are available on Netflix now.

Arcane is an animated series developed by Alex Yee and Christian Linke that follows a the story of Piltover and Zaun, two pivotal locations in the League of Legends universe. The first season follows the stories of Jynx and Vi, as well as Jayce and Viktor.

Release Date

November 6, 2021

Cast

Hailee Steinfeld , Ella Purnell , Kevin Alejandro , Katie Leung , jason spisak , Toks Olagundoye , Harry Lloyd , JB Blanc , Reed Shannon , Mick Wingert

Seasons

2

Writers

Christian Linke , Alex Yee

Franchise(s)

League of Legends

Directors

Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord

Showrunner

Christian Linke , Alex Yee

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