Arcane – Season 2 Episode 4 Recap & Review

Paint The Town Blue

Episode 4 of Arcane season 2 starts with a surprising turn of events. Jinx has become an icon for the Undercity and there are even kids emulating her demeanour and hair. The Topsiders though are not standing for this and under Ambessa’s instructions (more so than Caitlyn) she tries to stamp this out through force. 

Jinx is pretty oblivious to all of this change, as she and Isha continue to get closer together, hanging in the former’s hideout. Jinx even has Isha set up to look like a mini version of herself. She definitely reminds her of Powder; that innocence in her eyes could well be destroyed soon.

Caitlyn prepares for a meeting with the Mason’s Guild but she’s also struggling to handle the weight of expectation. She’s the leader now, and that means doing what’s right for Piltover. She’s taken a fancy to Officer Nolen, whom she’s been sleeping with, and she continues to double-down on finding Jinx.

At the prison, Jinx makes her move and drops a bunch of colourful bombs. With a hood covering her face, we soon realize this is Isha, not Jinx. The inmates don’t know that though and they begin rallying and lashing out against the guards.

When Caitlyn finds out about this, she suspects that it could well be a copycat, given the lack of killings and high level of spectacle. Ambessa interrupts them though when she shows up to talk to Caitlyn. She knows about Caitlyn and Nolen’s interjections, and frowns upon it. However, Caitlyn is more concerned regarding the violence being instigated by the guards, and isn’t quite sure how to handle this.

As for Jinx, this little incident at the checkpoint has the Undercity buzzing. Given Silco’s idea of uniting the Undercity, it’s ironic that Jinx is the one who could actually make it a reality.

The meet point is Vander’s statue, but unfortunately Ambessa and the others also manage to obtain this same information after beating the Undercity prisoners to a pulp. It’s not Jinx who shows up but actually Isha. She raises a blue flare to the sky, as all the other Undercity residents raise their hands in unity too.

However, this revolution is interrupted by the Enforcers showing and immediately arresting everyone. Isha watches the violence play out and decides to do something. She jumps into the fight, while the Undercity’s secret weapon wakes up. It’s Warwick.

Sevika manages to stumble into Jinx’s hideout and updates her on the situation, including how Isha has been taken. They won’t be staying for long though, Singed tells Isha, as this monstrous wolf has the scent of its master. It follows the blood trails back to Stillwater Hold, scrambling through the sewers.

Topside, Jinx and Sevika work together and infiltrate the prison. With an outfit obtained in a rather unconventional manner, Jinx leads Sevika in as a prison guard escorting a prisoner to the cells. Jinx holds her nerve, even when Ambessa passes, and as the elevator doors open, they descend down.

Jinx finds herself faced with a bunch of inmates that all take kindly to her. They touch her arm and nod, accepting her as their symbol. Jinx eventually finds Isha and the pair are reunited with a big hug.

Unfortunately, the guards topside – fronted by General Ambessa – bite off more than they can chew when this monstrous wolf bursts through the doors. Warwick descends down to the basement and towers over the Enforcers, making swift work of them and going straight for Jinx. Jinx selflessly sacrifices herself to save Isha and Sevika, who make a quick getaway while the pair fight.

Warwick comes out on top but as it holds Jinx up, the rage dissipates and it calms. Then, a word comes out that changes everything. “Powder?” It’s Vander.

The Episode Review

So we finally find out who the Wolf-creature is, and it’s shockingly Vander. He recognizes Jinx and it seems like we’re going to get Jinx as a symbol of the Undercity after all. It’s pretty ironic given this anarchist has been working for herself all this time, but it seems she now has something much bigger than herself to cling to.

As for the episode itself, the main theme here is clearly responsibility and specifically, Caitlyn and Jinx’s duties to their respective people. Caitlyn is fearless but she’s definitely got her hands full with Ambessa, while Jinx slowly starts to grapple with the idea of being a symbol for these people and standing on her own two feet.

The only slight deterrent is the comedy, which feels a bit too slapstick. I get that it’s used here to lighten the tension but honestly, it’s a bit overpowering and borderline off-putting at times.

However, that’s a minor quibble in what’s otherwise been a solid watch so far.