Arcane: a Masterclass in Writing
Rating a roaring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and having an astonishing budget of over 250 million dollars, Arcane: League of Legends is one of the most successful animated series of all time. Filled with intricate details, philosophical dilemmas, and real-world implications, any viewer would be able to tell that the show was done with love. The very essence of beauty of it, however, stems from its daringness to show nuance.
Taking place amongst the “Topside”, Piltover, and the “Undercity”, Zaun, Arcane focuses on the blazing conflict between the two cities, catalyzed and amplified by the invention of a technology of magic: “Hextech”. In the story, “Hextech” is developed by a brilliant young scientist, Jayce Talis. While seemingly innocent at his first introduction, Jayce’s inventions and actions end up sparking a violent butterfly effect that results in detrimental consequences, acting as the enzyme for the bloody war that clashes between Piltover and Zaun. Though some viewers praise him for his genius and determination, others instead choose to criticize him for his impulsive actions and poor political choices, accusing him of being the central perpetrator for all of the story’s most major conflicts and deaths. Just a simple mention of this character’s name would lead to a wild debate over his actions – Jayce Talis is the epitome of a controversial, if not nuanced, character.
In season 1, Jayce’s arc centers around the pursuit of knowledge, the ethics of scientific progress, and the heavy sociopolitical implications of a revolutionary discovery. From the outset, his invention of Hextech is rooted in a place of virtue – “we, the pioneers of science, can use [Hextech] for good,” he contended at his own trial, where the beginning of his inventions was scrutinized in the eyes of Piltover’s council. Already, the show is not afraid to show the controversies of such an invention, with Heimerdinger, acting as the main opposition to Hextech, using his age and experience as a valuable argument on the potential dangers of such an invention. “I’ve seen this power in the wrong hands,” he mourns powerfully at the same trial. “It corrupts, consumes, lays waste to civilizations.” The Yordle’s wisdom of the consequences of such a discovery is chilling, but not enough to stem Jayce’s – nor much of Piltover’s – enthusiasm. Despite the advice of his mentors and the council, Jayce continues to advocate for the use of science as a means to control the natural world in order to change lives for the better. By the time Act 2 (season 1, episodes 4~6) rolls around, it almost seems as though Jayce had done an adequate job at managing the loaded implications of such a revolutionary invention. The “Hexgates” – a large tower that uses Hextech to teleport ships in and out of Piltover – had been boosting the city’s economy for years, helping to bridge relations with other Runeterran nations and improving its presence on the international stage. While beneficial for the topside’s development, however, it also widened the gap between Piltover and Zaun, fueling hateful sentiments and bitter opposition, driven by increasing inequalities. As a result of his trailblazing research, though, Jayce soon finds himself in a brand new position, promoted to a councilor and hence responsible for the political dimensions of Piltover’s most central operations.
At this point of the story, Jayce’s journey had already taken a drastic turn – from a passionate scientist to an aboveboard politician, both his inventions and his choices have led him far into the waters of being a controversial character. Amongst this, his relationship with Mel Medarda, a fellow councilor, makes up a certain portion of this nuance.
Originally a Noxian, Mel was outcast by her family, moving to Piltover to boost the city’s peaceful innovations in hopes of proving to her mother, Ambessa, that violence is not necessary to achieve success. It was Mel that kickstarted Hextech, deciding to invest in Jayce’s work early on and convincing the council to approve his research. “Perhaps it’s time for the era of magic,” in episode 3, she said symbolically. Mel was also the one to promote Jayce to the position of councilor, voicing his expertise on the Hexgates as Piltover faced a dangerous crisis. Throughout the entirety of season 1, it seems as though Mel is the one to drive all of Jayce’s actions and destinies – which only becomes more complicated given the two’s romantic relationship. Many viewers have accused Mel of “manipulating” Jayce for her own political agendas, quoting her relationship with him being used as a weapon for her to leverage her ideologies. However, these critiques fail to realize the different layers woven within the two’s bonds. While Mel did invest in Jayce’s research, it was a mutually beneficial relationship that elevated both parties’ goals – Mel’s wish for Piltover’s peace and progress, and Jayce’s dream of making Hextech accessible for all. Aside from this, their relationship was rooted in a place of personal attraction; by the end of the season, the two had a solidified, healthy relationship that they both benefitted and grew from. Jayce frequently confided his problems in Mel, with these scenes acting as pivotal moments that contributed tellingly towards his characterization and his story.
Yet, of course, their relationship remains multifaceted. Mel's dialogue in episode 5 speaks volumes:
Mel: Heimerdinger’s inaction is what brought us here. You said so yourself. The peace is already broken, Jayce. I’m only asking you to prepare to defend your people. (...) The decision is yours.
In this scene, Mel uses an array of classic manipulation techniques, from twisting Jayce’s own words, downplaying a heavily convoluted choice, and relinquishing a final decision to give an illusion of free will. Indeed, in many moments across the show, Mel leads Jayce head-first into decisions, though not out of malice, but because this is how she learned to survive – by using her status and influence to shape outcomes in her favor. Raised in a world where power is seized, not given, Mel inherently views manipulation as a necessary means rather than a betrayal. A politician, strategist, and the daughter of an ever-calculated mother, Mel was raised to use others for her own good. While this does not justify the influence she has had on Jayce, nor the choices she has pushed him into, it does explain it. Either way, as the series progresses, Mel begins to learn the importance of a relationship built on trust, not ulterior motives, and her walls begin to collapse around her lover. For Jayce, however, the impact of Mels’ influence is far more complex. While her guidance propels him into positions of power, it also forces him into moral dilemmas he may not have confronted on his own. While ambitious, Jayce is not entirely ruthless – Mel’s presence hence accelerates his transformation from an idealistic scientist into a hardened political figure. Though he benefits from her mentorship, gaining authority and strategic insight, he also begins to blur the line between power and the abuse of it. As Mel starts to understand the value of trust, Jayce, in contrast, struggles more and more to understand the consequences of the power he has acquired under her counsel, leaving him to question whether he is truly making his own choices, or merely playing a role in someone else’s game.
In short, Jayce’s actions in Arcane’s first season are far from easy to grade on a scale of “right” to “wrong”. His inventions stem from a genuine desire to improve lives, just as they once changed his own. Yet, at the same time, he is undeniably manipulated into positions of power, forced into ethical dilemmas and burdened with the consequences of his own naivety. Despite his good intentions, he still ends innocent lives, escalates conflict, and plays a critical role in igniting a war that alters the course of Piltover and Zaun’s history forever. “It’s all because of Jayce,” one fan lamented in a Tumblr post, condemning him for the endless strategies of the show. “Everything can be blamed on him.” But this perspective flattens the depth of his character. This article instead encourages viewers to consider the full extent of Jayce’s nuance in character, to recognize the intricate layers that shape his decisions and struggles. No one in real life is wholly good or evil, and no one can be neatly categorized as a “hero” or “villain”. The most compelling works of literature and fiction embrace this moral ambiguity, and Jayce Talis stands as a prime example of a character crafted with such depth.
In season 2, Jayce’s character arc takes an unexpected turn. Scarred – both physically and emotionally – after being trapped in the Hexcore, he is burdened by trauma and driven by a renewed sense of purpose. Determined to uphold his promise to his research partner, Viktor, he sets out to destroy the Hexcore and to put an end to the unintended consequences of their inventions.
This season places a stronger emphasis on Jayce and Viktor’s relationship, exploring how their dynamic as foils not only fueled their brilliant partnership, but also exposed their most intrinsic flaws. Viktor, a Zaunite by origin, made his way topside by becoming Professor Heimerdinger’s assistant in Piltover. After discovering Jayce in the ruins of his workshop, the two shared an inspiring exchange that laid the foundation for their groundbreaking research on Hextech.
Viktor: I want to help you complete your research.
Jayce: No one thinks it can be done.
Viktor: When you’re going to change the world, don’t ask for permission.
None of Jayce’s work with Hextech – the very catalyst for much of the show’s conflict, and the cause for his controversy – would have been possible without the influence of both Mel and Viktor. While Mel guided him through the complex political landscape of Piltover, Viktor grounded him in morality, constantly reminding him of their original mission. “There are people out there who need our help now, Jayce,” he said angrily in episode five. In season 1, Viktor’s work on Hextech is driven by a deeply personal goal: to bridge the divide between Piltover and the Undercity, providing aid and equality to those who need it most. This cling to ethics and the potential of Hextech for good highlights Jayce’s stray from this very same intent, with the Zaunite constantly acting as a symbol for the remnants of the initial reasons why Jayce began this research in the first place. Yet, in season 2, the dynamic between Jayce and Viktor shifts dramatically. As Viktor transforms into the Machine Herald, he soon becomes the one to lose his remnants of humanity, consumed by his vision of a “glorious evolution” – a world without weakness, suffering, and imperfection. Compared with the youthful scientist from Act 1, this version of Viktor is haunting. Season 2’s Viktor’s lack of humanity is what highlights Jayce’s remainders of it – the very values that lead to his determination to bring an end to his former partner’s chaos.
Without Viktor, Jayce would have never been able to realize his childhood dream. And yet, without Viktor, that dream would have never existed in the first place. In season 2, Viktor’s ascension to a cult-like godhood serves as a living reminder of Jayce’s actions. The lives lost as a result of Viktor’s commune forced Jayce to confront the weight of their shared legacy – and the irreversible sacrifices necessary to end the suffering they helped create. In a touching final moment, Jayce fulfills his long-standing promise, sacrificing his life to stop Viktor and destroy the Hexcore once and for all.
Viktor: Why do you persist? After everything I’ve done?
Jayce: Because I promised you.
In a monologue, Silco, the main villain of season 1, ties these personal tragedies into Arcane’s larger, cyclical nature of violence. “Killing is a cycle,” he laments, merely a hallucination outside of Jinx’s prison cell, “The cycle only ends when you find the strength to walk away.” Case in point, season 2’s “cycle of killing” is fueled by four central figures, each driven by their own desperate pursuit of closure, power, or control:
Jinx, unable to let go of her haunted past, carves a path of chaos and destruction
Jayce, whose inventions of Hextech in season 1 sets off a butterfly effect of violence, its boundless potential both revolutionary and ruinous
Viktor, in his pursuit of perfection, sacrifices the nuances in humanity, destroying lives in the erasure of flaws
Ambessa, determined to secure her family’s legacy and Noxian honor, commanding an army into a brutal war that leaves countless dead in its wake.
By the final episode, the conflict has escalated beyond control – until, one by one, each perpetrator of violence, of this “cycle of killing”, is forced to confront their role in the destruction. Indeed, the cycle only breaks when they make the choice to stop.
For Jayce and Viktor, this reckoning comes in a poignant moment of understanding. After an entire season of conflict and misunderstanding, they find each other again – not as enemies, but as the partners they once were. In the end, it is their relationship, built on brilliance, ambition, and mutual understanding, that finally puts an end to the suffering they helped create.
Arcane delivers a masterclass in character writing, and one of its most remarkable aspects is its refusal to frame characters in simple terms of good and evil. In fiction and works of literature, it’s often tempting to assign rigid archetypes to your characters – be it heroes who never falter, or villains who destroy without reason. But Arcane rejects this binary; in the show, everyone is a villain in someone’s story, and a hero in another’s. And no matter what, everyone has motivations and goals that make their actions painfully understandable.
The brilliance of Jayce Talis’ character lies in this very nuance – he carries the weight of countless mistakes, yet remains a beloved figure nonetheless, admired for his genius, ambition, and unwavering determination. Whether one considers him to be controversial, justified, or completely invalid in his actions, Jayce Talis’ character remains something far more compelling: deeply, tragically human.
Further on the topic of characters such as Jayce, Arcane seems to be constantly astounding critiques with its excellent character writing, which, at this point of the article, has been concluded as inherently human traits, ideas, and choices. Numerous other characters from this sensational series are discussed with regards to conflicting ideas about their depiction in the show and their morality. One other such character is the skilled, determined, and justice-seeking Enforcer and Crown Princess of Piltover, Caitlyn Kiramman.
Caitlyn is a hotly debated character with intense discourse about her moral ambiguity, with the vast majority of the fandom having mixed feelings about her character development and overall design, especially after season 2 of Arcane.
Most of the discourse is around her actions and whether or not they are morally correct. However, there are certain key aspects that are being overlooked, so let’s bring them to light.
In S2, while ‘fascist dictator’ Caitlyn surprised a lot of fans, anyone with a grain of media literacy can observe how it came about to be. Caitlyn carries the responsibility of her mother’s demise like a sack of heavy stones. Her first lines in the new season are about her mother, and it immediately establishes her mindset. Self-blame seems to be a huge part of her character. A reason for this in relation to her mother’s death could be because of her failure to ‘stop’ Jinx from blowing up Piltover. She blames herself for a variety of decisions related to Jinx. Her father doesn’t respond to her saying “I had the shot,” and neither does Vi. The idea that she could have prevented it haunts her. Why is guilt so cataclysmic to her? She seems far more affected by it than any other character in the show.
A commonly overlooked part of her character is the extent of her emotional turmoil because the audience is essentially only being told one side of the story. Privilege plays a huge part in how she processes and deals with emotions, especially heavy ones like grief. One may compare her to the Zaunites, who have experienced much more loss, but loss is heavy. Caitlyn never had the exposure, never had to withstand the suffering inflicted on the Zaunites. The Zaunites never had hope to offer. When someone is lost, that is all there is to it. Caitlyn, sheltered, cradles hope. Nurtures it. Hope is not a delicate thing for long. She only loses so much because she has so much. Loss may be heavy, but hope is heavier. And that’s the whole point; her character is written as a purist, a fallen angel, a privileged princess who insists on ‘breaking the cycle’ like all other characters.
Guilt and privilege are interlinked. Throughout S1, we can observe that Caitlyn prefers not to lean on anyone or rely on her position to assist her in any of her aspirations (in a tangible sense, anyway.) But it happens, indirectly. Her privileged status keeps her safe from real repercussions. It portrays the way that the elite are treated in our society– repentance is the closest they get to redemption, and the non-elites must pay the price.
Caitlyn is strong-willed. The beginning of S1 shows her outwardly rebelling against any coddling that Jayce or her parents happily unleash on her. As someone who never wanted anything, her character has revolved around her duty. She has no need for positions or titles. When Grayson asked her that pivotal question (what she was shooting for), it became a part of her identity. Her duty is to serve and protect; if she’s not doing that, who is she?
This is where it becomes complicated. The undeniably vital role that Vi plays in her life pushes her into an existential crisis. Caitlyn is selfless for the most part (depending on whether or not one considers acting according to one’s ideals selfish), but Vi compromises everything. During the tea party at the end of S1, she has her gun trained on Jinx, but doesn’t shoot, because she wants to give Vi a chance with someone whom she personally does not believe has a chance, but is willing to make a sacrifice for Vi, who is more important to her than Jinx. She prioritises Vi’s happiness. If Vi wasn’t in the room, she would have shot Jinx. Caitlyn is absolutely broken by the terrible, aching need to keep Vi in her life. When she fails to pull the trigger, she fails to fulfil her duty by not bringing in a wanted criminal. She goes against her moral order, and her values begin to falter. The disastrous outcome of not shooting burdens her with crushing guilt.
Some may argue that Caitlyn has well lost sight of her purpose in S2, but is that really true? She hesitated before pulling the trigger during the fight in S2ep3, tussling with her emotions, wanting to give Vi a chance. Once again, she mutters, “I had the shot,” blaming herself for not taking it. Her motivation in S2 is redemption; she needs to catch or kill Jinx, to soothe an aching burn. Once again, this is not about titles or positions; she’s willing to sacrifice everything to regain her sense of purpose. Her faith and hope is shattered. There are no ‘good’ Zaunites. There is only a laughing, leering figure with blue hair and sharp teeth and a life for the taking.
We also often forget that, aside from losing her mother, Caitlyn has directly suffered at the hands of Jinx. She no doubt felt extremely vulnerable and violated in all the positions she was forced into, especially when Jinx broke into her home and ambushed her in the shower. She may have been tortured during the period that Jinx held her captive. She visibly flinches every time Jinx is close to her and bursts into tears. She has also been a victim of many of Jinx’s explosions. These experiences no doubt shaped an important part of who she grew into, and they helped her realise that she was so willing to be rid of the agony and fear that she associated with Jinx that she was ready to sever ties with Vi, and even take the life of a child like Isha.
Caitlyn and Jinx have their similarities, which are integral to the show. One of the most important ones is this: they are both manipulated by stronger, more powerful leaders while being in a vulnerable state of mind.
As Jinx has Silco, Caitlyn has Ambessa. Jinx, too, is haunted by guilt, of not only being unable to save her family, but also causing their deaths. Caitlyn may feel the same way, like she inadvertently caused her mother’s death and many others’, by not taking the shot. Not to mention, both of their guiding figures indulge parts of themselves which are destructive to their positive growth.
Jinx has Silco, who indulges her insane ideologies and destructive tendencies. He found her in a moment of weakness, and was able to project onto and mold her into the manic person she became. She’s left adrift without him; you could say it was a parasitic relationship, if not for the fact that while it was unhealthy, he truly loved her like a daughter, and she him like a father.
Caitlyn has Ambessa, a brutal woman and general who has witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. She’s everything Caitlyn wants; to stop feeling helpless, to grasp and cling onto something and hurt someone and make them pay for what happened to her mother. From self-blame, she looks for someone else to blame, blinded by fury and a desire for revenge. It’s why Ambessa’s manipulation is so effective; she sees someone lost and floating aimlessly, no pillars of purpose left to uphold them, and instills new ones: Noxian ideals of ruthlessness and bloodshed.
Both Jinx and Caitlyn lose people they love, over and over again, until it breaks them, isolated and vulnerable.
One key development that takes place throughout S2 is Caitlyn’s atonement. There are moments where she centres herself, asks crucial questions, and begins to rediscover who she is and the reasons behind her actions. She doesn’t go from a ruthless officer to a puddle of tears at the first mention of “Cupcake.”
She begins to realise the consequences of her actions. Singed plays a leading role in helping her rediscover herself. His tragic situation with his daughter sparks a reaction in Caitlyn, and she’s able to understand that the two of them are more similar than she would like.
Caitlyn: You’re a monster. Why? Why do all this?Singed: Why does anyone commit acts others deem unspeakable? For love.
She observes Singed and Orianna’s state. She understands that he is grieving the death of someone dear to him. Love is deeply connected with grief. To invent grief that doesn’t hurt you is to invent love that doesn’t either. To kill one is to slay the other, to abandon all reconstitution that you have ever experienced.
Caitlyn talks to Jinx in the prison cell, saying “No amount of good deeds can undo our crimes.” While it is directed towards Jinx, she seems to internalize it herself, and she holds herself accountable for all her crimes.
Her atonement is shown through her actions. She was most likely planning to betray Ambessa at one point, but the opportunity never arose. However, one could argue that her helplessness comes from her inexperience– it’s why she was so easy to manipulate, and why, as someone who has believed in strong-rooted ideals all her life, she was unable to consider any other options. This brings us back to the key difference between her and other characters: the story is rather Zaun-focused and she’s one of the few leading Piltover characters, which sets her apart from the rest.
Caitlyn removes the guards at the prison, allowing Vi to visit her sister, despite likely knowing how it would go down. She allows Sevika onto the Council, an act of penance for her crimes. Sevika sits on Cassandra Kiramman’s chair. This means that Caitlyn has let go of her frustration and thirst for revenge, now willing to truly bridge the gap between Piltover and Zaun.
Another main reason for controversy surrounding her character is also the classic case of people being prejudiced against powerful queer women. Characters like Caitlyn are often underdeveloped. The stereotype is presented as such: a powerful, inherently ‘bad’ or evil woman who has been altered by traumatic events is reduced to either an object of repulsion or (usually sexual) attraction, depending on the case.
Her League of Legends body type and skins play a part in this– Arcade Caitlyn’s features are especially different from Arcane Caitlyn’s– she’s slimmer, wears a revealing outfit, and her facial features are slender. It’s evident that League characters were designed primarily for sex appeal. Caitlyn looks like a parody of herself, and by choosing to portray more realistic character designs in the show, Netflix practically invited controversy and outrage from people who were unable to see past Caitlyn’s sex appeal and cardboard character.
Her queerness is essentially the cherry on top. Arcane did female and LGBTQ representation perfectly, and in a way that didn’t essentially make the show porn for male audiences. Media nowadays focuses on creating strong, independent women who can ‘do no wrong’ but Arcane does the exact opposite by creating an array of different characters with their own flaws. They have different appearances, motivations, ideals, strengths and weaknesses.
Vi is a masculine-presenting character and it’s pleasantly surprising that it was never brought up in the show. As for LGBTQ representation, the very fact that none ‘can be found’ is proof of representation. With a single glance, it’s made evident that Caitlyn and Vi are romantically interested in each other, that they’re queer, and most importantly, it doesn’t hinder their ability to be separate people outside of that. Caitlyn excels at her job, and Vi is a winning pit fighter. Making a spectacle out of non-traditional characters does not equal representation. By doing this, creators are essentially highlighting that something is ‘different’ when it typically ‘shouldn’t be.’ Caitlyn and Vi have done a lot for queer representation in media, but at the cost of mischaracterization and unfaceted thinking.
However, the complete and utter lack of taboo around queerness, disabled persons and persons of color leads us to question the reality of the Arcane universe; is it a more optimistic world without prejudice? Is it realistic, and should it be supported? Can a universe like that actually exist and should we see more of it in media?
It could potentially desensitize the audience to real world problems that are extremely, far too disgustingly prevalent, sheltering them from their causes and consequences, encouraging them simply to turn a blind eye.
On the other hand, isn’t a little optimism required, and isn’t it justified? Arcane is a fictional universe with fictional laws, but it mirrors the real world too closely, removing components that are essentially irrelevant to the plot, because the conflict of queerness is not the main focus of the show. Should that mean removing these components, or acknowledging and depicting them as viewed in the real world? There is surely a balance that can be found, and it’s up to the show and the audience to identify it.
In conclusion, while Caitlyn’s character can be considered flawed and underdeveloped, the utter nuance and finery with which she’s written is nothing short of masterful. From skilfully designing her character around the cycle of love and grief (arguably one of the best examples in the show), to boldly creating opportunities for her to lose her values and regain them, all the while facing the consequences of her actions, Arcane has truly done a phenomenal job with one of its strongest female leads.
Jayce and Caitlyn are not the sole examples of such fantastic character writing– Jinx, Vi, Mel, and Ambessa are also strong characters with solid stories. Arcane truly identifies the areas of the human soul and has reached out to touch it, or better yet, created something from it.
