Season 2, Episode 1, titled “Heavy is the Crown,” of the Netflix series, Arcane, brings viewers back to the tense world of Piltover and Zaun in the aftermath of Jinx’s attack on the Piltover Council. Directed by Arnaud Delord, Bart Maunoury, Pascal Charrue, and Etienne Mattera and written by Amanda Overton, the episode explores the impact of this devastating event. The season’s opening unfolds across two episodes, each capturing the responses from Piltover and Zaun. Episode 1 centers on Piltover’s reaction, with Vi as the protagonist, while Episode 2 will shift focus to Zaun’s perspective, led by Jinx.

The primary theme of this episode revolves around the struggle of coping with a tragedy’s aftermath. When attacks strike, both the powerful and the powerless suffer. Leaders are then faced with the weighty responsibility of responding to such a threat. Some, like Mel, favor peace and caution, while others, like the Noxian warlord Ambessa, call for blood and retribution. This inner conflict reflects a broader battle for Piltover’s soul: should the city retain its morals, or must it harden, potentially mirroring Noxus’s ruthlessness? Jayce finds himself caught in between, desiring peace yet prepared for war if necessary. These dynamics make for a compelling start, setting the stage for Piltover’s champions to navigate the fallout of Jinx’s actions.

The Dark Aftermath

Following Jinx’s rocket attack, Piltover’s council is left crippled, with only Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Mel (Toks Olagundoye), Shoola (Mara Junot), and Salo (Josh Keaton) surviving. However, Shoola is scarred, and Salo is left crippled. Viktor, who was also in the room, is critically injured, forcing Jayce to use the forbidden Hexcore to save his friend, breaking his earlier promise to Viktor to never use it again.

Piltover is now on high alert, with both the police and Noxian soldiers patrolling to maintain order. Mel, Shoola, and Salo gather in the damaged council chambers to discuss their response. Mel’s mother, the formidable Noxian stateswoman Ambessa, persuades Salo that Piltover must consider war to prevent further crises. Salo supports arming the police and soldiers with Hextech, but Mel and Shoola propose a limited incursion to capture Jinx and quell any potential sympathizers rather than instigating an all-out war with Zaun.

Vi and Caitlyn

Caitlyn (Katie Leung) mourns her mother’s death with her father at home. She urges Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) to join the Piltover Police Department, hoping to show the city that not all Zaunites endorse Jinx’s violent actions. However, Vi declines, haunted by memories of losing her parents to Piltover’s police during Vander’s last rebellion. Overwhelmed by guilt over her inability to prevent Powder from becoming Jinx, Vi descends into a period of drunken despair.

Eventually, Vi meets with Piltover officers Maddie Nolan (Katy Townsend), Loris (Earl Baylon), and Steb, who encourage her to help capture Jinx and avert a war. Their lack of prejudice and genuine concern help Vi find renewed purpose, leading her to take action.

The Second Attack

Vi attends a memorial for the council members who perished in Jinx’s attack, only for the ceremony to be ambushed by Zaunite terrorists led by Chem-Baroness Renni (Abigail Marlowe). Renni, seeking revenge for her son’s death at Jayce’s hands during the shimmer factory raid, aims to assassinate him. Noxian soldiers and Piltover police join forces to fend off the attackers, but Mel suspects her mother, Ambessa, orchestrated the attack to make conflict unavoidable. The attack is averted with Ambessa killing Renni. 

The Strike Team

The memorial attack leaves Piltover’s leaders with no choice but to prepare for an armed response. They mobilize a Hextech-powered strike team with three main objectives: locating Jinx, dismantling shimmer production, and neutralizing Silco’s loyalists. Commander Caitlyn leads the team, joined by Vi, Maddie Nolan, Loris, and Steb—selected for their loyalty and bravery in the face of escalating tensions.

Rating: 9/10