Season 2, Episode 4, titled “Paint the Town Blue,” of the Netflix series, Arcane, is directed by Arnaud Delord, Bart Maunoury, and Marietta Ren, with writing by Graham McNeill. This episode launches Act 2, which is structured around separate arcs for Jinx and Vi, culminating in their eventual convergence. While this mirrors the narrative flow of Act 1, Act 2 delves deeper into their inner struggles as both characters grapple with their respective turmoils and embrace new roles in the escalating conflict between Piltover and Zaun. Their newfound purposes, however, are brought into question when they reconnect with someone they’ve deeply loved and cared for since childhood.
The episode’s central theme is revolution. Throughout history, revolutions have arisen when the oppressed rise against a status quo that serves only the powerful, seeking freedom and equality through rebellion, protest, and defiance. This same spirit courses through Zaun in this episode, as the oppressed Zaunites rally behind Jinx as the symbol of their revolution against Piltover and Noxus. Meanwhile, Piltover’s leaders justify their escalating actions as efforts toward peace, failing to see that their suppression only fuels the flames of rebellion—a fire that is now burning blue.
Martial Law in Zaun
Over the past year, Piltover has imposed martial law on Zaun, deploying every police officer, enforcer, and Noxian soldier to maintain order and hunt down Jinx (Ella Purnell) and her loyalists. Military checkpoints now span the underground city, inspecting every Zaunite moving between districts. However, rather than quelling unrest, martial law has fueled resistance. Many Zaunites have risen in support of Jinx, dyeing their hair blue symbolizing their loyalty to the anarchist. These followers, now known as “Jinxers,” have become a growing force of rebellion.
Ironically, Jinx herself has little interest in leading the revolution. She has secluded herself in her hideout with Isha, forming a strong sisterly bond. Their connection has grown so deep that Jinx teaches Isha how to craft bombs and create art. Despite this, Isha repeatedly urges Jinx to lead the revolution, but Jinx stubbornly refuses, preferring to remain detached from the uprising.
Experimenting on Hextech
At Stillwater Hold, Ambessa (Ellen Thomas) struggles to reverse-engineer Hextech, with every experiment ending in failure and the deaths of Piltover scientists involved. Her frustration grows as she realizes that only extraordinary minds like Jayce, Viktor, and Heimerdinger possess the brilliance to truly comprehend and create Hextech. To make matters worse, Jinx has managed to achieve some progress with the technology, adding to Ambessa’s embarrassment.
Ambessa begins to suspect the Black Rose of orchestrating the disappearances of both Jayce and Mel, as well as sabotaging Piltover’s efforts by either abducting or undermining its scientists. Despite her suspicions, Ambessa shifts her focus to manipulating Caitlyn (Katie Leung), encouraging her to intensify the hunt for Jinx and strengthen Piltover’s grip on Zaun through martial law and increased military presence.
The Zaunite Rally
For the first time, Sevika (Amirah Vann) steps into a leadership role after years of serving as an enforcer for Vander and Silco. She organizes a rally of Zaunites, uniting a diverse group that includes Jinxers, Ekko’s Firelights, washed-up criminals, and other undercity civilians. Notably, Singed (Brett Tucker) makes an appearance, raising curiosity about his involvement. The presence of these criminals also hints that the remaining chem-barons have been captured by Piltover and Noxian forces. Though Jinx herself is absent, Isha takes her place as a symbolic figurehead for the rally.
However, the rally takes a dire turn when Piltover enforcers and Noxian soldiers arrive, arresting everyone, including Isha. Sevika narrowly escapes and immediately seeks out Jinx to warn her of the situation. Singed is also taken into custody but leaves behind a trail of blood for his werewolf creation, Warwick, to follow. This calculated move ensures that the monstrous creature can attempt to rescue the imprisoned mad scientist and others held captive in Stillwater Hold.
Warwick and Jinx
Jinx and Sevika manage to free the prisoners, including Isha, from Stillwater Hold. However, their plans spiral out of control when Warwick invades the facility, leading to a brutal confrontation between the monstrous creature and Jinx. Despite her resourcefulness, Jinx is no match for Warwick’s overwhelming speed, strength, and ferocity—just as Singed intended when he created his corrupted masterpiece.
As Warwick prepares to deliver the killing blow, something unexpected happens: he hesitates. The creature recognizes Jinx as Powder, his adoptive daughter, sparking a flicker of his former identity. This moment of recognition confirms what fans have long speculated: Warwick is Vander (JB Blanc), transformed into a monstrous being by Singed’s experiments.
Rating: 9/10