And look up the noxus three principles of strength. And the growth process your talking about is what spiderman went through with uncle ben great power equal great responsibility. If uncle ben hadn't died Peter wouldn't have grown up.
You still did a great job dude; you're teaching me a lot about writing. This is gold. Personally, I think Caitlyn's mom was killed and Vi will go with her to find Jinx and get revenge. It's going to be her bunny moment. Then again; there might be a plot twist.
Now that I think about it, Vander probably parented Vi the most - not because he lacked connection with the other kids - but because Vi needed the most parenting. She wasn’t just the eldest, she was the most rebellious and getting into trouble. Vander did a good job not squashing her leadership skills and still giving her a reality check about her decisions.
Nicely spotted. I’ve always imagined Vi going to a completely different place without Vander’s speeches. She could have gone _wrong_ so easily (maybe working for Silco, or using her skills to become a career criminal - I try not to think of substance abuse and mental illness, but the seeds are there.)
vi was also the one who experienced most of the early trauma we saw (the parents dying) as powder was most likely too young to really understand what was going on
Well, if Vander wasn't there for them after the riot. Vi could pretty much become more worse than powder, goes to show how the contrast of the siblings goes. When though we tend to blame vi for jinx. Vi remained strong and not easily breaking down that. Powder going to total dive. Vander did a great job making sure to put all of his wisdom and teachings to vi and then used the said daughter as a bridge for her to teach her younger sister. S1 made sure to emphasize how vi is hit or miss on teaching powder. S2 maybe the ultimate test on how Vi can stitch back together some few love left inside of jinx/powder.
It's also because the other kids looked up to her and followed her. Her decision to do over jayces apartment led to all of their deaths including powders death. Jinx isn't powder. I think we're really going to see how much that is the case in season 2.
I always thought when Vander looked at the bunny and realized what was going on was because: 1) he obviously knew the bunny belonged to Vi 2) he knew the bunny had been stuck on the power lines for years 3) sees Powder with the bunny and she's upset and clinging to it rather than cuddling with it 4) he knows Vi is in trouble and the possibility of her turning herself in is there 5) the fact that Powder is alone in the bar without Vi, Powder randomly has Vi's old toy and Vi isnt there, Powder looks upset... seems like a pretty reasonable conclusion for Vander to come to that Vi gave her that toy as a going away gift
@@hyp3rf0cus ep2, 29:21 : bunny is still tangled in cables. Same ep, 34:13, Vi gives bunny to Powder. We never see her retrieve it on camera but I assume @Endo Double was referring to either the 34:13 moment when Vi gives it to Powder, or the 35:06 musical montage when Powder goes with the bunny to the Last Drop's counter and Vander sees it and makes a "sudden realization" face. My bet's on the second one because yeah it's intense. Right before the "bad but actually good cliffhanger".
You can tone down Vander's realization and it still works into your growth perspective. Vi giving her rabbit to Powder draws some parallels to a suicidal person giving away their favorite possessions. The situation, while not the same, is similar. Vi is making a decision that will forever take away her childhood, and she doesn't need the bunny anymore. In your theory, I think you're underselling the significance of the bunny to Vi herself.
Yeah. I saw Vander’s reaction as a kind of flash of thoughts, since he probably would have remembered it being her favorite toy and disappearing one day. “She finally got the bunny down!” “Wait, why did she give it to Powder? Did she only take it down to give it to Powder?” “If Powder just got VI’s favorite toy, and Vi went through a lot of trouble to get it back from the wires, why is Powder seemingly sad about it? And why isn’t Vi with her to comfort her?”
@@look4thestarss Well they were doing other things while casting. When you start casting for a show, you don't stop working on all other things altogether.
@@Deadflower019 that’s why I said ‘and all that’ but rlly the first 3yrs wasn’t really spent on the idea and actual writing because if other things going on then. But now s2 is their main focus and they already have some of the cast down that’s why it’s gonna take less time to write it
About Vi not really growing up, she's also possibly the least effective character in the show. Everything she does seems really badass, but takes her farther away from her goals. Robbing Jayce's lab put her in a worse place, fighting Sevika put her in a worse place, trying to help Cait get the gemstone back to Piltover put her in a worse place, fighting Sevika again put her in a worse place. Most are moments where it seems like Vi is "winning" but the actual effect is that she gets farther from Powder. This is unlike characters like Mel or Cait who actually move towards their goals pretty consistently (and a big part of why the Cait/Vi pairing works; Vi is incapable of independently advancing any of her goals, which actually works for how we are introduced to her when she's looking for a new parent). Vi needs to be led to thrive, and that's fine; some people are like that. Vi is written like she's an 16-25 year old boy who is an athlete or a soldier, and they tend to be very physically proficient, but generally need a ton of guidance. Vi is very stereotypical for young soldiers. I'm not sure Jayce actually had a growth moment. Like Vi, none of his choices actually accomplished what he wanted. He's shown succeeding with partners, but when he makes choices alone they always work out wrong.
Also the bunny was shown crucified at the end of ep.5 when Jinx successfully tried to work with the gemstone. Because after the baptism scene she thought that she managed to "kill Powder" within herself = became stronger.
Ekko’s anti-Vi development is summarized so well by “you still block with your face.” Ekko’s grown a community through being genuine, whereas VI’s independence hasn’t wavered throughout the show. So Ekko accepting a leadership role WHILE equally learning from and leaning on others is foreign to the “if anything happens, it’s on you” and “those kids look up to YOU.” That martyr mentality doesn’t fly with the firelight’s, whose masks could be a form of equality as well as protection (and imagery for freedom/symbolism-a bunch of birds and bugs who live in a hole with a tree). So Ekko takes his blows on his face, essentially wearing his heart on his sleeve (a better alternative to VI’s bottling it up-until it comes to punching Powder). (The openness of the community is ironic, considering the Firelights wear masks, usually symbols of FALSE identities. The brothels also use masks-but like the Firelights, built a supportive community using the tools they had.)
@@ollie2111 Why thank you! Yeah, a mask on its own is a deception, but a group wearing masks with the same motif (bird) is a communal identity. So wether they are deceptive or not, it’s done together.
If some-bunny had told me that I would have cried during the section where schnee addresses 20-somethings about enduring painful situations and holding out for the growth...yeah, didn't expect that. Great video, as always 💜
As someone who's just starting their 20s this hit especially hard. The last 2 years have been hell and it's everything Schnee has described in the video: it's hard, it's ugly, it's painful, and it's nothing like how I imagined it would be. It's good to hear however that this is just a transition like in Arcane, the better days are ahead
Same here!! As a person in their twenties, he nailed the experiences I'm having on the head. It was surprising to have my feelings called out like that, and refreshing to know it doesn't always last. But kinda scary to not know what the growth will result in on the other side
For some extend, it's true. One of the bunnies represents little Powder, since there are two bunnies, the first one is Vi's, the second was bought by Jinx after the baptising scene and hanged on a wall. We know that for sure, cause, there are two bunnies on screen at the same time and their are visually different.
"The fish trap exists because of the fish. Once you've gotten the fish you can forget the trap. The Bunny snare exists because of the Bunny. Once you've gotten the Bunny, you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning. Once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can talk with him?"- Zhuangzi (replaced "rabbit" with "Bunny") As for season 2 predictions I think Viktor is going to lead the Zaun fight against Piltover. We've seen the undercities physicality utilized to fight, but now with Jinx (& probably Singed in his lowkey fight with Heimerdinger) primarily leading the charge nows the perfect opportunity to see Zaun's smarts put to use in their fight for independence. We already know Vic is disillusioned with Piltover, & if sibling rivalry theme continues into next season a Jayce vs Victor plot can substitute & enhance the Vander vs Silco dynamic. As for the Piltover side of things Mel needs to EAT her failure (as Ekko already has), and learn who she is without image. Jayce will be by her side tho so good for her.
I'm the most curious about how will Warwick fit into the story of Piltover v. Zaun in Arcane Season 2. Obviously PvZ will not be the _focus_ of season 2, but merely a setting for the actual story, but I find it highly unlikely Warwick would just be a "Deckard 2.0". If Viktor replaced Silco as the personification of a certain motif in the narrative, perhaps Warwick will take over the role of Sevica - giving his own spin to the role, of course - given that Singed's role will probably remain pretty unchanged. Also, we'll probably learn more about Singed's daughter - but we may or may not actually meet her. Could go either way. Vi-tlyn going after Jinx will probably include Cassandra Kiramman in some capacity, and I suspect that storyline will probably explore the themes of children of parents (or children without parents) becoming the new "adults", separating their own lives from the lives their parents (or other loved ones) expect of or have set up for them. If you look at how parenthood is portrayed so far in Arcane, I feel like it's very likely we've been foreshadowed with this theme throughout S1, but it hasn't really born fruit yet. EDIT: One more note, I'm certain Jayce and Mel will have a child when S2 starts, followed by a time skip at the start of Season 2. Knowing Arcane, I suspect another time skip: Jayce and Mel will now have a child, Caitlyn has been made the Sheriff of Piltover, Vi works with the enforcers (as her deputy, maybe), and we might never be given a straight-forward answer on how everyone survived the explosion, leaving that up to fan-theories.
@@TheRawrnstuff oooooo having a kid vs being childless will be another good parallel between Jayce & Viktor vs Vander & Silco, and will strengthen that one sex scene in hindsight!
@@HxH2011DRA That scene - paired with the blood and the hexcore - is the main reason why I believe Mel is pregnant. Plus - if I'm correct about S2 theme-scape being about "kids becoming the new adults" - these "kids" now having their own kids makes total sense.
@@TheRawrnstuff Warwick might be used by singe during the piltVzaun war. To further support this theory. Victor and Singed, zaun scientists, have discovered biologically advancing technology, with shimer and the hexcore, which Zaun will use as weapons during the war. It will be a battle between technology and biology.
@@nirvallasparadise biotech is technology also but no one uses biological weapons, except Mundo's infected bonesaw. A biological weapon is a virus or a bacteria that is weaponized and then is used to spread the disease. As far as engineering goes the hexcore is hextech and shimmer is chemtech. All the rest, including Singed's poison trail, adhesive and potion, Sevika's arm power source, Twitch's venom, Renata's rockets and infusions, Jinx's passive, grenades and rocket's payload power sources, Warwick's power source, Urgot's and Mundo's canisters and the turbo chemtanks are all chemtech because they are just using chemicals not biological agents. It's important to note that Zaun uses hextech also, not just Piltover: Jinx rocket launcher's power source, Ekko's Z-drive, Blitzcrank's entire body, Viktor's claw and hexcore and more importantly the hextech alternators and belts can be used by anyone, so even if chemtech was developed as an answer to Piltover's hextech that doesn't mean Zaun can't use hextech either. Just like in real life any weaponized technology won't be a secret or of the exclusive use of any single nation if other nations are interested or able to use that type of weapons also, but of course in a simplistic view hextech is associated with Piltover and chemtech is associated with Zaun.
This is probably the first premier I've ever been this early too. Because of you, I'm able to understand other perspectives in arcane! Can't wait until this drops.
Daaaaaamn I was not expecting that but it makes so much sense, and also I hadn't noticed, it's true Vi "regressed", she was ready to go for the diplomatic solution before Vander was like nope. Daaaaaaamn oh my god I love this show so much it's ridiculous
Tbf the diplomatic route hasn't gone right for her, she tried trusting in the council and they let her down, so even after Vander "regressed" her, she tried to trust Cait with her diplomatic way and it didn't work out
@@akasakikawasaki1890 I see it this way, at the end when the council suggests to be diplomatic with Silco Vi explodes and says that's not going to work, prompting them to kick her out. The diplomatic solution was the council's idea, talking to the council was Caitlyn's idea, Vi just went with it, but it's clear she wasn't interested in it, so I'm not sure she was trusting Caitlyn with the diplomatic way, I feel like she wanted the council to agree to go to war with Silco which is on point with her character for all we've seen so far (and I don't blame her one bit). It's gonna be interesting to see her develop more in S2, see how she changes after the whole fiasco with Jinx.
Vi *is* impacted by growth in a distinct way. Think of the scene when Vander pushes Vi in Benzo’s basement: she took Vander’s lesson to heart and was prepared to turn herself in. While Vander does negate this exchange from happening, by consequence, Vi is suddenly faced with the unexpected - that Vander is the one taking the fall for her mistake. And then! While locked away, helpless, Vi sees blood splash over the window. We don’t know how much she hears but she assumed the worst. She pounds on the window and cries uncontrollably, sinking to the floor. All while thinking she lost Vander because of her mistake. Once Ekko frees her, she realizes that Vander is still alive. Vi’s determination to rescue him and redeem herself in Vander’s eyes is why she says to him, “Yes, I do.” Before walking out on the catwalk. But in the end, even with a second chance at rescuing him, it still all fell apart. Vi lost her whole family (apart from Powder), Vander died protecting her, and he still told her, “Take care of Powder.” Vi screams because she knows this is all her fault. So yes, Vi did revert back to her fists. Because what else did she know to do? Of course she reverts to the image of the man that protected them on the bridge by punching. I think that’s the tragedy that separates her from Powder. Not that Vi has a glorified memory of the past - Vi still blames herself - but because Vi isn’t sure of how to evoke change within herself. It’s why she had a lot of walls between herself and Caitlyn. Putting all her anger toward the institutions that oppressed the undercity and put Vi in prison. (At first labeling her as part of a group, “you enforcers are all the same…”) And yet, Caitlyn gradually broke more and more of those walls down with trust. Vi’s expectations of Piltover and her entire world are thrown out of wack. Her beliefs are changing, and by consequence, pulling herself further away from Powder. The Valdiani is a symbol of Jinx putting the cards on the table for Vi. But it is her line of, “But you changed too.” To which Vi doesn’t know how to respond. Because she’s realizing that (before she realized it) she *did* change. But she didn’t expect this to take her away from her sister. So I guess, the whole story is Vi’s long journey of growth. I’m curious to know where Vi goes from here in season 2.
Something I have found interesting about Vi is that the world she lives in is focused on Developing and Progress. Vi seems out of place no matter what side (topside or undercity) because she is always Going Back while everything around her moves forward no matter the cost. Always trying to go back to the past to fix her mistakes and undo the progress of others is the main issue she struggles with and is what makes her such an interesting character. She thinks she is pushing forward, but is doing so at the expense of everyone else's progress. And she does it all in the name of righting her mistakes and finding Powder, who doesn't know how to progress because of her childhood trauma, which then (to Jinx) spirals Jinx's insanity and unstable connection with her sister and causes even more of a reverse from all the Progress and disrupts the peace of everyone's "stable" economy and world.
I love this - but I disagree that Vander was setting Vi on a pacifist arc. He was trying to tell her to pick her battles better, not saying that she should never fight. Pacifism and Violence both have their place and Vi does show growth in deciding which approach to go with, she still punches first on default, however, she decides to go plead her case to the council alongside Caitlyn at the end there. Vi is slowly getting there, but she hasn't yet had a chance to completely change.
That's a good take on Vi. And we can interpret her disagreement with Jayce in a different way: Jayce's priority shifts from taking down Silco violently to giving Silco all of Zaun; Vi's priority stays the same, as she's still holding onto the hope that taking down Silco will get Powder back...
I need to mention again: Jinx‘s machine gun is called „pow-pow“ and has bunny ears. Maybe they want to construct a duality between the little cute „Pow-Pow“ and the more cruel shark weapon „Fishbones“, that actually destroys the council.
It’s so fascinating learning about the concept of concretization. I’ve always noticed that I’m most affected by little physical things in stories, and wondered why. Knowing it’s a real writing tool is pretty cool! Bunny is a great example of this
I would really appreciate seeing Vi have her big growth moment where she's forced to understand and behave differently than she has, more consistently. I love her character the way she is but I think it would be cool to see more in depth how all these events have effected her emotionally and intellectually.
Schnee, I want you to know that I believe I speak for everyone here when I say thank you. Y’know, for making these Arcane analysis videos. It’s amazing how you can gather all this and add entertaining commentary to it. Thank you. bunny
This is actually my fave analysis of yours so far. You're giving me reasons to applaud the storyboard artists and writers again so much. The start of episode 3 and the start of episode 9 is really the same Vi sitting there, it's the continuation of the horrifying event that'll make her grow. That was actually mind blowing but it makes so much sense. I think Vi becoming an enforcer, becoming what we she never think she'll become, that "growth" comes after ep 9 and we'll see it.
i would never have connected those dots, thats really incredible. especially how Vi's character development was undone by the same person who inspired it, and it solidified he world view that she had before the character development And i love the term "unified bunny theory" lmao You should also make a video about how things would have been different in Powder never chased Vi to silco's, or if she never dropped the crystals in jayce's in the first place causing the explosion
if powder never chased her the siblings and vander would probably be dead, powder herself would most likely either be dead (hunted down and killed by silco) or a firelight idk what would happen if they had somehow managed to escape without powders "help" tho, everything would probably be better considering silco would never get his shimmer plan to work because vander needed to be gone for that second if she didnt drop the crystals everything would be the same as if she didnt run after them since her bomb wouldnt work, also hextech probably would not have been created
If neither of those thing happened the story wouldn’t really exist. The apartment explosion was the catalyst for Hextech and the Vander rescue explosion was the catalyst for Silcos takeover, which are the two events in the show that everything rests upon.
@@hanakoskokeshidoll If you rewatch ep3 again, you'll see that claggor actually successfully breaks a large hole in the wall for their escape, meaning that if Powder had never followed, they would have likely escaped successfully. That's what makes it even more tragic. They were so close.
The way how you describe how characters overcoming weakness is confusing, devastating and not at all what they expected is literally steps 5 and 6 of Dan Harmon's Story Circle, which every protagonist goes through in Arcane. Characters might get what they want but it's not what they expected. And they pay a heavy price for it. Jinx and Vi both reunite at step 5 of their respective circles by getting what they want and meeting each other, but it's there they realize that neither of them are who the other expected anymore.
New guy still playing catch up. I'm loving the interpretation of what "makes you unique" into "what transforms you." Very Donaldson to me. I love this kind of meaningful word play in my writing. As to Vander and the Bunny, the plot device you refer to seems pretty simple to me - Vi passing down this precious, personal item, would mean that she must be planning to go away. But I think that basic logic leads directly into the more complex version where she must be growing up to offer such a sacrifice. I can't imagine a guy like Vander making it three steps without seeing this, especially after their 'talk'. Perhaps more interestingly is the Valdiani angle. The writers clearly intended it to be important and having it resemble a pretty but limited, geometric shape (Vi) that 'blossoms' makes for fine symbolism. This lines up pretty well with GBT (Grand Bunny Theory) but it seems a bit redundant and more obvious within that realm. Their are two reasons I don't think that's what its job is. One - at the time of the robbery no one but Powder got more than a glance at it, and they would have attached little meaning to it even if it reappeared. But in Jinx's mind the boys basically Died for that thing. Not directly perhaps but the job was the event that put them on the path of doom and is directly linked to her transformation. The fact that she let them down just before murdering them makes it essential and symbolic in Jinx's battle of identity. The second reason is because of the device's own transformation to bright sparking flower, executed by Jinx and placed at the center of the table like a quasi-birthday cake. But this is not a birthday for Powder or Jinx, they both already exist in her mind, she's already been changed. Jinx might be crazy but that doesn't mean she hasn't spent countless hours agonizing over how to fix the Undercity. She is a Tinkerer at heart. And I believe those chairs are there to bear witness to a more dramatic choice than what name she should use. Looking back at the device and at Arcane in general I don't think it can be a coincidence that the device's bloom like qualities resemble the Fireflies Tree and the better community that is blossoming in the Undercity not far from them. Consider for a moment Ekko as an anti-Jinx, a true peer that found a better answer to the resentment and shadow thriving in the Undercity than becoming a monster. Consider how beautiful the battle with Ekko must have been to Jinx's action/solution driven personality. Is it any wonder that as she was losing the fight she slipped back into Powder - admitting in the moment that 'maybe you were right'. Not because of any deep conversations they had about Zaun or even the pleasant childhood memories - but because she had seen it. She had seen the tree and the seen Fireflies and had taken the time to consider that there was an outcome that no one else was considering. A better outcome. That's why Jinx added the sparklers to the device - she needed it to resemble yet another important choice in her arsenal. She put it at the center of her party not for Vi or Silco but for herself, as the one option that might not force her to choose between her sister and her father. If she could only make them see it - if they could only convince her that it was real. And though it may not look like it - it may have been the choice she actually made. Kill Silco to end the poisonous rebellion of the Zaun and take out the Government that sits atop her people like a weight. Stop the war and make sure her sister never feels "less than" again and maybe even have a chance to finally blossom... For season two of course this means that she will have to remove the last obstacle for peace - herself. She will visibly separate herself from the Undercity and confess to her crime, taking refuge in a Skyship and uniting the whole city against her - the woman who committed terrorism, killed the leader of Zaun, and even grenaded Ekko. And as a bonus it gives Jayce (the one most qualified to understand her Tinker mind set) the chance to recognize the Valdiani at some point and realize that Jinx was the one who robbed him so long ago. Bidet
Season 1 asked us the question, "Can opposing forces reconcile?" I think Season 2 will continue that question, and with Vi specifically it will take the form of, "Can Vi learn to love Jinx (not Powder) unconditionally?" "Can Jinx accept that she is not unloved, nor unlovable?" I also think that Jayce will take a more supporting role in Season 2, and the Piltover side of the plot will focus a lot more on Viktor and his journey. And I'm hopeful that we'll get to see characters like Camille, Orianna, and Ziggs.
I don't think Vi should love jinx, she should accept that jinx it's a part of powder, and who she chooses to be, but I don't think she should love her murderous actions lol
@@akasakikawasaki1890 You can love a person without loving or even excusing their actions. I think Vi will have to love Jinx and accept that her sister has changed, love Jinx for JINX, and not only see the brokenness that leads to her violent actions.
I don't think anyone should be learning to love Jinx unconditionally, not in the way you're implying. There is no one in Runeterra with the knowledge and experience to give Jinx the therapy she needs, even assuming you could get them together. Vi HAS already tried being there for Jinx and accepting her but she doesn't understand Jinx and doesn't know how to help her. Vi's arc should be about learning to expand her circle of compassion to more than just her family, maybe first with the Firelights and then with the entire city. Jinx doesn't deserve what happened to her, and doesn't deserve to be what she is, but she is still a murderer, a terrorist, and a danger to other people. She can't deal with her trauma and only causes pain to herself and others. Jinx doesn't deserve it, but she needs to die. Maybe that's what Vi needs to learn.
The connection is that Bunnies like carrots, and none of the characters in Arcane are orange, therefore it doesn't matter. In all seriousness though, you know the interesting part about Vi not truly growing in the sense everyone else does? You know the one thing that separates her completely from every other character in the series? She has no personal ambitions or defining ideals whatsoever. None. She is entirely defined by the desire to help her family. That's basically it. Even actions that are directly unrelated are entirely born from her wanting to protect people she personally loves. Resisting Piltover? She wants Powder to have a better life. Attack Silco's empire? She wants to force him out of Powder's life so they can freely reconnect. She isn't even driven to overcome some form of childhood trauma or sense or personal inadequacy. Especially after Act 1 she is driven entirely by her desire to reconnect with her sister. What room is there for growth when your life is defined entirely by your protective relationship to a single other person that you love? And what happens to you when the world has changed so much around you that you barely recognize or connect with it anymore? What happens when you actually love someone you would otherwise hate by mere association? And what happens when you can no longer protect the person you've centred your life around protecting? Vi doesn't quite get there, but she is on the road to completely rewriting her identity because every dynamic that made up who she was has been totally shattered. The opening credits even foreshadow her and her sister becoming arch-enemies. They couldn't make Vi change, because if she had, the climax just doesn't work, because then she's not defined by or holding on to the things that she's about to lose. What makes Jinx's choice at the end to leave her sister behind isn't tragic in and of itself, it's because the reason for the separation is HER changing, not that Vi changed. To make it a tragedy, someone has to draw the short stick where just nothing goes their way. For their separation to be a tragedy, Jinx has to choose to leave her while at the same time Vi doesn't want that to happen.
Great points. I do think Jinx is the other character with no ambitions or ideals, but they've set her on a very different path from vi in terms of what you're highlighting. I think Vi's trajectory is probably similar to a lot of people irl who take her path: they start out caring about helping just one or a few select close individuals, but they eventually realize that truly helping these people involves tackling much bigger societal issues, and then eventually they do grow attached to the ideals of that grander fight (even if--or actually especially if-- they fail when it comes to helping those few individuals). I expect that broadening of ambitions is what we're seeing with Vi. And then Jinx is the opposite, failure at those personal ambitions just drives her more deeply inward.
*Bunny represents Powder and VI’s relationship.* Vi gave bunny in confidence to Powder, which mattered a ton to her since VI’s a combination of parental approval and a role model to Powder. Vander seeing it could’ve reminded him of their bond, and seeing Powder sad-coupled with the bond-made him realize only Vi could make Powder so dejected, thus why he recalls their conversation and runs to stop her. Bunny’s suspended during the explosion, and Powder smiles at it, sure this explosion will earn VI’s respect and secure that relationship. Then it gets abandoned alongside Powder, since Vi is the one ‘cutting off’ that relationship. Jinx hides bunny in a box (contradictory to the prominent displayed of dolls of her other ‘family’ members), hiding that fear of being abandoned. It’s not till her twisted ‘acceptance’ of her abandonment and ‘killing’ of Powder (via baptism) that Jixn it able to display bunny as prominently as the other figures (by nailing it to the wall-as a symbol to strive for). The change of bunny’s position shows Jinx’s mindset shifting, from scared little kid in denial over her abandonment, to vengeful adult to “I see you did this to me and I’ll show you how wrong you were.” And of course Jinx includes it at the banquet where she’ll reunite with her sister.
How could you leave out the "Bunny impaled by throwing stars" moment in the montage at the end of episode 5 (around 36:30)? Could it be that Jinx - in her post-"baptism" triumph of overcoming Powder's weakness just as Silco advised - has finally found the courage to ignore her trauma and crack the secret of hextech, and is celebrating by impaling a touchstone of her childhood weakness?
I love the concept of the growth moments! That's so strong, so emotional and relatable. I just love what this show has to offer. thank you for this amazing video again
I never expected to go down into a rabbit hole like Arcane, also that bunny looks so much like what my cousin used to have. And my god I love you so so much for doing all this digging and thinking and hopping from one topic to another. This was an amazingly wholesome theory with various grand details. Hope you're having a great time doing, well everything you do.🥰🥰
I know a couple of people mentioned your editing but just wanted to add my two cents: I really appreciate the visual side of your videos, especially how you use certain scenes to add more oomph to your points, just like with the toppled house of cards at 9:03 to represent a shattered view of growth. I'm a recent subscriber so I'm still catching up with your previous content, but you consistently amaze and I'm grateful that you share your thoughs! The way you structure your videos clearly shows how much effort you put into them and is the perfect showcase for all the writing advice gems you've dropped. Can't wait for the S02 vid!! (also: buny 🐇)
I think it dawned on Vander the significance of the bunny and Powder because he was aware of how precious it had been to Vi and seeing Powder looking sad and depressed about having been given such a precious gift by her sister set off red flags. He put two and two together and realized it was a parting gift.
Another example of the bunny theory in regards to Vi is when she trusts Caitlyn to fix things and then it doesn't work. That's another moment when Vi tries to change, it backfires, and she falls back on what she knows. So I really like that you pointed out that earlier moment. It shows that Vi is trying to do things differently, but keeps getting punished for it, and is so hurt that she doesn't trust in another way.
Isn't it completely appropriate that Vi would be the emotionally stunted member of this ensemble? She was an orphan who lost her father fig it'sure to the actions of the only family that she had left. Immediately following that trauma she was imprisoned and left there to rot. The way they kept this secret from Silco, I would guess it was done without due process. When we first see her after the time skip, she's spent her remaining adolescence trapped in a cage and her only contact with other people has been abusive. She wasn't just trapped in a cage, she was trapped in time. She didn't have the chance to grow up like everyone else, she was robbed of her agency. Likewise, when she gets out she's focused on two things: survival and finding her sister. That's all she knows about the world.
To answer your question at 14:20, You know some bunny once told me, that the world is gonna roll me, because I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But to be honest, that's okay to admit because its part of growing up. Like you said "It's bond to Confusing, it's bond to be Ugly, it's bond to be Devastating. But it is GROWTH" and no matter how little those steps maybe.... I am walking that path.
The bunny, the bunny Whoa, I love the bunny I don't love my mom or my dad, just the bunny The bunny, the bunny Yeah, I love the bunny I gave everything that I had for the bunny I don't want no health food when it's time to feed A big bag o' bunnies is all that I need I don't want no buddies to come out and play I'll sit on my sofa, eat bunnies all day I won't go to church, and I won't go to school That stuff is for sissies, but bunnies are cool Backup Singers: I don't want no pickles, I don't want no honey, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny I don't want a tissue when my nose is runny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny I don't want to tell you a joke that is funny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny I don't want to play on a day that is sunny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny (continues in the background) Mr. Nezzer: The bunny, the bunny Whoa, I love the bunny I don't love my mom or my dad, just the bunny The bunny, the bunny Yeah, I love the bunny I gave everything that I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaad... fo-or the bu-unnyyyyyyy
The fact that this video implies that Schnee watched (and possibly rewatched) all of Arcane for bunny cameos is so funny but also a testament to his dedication to his (over)analysis of the show
well i thought this was just going to be a silly video about a bunny plush but it ended up being the best most insightful pep talk i've ever been given in my 20 years of life holy shit
I think my favorite takeaway from the bunny’s symbolism is that its *self-contradictorily comforting* in a way. like schnee said: change while growing up into being a stronger person is confusing, ugly, and devastating. Which is why I think the bunny sort of symbolizes this comforting companion we wish we all had when things are *confusing, ugly, and devastating.* i say this because 1) its a toy and toys were always used to comfort people/for them to have something to hold when things are rough and 2) is because it appears in a lot of jinx’s *and* powder’s biggest moments (the explosion and the flashback for example) in those moments when she didn’t have anyone but herself and her gadgets, she also had the bunny to accompany her for better or for worse. the bunny is also self-contradicting with this idea of mine bc the bunny ends up being a symbol of trauma for jinx as well, its literally a toy given to her by vi who is ultimately the source of a lot of her trauma and abandonment issues (imo at least). its a reminder for jinx to never forget who her sister is and why vi had abandoned her. overall i do believe that the bunny does have a lot of significance since it was an easter egg in a lot of scenes, then agn maybe the creators just wanted to leave the bunny in as an easter egg u never know LMAO 🤷 also the whole vander pushing vi to refuse the fight and then he suddenly goes against his philosophy when vi was abt to turn herself in, i think that was all due to parental instinct. furthermore, before he locked vi in that room thingy he told her that *“she did good”* so i guess he was recognizing her efforts at doing the right thing (which is to take the fall to prevent a bigger fight from ensuing). this is also what, like schnee said, he has been teaching her all her life, its just that vi chose a really bad time to act on it 💀 so i guess after vander takes her place instead, that was traumatic for her and it set off a bulb in her head that maybe refusing to fight/turning yourself in wouldn’t always be the best decision (bc her dad just died bc of it) so maybe thats why she just fought the entire season. and i mean everything happened so fast for vi; her dad takes her place, she tries to rescue him but he ends up dead along w her 2 other siblings, she finds out her little sister was the one responsible for their deaths, she abandons said sister, she tries to save her sister and its too late, she gets kidnapped and thrown into prison for years and then once she got out she didnt recognize her home or her sister anymore….like i rlly think vi just needed time to process it all bc even if she was in prison all those years, all she was thinking abt was revenge and i mean if i were in her place i would also spend a whole season seeking revenge (but thats just me lmao). anyways yeah i rlly do think vi will have a lot of growth in s2 and i look forward to seeing it all :DD *really great video btw schnee !! i always enjoy hearing abt ur theories bc i agree w a lot of them LMAO*
I thought it was more like Vi´s inocence, something that she wanted to desperetly protect in Powder because in a way it´s like living trough her. Something that she couldn´t have and we she gave the bunny to her sister was like assuming the ultimate loss of Vi´s inocence. Like I couldn´t have this toy when I was a child but you can now. And I believe Vander understands that Vi is giving Powder her last thing, a symbol of her childhood, an act that can be understood as assuming adulthood, aka assuming the consecuences of her actions.
I just had the idea that maybe Powder couldn’t get the validiani from the river before because the water was toxic, but AFtER her “surgery” she was able to swim down and get the stuff. Although I’m surprised how well it looks after sitting in water for maybe seven years. Or maybe Powder stuffed the valdiani in her pocket the whole time, idk. 😅
There's also a lot of similarities between Powder and Caitlyn as well. Both excellent shots, both use traps in-game, both have blue hair and blue eyes, Cait while in Zaun has a ponytail where her fringe looks like a shorter version of Jinx's. Vi makes comparisons between Cait and Powder both in the parkour scene and in Cait's bedroom when Vi talks about how she used to share a bed "like this" with Powder, when seeing Cait's conspiracy map she again brings up Powder "I thought Powder could get obsessed" so once again comparing Caitlyn to Powder and then finally, Caitlyn is heckled by other enforcers while Powder was heckled by Mylo.
What a beautiful way to really grab us again at the end of the video by tying this into personal growth in OUR lives. "In your teens, in your 20s". Nice
Holy shit. What a radically different show it would be if flashback Vander had said "You don't have to do this." Genuinely thinking I might make a meme-y motivational poster with a picture of the bunny and the caption "Change is confusing, ugly, devastating, and looks nothing like you thought it would." and then, you know, cry a little every time I look at it because goddamn that's real and hits so hard.
Vi seeing Caitlyn as her mom reminded me a lot of Batman: The Long Halloween and how Bruce saw Selina as his mother. It made me think that maybe some people, not all people, look for similar traits that their parents or care givers had, but it's more so in a way that they're looking for someone that reminds them of a sense of security they had in childhood and trying to replicate it within adulthood, rather than wanting to be with someone that reminds them of their parents because of.. creepy Freud reasoning.
Adding to the scenes including the bunny: In the final moments of episode 5, while Jinx is working on her mechanical fireflies, the bunny hangs over her work station. Hangs, as in... it's crucified. It's literally pinned there by nails in its palms (paws?) while light shines upon it in an almost holy, god-like manner. Just wanted to add this since I found it quite unsettling the first time I noticed it
Okay, but like Caitlyn is the true bunny. Vi gave jinx her weakness to start the change, but she didn't go through with it and put it on jinx instead. They show cait with bunny because bunny isn't vi's weakness any more, it's powder and cait. She wants powder, she needed a powder to protect and without powder it's caitlyn. Leaving jinx with hers and handing it back down to Vi, telling Vi she has to get over the selfless martyr act. She knows how to change but she has to give up what's most dear to her, acting almost like a vander in that scene. Endangering her powder to force Vi to see her mistakes and let jinx become jinx, jinx who staves off the change in its entire for Vi as Vi had done for powder.
1) I'm almost 25, and I strated figuring out all that growth idea a few weeks ago, feels good to watch a video that confirms that. 2) You hyped me so much for you next video, that should be illegal :p 3) That bunny is just a manifestation of Powder creating a Core Memory :p
Super interesting. I think the bunny/Validiany can also symbolize the rift between Vi and Jinx. Vi uses the bunny to make Powder feel included, by showing her how everybody fails sometimes, and how the strong people around her weren't always so strong. This message is the absolute opposite of Mylo's view of Powder. But after the blast, the message that cements itself in Powder's mind is that she *is* weak, she *is* a jinx, and not simply a little girl caught up in a horrible situation. So instead of a symbol of inclusion and acceptance, the bunny becomes a challenge, a constant reminder that Jinx is too weak, crazy, and unstable to overcome her challenges and be accepted by anybody, and especially Vi. That's also why she retrieves the Valdiani - she's trying to show her sister that she's overcome her weaknesses and was able to dive down and get it back. Vi obviously doesn't understand that, not only because she doesn't remember, the device, but because that was never the message for her. So what symbolizes inclusion and acceptance for Vi, symbolizes exclusion and weakness for Jinx.
Others have probably said this (heck, I may have heard it from you in one of your videos) but I interpreted Vi falling back to punching her problems away as simply being the result of her seeing how things went to shit when she tried the passive route.
I really didn't expect for this bunny video to end up on Vi's arc, but it is really interesting how it puts a bump on her relationship with Cait and I honestly can't wait to know how it continues on season 2 with a changed Cait after the attack on the council. You're a visionary btw, every video makes my brain shortcircuit.
I think you missed that everyone's path gets undone in the end, including Vander's, all because of one event: Silco's reaching for the gun. If he had been truly interested in powder's well-being, he would not have reached for it. He even undid his own growth. All for the drug of power. All it takes is one wildcard to turn fortunes just as robbing an apartment led to Piltover's advancement and Zaun's further debasement, and Vi's abandoning powder led to Vi's growth and powder's debasement. Who is going to grow because of Silko's action?
He didn't undo his own growth, he reached for the gun because he saw that Jinx/Powder was suffering (thanks to Vis inability to understand her sisters mental illness) and he wanted to protect her.
I very much disagree with some things said here. I don't think Silco was thinking about power, or that she would choose Vi. When he takes Jinx to the river and has the scene where he "baptizes" her, he talks about that day how he "let a weak man die." He sees the former version of himself as a weakness he had to let go. I think he thinks the same of Jinx, that he thinks Powder is a weakness she needs to let go to become her true self, that it's what's holding her back and causing her to make mistakes. I think he really, truly does love her like a daughter. In front of Vander's statue, when he thinks he's talking to himself, he says about the negotiations with Jayce, "All we ever wanted. The boy didn't even haggle, and what do I lose but problems? Oh it all makes sense now brother." Jinx has been causing nothing but problems, but he finally understands Vander's perspective, about giving up everything for your daughter, and so he can't turn her in like Vander couldn't turn Vi in. "Is there anything so undoing as a daughter?" I think Silco just saw it as Vi causing Jinx pain, forcing her to relive her trauma and trying to bring out someone who doesn't exist anymore because Jinx has changed. Remember that Silco is not exactly a nice person. He's shown no remorse for death and killing, and is ruthless in how he rules the undercity. His ideal of a perfect daughter is probably like him in that regard, and Jinx sure as hell shows no remorse for killing. I think in his mind he really was trying to protect Jinx from Vi. I think he was committed in throwing power away to protect her. I think he meant the last part of this 100%, "The topsiders offered me everything. Independence, a seat at the table, all in return for you. They can all burn!"
@@selfsabotagingbanana0451 @the_rabidsquirel I wasn't talking about how Silco saw it. I was talking about the reality. Though I am definitely not saying he didn't love her. But he reached for the gun because all he saw was his empire crumbling and Vi taking it all, including Jinx, away from him. If he were concerned for Jinx in that moment, he would have helped her heal the divide with Vi and adjusted to use the new situation to his advantage. But he needed Jinx in all her corrupted glory to achieve his goal, so her wellfare was the furthest thing from his mind. She was "perfect" to him because she was exactly what he selfishly wanted her to be. That situation was the juxtaposition of what two people wanted Jinx to be. She has been stunted now that she chose. If Vi had accepted her sister as she is and Silco let his designs for her go, Jinx could have grown into someone she chose for herself to be. But now she is forever what Silco wanted her to be.
A big part of the reason I feel like "that development direction is OVER for Vi" is because she tried to have this moment where she would take responsibility and she was robbed of it, the only thing left to do was fight, but the outcome was always the same, she ended up in prison, and the only reason she is there is to be protected from Silco's wrath. From there she can hassle his lackeys and take some semblance of revenge but it isn't a way for her to grow, she spends years where the only thing she can do is fight Silco through direct violence against those that work for him. Being sheltered in Stillwater is being sheltered in a reality in which violence is not just an answer, but the only means by which she feels she can effect change. In the same way that it is strange that Vi never makes the connection to Powder while in prison, it is strange to me that Silco never makes the connection to "the pink haired renegade that grinds up anyone with relations to Silco." Schnee discusses this through a lens of Vi in disbelief, that the two could never be equated, but Silco would have no trouble making this connection having seen the damage she could do even as a teenager. There is only one explanation I can think of: the people Vi puts the hurt to never leave Stillwater, because Marcus is very much sheltering her there. Vi is not directly responsible for any deaths, but Marcus is going to keep a tight lid on that information no matter what.
Best thing about this video is that you made us aware that Jinx actually recovered that Valdiani. Unquestionably, I never would have noticed. No matter how much I rewatched these episodes and I'm sure for most people as well. Never thought I would be more impressed with your analysis. You have made great content and I'm looking forward to your perspective on how season 2 might look.
The bunny also appears in Ep5 when Jinx succeeds in operating the crystal, right near the end. Not sure if that changes the theory, I just want complete bunny picture here.
Ooh true, I missed another bunny scene too (Ep2 right before the vi vander bridge convo). I think this one fits well though: nailing the bunny to the wall seems like either avoidance or expressing aggression against the pain of growth. Instead, she tries to brute force her way to success here without growth. The hex crystal won't give her the acceptance she craves, only confronting that painful growth moment will. "Can't just nail your bunnies to the wall", good motto 🤔
BRO THANK YOU! I have been puzzled about the bunny for years-- reignited by season 2. Bunny representing overcoming weakness finally makes sense. Thank you for putting together this amazing analysis! Also, I've been deeply puzzled by Vi's motivations for teaming up with Piltover in S2, but realizing the chat with Vander about protection through cooperation with them made SO much more sense why she's doing what she does.
I keep thinking you can’t blow my mind away more and yet here we are with every video. Truly one of my favourite youtube channels. Awesome work, it really is awe inspiring how you frame and theorize all the symbolism
Gosh im so excited for season 2. Arcane just has so much depth, in the characters and plot. Its mind bending and absolutely amazing. Your videos help me so much with my own writing. Love this bunny theory! They could have easily used something more “strong” to symbolize strength and using a stuffed animal makes it all the more interesting. Curious to see if bunny shows up in the second season.
I like your explanation more, but I feel like it was probably just the idea that either people pass on their treasured belongings when they move away, out grow it, or pass away so that someone else can appreciate or find comfort in it too, or how people give something of theirs to people in their life in order to remember them when they are gone/separated that got Vander to make the connection when he saw Powder with Vi’s bunny.
Hater: Arcane is a one seasoned series, one day you´re gonna run out of content to make about it! Schnee: No I think i won´t! releases "bunny theory analysis"...
This whole unified theory give me a much-needed shot of encouragement in my mid-20s, as I’m having to learn very painfully and quickly to grow out of all of my self-centeredness, and a lot of what I thought I wanted to be as a child and a teenager.
6:44 the funny thing abt this is that people tending to fall for those who resemble their parents a lot *is a thing* and we can see this played out not only with vis mother, but with vander quote as well. they have the same accent - im not sure lol. also the yk sharpness of their shapes, the faces they make are a bit similar now that i think abt it. this is either a gag or really good attention to detail
My 20s were the most difficult years of my life, nothing like I thought they'd be. But I'm so happy and healthy in my 30s because of how hard I fought during those years. It was confusing, ugly, devastating, and looked nothing like I thought it would.
i didn't think an arcane essay video about a stuffed bunny would make me cry and help me come a bit more to term with where I am in life but here we are ahah thank you for that video it's bith stupid and so important, I needed that
Personally I think Vander figured out Vi's plan when he saw the bunny because it represents Vi's goals for the future. Here's this symbol of childhood comfort that's just out of reach, a microcosm of the way teen!Vi drives herself to wish for a better world for Powder. But the thing is, Vander always knew Vi could get it down any time she wanted; she was too stubborn and made it this sort of symbol to constantly remind her of her past pain and why she fights. When Vi gives Powder the bunny in Episode 3, Vander realizes that Vi is putting away her grief of the past and her vision of the future. Figuratively and literally, leaving it in her sister's hands
I love all this theorizing. It adds all kinds of new flavors to the Arcane experience. However, Occam's Razor strongly suggests that Jinx acquired a different Valdiani music shell, perhaps as a gift from Silco at some point, not that she scoured the bottom of the harbor to get the loot bag from years prior. I'm not sure it matters how she acquired it though. The message to Vi at the dinner party is the same either way since Vi wouldn't know the difference and would still, presumably, get the implied meaning behind it regardless. But I don't believe for a second that Jinx dove into the depths of the Pilt river just to find that thing.
She could even have picked on the kiramman's house as she kidnapped the cop girl, since this valdiani guy was probably famous and the kirammans are rich and could have purchased one
Bunny theory, however deep or crazy, is so interesting to use in Arcane because it takes place in the city of progress. When we think about progress topside, we probably automatically think about the posh fancy people with the cool inventions and everything that we see in the Progress Day episode, so showing progress as being complicated, ugly, unexpected, etc. like you said is so interesting to bring to each of the characters, especially topside ones: Jace and Mel(as part of the council and are most involved in topside affairs), Viktor(who seems to be in this constant cycle of desperately trying to find the “right” growth and goes through some very harsh growth in terms of the bunny - a ‘bunny gauntlet’ if you will), and Caitlyn(who always seemed like she was to break free from topside posh/fancy/corrupt/carefree life but is truly able to do so in the most unexpected way in freeing/working with/meeting Vi). Additionally, this makes me think back to your Vi v.s. Sevika episode where you explained how Sevika was all about preventing change and Vi, contrastingly, was intent on bringing about change. But here, in the bunny theory, we see how Vi is opposed to change? How does it makes sense that Vi could be a driving force of change for Piltover and yet lack the personal development caused through this ‘bunny gauntlet’? I think that’s an interesting contrast.
I love this and am 100% with you on the symbolism of the bunny/"Real Valdiani"! I can't help but notice that there is a way simpler reason for why Vander knew what Vi was going to do by seeing the bunny that isn't "plot device" either though LOL In the last scene Vander had with Vi, he was convincing her that violence wasn't the way to handle the problem. That conversation ended on a note of fear from both of them. Vander, of course, is expecting that he needs to assume responsibility for Vi's actions. He doesn't expect her to have that growth in that moment, so he goes back to the Last Drop and starts preparing himself for what he's about to sacrifice. Then Powder comes in, despondent, and alone. He tries to cheer her up and get her to interact, but it fails. She isn't interested. Which is a point of concern -- Powder is usually more responsive, even in her darker moments (see "What are you calling this one?" "Whisker.") So something is really deeply bothering her. And she's fixated on the bunny doll. So he picks up the bunny doll. He recognizes it's Vi's, which knocks over the first domino in the line to the conclusion. This could have gone several different ways internally, but what the scene read like to me was almost an internal cascade from "Actually, where is Vi?" because he knows that if Vi knew Powder was in this state she'd be here trying to cheer her up. But he also knows Vi's very troubled right now. Vi is very troubled right now because she wants to take action to protect people. Just like her desire to protect would put her there, comforting Powder. It's an instinctive reaction that Vander very much relates to. He sees a *lot* of himself in Vi. So that almost instantly leads him to the conclusion -- he knows what he's planning to do to solve things. In fact, I'm sure part of him sees turning himself in here to prevent a war being atonement in some capacity for leading the fight that got Vi and Powder's parents killed. But again, he sees a lot of himself in Vi... He didn't expect her to be mature enough to come to the conclusion he already arrived at where he intends to take that sacrifice upon himself. But he knows that Vi's mind is on protective action. He knows she wants to make things right. He knows she's likely to come to the same conclusion -- but she isn't going to be thinking of protecting herself, just like he isn't thinking of protect himself. She's going to be thinking of protecting her family, and likely wouldn't be able to understand why anyone else should take that fall when she led the instigating incident. But as soon as he realizes that Vi would have arrived at the same "turn yourself in" conclusion he was coming to himself, the fear kicks in. In different circumstances, he might have been proud of her growth here, but he doesn't have the opportunity. Right now the only thing that matters to him is keeping his family safe, and growth or not, what she's likely doing is the exact opposite of safe.
have you talked about Jinx and inferiority complex? I know you've mentioned it with undercity inhabitants in general, but I feel like powder's fears usually get attributed to abandonment. many of her big agency moments seem to result from inferiority as much as abandonment: "you're not ready, Powder", "you're a jinx", "I'll let sevika handle it" and her fear of Caitlin replacing her.
I don't known if you've covered it before, but I've seen a lot of people say Mel's character makes no sense, and her motivations change completely in the last couple episodes. She goes from someone that is just after power for themselves to some sort of peacekeepers. However I think if all her actions from the begining are viewed as her best attempt to keep Piltover, a city she has acctually grown to care for, safe from people like her mother. Then pretty much everything makes sense, she just wasn't expecting that strengthening Piltover would lead to a war with Zaun, and will ultimately leave them in a weaker place to deal with outside threats. She obviously still messed up and did a bad thing, but it's kind of all she knows to do.
GAHH 😩 totally forgot to talk about one very important bunny scene! Expect a follow up short this week!!
Say what? Shock🫢
I feel so ripped off 😔 /j
You have made me excited for more bunny content :)
And look up the noxus three principles of strength. And the growth process your talking about is what spiderman went through with uncle ben great power equal great responsibility. If uncle ben hadn't died Peter wouldn't have grown up.
You still did a great job dude; you're teaching me a lot about writing. This is gold.
Personally, I think Caitlyn's mom was killed and Vi will go with her to find Jinx and get revenge. It's going to be her bunny moment. Then again; there might be a plot twist.
Now that I think about it, Vander probably parented Vi the most - not because he lacked connection with the other kids - but because Vi needed the most parenting. She wasn’t just the eldest, she was the most rebellious and getting into trouble. Vander did a good job not squashing her leadership skills and still giving her a reality check about her decisions.
Nicely spotted. I’ve always imagined Vi going to a completely different place without Vander’s speeches. She could have gone _wrong_ so easily (maybe working for Silco, or using her skills to become a career criminal - I try not to think of substance abuse and mental illness, but the seeds are there.)
vi was also the one who experienced most of the early trauma we saw (the parents dying) as powder was most likely too young to really understand what was going on
Well, if Vander wasn't there for them after the riot. Vi could pretty much become more worse than powder, goes to show how the contrast of the siblings goes. When though we tend to blame vi for jinx. Vi remained strong and not easily breaking down that. Powder going to total dive. Vander did a great job making sure to put all of his wisdom and teachings to vi and then used the said daughter as a bridge for her to teach her younger sister.
S1 made sure to emphasize how vi is hit or miss on teaching powder. S2 maybe the ultimate test on how Vi can stitch back together some few love left inside of jinx/powder.
It's also because the other kids looked up to her and followed her. Her decision to do over jayces apartment led to all of their deaths including powders death. Jinx isn't powder. I think we're really going to see how much that is the case in season 2.
Sus how this comment (thread even) has no "bunny" word in it, but @schnee liked it 🤔
maybe the real bunny is the friends we made along the way
One piece.i think🤣
No
s&b ?
sorry superior spooderman but arcane isn't that kind of show
You mean we killed along the way
I always thought when Vander looked at the bunny and realized what was going on was because:
1) he obviously knew the bunny belonged to Vi
2) he knew the bunny had been stuck on the power lines for years
3) sees Powder with the bunny and she's upset and clinging to it rather than cuddling with it
4) he knows Vi is in trouble and the possibility of her turning herself in is there
5) the fact that Powder is alone in the bar without Vi, Powder randomly has Vi's old toy and Vi isnt there, Powder looks upset... seems like a pretty reasonable conclusion for Vander to come to that Vi gave her that toy as a going away gift
I've had these same thoughts. I think you hit the nail on the head!
Almost like Vander is a father figure to them.
So much so that he's overprotective of them to the point of ruining Vi's growth by stopping her.
No one thinks like this. At most he thought "Why did she take it down NOW? Wait where is she?"
It helps that he and Vi JUST had the discussion on the bridge about war, responsibility and sacrifice, too
The scene where she actually retrieves the bunny was fucking powerful
Best scene in the movie bro
Hold on I'm not sure I even caught it. Could you tell me when it is ?
wait there was a scene where she gets the bunny back?? ive seen it sooo many times.. what scene are u referring to? sorry i’m kinda slow😭😭
@@hyp3rf0cus ep2, 29:21 : bunny is still tangled in cables. Same ep, 34:13, Vi gives bunny to Powder. We never see her retrieve it on camera but I assume @Endo Double was referring to either the 34:13 moment when Vi gives it to Powder, or the 35:06 musical montage when Powder goes with the bunny to the Last Drop's counter and Vander sees it and makes a "sudden realization" face. My bet's on the second one because yeah it's intense. Right before the "bad but actually good cliffhanger".
@@lightspeedbubble7359 OHHH yeah i was confused😭 thank u
You can tone down Vander's realization and it still works into your growth perspective. Vi giving her rabbit to Powder draws some parallels to a suicidal person giving away their favorite possessions. The situation, while not the same, is similar. Vi is making a decision that will forever take away her childhood, and she doesn't need the bunny anymore. In your theory, I think you're underselling the significance of the bunny to Vi herself.
Yeah. I saw Vander’s reaction as a kind of flash of thoughts, since he probably would have remembered it being her favorite toy and disappearing one day.
“She finally got the bunny down!”
“Wait, why did she give it to Powder? Did she only take it down to give it to Powder?”
“If Powder just got VI’s favorite toy, and Vi went through a lot of trouble to get it back from the wires, why is Powder seemingly sad about it? And why isn’t Vi with her to comfort her?”
You gotta remember that this show was six (6) years in the making. There's no such thing as "over-analyzing" Arcane
Yeah kinda.. it took about 3 years for casting and all that. It took abt 3 years for them to actually start the project
@@look4thestarss Well they were doing other things while casting. When you start casting for a show, you don't stop working on all other things altogether.
@@Deadflower019 that’s why I said ‘and all that’ but rlly the first 3yrs wasn’t really spent on the idea and actual writing because if other things going on then. But now s2 is their main focus and they already have some of the cast down that’s why it’s gonna take less time to write it
I love it when writers unabashedly take the time to make their stories good. Its like them saying "i know exactly what i can do"
Its so...satisfying
@@stars_who_knows9254 it’s agonizing waiting but at least I know that it’s gonna be great
About Vi not really growing up, she's also possibly the least effective character in the show. Everything she does seems really badass, but takes her farther away from her goals. Robbing Jayce's lab put her in a worse place, fighting Sevika put her in a worse place, trying to help Cait get the gemstone back to Piltover put her in a worse place, fighting Sevika again put her in a worse place. Most are moments where it seems like Vi is "winning" but the actual effect is that she gets farther from Powder. This is unlike characters like Mel or Cait who actually move towards their goals pretty consistently (and a big part of why the Cait/Vi pairing works; Vi is incapable of independently advancing any of her goals, which actually works for how we are introduced to her when she's looking for a new parent). Vi needs to be led to thrive, and that's fine; some people are like that.
Vi is written like she's an 16-25 year old boy who is an athlete or a soldier, and they tend to be very physically proficient, but generally need a ton of guidance. Vi is very stereotypical for young soldiers.
I'm not sure Jayce actually had a growth moment. Like Vi, none of his choices actually accomplished what he wanted. He's shown succeeding with partners, but when he makes choices alone they always work out wrong.
Also the bunny was shown crucified at the end of ep.5 when Jinx successfully tried to work with the gemstone. Because after the baptism scene she thought that she managed to "kill Powder" within herself = became stronger.
And once again passed the childhood weakness
I noticed that moment in episode 5, I like this idea of what it means.
Ekko’s anti-Vi development is summarized so well by “you still block with your face.”
Ekko’s grown a community through being genuine, whereas VI’s independence hasn’t wavered throughout the show. So Ekko accepting a leadership role WHILE equally learning from and leaning on others is foreign to the “if anything happens, it’s on you” and “those kids look up to YOU.”
That martyr mentality doesn’t fly with the firelight’s, whose masks could be a form of equality as well as protection (and imagery for freedom/symbolism-a bunch of birds and bugs who live in a hole with a tree).
So Ekko takes his blows on his face, essentially wearing his heart on his sleeve (a better alternative to VI’s bottling it up-until it comes to punching Powder).
(The openness of the community is ironic, considering the Firelights wear masks, usually symbols of FALSE identities. The brothels also use masks-but like the Firelights, built a supportive community using the tools they had.)
@@ollie2111
Why thank you!
Yeah, a mask on its own is a deception, but a group wearing masks with the same motif (bird) is a communal identity.
So wether they are deceptive or not, it’s done together.
If some-bunny had told me that I would have cried during the section where schnee addresses 20-somethings about enduring painful situations and holding out for the growth...yeah, didn't expect that. Great video, as always 💜
THE SCHNEE WAS GONNA ROLL ME
As someone who's just starting their 20s this hit especially hard. The last 2 years have been hell and it's everything Schnee has described in the video: it's hard, it's ugly, it's painful, and it's nothing like how I imagined it would be. It's good to hear however that this is just a transition like in Arcane, the better days are ahead
@@pauwula Keep your chin up, friend. I, too, hope that better days are ahead
@@solaria_plays thank you, best of luck on your own journey 💕
Same here!! As a person in their twenties, he nailed the experiences I'm having on the head. It was surprising to have my feelings called out like that, and refreshing to know it doesn't always last. But kinda scary to not know what the growth will result in on the other side
The Bunny could represent what little of 'Powder' remains in Jinx as well as the white Rabbit leading Alice down the rabbit hole so to speak
Maybe.
For some extend, it's true. One of the bunnies represents little Powder, since there are two bunnies, the first one is Vi's, the second was bought by Jinx after the baptising scene and hanged on a wall. We know that for sure, cause, there are two bunnies on screen at the same time and their are visually different.
"The fish trap exists because of the fish. Once you've gotten the fish you can forget the trap. The Bunny snare exists because of the Bunny. Once you've gotten the Bunny, you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning. Once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can talk with him?"- Zhuangzi (replaced "rabbit" with "Bunny")
As for season 2 predictions I think Viktor is going to lead the Zaun fight against Piltover. We've seen the undercities physicality utilized to fight, but now with Jinx (& probably Singed in his lowkey fight with Heimerdinger) primarily leading the charge nows the perfect opportunity to see Zaun's smarts put to use in their fight for independence. We already know Vic is disillusioned with Piltover, & if sibling rivalry theme continues into next season a Jayce vs Victor plot can substitute & enhance the Vander vs Silco dynamic.
As for the Piltover side of things Mel needs to EAT her failure (as Ekko already has), and learn who she is without image. Jayce will be by her side tho so good for her.
I'm the most curious about how will Warwick fit into the story of Piltover v. Zaun in Arcane Season 2.
Obviously PvZ will not be the _focus_ of season 2, but merely a setting for the actual story, but I find it highly unlikely Warwick would just be a "Deckard 2.0". If Viktor replaced Silco as the personification of a certain motif in the narrative, perhaps Warwick will take over the role of Sevica - giving his own spin to the role, of course - given that Singed's role will probably remain pretty unchanged. Also, we'll probably learn more about Singed's daughter - but we may or may not actually meet her. Could go either way.
Vi-tlyn going after Jinx will probably include Cassandra Kiramman in some capacity, and I suspect that storyline will probably explore the themes of children of parents (or children without parents) becoming the new "adults", separating their own lives from the lives their parents (or other loved ones) expect of or have set up for them. If you look at how parenthood is portrayed so far in Arcane, I feel like it's very likely we've been foreshadowed with this theme throughout S1, but it hasn't really born fruit yet.
EDIT: One more note, I'm certain Jayce and Mel will have a child when S2 starts, followed by a time skip at the start of Season 2.
Knowing Arcane, I suspect another time skip: Jayce and Mel will now have a child, Caitlyn has been made the Sheriff of Piltover, Vi works with the enforcers (as her deputy, maybe), and we might never be given a straight-forward answer on how everyone survived the explosion, leaving that up to fan-theories.
@@TheRawrnstuff oooooo having a kid vs being childless will be another good parallel between Jayce & Viktor vs Vander & Silco, and will strengthen that one sex scene in hindsight!
@@HxH2011DRA That scene - paired with the blood and the hexcore - is the main reason why I believe Mel is pregnant.
Plus - if I'm correct about S2 theme-scape being about "kids becoming the new adults" - these "kids" now having their own kids makes total sense.
@@TheRawrnstuff Warwick might be used by singe during the piltVzaun war. To further support this theory. Victor and Singed, zaun scientists, have discovered biologically advancing technology, with shimer and the hexcore, which Zaun will use as weapons during the war. It will be a battle between technology and biology.
@@nirvallasparadise biotech is technology also but no one uses biological weapons, except Mundo's infected bonesaw. A biological weapon is a virus or a bacteria that is weaponized and then is used to spread the disease. As far as engineering goes the hexcore is hextech and shimmer is chemtech. All the rest, including Singed's poison trail, adhesive and potion, Sevika's arm power source, Twitch's venom, Renata's rockets and infusions, Jinx's passive, grenades and rocket's payload power sources, Warwick's power source, Urgot's and Mundo's canisters and the turbo chemtanks are all chemtech because they are just using chemicals not biological agents.
It's important to note that Zaun uses hextech also, not just Piltover: Jinx rocket launcher's power source, Ekko's Z-drive, Blitzcrank's entire body, Viktor's claw and hexcore and more importantly the hextech alternators and belts can be used by anyone, so even if chemtech was developed as an answer to Piltover's hextech that doesn't mean Zaun can't use hextech either. Just like in real life any weaponized technology won't be a secret or of the exclusive use of any single nation if other nations are interested or able to use that type of weapons also, but of course in a simplistic view hextech is associated with Piltover and chemtech is associated with Zaun.
This is probably the first premier I've ever been this early too. Because of you, I'm able to understand other perspectives in arcane! Can't wait until this drops.
Likewise
Indeed
Yo where's your bunny in these sentences?!
Write real comments instead of self-promotioning
@@heybro6469 How does this self promote me in any circumstance?
Daaaaaamn I was not expecting that but it makes so much sense, and also I hadn't noticed, it's true Vi "regressed", she was ready to go for the diplomatic solution before Vander was like nope. Daaaaaaamn oh my god I love this show so much it's ridiculous
Tbf the diplomatic route hasn't gone right for her, she tried trusting in the council and they let her down, so even after Vander "regressed" her, she tried to trust Cait with her diplomatic way and it didn't work out
@@akasakikawasaki1890 I see it this way, at the end when the council suggests to be diplomatic with Silco Vi explodes and says that's not going to work, prompting them to kick her out. The diplomatic solution was the council's idea, talking to the council was Caitlyn's idea, Vi just went with it, but it's clear she wasn't interested in it, so I'm not sure she was trusting Caitlyn with the diplomatic way, I feel like she wanted the council to agree to go to war with Silco which is on point with her character for all we've seen so far (and I don't blame her one bit). It's gonna be interesting to see her develop more in S2, see how she changes after the whole fiasco with Jinx.
"That is a tangent, let us move past it."
Thanks Schnee, for not getting into to complex incest-y studies that would creep literally everyone out.
Idk I wanted to hear it 🤷♂️
But guess he's probably limited in what he's qualified to talk about
@@HxH2011DRA What the fuck
@@rioisnotokay-ipromise-6115 what?
Vi *is* impacted by growth in a distinct way. Think of the scene when Vander pushes Vi in Benzo’s basement: she took Vander’s lesson to heart and was prepared to turn herself in.
While Vander does negate this exchange from happening, by consequence, Vi is suddenly faced with the unexpected - that Vander is the one taking the fall for her mistake.
And then! While locked away, helpless, Vi sees blood splash over the window. We don’t know how much she hears but she assumed the worst. She pounds on the window and cries uncontrollably, sinking to the floor. All while thinking she lost Vander because of her mistake.
Once Ekko frees her, she realizes that Vander is still alive. Vi’s determination to rescue him and redeem herself in Vander’s eyes is why she says to him, “Yes, I do.” Before walking out on the catwalk.
But in the end, even with a second chance at rescuing him, it still all fell apart. Vi lost her whole family (apart from Powder), Vander died protecting her, and he still told her, “Take care of Powder.”
Vi screams because she knows this is all her fault.
So yes, Vi did revert back to her fists. Because what else did she know to do? Of course she reverts to the image of the man that protected them on the bridge by punching.
I think that’s the tragedy that separates her from Powder. Not that Vi has a glorified memory of the past - Vi still blames herself - but because Vi isn’t sure of how to evoke change within herself. It’s why she had a lot of walls between herself and Caitlyn. Putting all her anger toward the institutions that oppressed the undercity and put Vi in prison. (At first labeling her as part of a group, “you enforcers are all the same…”) And yet, Caitlyn gradually broke more and more of those walls down with trust.
Vi’s expectations of Piltover and her entire world are thrown out of wack. Her beliefs are changing, and by consequence, pulling herself further away from Powder.
The Valdiani is a symbol of Jinx putting the cards on the table for Vi. But it is her line of, “But you changed too.” To which Vi doesn’t know how to respond. Because she’s realizing that (before she realized it) she *did* change. But she didn’t expect this to take her away from her sister.
So I guess, the whole story is Vi’s long journey of growth. I’m curious to know where Vi goes from here in season 2.
bro this is so beautiful :"v
Oh hey who’s cutting onions
Something I have found interesting about Vi is that the world she lives in is focused on Developing and Progress. Vi seems out of place no matter what side (topside or undercity) because she is always Going Back while everything around her moves forward no matter the cost. Always trying to go back to the past to fix her mistakes and undo the progress of others is the main issue she struggles with and is what makes her such an interesting character. She thinks she is pushing forward, but is doing so at the expense of everyone else's progress. And she does it all in the name of righting her mistakes and finding Powder, who doesn't know how to progress because of her childhood trauma, which then (to Jinx) spirals Jinx's insanity and unstable connection with her sister and causes even more of a reverse from all the Progress and disrupts the peace of everyone's "stable" economy and world.
I love this - but I disagree that Vander was setting Vi on a pacifist arc. He was trying to tell her to pick her battles better, not saying that she should never fight. Pacifism and Violence both have their place and Vi does show growth in deciding which approach to go with, she still punches first on default, however, she decides to go plead her case to the council alongside Caitlyn at the end there. Vi is slowly getting there, but she hasn't yet had a chance to completely change.
That's a good take on Vi. And we can interpret her disagreement with Jayce in a different way:
Jayce's priority shifts from taking down Silco violently to giving Silco all of Zaun; Vi's priority stays the same, as she's still holding onto the hope that taking down Silco will get Powder back...
I need to mention again: Jinx‘s machine gun is called „pow-pow“ and has bunny ears.
Maybe they want to construct a duality between the little cute „Pow-Pow“ and the more cruel shark weapon „Fishbones“, that actually destroys the council.
It’s so fascinating learning about the concept of concretization. I’ve always noticed that I’m most affected by little physical things in stories, and wondered why. Knowing it’s a real writing tool is pretty cool! Bunny is a great example of this
no bunny in comment?
well, time to see just how badly waiting for seson 2 is affecting schnee's mind with this one
Was only a matter of time before we lost him to the unified bun bun
no bunny in comment?
Wait till its revealed that bunny is the true villian of arcane
I would really appreciate seeing Vi have her big growth moment where she's forced to understand and behave differently than she has, more consistently. I love her character the way she is but I think it would be cool to see more in depth how all these events have effected her emotionally and intellectually.
I don't. But that's because I wish the world wasn't so cruel to her. So she has to and will at some point.
no bunny in comment?
Schnee, I want you to know that I believe I speak for everyone here when I say thank you. Y’know, for making these Arcane analysis videos. It’s amazing how you can gather all this and add entertaining commentary to it. Thank you. bunny
This is actually my fave analysis of yours so far. You're giving me reasons to applaud the storyboard artists and writers again so much. The start of episode 3 and the start of episode 9 is really the same Vi sitting there, it's the continuation of the horrifying event that'll make her grow. That was actually mind blowing but it makes so much sense. I think Vi becoming an enforcer, becoming what we she never think she'll become, that "growth" comes after ep 9 and we'll see it.
i would never have connected those dots, thats really incredible. especially how Vi's character development was undone by the same person who inspired it, and it solidified he world view that she had before the character development
And i love the term "unified bunny theory" lmao
You should also make a video about how things would have been different in Powder never chased Vi to silco's, or if she never dropped the crystals in jayce's in the first place causing the explosion
if powder never chased her the siblings and vander would probably be dead, powder herself would most likely either be dead (hunted down and killed by silco) or a firelight
idk what would happen if they had somehow managed to escape without powders "help" tho, everything would probably be better considering silco would never get his shimmer plan to work because vander needed to be gone for that
second if she didnt drop the crystals everything would be the same as if she didnt run after them since her bomb wouldnt work, also hextech probably would not have been created
If neither of those thing happened the story wouldn’t really exist. The apartment explosion was the catalyst for Hextech and the Vander rescue explosion was the catalyst for Silcos takeover, which are the two events in the show that everything rests upon.
@@hanakoskokeshidoll If you rewatch ep3 again, you'll see that claggor actually successfully breaks a large hole in the wall for their escape, meaning that if Powder had never followed, they would have likely escaped successfully. That's what makes it even more tragic. They were so close.
@@ashparagus5581 ah ): so sad
The way how you describe how characters overcoming weakness is confusing, devastating and not at all what they expected is literally steps 5 and 6 of Dan Harmon's Story Circle, which every protagonist goes through in Arcane. Characters might get what they want but it's not what they expected. And they pay a heavy price for it.
Jinx and Vi both reunite at step 5 of their respective circles by getting what they want and meeting each other, but it's there they realize that neither of them are who the other expected anymore.
New guy still playing catch up.
I'm loving the interpretation of what "makes you unique" into "what transforms you." Very Donaldson to me. I love this kind of meaningful word play in my writing.
As to Vander and the Bunny, the plot device you refer to seems pretty simple to me - Vi passing down this precious, personal item, would mean that she must be planning to go away. But I think that basic logic leads directly into the more complex version where she must be growing up to offer such a sacrifice. I can't imagine a guy like Vander making it three steps without seeing this, especially after their 'talk'.
Perhaps more interestingly is the Valdiani angle. The writers clearly intended it to be important and having it resemble a pretty but limited, geometric shape (Vi) that 'blossoms' makes for fine symbolism. This lines up pretty well with GBT (Grand Bunny Theory) but it seems a bit redundant and more obvious within that realm. Their are two reasons I don't think that's what its job is. One - at the time of the robbery no one but Powder got more than a glance at it, and they would have attached little meaning to it even if it reappeared. But in Jinx's mind the boys basically Died for that thing. Not directly perhaps but the job was the event that put them on the path of doom and is directly linked to her transformation. The fact that she let them down just before murdering them makes it essential and symbolic in Jinx's battle of identity.
The second reason is because of the device's own transformation to bright sparking flower, executed by Jinx and placed at the center of the table like a quasi-birthday cake. But this is not a birthday for Powder or Jinx, they both already exist in her mind, she's already been changed. Jinx might be crazy but that doesn't mean she hasn't spent countless hours agonizing over how to fix the Undercity. She is a Tinkerer at heart. And I believe those chairs are there to bear witness to a more dramatic choice than what name she should use.
Looking back at the device and at Arcane in general I don't think it can be a coincidence that the device's bloom like qualities resemble the Fireflies Tree and the better community that is blossoming in the Undercity not far from them. Consider for a moment Ekko as an anti-Jinx, a true peer that found a better answer to the resentment and shadow thriving in the Undercity than becoming a monster. Consider how beautiful the battle with Ekko must have been to Jinx's action/solution driven personality. Is it any wonder that as she was losing the fight she slipped back into Powder - admitting in the moment that 'maybe you were right'. Not because of any deep conversations they had about Zaun or even the pleasant childhood memories - but because she had seen it. She had seen the tree and the seen Fireflies and had taken the time to consider that there was an outcome that no one else was considering. A better outcome. That's why Jinx added the sparklers to the device - she needed it to resemble yet another important choice in her arsenal. She put it at the center of her party not for Vi or Silco but for herself, as the one option that might not force her to choose between her sister and her father. If she could only make them see it - if they could only convince her that it was real. And though it may not look like it - it may have been the choice she actually made. Kill Silco to end the poisonous rebellion of the Zaun and take out the Government that sits atop her people like a weight. Stop the war and make sure her sister never feels "less than" again and maybe even have a chance to finally blossom...
For season two of course this means that she will have to remove the last obstacle for peace - herself. She will visibly separate herself from the Undercity and confess to her crime, taking refuge in a Skyship and uniting the whole city against her - the woman who committed terrorism, killed the leader of Zaun, and even grenaded Ekko. And as a bonus it gives Jayce (the one most qualified to understand her Tinker mind set) the chance to recognize the Valdiani at some point and realize that Jinx was the one who robbed him so long ago.
Bidet
This video goes so well with your latest about vi speculation in season 2
Agreed!! I can’t wait to see how this connects with season 2
Season 1 asked us the question, "Can opposing forces reconcile?" I think Season 2 will continue that question, and with Vi specifically it will take the form of, "Can Vi learn to love Jinx (not Powder) unconditionally?" "Can Jinx accept that she is not unloved, nor unlovable?" I also think that Jayce will take a more supporting role in Season 2, and the Piltover side of the plot will focus a lot more on Viktor and his journey. And I'm hopeful that we'll get to see characters like Camille, Orianna, and Ziggs.
Whatever happens it's not going to be satisfying. So until then, let's dream.
I don't think Vi should love jinx, she should accept that jinx it's a part of powder, and who she chooses to be, but I don't think she should love her murderous actions lol
no bunny in comment?
@@akasakikawasaki1890 You can love a person without loving or even excusing their actions. I think Vi will have to love Jinx and accept that her sister has changed, love Jinx for JINX, and not only see the brokenness that leads to her violent actions.
I don't think anyone should be learning to love Jinx unconditionally, not in the way you're implying. There is no one in Runeterra with the knowledge and experience to give Jinx the therapy she needs, even assuming you could get them together. Vi HAS already tried being there for Jinx and accepting her but she doesn't understand Jinx and doesn't know how to help her. Vi's arc should be about learning to expand her circle of compassion to more than just her family, maybe first with the Firelights and then with the entire city. Jinx doesn't deserve what happened to her, and doesn't deserve to be what she is, but she is still a murderer, a terrorist, and a danger to other people. She can't deal with her trauma and only causes pain to herself and others. Jinx doesn't deserve it, but she needs to die. Maybe that's what Vi needs to learn.
For season 2, I would freak out if Warrick calls Vi, “little rabbit.” 🐇
The connection is that Bunnies like carrots, and none of the characters in Arcane are orange, therefore it doesn't matter.
In all seriousness though, you know the interesting part about Vi not truly growing in the sense everyone else does? You know the one thing that separates her completely from every other character in the series?
She has no personal ambitions or defining ideals whatsoever. None. She is entirely defined by the desire to help her family. That's basically it. Even actions that are directly unrelated are entirely born from her wanting to protect people she personally loves. Resisting Piltover? She wants Powder to have a better life. Attack Silco's empire? She wants to force him out of Powder's life so they can freely reconnect. She isn't even driven to overcome some form of childhood trauma or sense or personal inadequacy. Especially after Act 1 she is driven entirely by her desire to reconnect with her sister. What room is there for growth when your life is defined entirely by your protective relationship to a single other person that you love? And what happens to you when the world has changed so much around you that you barely recognize or connect with it anymore? What happens when you actually love someone you would otherwise hate by mere association? And what happens when you can no longer protect the person you've centred your life around protecting?
Vi doesn't quite get there, but she is on the road to completely rewriting her identity because every dynamic that made up who she was has been totally shattered. The opening credits even foreshadow her and her sister becoming arch-enemies. They couldn't make Vi change, because if she had, the climax just doesn't work, because then she's not defined by or holding on to the things that she's about to lose. What makes Jinx's choice at the end to leave her sister behind isn't tragic in and of itself, it's because the reason for the separation is HER changing, not that Vi changed. To make it a tragedy, someone has to draw the short stick where just nothing goes their way. For their separation to be a tragedy, Jinx has to choose to leave her while at the same time Vi doesn't want that to happen.
All very true
Hiemerdinger is sort of orange…
@@feduckil9238 Maybe sorta. But what color is he under that fur? Think about that. Or don’t, probably best if you don’t…
Great points. I do think Jinx is the other character with no ambitions or ideals, but they've set her on a very different path from vi in terms of what you're highlighting. I think Vi's trajectory is probably similar to a lot of people irl who take her path: they start out caring about helping just one or a few select close individuals, but they eventually realize that truly helping these people involves tackling much bigger societal issues, and then eventually they do grow attached to the ideals of that grander fight (even if--or actually especially if-- they fail when it comes to helping those few individuals). I expect that broadening of ambitions is what we're seeing with Vi. And then Jinx is the opposite, failure at those personal ambitions just drives her more deeply inward.
@@schnee1 damn that's deep
*Bunny represents Powder and VI’s relationship.*
Vi gave bunny in confidence to Powder, which mattered a ton to her since VI’s a combination of parental approval and a role model to Powder.
Vander seeing it could’ve reminded him of their bond, and seeing Powder sad-coupled with the bond-made him realize only Vi could make Powder so dejected, thus why he recalls their conversation and runs to stop her.
Bunny’s suspended during the explosion, and Powder smiles at it, sure this explosion will earn VI’s respect and secure that relationship.
Then it gets abandoned alongside Powder, since Vi is the one ‘cutting off’ that relationship.
Jinx hides bunny in a box (contradictory to the prominent displayed of dolls of her other ‘family’ members), hiding that fear of being abandoned.
It’s not till her twisted ‘acceptance’ of her abandonment and ‘killing’ of Powder (via baptism) that Jixn it able to display bunny as prominently as the other figures (by nailing it to the wall-as a symbol to strive for).
The change of bunny’s position shows Jinx’s mindset shifting, from scared little kid in denial over her abandonment, to vengeful adult to “I see you did this to me and I’ll show you how wrong you were.”
And of course Jinx includes it at the banquet where she’ll reunite with her sister.
How could you leave out the "Bunny impaled by throwing stars" moment in the montage at the end of episode 5 (around 36:30)? Could it be that Jinx - in her post-"baptism" triumph of overcoming Powder's weakness just as Silco advised - has finally found the courage to ignore her trauma and crack the secret of hextech, and is celebrating by impaling a touchstone of her childhood weakness?
I love the concept of the growth moments! That's so strong, so emotional and relatable. I just love what this show has to offer. thank you for this amazing video again
I never expected to go down into a rabbit hole like Arcane, also that bunny looks so much like what my cousin used to have. And my god I love you so so much for doing all this digging and thinking and hopping from one topic to another. This was an amazingly wholesome theory with various grand details. Hope you're having a great time doing, well everything you do.🥰🥰
I know a couple of people mentioned your editing but just wanted to add my two cents: I really appreciate the visual side of your videos, especially how you use certain scenes to add more oomph to your points, just like with the toppled house of cards at 9:03 to represent a shattered view of growth. I'm a recent subscriber so I'm still catching up with your previous content, but you consistently amaze and I'm grateful that you share your thoughs! The way you structure your videos clearly shows how much effort you put into them and is the perfect showcase for all the writing advice gems you've dropped. Can't wait for the S02 vid!!
(also: buny 🐇)
I think it dawned on Vander the significance of the bunny and Powder because he was aware of how precious it had been to Vi and seeing Powder looking sad and depressed about having been given such a precious gift by her sister set off red flags. He put two and two together and realized it was a parting gift.
Another example of the bunny theory in regards to Vi is when she trusts Caitlyn to fix things and then it doesn't work. That's another moment when Vi tries to change, it backfires, and she falls back on what she knows. So I really like that you pointed out that earlier moment. It shows that Vi is trying to do things differently, but keeps getting punished for it, and is so hurt that she doesn't trust in another way.
Isn't it completely appropriate that Vi would be the emotionally stunted member of this ensemble?
She was an orphan who lost her father fig it'sure to the actions of the only family that she had left. Immediately following that trauma she was imprisoned and left there to rot. The way they kept this secret from Silco, I would guess it was done without due process. When we first see her after the time skip, she's spent her remaining adolescence trapped in a cage and her only contact with other people has been abusive.
She wasn't just trapped in a cage, she was trapped in time. She didn't have the chance to grow up like everyone else, she was robbed of her agency. Likewise, when she gets out she's focused on two things: survival and finding her sister. That's all she knows about the world.
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it." -Steven Wright
To answer your question at 14:20, You know some bunny once told me, that the world is gonna roll me, because I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But to be honest, that's okay to admit because its part of growing up. Like you said "It's bond to Confusing, it's bond to be Ugly, it's bond to be Devastating. But it is GROWTH" and no matter how little those steps maybe.... I am walking that path.
the truest line i have ever seen
"Arcane = Trauma"
The bunny, the bunny
Whoa, I love the bunny
I don't love my mom or my dad, just the bunny
The bunny, the bunny
Yeah, I love the bunny
I gave everything that I had for the bunny
I don't want no health food when it's time to feed
A big bag o' bunnies is all that I need
I don't want no buddies to come out and play
I'll sit on my sofa, eat bunnies all day
I won't go to church, and I won't go to school
That stuff is for sissies, but bunnies are cool
Backup Singers:
I don't want no pickles, I don't want no honey, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny
I don't want a tissue when my nose is runny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny
I don't want to tell you a joke that is funny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny
I don't want to play on a day that is sunny, I just want a plate and a fork and a bunny (continues in the background)
Mr. Nezzer:
The bunny, the bunny
Whoa, I love the bunny
I don't love my mom or my dad, just the bunny
The bunny, the bunny
Yeah, I love the bunny
I gave everything that I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaad... fo-or the bu-unnyyyyyyy
Anthem of my childhood
@@jinmurasaki yes
Veggie Tales!🥒🍅
Confirmed. VI is Schrodinger's Bunny 🤔
The fact that this video implies that Schnee watched (and possibly rewatched) all of Arcane for bunny cameos is so funny but also a testament to his dedication to his (over)analysis of the show
well i thought this was just going to be a silly video about a bunny plush but it ended up being the best most insightful pep talk i've ever been given in my 20 years of life holy shit
I think my favorite takeaway from the bunny’s symbolism is that its *self-contradictorily comforting* in a way.
like schnee said: change while growing up into being a stronger person is confusing, ugly, and devastating. Which is why I think the bunny sort of symbolizes this comforting companion we wish we all had when things are *confusing, ugly, and devastating.* i say this because 1) its a toy and toys were always used to comfort people/for them to have something to hold when things are rough and 2) is because it appears in a lot of jinx’s *and* powder’s biggest moments (the explosion and the flashback for example) in those moments when she didn’t have anyone but herself and her gadgets, she also had the bunny to accompany her for better or for worse.
the bunny is also self-contradicting with this idea of mine bc the bunny ends up being a symbol of trauma for jinx as well, its literally a toy given to her by vi who is ultimately the source of a lot of her trauma and abandonment issues (imo at least). its a reminder for jinx to never forget who her sister is and why vi had abandoned her.
overall i do believe that the bunny does have a lot of significance since it was an easter egg in a lot of scenes, then agn maybe the creators just wanted to leave the bunny in as an easter egg u never know LMAO 🤷
also the whole vander pushing vi to refuse the fight and then he suddenly goes against his philosophy when vi was abt to turn herself in, i think that was all due to parental instinct. furthermore, before he locked vi in that room thingy he told her that *“she did good”* so i guess he was recognizing her efforts at doing the right thing (which is to take the fall to prevent a bigger fight from ensuing). this is also what, like schnee said, he has been teaching her all her life, its just that vi chose a really bad time to act on it 💀 so i guess after vander takes her place instead, that was traumatic for her and it set off a bulb in her head that maybe refusing to fight/turning yourself in wouldn’t always be the best decision (bc her dad just died bc of it) so maybe thats why she just fought the entire season.
and i mean everything happened so fast for vi; her dad takes her place, she tries to rescue him but he ends up dead along w her 2 other siblings, she finds out her little sister was the one responsible for their deaths, she abandons said sister, she tries to save her sister and its too late, she gets kidnapped and thrown into prison for years and then once she got out she didnt recognize her home or her sister anymore….like i rlly think vi just needed time to process it all bc even if she was in prison all those years, all she was thinking abt was revenge and i mean if i were in her place i would also spend a whole season seeking revenge (but thats just me lmao). anyways yeah i rlly do think vi will have a lot of growth in s2 and i look forward to seeing it all :DD
*really great video btw schnee !! i always enjoy hearing abt ur theories bc i agree w a lot of them LMAO*
I thought it was more like Vi´s inocence, something that she wanted to desperetly protect in Powder because in a way it´s like living trough her. Something that she couldn´t have and we she gave the bunny to her sister was like assuming the ultimate loss of Vi´s inocence. Like I couldn´t have this toy when I was a child but you can now. And I believe Vander understands that Vi is giving Powder her last thing, a symbol of her childhood, an act that can be understood as assuming adulthood, aka assuming the consecuences of her actions.
6:48 WHOA WAIT WE GOT TO SEE VI’S MOM?!
Hold up-how have I missed this?! I know we saw her on the bridge, but that’s crazy…
I just had the idea that maybe Powder couldn’t get the validiani from the river before because the water was toxic, but AFtER her “surgery” she was able to swim down and get the stuff. Although I’m surprised how well it looks after sitting in water for maybe seven years. Or maybe Powder stuffed the valdiani in her pocket the whole time, idk. 😅
There's also a lot of similarities between Powder and Caitlyn as well. Both excellent shots, both use traps in-game, both have blue hair and blue eyes, Cait while in Zaun has a ponytail where her fringe looks like a shorter version of Jinx's. Vi makes comparisons between Cait and Powder both in the parkour scene and in Cait's bedroom when Vi talks about how she used to share a bed "like this" with Powder, when seeing Cait's conspiracy map she again brings up Powder "I thought Powder could get obsessed" so once again comparing Caitlyn to Powder and then finally, Caitlyn is heckled by other enforcers while Powder was heckled by Mylo.
What a beautiful way to really grab us again at the end of the video by tying this into personal growth in OUR lives. "In your teens, in your 20s". Nice
Holy shit. What a radically different show it would be if flashback Vander had said "You don't have to do this."
Genuinely thinking I might make a meme-y motivational poster with a picture of the bunny and the caption "Change is confusing, ugly, devastating, and looks nothing like you thought it would."
and then, you know, cry a little every time I look at it because goddamn that's real and hits so hard.
merch idea 🤔🤣
Vi seeing Caitlyn as her mom reminded me a lot of Batman: The Long Halloween and how Bruce saw Selina as his mother.
It made me think that maybe some people, not all people, look for similar traits that their parents or care givers had, but it's more so in a way that they're looking for someone that reminds them of a sense of security they had in childhood and trying to replicate it within adulthood, rather than wanting to be with someone that reminds them of their parents because of.. creepy Freud reasoning.
Incredible video, Vander's realization confused me too. I liked your Grand Bunny Theory, and I loved your take aways at the end!
Adding to the scenes including the bunny: In the final moments of episode 5, while Jinx is working on her mechanical fireflies, the bunny hangs over her work station. Hangs, as in... it's crucified. It's literally pinned there by nails in its palms (paws?) while light shines upon it in an almost holy, god-like manner. Just wanted to add this since I found it quite unsettling the first time I noticed it
Okay, but like Caitlyn is the true bunny. Vi gave jinx her weakness to start the change, but she didn't go through with it and put it on jinx instead. They show cait with bunny because bunny isn't vi's weakness any more, it's powder and cait. She wants powder, she needed a powder to protect and without powder it's caitlyn. Leaving jinx with hers and handing it back down to Vi, telling Vi she has to get over the selfless martyr act. She knows how to change but she has to give up what's most dear to her, acting almost like a vander in that scene. Endangering her powder to force Vi to see her mistakes and let jinx become jinx, jinx who staves off the change in its entire for Vi as Vi had done for powder.
1) I'm almost 25, and I strated figuring out all that growth idea a few weeks ago, feels good to watch a video that confirms that.
2) You hyped me so much for you next video, that should be illegal :p
3) That bunny is just a manifestation of Powder creating a Core Memory :p
Super interesting. I think the bunny/Validiany can also symbolize the rift between Vi and Jinx. Vi uses the bunny to make Powder feel included, by showing her how everybody fails sometimes, and how the strong people around her weren't always so strong. This message is the absolute opposite of Mylo's view of Powder. But after the blast, the message that cements itself in Powder's mind is that she *is* weak, she *is* a jinx, and not simply a little girl caught up in a horrible situation. So instead of a symbol of inclusion and acceptance, the bunny becomes a challenge, a constant reminder that Jinx is too weak, crazy, and unstable to overcome her challenges and be accepted by anybody, and especially Vi. That's also why she retrieves the Valdiani - she's trying to show her sister that she's overcome her weaknesses and was able to dive down and get it back. Vi obviously doesn't understand that, not only because she doesn't remember, the device, but because that was never the message for her. So what symbolizes inclusion and acceptance for Vi, symbolizes exclusion and weakness for Jinx.
You are really good at this, mate, and I appreciate all your insights, they are making me a better storyteller slowly but surely
Others have probably said this (heck, I may have heard it from you in one of your videos) but I interpreted Vi falling back to punching her problems away as simply being the result of her seeing how things went to shit when she tried the passive route.
Jeez you could build an entire library just for Arcane
This is gonna be the best video I have ever seen. I will wake up before 2 in the afternoon just for this! ❤😁
So many like before it even starts. Realy shows how good the videos are
I said: Put the bunneh back in the box.
I really didn't expect for this bunny video to end up on Vi's arc, but it is really interesting how it puts a bump on her relationship with Cait and I honestly can't wait to know how it continues on season 2 with a changed Cait after the attack on the council. You're a visionary btw, every video makes my brain shortcircuit.
This video made me realize how much fun the word “bunny” is to say
I love these videos schnee, because they make me understand the show on a deeper level in ways that I never thought were possible
Interesting when compared to the story of 'The Velveteen Bunny' (Rabbit) in that it is also a somewhat disturbing story about growth.
I think you missed that everyone's path gets undone in the end, including Vander's, all because of one event: Silco's reaching for the gun. If he had been truly interested in powder's well-being, he would not have reached for it. He even undid his own growth. All for the drug of power. All it takes is one wildcard to turn fortunes just as robbing an apartment led to Piltover's advancement and Zaun's further debasement, and Vi's abandoning powder led to Vi's growth and powder's debasement. Who is going to grow because of Silko's action?
True but this will probably come next video
He didn't undo his own growth, he reached for the gun because he saw that Jinx/Powder was suffering (thanks to Vis inability to understand her sisters mental illness) and he wanted to protect her.
@@selfsabotagingbanana0451 That was completely egoist on his part because he thought Jinx would choose Vi. He caused his own dead.
I very much disagree with some things said here. I don't think Silco was thinking about power, or that she would choose Vi. When he takes Jinx to the river and has the scene where he "baptizes" her, he talks about that day how he "let a weak man die." He sees the former version of himself as a weakness he had to let go. I think he thinks the same of Jinx, that he thinks Powder is a weakness she needs to let go to become her true self, that it's what's holding her back and causing her to make mistakes. I think he really, truly does love her like a daughter. In front of Vander's statue, when he thinks he's talking to himself, he says about the negotiations with Jayce, "All we ever wanted. The boy didn't even haggle, and what do I lose but problems? Oh it all makes sense now brother." Jinx has been causing nothing but problems, but he finally understands Vander's perspective, about giving up everything for your daughter, and so he can't turn her in like Vander couldn't turn Vi in. "Is there anything so undoing as a daughter?"
I think Silco just saw it as Vi causing Jinx pain, forcing her to relive her trauma and trying to bring out someone who doesn't exist anymore because Jinx has changed. Remember that Silco is not exactly a nice person. He's shown no remorse for death and killing, and is ruthless in how he rules the undercity. His ideal of a perfect daughter is probably like him in that regard, and Jinx sure as hell shows no remorse for killing. I think in his mind he really was trying to protect Jinx from Vi. I think he was committed in throwing power away to protect her. I think he meant the last part of this 100%, "The topsiders offered me everything. Independence, a seat at the table, all in return for you. They can all burn!"
@@selfsabotagingbanana0451 @the_rabidsquirel I wasn't talking about how Silco saw it. I was talking about the reality. Though I am definitely not saying he didn't love her. But he reached for the gun because all he saw was his empire crumbling and Vi taking it all, including Jinx, away from him. If he were concerned for Jinx in that moment, he would have helped her heal the divide with Vi and adjusted to use the new situation to his advantage. But he needed Jinx in all her corrupted glory to achieve his goal, so her wellfare was the furthest thing from his mind.
She was "perfect" to him because she was exactly what he selfishly wanted her to be. That situation was the juxtaposition of what two people wanted Jinx to be. She has been stunted now that she chose. If Vi had accepted her sister as she is and Silco let his designs for her go, Jinx could have grown into someone she chose for herself to be. But now she is forever what Silco wanted her to be.
Awesome theory I'm considering it totally canon
You’ve looker through every detail of Arcane that Fortiche Productions are sweating for what next discovery you’ll unravel
A big part of the reason I feel like "that development direction is OVER for Vi" is because she tried to have this moment where she would take responsibility and she was robbed of it, the only thing left to do was fight, but the outcome was always the same, she ended up in prison, and the only reason she is there is to be protected from Silco's wrath. From there she can hassle his lackeys and take some semblance of revenge but it isn't a way for her to grow, she spends years where the only thing she can do is fight Silco through direct violence against those that work for him. Being sheltered in Stillwater is being sheltered in a reality in which violence is not just an answer, but the only means by which she feels she can effect change.
In the same way that it is strange that Vi never makes the connection to Powder while in prison, it is strange to me that Silco never makes the connection to "the pink haired renegade that grinds up anyone with relations to Silco." Schnee discusses this through a lens of Vi in disbelief, that the two could never be equated, but Silco would have no trouble making this connection having seen the damage she could do even as a teenager. There is only one explanation I can think of: the people Vi puts the hurt to never leave Stillwater, because Marcus is very much sheltering her there. Vi is not directly responsible for any deaths, but Marcus is going to keep a tight lid on that information no matter what.
Best thing about this video is that you made us aware that Jinx actually recovered that Valdiani.
Unquestionably, I never would have noticed.
No matter how much I rewatched these episodes and I'm sure for most people as well.
Never thought I would be more impressed with your analysis.
You have made great content and I'm looking forward to your perspective on how season 2 might look.
The bunny also appears in Ep5 when Jinx succeeds in operating the crystal, right near the end. Not sure if that changes the theory, I just want complete bunny picture here.
Ooh true, I missed another bunny scene too (Ep2 right before the vi vander bridge convo). I think this one fits well though: nailing the bunny to the wall seems like either avoidance or expressing aggression against the pain of growth. Instead, she tries to brute force her way to success here without growth. The hex crystal won't give her the acceptance she craves, only confronting that painful growth moment will. "Can't just nail your bunnies to the wall", good motto 🤔
@@schnee1 Why are there two bunnies at the table in episode 7?
BRO THANK YOU! I have been puzzled about the bunny for years-- reignited by season 2. Bunny representing overcoming weakness finally makes sense. Thank you for putting together this amazing analysis!
Also, I've been deeply puzzled by Vi's motivations for teaming up with Piltover in S2, but realizing the chat with Vander about protection through cooperation with them made SO much more sense why she's doing what she does.
The Cait hugging bunny convinces me the Bunny is VI’s heart.
I keep thinking you can’t blow my mind away more and yet here we are with every video. Truly one of my favourite youtube channels. Awesome work, it really is awe inspiring how you frame and theorize all the symbolism
Gosh im so excited for season 2. Arcane just has so much depth, in the characters and plot. Its mind bending and absolutely amazing. Your videos help me so much with my own writing. Love this bunny theory! They could have easily used something more “strong” to symbolize strength and using a stuffed animal makes it all the more interesting. Curious to see if bunny shows up in the second season.
I like your explanation more, but I feel like it was probably just the idea that either people pass on their treasured belongings when they move away, out grow it, or pass away so that someone else can appreciate or find comfort in it too, or how people give something of theirs to people in their life in order to remember them when they are gone/separated that got Vander to make the connection when he saw Powder with Vi’s bunny.
Love all your analysis
Every time, I admire your ability to dig deep and understand
Id love to be able to analyze like this
I love Vander, he is just waaay stronger than any main caracter and a very nice guy. The Iroh of Arcane
Your flow. Your editing. Your analyses on all aspects of Arcane…Mah! Chef’s Kiss! Thanks so much! Oh, and bunny.
Hater: Arcane is a one seasoned series, one day you´re gonna run out of content to make about it!
Schnee: No I think i won´t!
releases "bunny theory analysis"...
Agreed, some people need to get a life
@@shama566 Well making analysises about Arcane is his life. What do you want?
I think I would've stopped on the 6th rewatch of arcane Bu(t sch)nee got me back for round 7
This whole unified theory give me a much-needed shot of encouragement in my mid-20s, as I’m having to learn very painfully and quickly to grow out of all of my self-centeredness, and a lot of what I thought I wanted to be as a child and a teenager.
6:44 the funny thing abt this is that people tending to fall for those who resemble their parents a lot *is a thing*
and we can see this played out not only with vis mother, but with vander quote as well. they have the same accent - im not sure lol. also the yk sharpness of their shapes, the faces they make are a bit similar now that i think abt it.
this is either a gag or really good attention to detail
Still funniest thing ive seen today tho
BUNNY!!! Okay, now that I have your attention, this video is absolutely perfect and incredible in every way
Never knew a bunny could symbolise that many things
My 20s were the most difficult years of my life, nothing like I thought they'd be. But I'm so happy and healthy in my 30s because of how hard I fought during those years. It was confusing, ugly, devastating, and looked nothing like I thought it would.
I really appreciated the lil recap you did at the end for writers!
i didn't think an arcane essay video about a stuffed bunny would make me cry and help me come a bit more to term with where I am in life but here we are ahah
thank you for that video it's bith stupid and so important, I needed that
Personally I think Vander figured out Vi's plan when he saw the bunny because it represents Vi's goals for the future. Here's this symbol of childhood comfort that's just out of reach, a microcosm of the way teen!Vi drives herself to wish for a better world for Powder. But the thing is, Vander always knew Vi could get it down any time she wanted; she was too stubborn and made it this sort of symbol to constantly remind her of her past pain and why she fights.
When Vi gives Powder the bunny in Episode 3, Vander realizes that Vi is putting away her grief of the past and her vision of the future. Figuratively and literally, leaving it in her sister's hands
I love all this theorizing. It adds all kinds of new flavors to the Arcane experience. However, Occam's Razor strongly suggests that Jinx acquired a different Valdiani music shell, perhaps as a gift from Silco at some point, not that she scoured the bottom of the harbor to get the loot bag from years prior. I'm not sure it matters how she acquired it though. The message to Vi at the dinner party is the same either way since Vi wouldn't know the difference and would still, presumably, get the implied meaning behind it regardless. But I don't believe for a second that Jinx dove into the depths of the Pilt river just to find that thing.
She could even have picked on the kiramman's house as she kidnapped the cop girl, since this valdiani guy was probably famous and the kirammans are rich and could have purchased one
Bunny theory, however deep or crazy, is so interesting to use in Arcane because it takes place in the city of progress. When we think about progress topside, we probably automatically think about the posh fancy people with the cool inventions and everything that we see in the Progress Day episode, so showing progress as being complicated, ugly, unexpected, etc. like you said is so interesting to bring to each of the characters, especially topside ones: Jace and Mel(as part of the council and are most involved in topside affairs), Viktor(who seems to be in this constant cycle of desperately trying to find the “right” growth and goes through some very harsh growth in terms of the bunny - a ‘bunny gauntlet’ if you will), and Caitlyn(who always seemed like she was to break free from topside posh/fancy/corrupt/carefree life but is truly able to do so in the most unexpected way in freeing/working with/meeting Vi).
Additionally, this makes me think back to your Vi v.s. Sevika episode where you explained how Sevika was all about preventing change and Vi, contrastingly, was intent on bringing about change. But here, in the bunny theory, we see how Vi is opposed to change? How does it makes sense that Vi could be a driving force of change for Piltover and yet lack the personal development caused through this ‘bunny gauntlet’? I think that’s an interesting contrast.
I love this and am 100% with you on the symbolism of the bunny/"Real Valdiani"!
I can't help but notice that there is a way simpler reason for why Vander knew what Vi was going to do by seeing the bunny that isn't "plot device" either though LOL
In the last scene Vander had with Vi, he was convincing her that violence wasn't the way to handle the problem. That conversation ended on a note of fear from both of them. Vander, of course, is expecting that he needs to assume responsibility for Vi's actions. He doesn't expect her to have that growth in that moment, so he goes back to the Last Drop and starts preparing himself for what he's about to sacrifice.
Then Powder comes in, despondent, and alone. He tries to cheer her up and get her to interact, but it fails. She isn't interested. Which is a point of concern -- Powder is usually more responsive, even in her darker moments (see "What are you calling this one?" "Whisker.") So something is really deeply bothering her. And she's fixated on the bunny doll. So he picks up the bunny doll. He recognizes it's Vi's, which knocks over the first domino in the line to the conclusion. This could have gone several different ways internally, but what the scene read like to me was almost an internal cascade from "Actually, where is Vi?" because he knows that if Vi knew Powder was in this state she'd be here trying to cheer her up. But he also knows Vi's very troubled right now.
Vi is very troubled right now because she wants to take action to protect people. Just like her desire to protect would put her there, comforting Powder. It's an instinctive reaction that Vander very much relates to. He sees a *lot* of himself in Vi. So that almost instantly leads him to the conclusion -- he knows what he's planning to do to solve things. In fact, I'm sure part of him sees turning himself in here to prevent a war being atonement in some capacity for leading the fight that got Vi and Powder's parents killed.
But again, he sees a lot of himself in Vi... He didn't expect her to be mature enough to come to the conclusion he already arrived at where he intends to take that sacrifice upon himself. But he knows that Vi's mind is on protective action. He knows she wants to make things right. He knows she's likely to come to the same conclusion -- but she isn't going to be thinking of protecting herself, just like he isn't thinking of protect himself. She's going to be thinking of protecting her family, and likely wouldn't be able to understand why anyone else should take that fall when she led the instigating incident.
But as soon as he realizes that Vi would have arrived at the same "turn yourself in" conclusion he was coming to himself, the fear kicks in. In different circumstances, he might have been proud of her growth here, but he doesn't have the opportunity. Right now the only thing that matters to him is keeping his family safe, and growth or not, what she's likely doing is the exact opposite of safe.
have you talked about Jinx and inferiority complex? I know you've mentioned it with undercity inhabitants in general, but I feel like powder's fears usually get attributed to abandonment.
many of her big agency moments seem to result from inferiority as much as abandonment: "you're not ready, Powder", "you're a jinx", "I'll let sevika handle it" and her fear of Caitlin replacing her.
I don't known if you've covered it before, but I've seen a lot of people say Mel's character makes no sense, and her motivations change completely in the last couple episodes. She goes from someone that is just after power for themselves to some sort of peacekeepers. However I think if all her actions from the begining are viewed as her best attempt to keep Piltover, a city she has acctually grown to care for, safe from people like her mother. Then pretty much everything makes sense, she just wasn't expecting that strengthening Piltover would lead to a war with Zaun, and will ultimately leave them in a weaker place to deal with outside threats. She obviously still messed up and did a bad thing, but it's kind of all she knows to do.
This is going to be amazing to watch