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Arcane Season 1 Episode 5 Recap – Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy
BY Harris
Published 2 years ago
We flash back into Caitlyn’s training as a marksman. She runs through a snowy field, shooting targets left and right. Grayson trains along with her. She praises Caitlyn for winning their contest, but Caitlyn accuses her of letting her win. Grayson denies it, claiming that Caitlyn truly deserved the win. She teaches Caitlyn the importance of using the rifle to defend the people, and she encourages her to think about who she is doing it for.
Freedom
In the present day, she comes face-to-face with Vi in her cell. Caitlyn asks her why she’s behind bars. Vi doesn’t respond. She tells Caitlyn to send her regards to Silco. Caitlyn shows Vi her investigation notes — she recognizes her sister’s symbol. She asks her for help, but Vi can’t do it behind bars. Caitlyn laughs. Vi warns the Undercity will eat her alive.
Caitlyn goes to the warden and hands him a document for Vi’s release, approved by Councilor Jayce. She releases Vi with a heavy sigh.
Corruption
Marcus delivers a eulogy for the dead enforcers. He comes to Grayson’s grave, looking up at her statue.
Later, he comes to Silco’s lair to confront him about the incident. He insists on arresting Jinx, but Silco diverts the blame to the Firelights who attacked his shipment. Silco hands him a bribe, Marcus takes it and storms off.
Back in their lab, Jayce is bothered by the discrepancies in their record of shipments. He hands Sheriff Marcus the list of suspicious transactions to investigate. During their discussion, Viktor coughs up some blood. As he looks down, he peers into the Hexgate panels and sees a vision of swirling lights.
Discoveries
Jinx is studying Jace’s notes on the Hexgates, learning about the relationship between runes and gemstones. She slots the gemstone carefully into one of her contraptions. The gem lights up with a bright blue glow, reminding her of the monkey bomb that killed Mylo and Claggor. Jinx cries, saying it was a mistake, as one of her bunnies lights up with energy.
Vi takes Caitlyn to the rooftops as they make their way into Zaun. Vi is enjoying her newfound freedom as she leaps through the hidden nooks and crannies of the Undercity. She finds a few thugs in an alleyway, takes their clothing, gives one to Caitlyn, and wears it to blend in.
Viktor finds a new insight in their research. Inspired by what he saw and the many capabilities of mages, he posits Hextech may have the ability to learn new things.
Vi takes Caitlyn to a street food joint in Zaun. Caitlyn is impatient and wants them to question Silco, but Vi is still catching up on the sights and sounds of Zaun. The chef hands Vi a note. Caitlyn grudgingly follows her.
Finding Their Path
In the opera, Jayce confides with Medarda. She tells him about the intricacies and relationships between the other councilors. She warns Jayce to practice caution — many covet the power of his Hextech. He has the potential to be everyone’s enemy.
Jinx visits the arcade from before. She relives old memories and collects memorabilia from her friends. She turns on the boxing game Vi used to play and pours down all her anger into the machine. As she finishes the game, she cries as the top score is revealed, placing her just below her sister.
Vi heads to the Last Drop, disgusted by its new management.
Jayce is overwhelmed by the internal politics of the council. Medarda urges him to keep improving their research. Another councilor meets them to ask about Jayce’s investigation in her own trade affairs. Jayce steps up and wins her over, offering a partnership for future Hextech projects. He does similar deals to the other council members as Medarda marvels at him, her most valuable investment.
Vi takes Caitlyn to a shady establishment where she claims all secrets are spilled. Caitlyn tries to blend in as Vi meets the purveyor.
Control
Marcus warns Silco of Jayce’s snooping into their affairs. Silco hands him one of Jinx’s bombs. He is tempted to blow up the crime boss then and there but holds himself back and leaves. Silco is worried Marcus might sell them out as soon as he cracks. He asks Jinx to continue weaponizing Hextech to have power over the topside.
Jinx says she couldn’t do it, but Silco encourages her. She tells him he keeps seeing visions of her friends, of what happened during that day. Silco tells her fear haunts us all.
Vi asks the madam about the happenings in Zaun. She asks why no one has ever stood up to Silco. The crime boss has his hands on the muscle and the money, so no one has ever managed it. The madam laments the loss of Vander and how worse things have changed. Vi asks for her sister’s whereabouts, but the madam doesn’t know. The madam promises to scour some intel; Vi thanks her. Vi sees Caitlyn having fun in one of the rooms; she chuckles.
Heated Passions
Medarda approaches Jayce outside with a view of one of the Hexgates. She praises Jayce’s work that evening. Jayce imagines a future: magic in people’s hands instead of the hammers his family made before. Medarda expresses her appreciation of Jayce; they both share a kiss.
Back in the lab, Viktor is busy flipping through multiple rune configurations. He’s frustrated by the lack of progress. The lab assistant, Miss Young, offers her a walk home, but he can’t find himself stopping his work. After a few more tries, he bangs the table in frustration; he coughs blood in front of the runes. One of the droplets gets absorbed by the arcane gemstone. Meanwhile, things get steamy with Jayce and Medarda.
New Lives
Silco takes Jinx to where Vander had almost drowned him before. Silco tells her a story of how he let a part of him die. Betrayal had made him stronger before, so he urges her to let Powder die. He convinces her that Jinx is perfect and strong before submerging her into the water.
Vi walks through the streets, passing by Shimmer addicts and hustlers. She finds Sevika playing cards; rage fills her.
Marcus is back home, deliberating his next move while Jinx’s bomb sits at his desk.
Jayce is with Viktor in his sickbed. He is worried about his friend.
Vi hits Sevika with a flying knee. She pins her to the wall, but Sevika has Shimmer in her left synthetic arm. Vi is outmatched at first but better technique and dirty tactics give her the upper hand. She asks Sevika where her sister is. She is shocked when she learns Jinx works for Silco. Sevika stabs her in the stomach. Caitlyn shoots Sevika’s Shimmer canister, disarming her. Sevika flees. Caitlyn helps up a bloodied Vi.
Sevika reports the incident to Silco. Meanwhile, Jinx finds her own breakthrough in Hextech.
Our Thoughts
The stakes never stop ramping. I’m equally saddened and excited by Jinx’s development. Vi seems to have her own thing in order though she’s stuck in a cell for the past years. Jayce is flying too close to the sun. The visuals are amazing as always, and each episode’s pacing is very well done — not a dull moment in the script. I rate this a 4.5/5.
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