7 Ways Arcane Season 2’s Alternate Reality Was Different (& Why They Matter)

The alternate timeline in Arcane season 2, episode 7 was very different from the original one, and each change had a deeper meaning than simply being a gimmick. The ending of Arcane season 2 resolved the war between Piltover and Zaun by giving them a common enemy. As Viktor looked to perfect humanity from the elements that cause death and war, many of Arcane‘s League of Legends champions united to stop an onslaught from Ambessa Medarda, who wished only for the Machine Herald to make her Noxian soldiers indestructible.

One of these characters was Ekko, who disappeared alongside Jayce in Arcane season 2, Act I. It was revealed that Ekko spent time in Arcane‘s multiverse via an alternate timeline, experiencing a world in which much of the trauma and suffering from the show did not occur. In light of several Arcane season 2 character deaths, the exploration of the League of Legends multiverse may seem farfetched. However, the episode was one of Arcane‘s best thanks to how the alternate timeline’s changes were used as thematic messages for Ekko to keep in mind once returning to his original world.

7 Powder Never Became Jinx

A Key Character Change Never Took Place

One of the immediate changes that Arcane season 2 makes clear about its alternate timeline is that Powder did not become Jinx. Instead, Powder is simply an older version of the young girl last seen in Arcane season 1. A big reason for this is how other elements transpired, but the end result is what matters: Powder was not taken in by Silco, radicalized by his ideologies, driven insane by the loss of her friends at her hands, or forced into a life of violence and war. This shocks Ekko, but it affects his character greatly and, in turn, Jinx’s.

The meaning behind this change is showing Ekko, and, by extension, the audience, that Jinx’s trauma does not define her. Over the course of Arcane‘s two seasons, it was reinforced that Powder is gone and only Jinx remains. As many know, it is not a simple thing to remove elements of childhood. Therefore, Powder being part of Arcane‘s alternate timeline reinforced who she was to Ekko, and reminded this to the audience too. This led Ekko, once back in the original timeline, to save Jinx from suicide, allowing the two to save the day later.

6 Benzo, Vander, Mylo, & Claggor Are All Alive

Arcane Reminded Ekko Of What He Had Lost

Aside from Powder’s lack of Jinx-ness in Arcane season 2’s alternate timeline, several other characters’ fates were also very different. The likes of Benzo, Vander, Mylo, and Claggor were all alive in the alternate dimension, greatly affecting Ekko. Benzo was essentially Ekko’s father in the original timeline, with his death leading Ekko to become somewhat radicalized as a member of the Firelights. The reveal that he is alive in this timeline is a big deal for Ekko, with the similar fates of Vander, Mylo, and Claggor reigniting Ekko’s fight in a way.

These characters being alive essentially showed Ekko what he was fighting for. In light of so many Arcane League of Legends spin-offs and the magic, kingdoms, and new characters they include, it would have been easy for Arcane to lose focus and make Ekko’s journey much grander in scope. However, in showing Ekko what he had lost, the story gave him the push to return home. While Ekko can never have his friends and family back, he can fight for what is right and allow other children of Zaun or Piltover to have this loving environment that he experienced in the alternate timeline.

5 Vi Died In Arcane Season 1, Episode 1’s Heist

The Sisters Will Always Experience A Degree Of Tragedy

One of the primary reasons why Powder did not become Jinx and why the likes of Benzo, Mylo, Claggor, and Vander are all alive is the death of Vi in Arcane‘s alternate timeline. It is revealed that the original heist from Arcane season 1, episode 1 transpired differently. Vi was killed during this job, drastically altering several other elements of Arcane‘s original timeline. In this alternate universe, Arcane‘s Vi and Caitlyn did not get their relationship, and the former’s death led to many changes.

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Perhaps the biggest thematic meaning derived from Vi’s alternate timeline death in Arcane is that the sisters are rarely meant to have a happy life together. In most timelines, they are driven apart in one way or another, be it a tragic death or differing ideologies born of trauma. That said, Powder’s grief over Vi in the alternate timeline also proves the connection between the two sisters remains strong, explaining how they reconnected in the original timeline before the inevitability of separation was reinstated via Jinx’s sacrifice in Arcane season 2.

4 Hextech Was Never Invented In Arcane’s Alternate Timeline

The Cause Of Arcane’s Trouble Was Removed

Stemming from Vi’s death was another big alteration in Arcane‘s multiverse. A brief flashback to this moment showed Powder grieving over Vi’s body, yet Jayce’s apartment around them remained intact. This implies that the Hexcore explosion from Arcane season 1, episode 1 did not happen, meaning Viktor and Jayce did not investigate further and invent Hextech. Ekko confirms as much when he realizes Hextech creations are non-existent in this new timeline.

Based on how integral Arcane‘s Hextech and its Hexcore are to the show’s overarching story in season 2, the meaning behind the lack of the invention in the alternate timeline is evident. As is eventually explored via Jayce and Viktor’s storyline, Hextech was a gateway to death and destruction in the original Arcane timeline. Without it, the alternate timeline was allowed to thrive, showing Ekko what life could be like without it and pushing him into returning home and helping defeat Viktor and Ambessa.

3 Zaun & Piltover Have A Friendly Relationship

The Two Nations Are Not Destined To Clash

Besides the abuse of Hextech, the primary conflict in Arcane centers around Piltover and Zaun. In Arcane season 2’s alternate timeline, the state of both nations is very different. For one, Zaun is not as decrepit and destitute as it is in the original timeline, looking much cleaner and healthier once Ekko arrives. The reason for this is the strong relationship it has with Piltover, symbolized by the bridge connecting the two cities. The bridge is somewhat of a commune in the alternate timeline, housing stalls and stores from Piltover and Zaun alike.

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The meaning behind this change is evident: it proves Zaun and Piltover do not have to be at odds. If the two nations had representatives who strove for peace and were not enveloped in the cycle of violence, a relationship between them would be possible. This is another element that drives Ekko back home to fight for this dream, which is all but realized when Sevika is placed on Piltover’s council. The bridge being a symbol of this unity and coexistence is a big deal, too, given that it is originally a symbol of Vander’s failed rebellion, death, and violence in the original timeline.

2 Powder Helped Ekko Return Home

Powder/Jinx Is Central To Arcane

Stemming from Powder’s differences in Arcane‘s alternate timeline, another one is found. Eventually, Powder’s intelligence is utilized by Ekko and Heimerdinger, with the alternate version of her helping them return home. Although this is not so much of a difference as it is an extension of Powder’s personality, its meaning comes when exploring the question of why Arcane is ending with season 2.

Arcane‘s many planned spin-offs will involve characters from the original show, leading many to wonder why these stories cannot simply continue under Arcane‘s umbrella. The reason for this stems from Jinx/Powder. So many of Arcane‘s integral plot points are driven by this character; she inadvertently caused Vander’s death, Silco’s adoption of Powder led to her becoming Jinx, Jinx caused tensions between Piltover and Zaun to worsen in Arcane season 1’s ending, and it was Jinx who accidentally led Ambessa and Singed to Viktor.

Without Jinx, Arcane‘s entire story simply would not exist. This even extends to the alternate version of the character. Ekko was vital to the final battle against Viktor and Ambessa, with his time inventions and return to the original timeline not being possible without Powder’s help. The alternate timeline proves beyond all doubt how central Powder/Jinx is to Arcane‘s entire story.

1 Silco Forgave Vander

The Cycle Of Violence Was Broken

One of the biggest differences in Arcane‘s alternate timeline, and perhaps the change that sums up the show’s themes the most, is Silco forgiving Vander. Be it the storyline of Silco and Vander or that of Jayce, Viktor, Vi, Jinx, and the many other characters of Arcane, the central message of the show is about walking away from the cycle of violence. As Viktor points out in Arcane season 2, Act II, the source of humanity’s greatest good is emotions, though this is also the source of its greatest evil.

Emotions drive people to violence, revenge, war, and suffering, born from initial positive bonds like love, friendship, and family. Silco and Vander are two integral ways the show explored this; Silco could not walk away from the cycle of violence driven by his emotions. Arcane‘s alternate timeline, however, proved this was possible. Forgiveness is something that can happen, leading Ekko back to his time so that he can fight for this vision of Piltover, Zaun, and his friends.

Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure. 

Release Date

November 6, 2021

Seasons

2

Writers

Christian Linke , Alex Yee

Directors

Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord

Showrunner

Christian Linke , Alex Yee

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