Pretend Like It's the First Time

Ill keep it short. I really really enjoyed this episode because, arguably for the first time this season, the story of this episode is focused and relatively simple to follow.

That creates space to breath. And, importantly, space to focus on the characters themselves instead of the plot developments. This season has been hectic and chaotic and, while incredibly awesome, it has left me personally little space to really emotionally connect in new ways. I still got emotional, but mostly on emotional currency build in season 1.

This episode creates space for that and essentially creates new emotional currency to spend later on (or in this same episode).

This episode is simply beautiful, the art direction, the plot, the argument that is used to develop the main character of the chapter, I love the role that the music has and the weight that is given when developing and expressing the moments both physical and psychological. Regarding the characters, the ending is extremely tragic and moving, leaving a message capable of creating catharsis in the viewer using the premise of "the story of something that could have been." The animation at no time presents a decadence, and on the contrary is used to better express what is being seen on the screen, telling a melancholic but moving message.

The show starts taking a turn to high conceptuality from here. The animations deliver the high concept so well that those abstract places could only be described through those animations and my words falter to deliver the job. However I promise you thst this episode has a huge surprise for you. This episode focuses very strongly on the characters. I could never ever EVER have possibly imagined that the show would go that far in that direction but it did and it delivered it so well that i think anyone who watched it would've had tears in their eyes or at least had eyes precipitation. The use of music and animation style work synergistically to do the job. Arguably the best episode of the show 10/10.

Won't even kid this might be the best episode of television I've ever seen. I'm no snob and I probably haven't watched enough for that claim to have any actual weight but for real this episode is perfectly executed and beautiful. No matter who you are, you have to acknowledge that love is at the very core of everything we are as human beings, and this episode is the pure embodiment of that concept to me. Every single aspect brings together this heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a love that never was. The music is some of the best to come out of this show, and the animation is gorgeous as usual, but certain painted backgrounds and stylized sections of animation are especially worthy of praise here. Even though I agree with some folks that the episodes after this had a few fails, I seriously think that the experience this single episode gives a viewer is, on its own, enough of a reason for the entire show to exist.

Having seen countless movies and shows over the past decade, Arcane stands out as one of the best. It's emotionally powerful, that's got tears out of my eyes.

The animation is breathtaking. Each frame is a work of art, with incredibly lifelike characters and stunningly detailed environments. The lighting and sound design are equally impressive, creating a truly captivating world. The lore is rich and well-developed, with no plot holes to disrupt the story. The narrative itself is fresh and engaging, far from generic.

This episode focuses on Ekko and Power's characters.

Unlike others where there were only glimpses of Powder, this ep fully shown the true person of Powder without all the persona of Jinx. It reinforces the idea that Jinx is a product of her environment and the choices made by others, and it offers a glimmer of hope that redemption may still be possible.

The pacing is deliberately slower than the previous, fast-paced episodes, it allows for deeper character development and emotional resonance. The dance scene, captured in a series of distinct, memorable frames. It's as if Ekko is trying to imprint the moment in his memory.

While the pace in Ekko's scenes is slow down, it is sliced with Jayce's eerie scenes. The audience is able to feel the joy and hope in Ekko's world, only to be immediately confronted with the despair and desolation in Jayce's. This rapid shift in emotions heightens the dramatic tension and keeps the viewer engaged.

While it is a great show, i can see 1 star ratings from the same person that are, NOT REAL RATINGs, full of envy and obviously made by hardcore fans of other shows and movies, HATING ON THE HAIR while it is true to the lore, the fact that they compared (the number of ratings of) a show with a completely different genre like BB, THAT IS been out for years to one that's barely finished is ridiculous.

And i almost forgot, thank you to everyone that had their hands in the making of this masterpiece.