1x03 The Base Violence Necessary for Change

Obsessed with the scenes leading up to the explosion of the monkey bomb, when it finally went off, and when Jayce and Viktor were trying to dampen the oscillation of the arcane to harness its power!!

I love the characters here so much. I love how Vander was perceived to have softened or submitted when he really was just trying to avoid more bloodshed after witnessing little Vi and Powder and finally grasping the senselessness and brutality of it all. I also liked his dynamics with Benzo, who reminded me of Gandalf here tbh, and Grayson.

I liked Jayce's vision regarding the marriage of science and magic, and that he was willing to take and face risks to see it through. Everyone knew that if his work were to be a success, it would be revolutionary. They were afraid, but he wasn't. I like that Viktor had faith in his research, helped it come to fruition, and was there when it happened. I like the councilor for being the voice for change, but not without being sympathetic to the others' concerns.

Powder's a good character, but I personally can't stand her. It's not even the fact that she jinxes everything, but more that she doesn't really seem to realize why the others are frustrated about it. Admittedly, Mylo's a real dick about it. But it's not even about her being weak or her inventions a flop, her presence is a liability and they have tasks they're trying to accomplish?? Like just in this episode, Vi decided to leave her behind for the reasons she mentioned, but Powder made it out to be about her being abandoned and useless???? Then she went after them anyway in spite not knowing how to use the arcane or the full extent of its power. She just blew the place up indiscriminately. Then she was angry at Vi for her completely understandable outburst upon learning that Powder was responsible for the deaths of so many people including Claggor, Mylo, and Vander albeit indirectly. Powder seemed more affected by the fact that she was a "jinx" rather than the terrible outcome of her actions. God. Her tantrum scenes made me hate her so much.

I liked Silco the same reason I liked Jayce: he had a dream, and he was willing to do what he can to pursue it. I understood his and the other characters' frustration towards Vander for "keeping the peace" when in reality he was just upholding the status quo, which is so oppressive and violent in other ways. I liked his monologue regarding the struggle between choosing to let go or hold on in the beginning. I love the sympathy and compassion he seemed to feel for and extend to Powder in the ending.

Such a perfect episode, and there's still 6 more left. Looks like instead of Violet getting arrested, which then switched to Vander getting arrested after he learned about Violet's plan, Silco decided to take matters into his and kill the enforcers with his beastman and take Vander for himself. I'm glad Silco got more fleshed out as a villain this episode, learning about how he actually used to be loved and respected in the underground as a sort of revolutionary, who was allies and brothers(not literally) with Vancer, but Vancer betrayed and tried to kill Silco, leading to himm despising, but still respecting (because Vancer was a man who'd fight for what he belleives) Vancer. It seemed like they both shared a goal of creating a new nation where the underground people could live prosperously, but why would Vancer betray Silco like that. Also, regarding Silco, im so fascninated by him, a man who wants to make the underground peopel free, doing whatever he thinks is neccesaary to accomplish that, even stooping to killing and assualting the underground people. Vander clearly does agree with his goal to give more prosperity to the Underground people, but his methods are far to inhumane for Vander to tolerate, plus after expeirencing a war against the Enforcers, Vander understands the costs and pain of war, and as such doesnt want to fight again. Also man, today's episode was painful to watch, seeing Vi breaking down after watching Vander being taken away and the big guy being killed hurted, her voice actor gave an amazing performance. And it was also painful watching Powder going insane after Violet said she cant join them on the rescue mission of Vander, being told she isnt strong enough and that she needs to stay back because Violet's worried about her must've destroyed her, and just reinforced the idea in Violet's mind that she's useless, after hearing that from the person who's opinion matters most to her. Also man the showdown as Violet and her crew invaded the abandoned building to try and rescue Vander was intense to watch. Everything was going swimmingly untill Silco and his men showed up, but even then Violet was able to wipe the floor with Silco's men, obviously up until beastman showed but, but even then Violet escaped into a room and Vander was getting freed and the fat guy was breaking apart the wall to escape, things were going well-ish and it really seemed like they were going to escape. But sadly, Powder couldnt listen to Violet about staying at home, and decided she could be useful and brough those explosive blue gems, using htem as grenades with her invention to try and blow up the beastman who was pounding on the door protecting Violet and the others. And of course, the blue gems would ruin everything, killing Violet's friends, and trappng Violet and Vander under debree as Silco's beastman approached her. Luckily Vander got free and was able to beat up the beast man, at least a bit until Silco stabbed Vander in the back and Vander fell to the floor below. Although luckily, Vander survived, grabbed some of that beastman vial and killed Silco's beastman and saved Violet, but then died right afterwards. Man the confrontation between Violet and Powder was painful after that moment, with Powder feeling proud of herself for thinking she helped them out, but them realizing she infact indirectly caused the deaths of so many allies. It was hard watching Violet slap and get angry at Powder for what she did and then walking away, though I completely understand why she hated Powder in that moment, I mean they were about to escape but in an instant everyone but Violet and Vander died, and Vander died moments later. Also, I just gotta say, who couldve predicted that plot twist, I mean Silco of all people deciding to take in Powder after she'd just been abandoned by Violet, it seems like he actually listened to Vander's plea for him to not hurt the children, I'm really wondering how Powder's gona develop, now that she hates Violet after she abandoned her, and is being raised by the man who almost killed Violet and Vander. Also, to switch back to Piltovar, man I'm enjyoing the Viktor and Jayce duo, and im so glad they actually succeeded in harnessing the power of magic through technology, with them making magic that can seemingly teleport things. Also, the black council woman is goated for allowing Viktor and Jayce to sneak into the academy and complete their research, I cant wait to see more of her in the show. Also, i hope the council are impressed by Jayce and Viktors success in harnessing magic, and that they get to keep working at the academy, I cant wait to see what this new technology spells for the future of Piltover and the world of Arcane.