Arcane is such a perfect show that anything slightly off about it really irks me. Today, it’s Caitlyn’s character arc! Caitlyn was the most sane character in Arcane. One could argue that she was dealt a better hand compared to other characters, but it doesn’t discount the choices she made.
It was expected that she would face some challenges as the story progresses, but the way it changed her wasn’t the best. Arcane season 2 ensured that none of the appealing aspects of her character arc were left.
What Happened to Caitlyn in Arcane?
Caitlyn is arguably the most unique character in Arcane, at least until season 2. She’s privileged but upholds a strong sense of justice. While other characters led tragic lives and ended up becoming grey and even downright evil, Caitlyn cared about the world around her. She acknowledged her privileges and grew out of them. She used her abilities to make Piltover a better nation.
Related: One ‘Arcane’ Character Had a Much Bigger Influence on the Story Than Jinx or Vi
What I liked the most about her was her awareness. Her interactions with Vi and Zaun opened up her mind to a nation that she despised all her life. She never let her bias hold her back; however, this also marked the beginning of a conflict in her mind. Jinx’s attack changed everything for Caitlyn. It took away her empathy and her level-headedness.
Losing her mother made her similar to the other characters. She still had questions and doubts, but she chose to participate in the systemic evil she despised all her life. I didn’t even have a problem with this twist. It made sense. This twist revealed the darkness in her heart, and the reason was too strong to simply paint her as a villain.
Caitlyn joins Ambessa | Credits: Fortiche and Riot Games
She was nuanced and well-written, but the events that followed once she joined Ambessa ruined her character for me. I don’t have a problem with her turning evil, it’s the execution that made this twist seem half-baked.
Arcane Season 2 Makes It Hard to Like the Beacon of Justice
Arcane season 2 turned its most sane character into a replica of Jinx. Similar to how she dedicated herself to justice, she held a similar commitment for evil under Ambessa, but only briefly. It didn’t take her long to start questioning herself and her ideals. And her reunion with Vi was enough to turn her back to normal.
Related: “You did your job wrong”: ‘Arcane’ Could Have Almost Ditched Its Most Impactful Element
Her turn to evil and the complete 180 for the second time all happened within a few episodes. Talk about rushed! Like all other things in Arcane season 2, Caitlyn’s transformation was rushed. I understand everything that happened, and it makes sense, but the execution fails to convince you why it’s happening.
Vi and Caitlyn | Credits: Fortiche and Riot Games
The morally questionable acts of Caitlyn can’t be undone, and it makes me question if there was even a need to make her evil. Not that I wanted her to remain noble, but her grief could have been handled better. It makes her feel like a tool for plot progression, as the major events in her life aren’t given enough time.
It’s one thing after the other, and her being one of the central characters doesn’t help her case either.
Arcane is currently available to stream on Netflix.
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