In the exhilarating third chapter of Arcane's sophomore season, titled "Finally Got the Name Right," the intricate web of narratives in Piltover and Zaun twists tighter, knotting into a tapestry of conflict and revelation. Caitlyn (portrayed by Katie Leung) finds her inner turmoil escalating to feverish heights, while a mysterious and menacing force emerges, casting a long, sinister shadow over the unfolding drama.
The episode kicks off with a nostalgic flashback to Caitlyn at the Kiramman archive device, where her mother's soothing voice guides her through the intricate blueprints of Zaun's ventilation system. This system, designed to expel the toxic fumes from Piltover's factories into the treacherous Fissures, becomes the linchpin of Caitlyn's audacious scheme to corner Jinx (played by Ella Purnell). Leading her strike team into Zaun, she leverages the ventilation system against Jinx, unleashing The Grey into various districts and sowing panic in the Undercity's depths.
As the strike team boldly ventures into Zaun, they receive a macabre reception. They find themselves within a cavernous space, where Heenot (voiced by Mick Wingert) is helplessly tethered to a whirling propeller blade. As they hastily set him free, a chilling spectacle greets their eyes: grotesque doll effigies of themselves dangling ominously from the ceiling. This eerie tableau sets the stage for a relentless game of cat and mouse with Jinx, who is revealed to be orchestrating something sinister within the labyrinthine pipeworks.
Meanwhile, on her battleship, Ambessa (played by Ellen Thomas) hosts Amara (brought to life by Salli Saffioti), who arrives with sinister designs. Amara, a loyal member of the Black Rose, wields her magic to incapacitate Ambessa and her guards, revealing a black rose—a symbol of her unwavering allegiance. The confrontation culminates in Ambessa slaying Amara, but not before she unearths the Black Rose's true objectives in Piltover.
Within the pipeworks, Vi (portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld) and Caitlyn share a tender, fleeting moment, their kiss a heartfelt oasis in the midst of the tumult. However, their unity is fleeting. Caitlyn's unyielding determination to apprehend Jinx at any cost creates a rift between them. When Caitlyn harshly accuses Vi of being as callous as Jinx, it's a moment of devastating truth and betrayal that cuts deep.
Salo (voiced by Josh Keaton) immerses himself in the mesmerizing shimmer, blissfully unaware of the intricate schemes unfolding around him. Ambessa descends upon him, reproaching his self-indulgence and unveiling a scheme to elevate him to the city's pinnacle of authority while she pulls the strings from behind the curtain. This intricate plot becomes even more convoluted with the entry of Amara and the enigmatic Black Rose.
Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Ekko (Reed Shannon), and Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert) delve into the HexGates' failsafe chamber, uncovering ominous signs of Arcane contamination. As they find themselves imprisoned by a pulsating orb of Arcane energy, Jayce's hammer reacts with ferocious power, heralding the untamed might harbored within the Arcane.
Vi and Caitlyn happen upon a shrine, its walls adorned with Jinx's eerie murals that narrate her tumultuous past intertwined with Vi's and Vander's lives. The confrontation between Vi and Jinx rapidly escalates into a fierce battle, with Caitlyn locking her crosshair onto Jinx with laser focus. However, Jinx's provocative taunts, coupled with the unexpected arrival of Isha, an innocent child drawn unwittingly into the fray, inject an element of complexity into the volatile scenario. Ultimately, the situation reaches its climax in a breathtaking explosion, masterminded by Sevika.
The shrine's detonation unleashes a gush of air that scatters Jinx's signature powder across Piltover, causing widespread devastation and panic. In the aftermath, Mel and Elora prepare to act, but Elora is abruptly assaulted by the shadows of the Black Rose, while Mel falls prey to the sinister enchantments. In Piltover, Ambessa calls for martial law and proposes Caitlyn as the leader to quell the emerging threat. Caitlyn, torn between her obligations and her personal grudge against Jinx, stands at a precipice of indecision.
The episode concludes with a stunning stinger featuring Singed (Brett Tucker) engaged in dark and foreboding experiments, hinting at the creation of monsters yet to be unleashed. "Finally Got the Name Right" is a paradigm of storytelling excellence, expertly intertwining personal melodrama with sprawling conflicts. It deftly balances the symphony of action, character evolution, and world-building, leaving viewers breathless with anticipation for the impending spectacle of Arcane's second season.
