#arcanemeta

I’m not going to go too deep into it because it’s worthy of its own post, but it goes without saying that choosing to end the season with another of Jinx’s hextech explosions to parallel her previous one was brilliant on so many levels, not only to showcase the evolution of her character (the first one was a major catalyst for Powder becoming Jinx and now the repeated act solidifies this identity) but for the story as well. The first time was a big turning point at the end of Act 1, ushering in major change for the characters and a new trajectory for the plot and this explosion will no doubt do the same, launching the story and the characters into a new direction. 

The paralleled event also plays on the audience’s memory of what came before. We don’t have to assume that this rocket will be devastating, we’ve already seen what this kind of power can do and we know that it will be on an even larger scale now and this adds another layer of dread to an already shocking turn of events. We know how ferocious that magic-induced fire can be. How it rages and races and incinerates flesh. We already know everyone in that council chamber is going to die instantly without some kind of magical intervention. 

We know Viktor and Mel both potentially have built-in magical reasons for survival e.g. Viktor’s connection to the Hexcore and Mel’s tattoos/armor, but what about Jayce? 

I feel like the hammer could maybehave been used to protect him (we see the gauntlets shield Vi in her fight with Sevika) but he didn’t have it with him in the council chamber and I don’t think he’d even consider grabbing it not knowing that it can shield him anyway, so I assume either Mel or Viktor will have to protect him, but which one and how?

Though Viktor would know his little body wouldn’t be enough to truly shield Jayce nor would he be able to move in front of him fast enough, I do believe he would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat to try to save him if he could, especially knowing he’s dying anyway. That being said, it’s just as likely that Jayce would try and do the same for Viktor and is the more likely candidate to be able to run to Viktor and tackle him to the ground to try and shield him. The act would still be futile but, in each other’s arms, Viktor’s magic could activate and, in protecting him, save Jayce as well. 

If this doesn’t happen however and Jayce instead runs to Mel or doesn’t get the chance to make any decision at all, Viktor’s magic could still involuntarily shield him and he’ll come out mostly unscathed (which will out him) or the magic won’t help him and he could get seriously hurt (which could jumpstart more augmentation).

We don’t know what kind of power Mel has yet but emphasizing her and her armor was no accident and she could very well be the key to saving everyone in that room. If she’s somehow able to hold the rocket at bay while everyone tries to escape (an action that could be extremely taxing and she perhaps can’t hold for very long) she lets it go when everyone is a safe distance away, sacrificing herself to save everyone else (though I do genuinely believe most of the council members will die or at least be seriously injured so I’d hate to see Mel sacrifice herself just for it to be in vain).

Or, if Mel is somehow able to protect one other person besides or instead of herself, she chooses Jayce. Not only because she loves him but because she believes in him as their best choice of leadership for Piltover. This sacrifice to save him would deepen the pain he would already feel from losing her and it could inspire him to continue being on the council to honor her memory despite his previous wishes to leave so he can continue to be in a position to be able to do the things he thinks she would have wanted. 

Again though, I genuinely don’t want Mel to die by the way and I’m not saying she’s absolutely going to. I’m still 50/50 on her survival as I can see the storytelling potential in both options honestly, but these are just wild theories and, as of now, I still have hope she’ll live. 

As a sidenote, I’m also curious as to the potential radius of this explosion and how many more innocents could potentially be at risk beyond the council. The rocket was aimed at the council chamber, but could the fallout be larger than expected? Could the explosion seriously destabilize that building and cave in other nearby rooms or potentially have debris fall to the streets and harm others perhaps? 

Anyway, those are just some scattered thoughts. I know there’s already been a lot of conversation on who will survive and how, but it’s all very interesting to speculate on. 

I know we all want to see Viktor and Jayce eventually fight (and I’m so ready for that angst!) but I’d also kind of love to see a scenario where they’re forced to work together against a larger threat at some point and we get to see them fight side by side, combining the full power of their magic and hextech together and, despite their recent differences and newness to combat, are able to sync together well which reminds each other once more of the friendship they once had… and could maybe have again?