What Happened in Arcane Season 2: Episode 4 “Paint the Town Blue” – Episode Overview

The animated series Arcane, created by Fortiche Studio and Riot Games with support from Netflix, has returned with its second act. As of November 16, three new episodes are available on Netflix, continuing the tale of sisters Vi and Jinx, and the conflict between the cities of Piltover and Zaun.

Act 2 of Arcane Season 2 begins with the episode “Paint the Town Blue.” Curious about what happened? Let’s dive into the details.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Arcane Season 2, Episode 4, “Paint the Town Blue.” If you want to experience the artistry of Fortiche and Riot firsthand, it’s best to watch the series before reading further. Otherwise, proceed at your own risk!

What Happened in Arcane Season 2, Episode 4 “Watch it All Burn”

Act 2 of Arcane Season 2 kicks off with Episode 4, "Paint the Town Blue," featuring a stylish frame-by-frame introduction to Zaun, which has devolved into a full-blown ghetto under the control of Piltover’s police force. Caitlyn, now Piltover’s Commander, is determined to hunt down and eliminate Jinx.

After the signature opening sequence, we see Caitlyn sharing quarters with a fellow Piltover officer from her squad. The newly appointed Commander Kiramman struggles to adapt to her new role.

From Caitlyn’s chambers, the scene shifts to Jinx’s base in Zaun. Here, Jinx reminisces about her past with the mute girl she saved in the first episode. Meanwhile, Ambessa Medarda is exploring the potential of Hextech, attempting to harness its power but only achieving catastrophic results (e.g., the disintegration of a scientist). This scene also hints again at the mysterious Black Rose order, a well-known entity in the League of Legends universe, with which Ambessa has unfinished business.

In Zaun, chaos breaks out at a checkpoint, leading Medarda’s followers to speculate about Jinx’s return. Ambessa insists on using any means necessary to find Jinx, but Caitlyn is not as eager.

Sevika encourages Jinx to emerge as a full-fledged leader of the local resistance. The emotional weight of the episode mirrors that of Episode 2 “Watch It All Burn” as Jinx converses with the memory of Silco, her deceased father figure, grappling with her inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, Ambessa learns the location of a meeting of Jinx’s followers, inspired by Isha, the mute girl from Episode 1 "Heavy is the Crown" . However, the gathering is disrupted by a Piltover raid, leading to a clash involving Zaun’s "mad scientist," Singed. Jinx discovers that all Resistance members have been arrested. Deep in Zaun’s underground, a beast awakens—Warwick.

Jinx and Sevika embark on a mission to rescue their comrades. Using cunning, they infiltrate the prison holding Zaun’s residents and cross paths with Ambessa Medarda, who fails to recognize Jinx due to her disguise in Piltover police attire.

Jinx and Sevika manage to free the captives, with Jinx finally undergoing initiation, solidifying her position as a “heroine” of Zaun’s resistance. Outside, Ambessa faces Warwick, who has been hunting his creator, Singed.

The War Matriarch Ambessa Medarda is unable to stop the beast, which breaks into the lower levels where the protagonists and a dozen Piltover officers are located. The beast makes no distinction between friend and foe, clashing with Jinx in a battle she stands little chance of winning, as Warwick is immune to her Hextech bullets. Despite defeating Jinx, Warwick’s subconscious recalls memories of Jinx and Vi, whom he raised in his past life as Vander—their adoptive father, one of Zaun’s leaders, and Silco’s best friend.

Singed’s "creation" calls Jinx by her real name, Powder, marking the conclusion of Episode 4, "Paint the Town Blue."

Arcane Season 2 Episode 4 "Paint the Town Blue Explanation

The fourth episode of Arcane Season 2, “Paint the Town Blue,” focuses on two key developments:

1. Jinx’s transformation into the leader of Zaun’s resistance and her role as a local messiah. Her transformation is expected to continue throughout Act 2.
2. Warwick’s full-fledged introduction into the narrative.

If you’ve read our reviews of earlier episodes, you’ll notice a pattern where each of the first three episodes concluded with glimpses of Singed working on Warwick. Since the end of Season 1, Singed has been focused on transforming Vander into Warwick, a leader of Zaun and one of its most compelling figures.

This episode centers on Jinx, a continuation of the series’ narrative structure seen in the first three episodes of the season: Episode 1 focused on Vi, Episode 2 on Jinx, and Episode 3 " Finally Got The Name Right" brought them together. This structure seems to persist in Act 2. Additionally, a potential time jump is hinted at, considering the significant changes in key characters like Viktor and Jayce, as seen in promotional material for Act 2.

What`s Next in Arcane Season 2?

Upcoming episodes will delve deeper into the fates of other characters, with Jayce and Viktor likely taking center stage. Both have been profoundly changed by Arcane magic, reinforcing one of the series' overarching themes.

Additionally, the plot involving the Black Rose order, which kidnapped Mel Medarda in Episode 3, "Finally Got The Name Right," is gaining traction. Of course, the ongoing story of Jinx and Vi’s relationship will also take the spotlight.

The next two episodes are now available on Netflix.