One of the most enrapturing things about the final  episode of Arcane’s first season is how the story  
One of the most enrapturing things about the final  episode of Arcane’s first season is how the story  

situates almost all of its major characters in  positions where they are forced to make a huge  
situates almost all of its major characters in  positions where they are forced to make a huge  

choice. Jinx is stuck between the two sides  of herself, Silco is given an ultimatum and  
choice. Jinx is stuck between the two sides  of herself, Silco is given an ultimatum and  

must prioritize either Jinx or his life’s dream,  Jayce must decide whether to carry on with his  
must prioritize either Jinx or his life’s dream,  Jayce must decide whether to carry on with his  

crusade or relent, Viktor must choose what to do  with the volatile power of the Hextech core, Vi  
crusade or relent, Viktor must choose what to do  with the volatile power of the Hextech core, Vi  

has to pick what to do with Jinx’s ultimatum AND  chooses the alternate of Jayce’s decision as well,  
has to pick what to do with Jinx’s ultimatum AND  chooses the alternate of Jayce’s decision as well,  

Sevika must choose whether or not to side with  Finn. Some of these decisions are difficult, some  
Sevika must choose whether or not to side with  Finn. Some of these decisions are difficult, some  

are easier, but all of them are huge, defining  moments for these characters and their stories.  
are easier, but all of them are huge, defining  moments for these characters and their stories.  

And the one key decision that I haven’t mentioned  is one of the most interesting ones - the choice  
And the one key decision that I haven’t mentioned  is one of the most interesting ones - the choice  

thrust upon Mel Medarda by her mother between  choosing warfare and returning home to take  
thrust upon Mel Medarda by her mother between  choosing warfare and returning home to take  

her place as Noxian royalty, or doing what  she believes is right and avoiding conflict  
her place as Noxian royalty, or doing what  she believes is right and avoiding conflict  

at all cost. Now, that description boils  the choice down into key components but  
at all cost. Now, that description boils  the choice down into key components but  

doesn’t really provide much context, nor does it  communicate why exactly this choice was so complex  
doesn’t really provide much context, nor does it  communicate why exactly this choice was so complex  

and defining for Mel - and as is the case with  Arcane so often, the devil is in the details.
and defining for Mel - and as is the case with  Arcane so often, the devil is in the details.

From the time she was a little girl, Mel was  raised in the politically brutal world of Noxus  
From the time she was a little girl, Mel was  raised in the politically brutal world of Noxus  

and was taught that to survive in this world, one  must be absolutely cutthroat. And yet, from the  
and was taught that to survive in this world, one  must be absolutely cutthroat. And yet, from the  

beginning, her inherent nature just never allowed  her to fill those shoes. Eternally sentimental,  
beginning, her inherent nature just never allowed  her to fill those shoes. Eternally sentimental,  

heartfelt and compassionate, pragmatic but not  ruthlessly so, constantly looking for amicable  
heartfelt and compassionate, pragmatic but not  ruthlessly so, constantly looking for amicable  

solutions and consistently trying to avoid  bloodshed, she had the clever political mind  
solutions and consistently trying to avoid  bloodshed, she had the clever political mind  

to become heir to her family but was never  cold enough to do what needed to be done  
to become heir to her family but was never  cold enough to do what needed to be done  

in her mother’s eyes. To succeed, she was to be  both a sly, cunning fox, and an authoritative,  
in her mother’s eyes. To succeed, she was to be  both a sly, cunning fox, and an authoritative,  

relentless wolf, and she could only ever bring  herself to achieve one out of two. Aa a result,  
relentless wolf, and she could only ever bring  herself to achieve one out of two. Aa a result,  

in what seemed like punishment for not having  what it takes, Mel was exiled and shipped off  
in what seemed like punishment for not having  what it takes, Mel was exiled and shipped off  

to Piltover, where her sensibilities would be more  suited. And yet despite the unfairness of it all,  
to Piltover, where her sensibilities would be more  suited. And yet despite the unfairness of it all,  

despite her burning anger - she constantly  felt this magnetic yearning back to her blood.  
despite her burning anger - she constantly  felt this magnetic yearning back to her blood.  

This nagging love and need to feel accepted,  towards a family and culture that’s raised her  
This nagging love and need to feel accepted,  towards a family and culture that’s raised her  

roughly, but nonetheless provided her with  enough of a home for her to feel that way.
roughly, but nonetheless provided her with  enough of a home for her to feel that way.

And so after rising her golden boy up the ranks  and becoming one of the key benefactors behind  
And so after rising her golden boy up the ranks  and becoming one of the key benefactors behind  

the Hextech revolution, Mel is essentially  at a crossroads when her mother weighs  
the Hextech revolution, Mel is essentially  at a crossroads when her mother weighs  

anchor in Piltover. Here she is provided with the  opportunity to feel the love and acceptance she’s  
anchor in Piltover. Here she is provided with the  opportunity to feel the love and acceptance she’s  

desired forever - but what that requires of her is  to promote war, which goes against her very nature  
desired forever - but what that requires of her is  to promote war, which goes against her very nature  

and what she knows is right - not just for  her, but for her city, and her partner.  
and what she knows is right - not just for  her, but for her city, and her partner.  

What we have here is a tug of war internally -  does she side with blood, family and her roots?  
What we have here is a tug of war internally -  does she side with blood, family and her roots?  

Or does she listen to her true heart, does she  cling to her sentimentality and honest ideas?
Or does she listen to her true heart, does she  cling to her sentimentality and honest ideas?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but for roughly  half of the series I had problems placing  
I can’t speak for anyone else, but for roughly  half of the series I had problems placing  

exactly where Mel’s motivations had basis  in. Due to the strongly established desire  
exactly where Mel’s motivations had basis  in. Due to the strongly established desire  

of hers to rise of the ranks in her family  introduced in her first scene in episode two,  
of hers to rise of the ranks in her family  introduced in her first scene in episode two,  

her relationship with Jayce kept me guessing as  to whether she was just using him or genuinely  
her relationship with Jayce kept me guessing as  to whether she was just using him or genuinely  

cared for him - or a mixture of both. I kept  grappling with that until episode 6, where we get  
cared for him - or a mixture of both. I kept  grappling with that until episode 6, where we get  

the first sequence of proper internalization for  her that I was convinced was totally genuine and  
the first sequence of proper internalization for  her that I was convinced was totally genuine and  

where it was made clear that she deeply cared for  him, and further episodes continued to go along  
where it was made clear that she deeply cared for  him, and further episodes continued to go along  

this trajectory to emphasize the type of person  she really was. And from there we can then go  
this trajectory to emphasize the type of person  she really was. And from there we can then go  

backwards and apply what we know about her to see  how close to her heart the things she was saying  
backwards and apply what we know about her to see  how close to her heart the things she was saying  

were. Or maybe if you’re not a dunderhead like  me, you realized these things in the first place.
were. Or maybe if you’re not a dunderhead like  me, you realized these things in the first place.

This line is important not just for emphasizing  her genuine goals for a prosperous Piltover,  
This line is important not just for emphasizing  her genuine goals for a prosperous Piltover,  

but for conveying how much she dislikes what  the Medarda family has come to represent.  
but for conveying how much she dislikes what  the Medarda family has come to represent.  

She’s repulsed by what her family and Noxian  culture stand for. War, cutthroat pragmatism,  
She’s repulsed by what her family and Noxian  culture stand for. War, cutthroat pragmatism,  

subjugation by power and force. And yet, one of  the most defining and indicative images of Mel is  
subjugation by power and force. And yet, one of  the most defining and indicative images of Mel is  

of her gazing with such emotional, wistful longing  at the painting that represents her original home.
of her gazing with such emotional, wistful longing  at the painting that represents her original home.

She has always been at odds with what  they stand for, and he has rightfully  
She has always been at odds with what  they stand for, and he has rightfully  

felt very much betrayed - but despite that  she cannot help but feel this love for them  
felt very much betrayed - but despite that  she cannot help but feel this love for them  

and this need to be accepted by them. There  is a dualism here - a genuine love that she  
and this need to be accepted by them. There  is a dualism here - a genuine love that she  

can’t shake for the Medarda household,  and a vehement ideological opposition.
can’t shake for the Medarda household,  and a vehement ideological opposition.

And so in my opinion, her goals to continue  to innovate and influence as established in  
And so in my opinion, her goals to continue  to innovate and influence as established in  

the beginning of the series are not just done to  benefit Piltover, or just become a more impressive  
the beginning of the series are not just done to  benefit Piltover, or just become a more impressive  

Medarda in the eyes of her mother and family - I  also feel as if a part of her wants to prove them  
Medarda in the eyes of her mother and family - I  also feel as if a part of her wants to prove them  

wrong. These are complex feelings she has, and one  single act or behaviour can imply multiple things  
wrong. These are complex feelings she has, and one  single act or behaviour can imply multiple things  

about Mel given her situation. It’s just one of  the many ways in which Arcane builds natural,  
about Mel given her situation. It’s just one of  the many ways in which Arcane builds natural,  

believable, substantial and multidimensional  characters psychologies with so many layers and  
believable, substantial and multidimensional  characters psychologies with so many layers and  

facets. But for me, the most prominent facet is  once again, this heartfelt warmth. A warmth that  
facets. But for me, the most prominent facet is  once again, this heartfelt warmth. A warmth that  

was proven to be so strong that it was liable to  melt even the iciest of hearts - which ends up  
was proven to be so strong that it was liable to  melt even the iciest of hearts - which ends up  

being revealed as the real truth as to why she  was exiled to the much less brutal Piltover.
being revealed as the real truth as to why she  was exiled to the much less brutal Piltover.

This nagging sentimentality - the exact words  I’d use to describe her consistent love for her  
This nagging sentimentality - the exact words  I’d use to describe her consistent love for her  

family despite how they treated her - is maddening  for her mother, because she feels she must act a  
family despite how they treated her - is maddening  for her mother, because she feels she must act a  

certain way, and Mel’s heart is so honest and  infectious that it had the potential to curtail  
certain way, and Mel’s heart is so honest and  infectious that it had the potential to curtail  

that. She could not have that, and while her  actions in response were cruel, if you try to,  
that. She could not have that, and while her  actions in response were cruel, if you try to,  

you can understand her point of view. When she  arrives in Piltover, her general aura, body  
you can understand her point of view. When she  arrives in Piltover, her general aura, body  

language, confidence, appearance and demeanor are  in such stark contrast to all of her surroundings.  
language, confidence, appearance and demeanor are  in such stark contrast to all of her surroundings.  

And that’s because of how different she really is  due to how Noxus has forced her to live her life.  
And that’s because of how different she really is  due to how Noxus has forced her to live her life.  

This is how generations of these families  are taught that the world must be.  
This is how generations of these families  are taught that the world must be.  

This is what she was born and bred in, this  is how she needs to act in Noxian culture,  
This is what she was born and bred in, this  is how she needs to act in Noxian culture,  

this detached coldness needed to  make the decisions to succeed.  
this detached coldness needed to  make the decisions to succeed.  

She has to steel herself to make these  cruel decisions for the sake of her family,  
She has to steel herself to make these  cruel decisions for the sake of her family,  

because ironically, her motivations take root in a  very similar sort of heart. That same filial love.
because ironically, her motivations take root in a  very similar sort of heart. That same filial love.

Mel helps build Piltover up through Hextech, she  forms a loving and understanding relationship with  
Mel helps build Piltover up through Hextech, she  forms a loving and understanding relationship with  

Jayce, and overall is going along a trajectory  that suits the type of person she really is for  
Jayce, and overall is going along a trajectory  that suits the type of person she really is for  

the first time in her life. But her mother’s  arrival, the glimpse of heart beneath the cold  
the first time in her life. But her mother’s  arrival, the glimpse of heart beneath the cold  

exterior, and the parallel we can see between  them breaks all of that momentum, and forces her  
exterior, and the parallel we can see between  them breaks all of that momentum, and forces her  

to make this choice - which I honestly see as a  good thing for her personally despite the internal  
to make this choice - which I honestly see as a  good thing for her personally despite the internal  

conflict it brings about. Mel has been carrying  the dregs of this tug of war all her life, and  
conflict it brings about. Mel has been carrying  the dregs of this tug of war all her life, and  

there comes a point where one must decide who they  really want to be. I mentioned the dualism and  
there comes a point where one must decide who they  really want to be. I mentioned the dualism and  

contrast between her yearning for family and her  repulsion from the methods that will earn her what  
contrast between her yearning for family and her  repulsion from the methods that will earn her what  

she yearns for, and yet up until this point, she’s  stood on the precipice, without properly picking a  
she yearns for, and yet up until this point, she’s  stood on the precipice, without properly picking a  

side. But she can’t do that any longer. Though of  course, that choice is desperately tough for Mel.  
side. But she can’t do that any longer. Though of  course, that choice is desperately tough for Mel.  

It represents all that she’s wanted since she was  a little girl - to be the heir, to be embraced,  
It represents all that she’s wanted since she was  a little girl - to be the heir, to be embraced,  

to feel that irrational, nagging love requited  in her eyes. She just needs to say yes to war.
to feel that irrational, nagging love requited  in her eyes. She just needs to say yes to war.

Yet in an immense show of strength, she ruins the  painting that always represented that yearning to  
Yet in an immense show of strength, she ruins the  painting that always represented that yearning to  

return home, she removes her family ring, and  dismisses it all to stay true to herself. Mel  
return home, she removes her family ring, and  dismisses it all to stay true to herself. Mel  

has grown to despise conflict and everything it  brings about. She hates what it does to people  
has grown to despise conflict and everything it  brings about. She hates what it does to people  

and societies, and she views the importance of  sticking to her ideals, doing what’s right and not  
and societies, and she views the importance of  sticking to her ideals, doing what’s right and not  

thrusting Piltover into blood and chaos to be more  important to her than her blood. She has concluded  
thrusting Piltover into blood and chaos to be more  important to her than her blood. She has concluded  

that cannot be a wolf. And that’s okay, because  this world has ample need for foxes of her ilk.  
that cannot be a wolf. And that’s okay, because  this world has ample need for foxes of her ilk.  

In this sense, Mel is nature over nurture, hanging  on to her sense of self despite being given all  
In this sense, Mel is nature over nurture, hanging  on to her sense of self despite being given all  

the reason and environmental stimulus to change.  It’s an admirable conviction, and more than  
the reason and environmental stimulus to change.  It’s an admirable conviction, and more than  

aything, it’s a conveyance of the potential idea  that perhaps, even in a world as dark as this,  
aything, it’s a conveyance of the potential idea  that perhaps, even in a world as dark as this,  

the desire for peace through mutual understanding  could bring about true change. But as we all  
the desire for peace through mutual understanding  could bring about true change. But as we all  

know.. that possibility was shattered the moment  it seemed as though it would come to fruition,  
know.. that possibility was shattered the moment  it seemed as though it would come to fruition,  

and it’s a devastating blow that leaves us  with absolutely tragic and haunting imagery  
and it’s a devastating blow that leaves us  with absolutely tragic and haunting imagery  

and thoughts of what could have been. I don’t  know what happens next for Mel in the story,  
and thoughts of what could have been. I don’t  know what happens next for Mel in the story,  

but in one way or another, I cannot for  the life of me imagine that it’ll be good.  
but in one way or another, I cannot for  the life of me imagine that it’ll be good.  

Many thanks for watching.
Many thanks for watching.