History Heartwarming / Arcane

* While arranging for Vi's release, Caitlyn is genuinely appalled when the corrupt Stillwater warden assumes Vi being uncooperative means she'll be [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique in for another "session" to talk]]. She was already going to free Vi; this all but galvanized her decision.

** Another subtle moment, but when Vi angrily reveals to Caitlyn about her parents being murdered by Enforcers, the latter is visibly shocked and horrified. There's a moment of silent tension between them. But then Vi hears something (Silco and his goons) coming near them. The first thing she does? She does a "stay here" protective gesture to Caitlyn. Despite the earlier tension, the minute Vi suspects danger, her instinct is to protect Caitlyn. She also realizes what Caitlyn is trying to do to enable their escape from Silco and, despite how much it anguishes her, knocks the building down herself.

** Also, take a look at Ekko's demeanor when Caitlyn makes her speech -- he first starts off as hostile towards Caitlyn for being a Piltovan Enforcer but hearing her genuine words of wanting to heal the Undercity and not dismissing his or said city's pain, causes him to take up her offer. And remember, Ekko has become [[TookALevelInCynic extremely jaded]] after the TimeSkip. And like with Vi, Caitlyn is forming a relationship with Ekko built on her genuine kindness and respect.

*** In a quick moment, when Caitlyn first takes a look at the Firelights' hideout, Vi can be seen staring at her with a genuine smile. And when a hostile Ekko angrily states her people (Piltover) would destroy the hideout if discovered, Vi looks at him with a disapproving stare; by this point, Vi has come to view Caitlyn as a good person and doesn't like Ekko's misplaced accusations.

* In a CallBack to Viktor interrupting and preventing Jayce’s suicide, Jayce returns the favor and prevents Viktor's following his accidental killing of Sky.

* When an enraged Vi slaps Powder and blames her for killing their family in the aftermath of her explosion, Powder's blood drips into Vi's hand, while Powder constantly tries to tell her that she didn't want this to happen and begs for mercy. She gets through Vi, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone who then looks at in horror at the blood she has shed]]. Vi then gets immediately overwhelmed by remorse and realizing how much she's hurting her sister, and she quickly leaves to calm down and avoid hurting Powder even more. Her anger becomes less directed at Powder and more at herself for acting this way. When she sees Silco approaching Powder with a knife at his back, Vi immediately tries to return to her, and is only unable to because of Marcus drugging her. Despite having every right to hate Powder for starting the explosion, Vi's love for Powder was stronger than that urge to do so. She still wanted to take care of and protect her, just as Vander [[ThePromise had asked her to]]. This is what motivates her in the next act, where she's completely devoted to reuniting and making amends with Powder.

*** The merciless, powerful, BigBad of Zaun keeps a mug on his desk that was pretty clearly made by Jinx herself. In plain sight, where every single one of his minions could see it at anytime. Awful influence he may be, he's nothing but proud of her and genuinely supportive. The ashtray and the map of the undercity are similarly scribbled over with Jinx/Powder's drawings.

** Another subtle moment, but when Vi angrily reveals to Caitlyn about her parents being murdered by Enforcers, the latter is visibly shocked and horrified. There's a moment of silent tension between them. But then Vi hears something (Silco and his goons) coming near them. And her first act? She does a "stay here" protective gesture to Caitlyn. Despite the earlier tension, the minute Vi suspects danger, her instinct is to protect Caitlyn.
* Vi and Powder/Jinx’s BigDamnReunion. While the mood is spoiled by an unfortunate combination of Caitlyn's untimely interruption, Jinx’s paranoia and an attack by the Firelights, there’s still a strong impact left by how even through her mental instability, Jinx still uses the flare Vi gave her years ago to call for her sister, and Vi immediately recognizes the signal when she sees it. Both girls clearly desire a reconciliation, with Vi’s uncompromising desire to make amends clearly getting through to Jinx more than expected.

* Sevika might hate Jinx, but when Silco is about to run after her and make things worse, she gently says that in a situation like this it's best for him to wait. And Silco, for his part, opts to trust her advice.

** Earlier in the episode, Caitlyn and Vi get into a brief argument over their kidnapping but when the latter is taken away to another location, Caitlyn calls out for her name in worry. Even when she's arguing with Vi, her safety is a top priority.

** Also, take a look at Ekko's demeanor when Caitlyn makes her speech -- he first starts off as hostile towards Caitlyn for being a Piltovan Enforcer but hearing her genuine words of wanting to heal the Undercity and not dismissing his or said city's pain, causes him to take up her offer. And remember, Ekko has become [[TookALevelInCynic extremely jaded]] after the TimeSkip. And like the with Vi, Caitlyn is forming a relationship with Ekko built on her genuine kindness and respect.
** Before Caitlyn's speech to Ekko, both get into a disagreement when the latter reveals to the former that Silco has Enforcers on his (Silco's) payroll. Vi gets in between them and states to Ekko that Caitlyn isn't the enemy and believes what she's saying. It's an underrated moment, but this moment from Vi has her not devalue either one -- she doesn't dismiss Ekko's claim of the Enforcers being corrupted, but she also states that Caitlyn isn't like them and isn't his enemy.

* Bitter and brutal though their fight is, Ekko and Jinx share a brief chuckle when the former pulls out his old pocket watch. They step into old positions even as both [[WeUsedToBeFriends flash back to being children again]], ready for another round of their personal game. [[FightingYourFriend A shame the stakes are much higher this time]].

* Heimerdinger’s visit to the Undercity is rather sobering for the most part, with the Yordle having to face the poverty and ruin that’s been under his nose the whole time, but it ultimately shows that Heimerdinger took Jayce's criticism of him to heart, and that he wants to correct his mistakes. While travelling through Zaun, he runs into a child, who offers him some scrap as a gift. He then uses it for a magic trick and turns the old metal into a top, trying to teach her how to play with it before the girl’s mother pulls her away. However little, he managed to improve the day of at least one child of the Lanes.
* Heimerdinger runs into an injured Ekko beneath the bridge between both cities, and immediately offers the young man his help without hesitation. Before that, he’s genuinely impressed by Ekko’s hoverboard, and the two actually have a positive and friendly conversation despite their glaring differences.

* When Caitlyn addresses the Council she proudly and firstly mentions Vi and how the latter had selflessly and bravely helped her in the investigation despite being systematically abused by Piltover's government.

* In a CallBack to Viktor interrupting and preventing Jayce’s suicide, Jayce returns the favor and prevents Viktor’s following his accidental killing of Sky.

* During her second brawl with Sevika, Vi is on the verge of just giving up from pure exhaustion and pain when she gets a brief vision of Vander, probably remembering when he was first teaching her how to throw a punch. He mournfully tells her it probably won’t get easier, before encouraging her to get back up and keep fighting anyway. When Vi gathers herself and rises for Round 3, Vander smiles and says [[SoProudofYou “That’s my girl.”]]

* Caitlyn is genuinely appalled when the corrupt Stillwater warden assumes Vi being uncooperative means she'll be [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique in for another "session" to talk]]. Instead, Caitlyn arranges for her release.
* Mel wakes up alone in her bed after an intimate night with Jayce. In some shows, that'd be a sign of how shallow the guy is. Here? Jayce is revealed to be sitting by his best friend, Viktor, at a hospital bed.
* When Vi goes to find and interrogate Sevika, she catches Caitlyn smoothly chatting up a brothel patron. Throughout most of their time together, Vi has been dismissive, rude, and patronizing towards Caitlyn and only giving mocking smiles at her. Here? After the initial surprise, Vi gives a genuine happy smile at the revelation, happy at the prospect that since Caitlyn is gay, she (Vi) has a chance.

* Mel so far has been mostly a ManipulativeBitch pushing Jayce to become a CorruptPolitician like her and is upset with him for leaving her to wake up alone after they've slept together. When she learns that Jayce's best friend and partner is dying, she becomes genuinely remorseful and tells him that he should go be with him the short time they have left.
** She's also confused about why Jayce is so willing to open up to the extent he is. His response - "Nothing feels impossible when I'm with you." This starts Mel's [[DefrostingIceQueen defrosting]], as she then opens up to him about her background.

* After getting the cure Vi needs, Caitlyn tells Huck, the now mutated merchant from the first episode who Vander had helped out, that Vi would probably appreciate seeing a friendly face. When he demurs, not wanting her to see what he's become, Caitlyn immediately wraps him in a hug, and it's clear from the look on his face that he hasn't had any kind of human affection for a long time.