Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago

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I don't know about you, but I found Marcus to be a very interesting character in Riot's Arcane (and not just because I'm a fellow Aussie). What I found interesting was that, while several of the characters have made big mistakes in their pasts - mistakes that had cost relationships, lives and more - Markus seemed to be the only one who wanted to make amends, but who also couldn't.

He wanted to repent, but was too trapped to do so in Acts 2 and 3 of Arcane. And this meant his character was stuck in a perpetual state of limbo - a purgatory of penance, if you like.

It got me thinking about the necessary steps to complete the ritual of penance, and why he was stuck while other characters (like Vi, Jinx and Vander) didn't seem to be - at least not to the same extent.

Anyway, here are those thoughts - welcome to yet another Arcane video essay!

Other Arcane essays:
- Loyalty and Leadership in Netflix's Arcane: youtu.be/hapflnWC0aA
- Watching Netflix's Arcane as a Big Sister: youtu.be/Qc0eVSnKU9U
- How Arcane Masters Tragedy: youtu.be/4Jkf2622v5w

#arcane #videoessay #marcusarcane