Vi&Pow-pow - Tumblr Posts
god rewatching the “our love” sequence with vi giving herself up still gets me. it was like… The Exact Moment i fell for this show. i don’t know if it was a combination of the song, the pacing/tone, the way vi instantly resonated with me as a character, the way she has so much fucking heart and would do anything for her family, would shoulder any burden for them— but god it’s so good. even though it isn’t one of the more ‘notable’ sadder moments of the show it still doesn’t fail to punch me square in the chest with emotions
a lot of this is probably obvious but it's my first time noticing it so 😭 enjoy a deep dive
“Our Love”, the song that plays over the scene where Vi turns herself in, is, in a vacuum, a classic 50’s-styled love song - in an authentic enough sense that it’s easy to be mistaken for a real, licensed song. But it was made specifically for the show, for this very moment. And when taken with its intended context, the visual language of the scene positions it as something deeper: a narrative expression of Vi’s thought process as she prepares to give herself up to the authorities. And her reasons for doing so: her love for Powder.
The design of the record of Our Love itself even seems to symbolize this.
Two girls, potentially sisters, orbiting each other - either floating in mid-air, or about to fall into the hole at the middle of the disc.
The beginning of the scene first illustrates a morose Powder taking refuge at the bar, intermixed with Vi breaking into the tip-off spot, and the feet of marching enforcers.
(The captions say “man grunts” but, that’s definitely the pantleg of young Vi’s design, and that’s clearly Hailee Steinfeld’s voice grunting 😭.)
Powder’s mind is on her sister, in the form of the rabbit she gifted her before she left (which will go on to symbolize Vi, and Jinx’s relationship to her, in a more major way Acts 4 and beyond.) Vi’s words clearly worried her, and the effect of that reveals Powder’s own love for Vi.
As the song ramps up from its slower, moodier beginnings, the realization of the impact of this action falls over Vander, the audience, and Vi.
Cinematically, it turns into a long, slow zoom in on Vi - her demeanor growing from resigned and downtrodden, her head bowed and her hands clasped, to ready and determined - standing up by the scenes end.
The bridge between those two states being a cut back to Powder feels intentional. As do the lyrics;
And the apprehension in her eyes, even as she does rise to accept her fate, really captures the ultimate irony of them.
“With you.”
For all the lyrics both support and re-enforce Vi’s reasons for doing this, by describing Powder as someone who bolsters her strength,
(A subversion of the idea that Powder solely relies on Vi for strength.)
As well as proclaiming that through their love, they’ve been able to whether hardships like this in the past, and will continue to do so,
It also subverts them. She’s doing this out of love for her sister, but she won’t be there to love her sister, or vice versa, by the time this is over (at least, so she believes). And that’s a sacrifice for both of them. A lot of these lyrics can apply to both of them, in fact.
But I still believe the song is specifically from the perspective of Vi. Because she’s the one who has always forced herself to “move on”, to “stay strong” - and this song is an illustration of where that strength comes from. Love, and a desire to protect, specifically her sister.
Because, partially out of necessity, they’ve found in each other the one positive thing they could rely on in a society dedicated to their destruction and misery - and here, is threatened to be destroyed by that very society. By series end, it arguably has. But there’s still that love there. And we, like Vi, can only hope that’s enough.
Arcane's symbolism: Meaning of Vi
Of all the Arcane characters, I feel that Vi's name carries the most meaning in relation to her character.
Besides being associated with love in general, violets are also linked with lesbian love (thanks to Greek poet Sappho, who's poems centered around the relationships between women, who often wore the flowers). It's clear how this ties in with Vi and her relationship with a certain Pilty...
As for the shortened version of her name, Vi can be interpreted as the Roman numeral for the number six (which her stylised cheek Tattoo alludes to).
In Numerology, the number six is "the embodiment of the heart". It represents unconditional love and is a powerful force of compassion and empathy. The number six's strengths include:
Supportive - will be the first to provide a shoulder to lean on, truly try to understand, and give heartfelt advice. ("You wanna talk about today?", "We've all had bad days, but we learn, and we stick together")
Protective - its unconditional love extends to all people which allows it to speak up for those that don't have a voice. Especially fierce when it comes to family. (e.g. Vi standing up for Powder when Milo complains about her, her willingness to fight for the people of the Undercity)
Romantic - works hard to create peaceful relationships and is fluent in all love languages. Only happy when its other half is happy. (Romance we are yet to see...)
Its weaknesses include:
Passive - in order to keep the peace, six may allow itself to get taken advantage of. Would rather go along with an undesirable option than make waves. (We only really see this part of Vi when it comes to Powder/Jinx. "It's alright Powder, at least you're okay", "We can just go. We can leave and never come back")
Self-sacrificing - so willing to sacrifice itself for others that it neglects its own needs and well-being. Often overlooks the the self-care that would make it feel balanced. (e.g Vi willing to turn herself in to the enforcers. She has little regard for her own safety, putting herself in danger several times throughout the series in order to find her sister.)
Idealistic - expects everyone to treat others the way it does, which it believes would lead to a perfect world. When it realises its ideals are unattainable, it may face extreme upset. ("I grew up knowing I'm less than them, that my place is down there. I want Powder to have more than that and I'm willing to fight for it". Another moment that comes to mind is the council scene, where Vi becomes frustrated with the council for not sharing Jayce's view on stopping Silco. "This is how things are, how they've always been. I was so stupid to think it could change.")
(Going off point here: I noticed that Caitlyn has many of these qualities as well, in some cases exhibiting them even stronger than Vi. In this way, they are more similar than they realise. They both lead with their hearts.)
Let's move on to the third and final meaning, which lies in the realm of Tarot Cards. The sixth card in what is called the "Major Arcana" is, very fittingly, The Lovers.
This card has two different meanings, depending on its orientation in a reading:
1. The Lovers Upright
Represents conscious connections and meaningful relationships. The appearance of this card shows that you have a strong, beautiful connection with a loved one. You may believe you have found a soul mate or life partner. The chemistry between you goes beyond just physical attraction to something that is almost spiritual (AKA CaitVi).
While it typically represents a romantic tie, The Lovers card can also refer to a close friendship or family relationship where "love, respect and compassion flow" (AKA Vi and Jinx's sisterly bond)
The Lovers card is one of open communication and raw honesty. Its appearance is a sign that by "communicating openly and honestly with those you care about, you will create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship built on trust and respect". It's an invitation to open your heart and be vulnerable around someone (the scene that comes to mind is the one where Caitlyn and Vi are lying on the bed, and Vi talks about the childhood game her and Powder used to play. She shows a surprisingly amount of vulnerability, which leads to an intimate moment between her and Caitlyn. By being vulnerable, Vi instigated progression of their relationship. )
On a more personal level, the card is about defining your beliefs and values and staying true to them. You are figuring out what your philosophy is and what you stand for. (This is something we see Vi struggle with throughout the series. Vi's ideologies are constantly challenged and therefore evolving. In Act 1, it's through Vander's teachings, and the rest of the series, it's Caitlyn challenging everything she thought she knew about enforcers and Topsiders in general. Even so, the biggest threat to her value system is in the finale, where she is faced with whether or not she should choose to put some of her own values aside to maintain her relationship with Jinx. I think we will see a continuation of this personal journey in season 2: Is she going to follow Vander's example or forge her own path? Will she choose to believe the Piltover and the Undercity's relations can improve, or will they forever be "oil and water"? Who is she when she isn't constantly striving to reconnect with her sister? Will she ever be able to forgive her for everything she's done? Will she ever be able to forgive herself?
At its heart, The Lovers is about choice. Who you want to be. How you want to connect with others. This card is often a sign that you are facing a moral dilemma and must consider all the consequences before acting. It is advised not to make a decision out of fear, guilt or shame. Your values system is being challenged, and "you are being called to take the higher path, even if it is difficult."
Finally, The Lovers card encourages you to unify dual forces and bring together two parts, one that are seemingly in opposition, to form a harmonious "whole" (very fitting for a show whose central theme focuses on duality). This is where I see Vi and Caitlyn working together to forge peace between the two sides of the city, which is the reason she eventually becomes an enforcer. And, naturally, acceptance of this unified duality may also lead to the initiation of a relationship with Caitlyn.
2. The Lovers Reversed
Reversed, The Lovers can signal a time when you're out of sync with those around you, especially your loved ones (and it's no secret that Vi and Jinx have become "out of sync"). You're relationship is strained and communication is difficult. Depending on the case, you can either try to bring love and compassion to the situation, or you can accept that you've grown apart and move on (this is the harrowing decision that Vi is facing).
The Reversed card may reflect that there are feelings in a relationship that aren't mutual. One person may be more emotionally involved than the other which, down the line, can lead to disappointment and insecurity. You may also be reluctant to open your heart for fear of getting hurt. (This is basically the "oil and water" scene beat for beat. Vi is afraid of opening up to a relationship with Caitlyn and shatters the prospect of "mutuality" by stating that it "wasn't meant to be". And then there's Vi's relationship with Jinx, which also has a lack of mutuality, at least from Jinx's point of view: "I thought, maybe you could love me like you used to, even though I'm...different". i.e Why can't you love the new me like you loved Powder? It hurts because it's not that Vi doesn't love her, it's that she doesn't love her in the way that she wants her to, thereby leading to her choosing Jinx over Powder. She can't go back to being Powder. After all, "she fell down a well".)
Not only does the card refer to relationships with others, it also speaks to self-love and respect. To what extent do accept your identity and the value you offer the world? (I doubt Vi has any self-love and respect left, which is really sad. Her self-worth was already damaged in childhood; "I grew up knowing that I'm less than them. That my place is down there." This feeling of worthlessness was only exacerbated by her time in prison, where she was beaten senseless by the gaurds on a regular basis. You can tell by the way she carelessly throws herself into danger that she doesn't believe she's of any value except for being her sister's protector.)
The card encourages you to be mindful of when you look at other people and wish you were more like them. "Understand that if you can recognize these traits in others, it is because you have them within you." (In other words, what you perceive in others is a way for you to recognize your own strengths. Vi looks at Caitlyn and sees this amazingly kind, good-hearted and empathetic person. But what she doesn't realise is that she has these qualities as well. Caitlyn even points it out: "Despite it all, I can tell. You have a good heart ". Despite her constant cynicism towards Caitlyn, this quality still managed to shine through, enough for Caitlyn to notice it. My hope for next season is to see Vi get in touch with her tender side again after having to be tough for so long.)
If the Lovers Reversed shows up in a reading, you might face a tough choice with significant consequences (Vi faces the ultimate choice in the now infamous "tea party" scene, where Jinx presents her with the question: "Where should I sit? That's your choice, really." But what Vi doesn't expect is the way she has to answer that question: by choosing whether or not to kill Caitlyn.)
Instead of making a decision based on your values, you feel tempted to cut corners. (Vi tries to evade the dilemma by suggesting that they leave together. Nevertheless, this only makes the situation worse by riling up Silco.) The Lovers Reversed encourages you to reconsider and choose the path most in alignment with your values - no matter how difficult it might be (this might be a hint to Vi letting go of any prospect of a having a normal relationship with her sister again)
Lastly, this card can also suggest inner conflicts and being at war with oneself, rather than with external forces. You may be punishing yourself for something you have done or consider yourself responsible for. (Vi clearly has an extreme sense of guilt. She was the big sister that was in charge of taking care of her siblings, and when it came to it, save Vander. Even though there are several factors at blame, she feels responsible for the death of her family and her sister's poor mental health. Not only that, she also feels guilty for not being able to support Ekko and Powder in the time following that fateful night. It must eat her from the inside out: If I just hadn't gone through with the heist, none of this would have happened. Why did I have to hit Powder? Why did I have to call her a jinx? I have no one left, and it's all my fault. I'm the real jinx.
Now, let's take a step back and see what the running theme is here. Considering each of the three meanings her name represents, it's easy to see: Vi is the human embodiment of the heart. And love is the force that drives her. Nevertheless, sooner or later she's going to flatline. A heart must both give and receive blood for it to continue beating.
From what we've seen, there is NO DOUBT that Vi is able to give immense amounts of love; it's literally permanently tatooed onto her. But the question remains; will she be able to let herself receive it?
Sources:
fnp.com
numerology.com
biddytarot.com
having thoughts and emotions abt vi and powder as kids again
you KNOW vi cut all her hair off herself as a kid. her mom had to fix it and she just decided she liked it better that way anyways
she kept doing it too- the reason her hair was like that at vanders was bc she saw someone w their hair cut like that and she tried to do it herself. he helped clean it up/showed her how to slick it back off her face and she decided that she looked so cool that it was gonna be her Thing™ :)
vi is the reason powder was trying to make bombs in the first place. she used to make toys and little machines to do basic tasks but after their parents died and vi went on her fuck-piltover-get-revenge kick, powder, as always, wanted to be just like her sister and help
i think vi might have gone through smth similar to powder not really knowing what she's good at/not being as confident abt it at the start! she started boxing with vander and he really helped, was always really encouraging the same way she later was w powder
her own "it worked!" moment was getting into a fight with a bully and knocking him out. vander was not thrilled that she was getting herself into street fights but like..... she did pull off an objectively perfect right hook (and like. talk shit get hit. welcome to the lanes)
also this is basically canon but she idolized him as a kid. so much of her choices were just "is that what vander would do" (and she was Not always right when she guessed)
the way powder communicated that she liked people for YEARS was by giving them a drawing! the problem was that when she learned about graffiti she just started drawing right on their things/on their physical body with permanent marker which. was not always conducive to friendship
i'm hitting BOTH of them with my adhd beam fuck you! they both got it!
the first time powder had a meltdown/panic attack vi had no idea what to do. vander had to help her and vi left the room, and then about fifteen minutes later had to help vi stop crying and panicking in the next room over because she couldn't fix it by herself and that's Her Job. these kids are fucked up guys
yknow when powder comes up to the bar and vander immediately pours her a drink in her special little cup like it's clearly a Thing they do. its probably water or juice but i like to think all the kids got club soda w flavoured syrup when they were sad as a treat, bc vander would probably have that in a bar. everyone seems to know/be chill with vander's kids so it's not unlikely they'd come down and talk w him while he was working and talk to the patrons!
it took months after the bridge attack to get vi and powder to sleep in separate beds and even then they still did it frequently
I have so many feelings about how the Jinx persona is basically the bastard child of Silco’s sneaky, theatrical ruthlessness and Vi’s bold, overwhelming violence, combined, enhanced, and deployed by Powder’s creative genius.
Despite the fucked up context, that’s actually kind of sweet. 🥹
imo Caitlyn would an excellent baker and Vi would be the best at cooking. I see a lot of things saying oh Vi would be bad at cooking but like consider how long she was taking care of the fam for? I can totally see her making something quick for powder (powder being a bit picky about food) and then Giving the leftovers to gVander who’s still hard at work.
My personal interpretation of the moment Jinx shoots Silco is not that she got overwhelmed by her demons and lashed out at them, but that she instinctively went to protect Vi.
She's lashed out at her demons before (obviously, she shot "Mylo" mere minutes before that) but the fact that she raises her head and looks towards Silco (I think, that's how it looks to me) when he chambers the bullet because she hears the click, plus she doesn't really shoot randomly around the room like she would at the demons surrounding her, she almost exclusively shoots towards Silco's side of the room, showing me that she was attacking whatever she knew was about to attack Vi.
And I don't think she really registered it as Silco, she didn't think she was attacking her father, but not because she was attacking her demons, it's because she was only attacking Vi's threat.
Only after she's achieved the protection of Vi does she realize that Silco was the threat.
Someone else said that "her last act as Powder was to kill Silco", I think in the same way it was to protect Vi like she meant to all those years ago when her monkey bomb finally worked.
I'm going to go crawl into a dark corner now goodbye 😭
i really do love how protective jinx is over vi
Hugs from Powder/Jinx
Ep3 Ep4 Ep6
Reunion | Arcane scene redraw because they both need a hug
*Ignoring all the trauma in arcane and pretending episode 3 didn't happen is self care*
Anyways. Vi gives good hugs. This is a non debatable fact.
--
Commissions
ep 3 should’ve ended with a hug
Vi loves people with her entire body. That’s why she gives the best hugs. That’s why she uses pet names. Little man, powpow, cupcake… She wants them to know they’ve earned her affection.
Hugs from Vi
Ep3 Ep6 Ep7
Also: Hugs from Powder/Jinx
the hands that bring destruction can be so gentle.