EntertainmentTVAnimation ShowsArcaneArcane showrunner defends the Netflix show against “rushed” criticisms: “I’m not happy they feel that way, but I respect that"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVAnimation ShowsArcaneArcane showrunner defends the Netflix show against “rushed” criticisms: “I’m not happy they feel that way, but I respect that"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Netflix)
Arcane showrunner and co-creator Christian Linke has defended the show againstcomplaintsthat the second season felt “rushed”.
“When people watch season 1, there’s an aspect to the pacing… season 2 is a bit different in that regard,” Linke tells GamesRadar+. “I respect that people express that [opinion]. You’re right – the vast majority of the audience seems to be happy. But there are people who say, ‘It’s rushed. What’s going on?'”
For some, the stretch of episodes from Act 2 and Act 3 crammed in so much plot – and fast-forwarded through so many relationships – that it moved away from the interpersonal dynamics and more intimate politics that made the first season such a runaway success on Netflix.
As Linke explains, “We did approach season 2 a little bit differently in how we structured the episodes because we wanted, as creatives, to take these bets [and] take these swings. It seems like for most people that works really well. There’s some people who specifically wanted to see the continuation of season one in that regard and are disappointed. I’m not happy that they feel that way, but I respect that.”
Linke, though, points out that they couldn’t win either way; a vocal minority wanted more League of Legends champions and more story, while others remain steadfast in their belief that there was too much going on as Viktor and Ambessa made their final play in Piltover.
“Yeah, there are people who say it’s too rushed, too much going on. There’s also the flip side. I see like, ‘Where’s Camille? She’s part of Piltover. Where’s Blitzcrank? Where’s Twitch? Why didn’t you include them?’ On one side, you have people saying it’s too much. On the other, you have people saying we didn’t do enough and we did our best… It’s hard. We’re doing our best to include the right amount of story.”
Arcane season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
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For more, check out our breakdown of theArcane season 2 endingand why there won’t be anArcane season 3. Then dive into our picks for thebest Netflix showsand thebest Netflix movies.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”