The Sweet and Bitter Epilogue of Arcane Season 2
The second season of Arcane has come to a close with a bittersweet epilogue: some joy, yes, but mostly a lot of pain, with a touch of sadness for all the characters who unfortunately did not survive the harsh war between Piltover and Zaun. As the creators have already started confirming some major returns in the upcoming seasons set in the world of League of Legends, there is at least one character whose fate is still terribly uncertain…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE FINALE OF ARCANE!
Let’s talk about Professor Heimerdinger, a true fan favorite in both the original video game and the series, where he has shown all his wisdom in the role of one of Piltover’s most esteemed scientists and advisors. Unfortunately, his epilogue was not a happy one… or was it? Let’s recap together what happens to him.
After mentoring Jayce and Viktor, in the first season of Arcane Heimerdinger is ousted from the Piltover Council and ends up meeting Ekko, thus siding with the resistance in Zaun, where he seems to find a new lease on life. In the second season, however, the two are catapulted into another dimension, where the lovable scientist lives for many years, until he is able to reunite with Ekko. At that point, they decide to rebuild Hextech from some fragments, in order to create a device that will bring them back to the correct timeline.
However, just as they manage to activate it, a piece malfunctions. Heimerdinger then decides to sacrifice himself to ensure that Ekko can return to his time. He steps out of the machine and manually stops the malfunction, then disappears into thin air. From that moment on, he does not reappear on the scene, suggesting to Ekko and the viewers that he is officially dead.
But is it really so? We may never know the truth, because Arcane deliberately leaves the fate of this beloved character hanging. However, those familiar with the League of Legends universe may already have the answer. The official lore of the franchise reminds us that Heimerdinger is a Yordle, a spirit creature that usually takes the form of small mammals. And in the world of LoL, Yordles have a unique characteristic: they do not age in the same way as humans, and are technically immortal. This is revealed by Vex in the story “The Meaning in Misery” by John O’Bryan. Here, Vex states that Yordles do not even have the consolation of eventually ending their own lives, but instead “will go on forever, doomed to a stupid, magical, senseless existence.”
It is worth mentioning that, canonically, these beings from the spirit realm can be killed, however, when this happens, only the form of the body they have assumed is destroyed, while their spirit magically “reappears” in Bandle City, the mystical place from which they originally come. In other words, “dying” automatically brings them back home.
Of course, these are just hypotheses: since Arcane has deeply altered the stories of several characters, it is possible that this characteristic does not belong to the “animated” Heimerdinger and that he has actually disappeared altogether, or perhaps remains trapped in another dimension. However, until proven otherwise, we like to think he is still playing his banjo in Bandle City…
What do you think? What is your take on the truth about the fate of this beloved character?
FAQs
1. Is Heimerdinger really dead?
Probably not, considering his Yordle nature and the lore of League of Legends.
2. Will Heimerdinger return in future seasons?
It’s uncertain, but there’s a possibility given the immortality of Yordles.
3. What was Heimerdinger’s sacrifice for?
He sacrificed himself to ensure Ekko’s return to the correct timeline.
4. Can Yordles be killed?
Yes, but their spirits will return to Bandle City, their mystical home.
5. What is the significance of Heimerdinger’s banjo?
The banjo symbolizes his playful and musical nature as a Yordle.
6. How did Heimerdinger’s character evolve in Arcane?
He went from a respected scientist in Piltover to a member of the resistance in Zaun.
7. What role did Heimerdinger play in the overall story of Arcane?
He served as a mentor to Jayce and Viktor, guiding them in their pursuits.
8. Will Ekko continue Heimerdinger’s legacy?
It’s possible that Ekko will carry on Heimerdinger’s work in the future.
9. How did Heimerdinger’s disappearance impact Ekko?
Ekko was left with uncertainty and grief over the loss of his mentor.
10. What themes does Heimerdinger’s fate explore in Arcane?
The themes of sacrifice, immortality, and legacy are prominent in Heimerdinger’s storyline.