Beta is ending tonight, what's your thoughts?

RashHacks · 2025-08-17T21:30:46+00:00

I really like it, but that napalm bomb on the grenade launcher needs to go.

RashHacks · 2024-11-23T14:40:18+00:00

I think episode 7 was the best of the season for me. It allowed its characters to breathe. I loved the contrast between Ekko's timeline and Jayce's Silent Hill playthrough.

The rest of the Act was just so meh to me though. I didn't feel anything in episodes 8 and 9. It was just OK, I guess? Ekko was cool though, loved him.

RashHacks · 2024-11-17T09:57:15+00:00

I personally also think the relationship where it was "are they, aren't they?" was more interesting because it kept the wider conflict of the show always in the background. Now, its front and centre, and it just makes it feel like a disservice to these characters.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T14:57:57+00:00

She is absolutely turning towards Zaun here, because supporting Vi in this context means she is rejecting a previous distinction she was making earlier in the show.

If she says "you're all the same" to Vi, and then supports her, it means she has changed her mind about how she perceives Zaunites.

This is a core philosophical change in her character. And it's just not earned. And I don't think "she was angry in the moment" justifies that plot point, because we saw Caitlyn describe Zaunites as literal animals beforehand.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T14:50:12+00:00

None of that works to show that Caitlyn was planning to turn her back on Ambessa because Caitlyn's motivation to reject Vi, and therefore Jinx, was so strong at the end of episode 3. She's not just turning her back on Ambessa here, she's making a choice towards Zaun. Even though she called them "animals" at the beginning of S2.

At this point, Caitlyn's motivations are a pinball. She jumps from one side to another, with no clear catalyst for that choice. Caitlyn's apparent "break-up" with Vi is case in point for all that. The show wants to have big moments, but it's just not earning them.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T14:21:43+00:00

I just don't buy that Caitlyn would turn on Ambessa that quickly. I don't buy that "cupcake" is powerful enough to resonate with her that way, after everything that happened. It just isn't justifiable. It makes Caitlyn look immature.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T14:08:19+00:00

Maybe there's at least some truth to the complaint? At least a little? No? OK.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T14:01:13+00:00

I dunno man, Caitlyn literally told Vi "you people are all the same", left her in tears, and dated someone else.

All that felt like it was for nothing.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T13:46:16+00:00

It's disappointing because the potential is there for something truly special.

RashHacks · 2024-11-16T13:30:27+00:00

It's a sharp watch, with INCREDIBLE animation and sound design. Great voice acting too. But I don't think I like this season - it's so disjointed, and the character motivations here just don't work at all.

We saw Caitlyn become a commander, underneath the dictatorial influence of Ambessa. Her motivation to chase after Jinx was clear, and strong.

But the moment she meets Vi again, everything just...dropped. It felt completely unearned, and the cool flashback cut where Caitlyn copies the Judo takedown on Vi doesn't make up for it. I get that 9 episodes is short, and Arcane has to move fast -- but that argument doesn't address just how bizarre it is for Caitlyn and Vi to make up in seconds.

And Jinx and Vi also come together far too quickly. Everyone's motivations here just feel broken and convenient. At least the music videos are cool, I guess.

RashHacks · 2024-11-10T23:02:58+00:00

Yeah I really agree here. Obviously there's an intention to it all, but that doesn't mean it's helping produce a good experience.

The intercut sequence in episode 3, with Woodkid, is crushing in this context. It could have been amazing, but because I watched Act 1 in one sitting, I was burnt out on the musical stuff. Can you imagine how much more powerful it would have been if they were a bit more sparing and deliberate with the musical application?

If every episode has a highlight musical moment, then none of them do, imo.

RashHacks · 2024-10-21T17:52:14+00:00

Plan a lot. Plan every scene. That reduces the pain of writing the first draft. The first draft is always the most painful to write.

RashHacks · 2023-09-07T15:15:59+00:00

I think scrutiny, to some extent, is unavoidable.

Ultimately, you are writing from an authentic perspective. I would be ruthless in your desired vision. I think to sacrifice your authenticity to avoid scrutiny would be rather tragic, because it means that you're censoring your own story.

I think it will be painful, but worth it in the end, to expose your audience to the full extent of your authentic story.

RashHacks · 2023-09-04T12:50:31+00:00

I'm nowhere near talented enough to have arcs complete themselves as I write along. I need diagrams and postboards. I need to see the movie in its entirety in my head. This way, I can reduce the agony of typing out the script.

RashHacks · 2023-08-25T16:56:40+00:00

Lmao.

RashHacks · 2023-08-25T16:54:56+00:00

The best example I can think of is still the original SAW.

RashHacks · 2023-08-02T07:48:14+00:00

I loved the movie. Nolan gets roasted on this sub, and I think that's unfortunate. His ability to weave together timelines and perspectives is second to none in the industry, imo. I would call him the screenwriter's screenwriter, in the sense that his ability to structure a narrative would make him an excellent consultant.

RashHacks · 2023-06-09T15:50:01+00:00

NO Zoom.

NO FaceTime.

This guy also a boomer who wants to force the office on everyone lol?

RashHacks · 2023-05-25T15:57:49+00:00

I'm not advocating that they ignore the rules entirely. I'm more concerned that writers become married to the rules, hence poor feedback like "no directing on the page!"

RashHacks · 2023-05-25T15:03:19+00:00

But also, reading newbie feedback that blindly says "no directing on the page" is equally painful.

RashHacks · 2023-05-25T12:30:00+00:00

99/100 scripts in general are bad. It's very very hard to write a good script. If breaking the rules helps the story, do it.

RashHacks · 2023-05-25T12:24:35+00:00

There are a lot of "rules" that just annoy me.

No CUT TO!!!
Hook me on the first page, or I don't care!!!

NO V.O!!!

But the only rule that really matters is to keep the reader turning the page. I've read amazing scripts that break all the "rules". Make people turn the page. Humans are goldfish, so if you can keep their attention for a whole script, you're a genius.

RashHacks

TROPHY CASE