CONTRIBUTOR EDIT: So there’s been some discussion about this article so here’s some clarification as it seems what I have written isn’t clear enough.
I love the characters of Alec and Magnus, and Magnus has always been one of my favourite characters ever since I started the series over 10 years ago. I thoroughly enjoy the scenes they share as the acting, dialogue, and plotlines clearly surpasses others, plus they also provide great representation as a gay couple. My concern is that the show is doing so well with these two, that the scenes, dialogue and plots featuring everyone else feel disappointing after so much quality time with the amazing pair. Even though I love seeing them, unfortunately Shadowhunters does feature an ensemble cast so the show needs to work on developing those characters a little better (even though some areas such as Clace probably can’t be improved).
Hopefully that helped clarify my review of this episode a little better for everyone and please remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and we shouldn’t be bullying real life individuals as it can have a continual effect on someone’s wellbeing.
Welcome back to Malec, oh wait, this is Shadowhunters. Three episodes into Season 3, the series is definitely relying on what the fans want, which is primarily more Magnus and Alec. Don’t get me wrong as I do love the pair, however, since there is such a strong focus, other character plots feel awkward and lacklustre when they get slotted in.
In last week’s episode, the warlocks had some trouble with their magic due to someone (Lilith) flooding the ley lines with demonic magic; Jace and Clary found themselves on a double date with Simon and Maia; and Simon also found out just what his Daylighter mark can do.
Having A Hoot of A Time
The episode opens with Lilith’s Owl approaching a woman and attempting to breathe its demonic force into her, but her trust can of pepper spray somehow manages to ward him off so she can escape.
Jace continues to have visions of Jonathan and he hasn’t been sleeping so he can go through the surveillance footage as seven mundanes have been murdered in 48 hours. He tells Clary he believes the Owl is Jonathan glamouring himself. Later on, Jace comes clean to Clary about having dreams of Jonathan and he believes that this may have something to do with Clary’s wish with Raziel.
It seems Maryse Lightwood is dropping by for an “official family dinner”, which means that she’ll apparently wind up grilling her children and trying to fix everything. Magnus offers his penthouse for the dinner, until Izzy invites him to dinner too.
Clary then tells Izzy about Jace’s thoughts on the Owl being Jonathan, so she decides to skip family dinner to go with Clary and Jace in case the Owl tries to attack the same girl again.
Vampire Drama and Daylighter Trouble
It seems the werewolf isn’t healing after his altercation with Simon and his glowing forehead mark. Simon visits Clary to see if she knows about the Daylighter mark, but she thinks he should turn to the vampires. Simon contemplates going to see the Seelie Queen, but when he jumps into the river portal, he merely ends up drenches as it seems he’s been locked out.
Meanwhile, Raphael spends time with Rosa, his sister, but she only recognises him as someone looking like her brother and the pair reminisce over stories about her brother that she “told him”. He returns to the Hotel Dumort and we see the woman he has been dosing with dagget root, a vampire tranquilliser, covered in blood. Her name is Heidi, who is a new vampire and she’s dying to meet her sire, except Raphael says it’s not time. You may remember her from Episode 2.15 ‘A Problem of Memory’ as she was a frequent visitor to the bleeder den where Simon lost control after his break-up with Clary.
The next day, Raphael receives a call about his sister as she’s passed away. He calls Izzy to tell her, so she comes to check on him and since the funeral is during the day, Izzy says she will go for him.
That night, Simon goes to see Raphael, but he’s not in a good way after Rosa and won’t help because Simon wouldn’t explain how he became a Daylighter. He tries to attack Simon, but gets blasted back from the mark.
Dinner Time
Alec is preparing the Lightwood family stew, but when Magnus taste tests it, he thinks it’s terrible and uses his magic when Alec’s back is turned.
When Maryse arrives, she’s incredibly bubbly, which isn’t what they expected. Magnus tells them of Truman Capote being a warlock, while Maryse raves on about the stew and Alec realises that Magnus must have tweaked it. She then gets down to why she’s really there, and it seems the Clave has reopened its review on the Circle members. They have now reclassified Maryse as a traitor again and she will be stripped of her runes and exiled.
However, Robert has merely been assigned to the Los Angeles Institute and Alec is beyond upset. Maryse comes clean about what she did within the Circle, and when Alec says he wants to fight it, she disagrees because she wants him to do something great.
When leaving, Maryse asks if she can tell Jace and Isabelle herself, and also apologies to Magnus for what she’s said and done in the past. She thanks him for loving him and the pair share a sweet embrace.
Clubbing Time
Clary, Jace and Izzy hit the club while Ollie and Luke hang out the front as backup. Jace thinks he sees Jonathan, but it turns out to be a random guy. He then winds up in a back room with Jonathan and the pair brawl when Jonathan suddenly disappears.
Meanwhile, Charlie from the hospital turns up at the club and asks Izzy for her number, and she winds up giving him her details.
Unfortunately, Clary and Izzy lose track of Morgan, the girl they are protecting, when they hear screams and discover the Owl so Izzy uses his whip, but it doesn’t seem to have any effect on him. Izzy then chases after the girl who has been possessed while Clary takes on the Owl. She winds up trapped against the wall wo Clary calls him a coward and he flees.
The end of the episode sees Luke asking Simon to move out; Raphael discovering Heidi has escaped; and Izzy and Clary observe Morgan who is now locked up at the Institute while discussing just who the Owl could be.
We then cut to Lilith’s Church of Talto where the Owl returns to her, and it’s revealed to be….Jace! She also reveals the blood of her disciples is preparing the tomb for the rebirth of Jonathan.
Final Thoughts?
I must admit, that reveal was somewhat disappointing and obvious, perhaps it’s just because I’ve read the books and Jace’s involvement seemed the most likely. It’ll be interesting to see if it is truly Jace, and not someone glamoured as him, or maybe this is “dark Jace” and his two selves have split when he was brought back to life? Think Smallville/Superman’s Bizarro.
Then there’s Heidi. Is Simon her sire? Because it was another vampire that supposedly killed her and he was killed…
The definite highlight of the episode was Nicola Correia-Damude’s performance as Maryse Lightwood with her emotions and speeches feeling incredibly genuine and heartfelt. But as I said earlier, the show is focusing heavily on Magnus and Alec and they really should be careful not to rely too much on these two characters and their plotlines.
Really tho after all the things u just talked about on the episode and yet u complain about Malec. They had less than 8 mins and it is not their fault or the shows fault if fans love them more than the hetreo ships. In my opnion Malec deserve even more screen time.
Hi Di,
Love that you are so passionate about the series too! I have just done an edit of the article as it seems many misunderstood what I meant about Magnus and Alec. I truly love the characters and always have, but Shadowhunters is doing so great with them that everyone else seems so disappointing these days. 🙁 Simply my current thoughts after watching the episode were reflected in the review.
Hope it makes a little more sense and this season continues to produce some great Malec scenes! 🙂
– Elise