'Shadowhunters' | ‘Love is a Devil’ S02E08 Review
Insecurities are running amok in the latest instalment of the ‘Shadowhunters’ series. Following the highs and lows of new and existing relationships between the characters – whether they be romantic, familial or platonic, has become a rollercoaster of sorts for viewers, leaving them questioning the program's writers.
SPOILER ALERT!
‘Love is a Devil’ centres around the youngest Lightwood – Max as he undergoes his rune ceremony to become a full-fledged Shadowhunter.
With an absent father, Alec - as the eldest male, is to organise a party to celebrate. He gives the job to his notorious party-throwing boyfriend Magnus as a way of displaying their committed relationship to his mother and other disapproving Shadowhunters. Unfortunately, despite Magnus’ best efforts a warlock sneaks into the party and causes emotional havoc.
Meanwhile, Jace believes his mother, Maryse is trying to kill him. Alec believes Clary blames him for her mother’s death, while Clary believes that Simon (who has just confessed his love to her, sparking their romantic relationship) is cheating on her with Maia. Despite the dramatic resolution, the end of the episode leaves viewers seeing the cracks in not just the relationships between each of the characters, but in the writing as well.
Episode 8 is unfortunately lacklustre, though the acting is a real standout component. Specifically, Katherine McNamara impresses as she plays the concerned friend for Alec as he teeters on the edge of a building, although she actually hates his guts. It is a real privilege to witness this young actress hone her dramatic ability as the series progresses.
Family is a salient and refreshing theme in this week’s episode. Jace’s stern ‘older brother’ talk to Magnus is especially captivating. It is special to watch Jace threatening Magnus not to hurt Alec, but also approve of Magnus in the same breath; this was a positive and light-hearted moment that really helped balance the emotional weight of Episode 8.
On the other hand, the disintegration of Maryse’s marriage finally being realised by half of her children was an interesting development, one presumably meant to evoke sympathy. Although Nicola Correia-Damude’s performance of a heartbroken is outstanding, this scene unfortunately highlighted the convoluted writing in this week’s episode.
Beyond being under the influence of spells, all characters were conveyed as though underdeveloped, erratic and irregular due to the poor writing. The pivotal scene in which Clary and Simon kiss for the first time really wasn’t foreshadowed throughout the series - no hint of Clary’s romantic feelings towards Simon evident in the lead-up to this episode, reflected by Maia’s confusion when the two walk hand-in-hand into Magnus’ party. It is an uncomfortable, off-putting piece of writing when Clary is so enthusiastic for romantic moments, and becoming jealous so easily.
Another incongruity is Alec’s quick conclusion that his father, Robert Lightwood, is cheating on his mother. Robert has been nothing but (awkwardly) supportive of his children, so why is Alec so quick to jump to the conclusion of infidelity?
Such writing confuses fans further, particularly those who followed the book series. In the later books, it is revealed by Isabelle that Robert cheated on Maryse a long time ago when Alec was only an infant. Isabelle offers this as an explanation as to why she steers clear of vulnerable emotions and romantic relationships. There is a purpose and backstory to this tale of infidelity between Robert and Maryse Lightwood that explains their upcoming divorce, and it really should have been reflected in the television series.
Instead, Jace and Alec find out about their parents’ dissolving marriage in the TV series. While viewers with no knowledge of the novels may find this acceptable, fans of the original books find this story arc very flat and ill-developed in comparison.
Overall, there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the writing in ‘Love is a Devil’. But, as always, where weak writing fails, the ‘Shadowhunters’ cast make up for it by bringing the characters we know and love to life with their divine (and ever-expanding) dramatic skills.
‘Shadowhunters’ airs weekly on Netflix.
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