'Shadowhunters' | 'A Dark Reflection' S02E17
The latest instalment of 'Shadowhunters' sees the series creators, writers and actors doing what they do best: building and interweaving moments between characters. With the addition of news that Season 3 of 'Shadowhunters' has been confirmed, fans are truly rejoicing this week.
Episode 17, ‘A Dark Reflection’, sees Valentine and Sebastian working together to find the third and final Mortal Instrument - the Mortal Mirror. Jace and Clary are trying to beat them to it with the help of Dot, but in the meantime are arguing about what they should do with Jonathan - Clary’s real brother.
Clary believes that the evil deeds stem from her father’s influence and that they should at least give any shred of humanity left in him a chance for redemption. Jace would rather not take any risks, choosing to kill Jonathan if he so much as makes a move towards hurting Clary or any of his valiant causes. Sebastian always seems to be around when these conversations are taking place, making for some interesting internal conflict within himself as well as confrontations with his father.
Izzy, on the other hand, is dealing with her fear and protectiveness over her younger brother, Max, who has been given permission to go on his first ever Shadowhunter mission. She enlists the help of Simon to help train him, but ends up receiving a soft but unsympathetic lecture from him. To repay him she talks to Maia to figure out why the relationship between her and Simon is at a standstill despite all their feelings for each other being on clear display.
Finally, Alec is in for a world of hurt as his decision to keep the Clave’s secret (that they do not and never had the Mortal Sword) from Magnus backfires when Magnus finds out. Much tension among characters is left hanging at the end of the episode, and so promises some big moments, and most likely, heartbreak for next week’s episode.
The highlight of Episode 17 was actually rather subtle and a display of patience on the writer’s end. Seeing threads from past episodes, as well as developments amongst characters, both begin to represent a bigger picture, which is really enjoyable and mind-blowing at the same time.
Izzy for instance, has come a long way since the start of this season. Overcoming her yin fen addiction has given her a different edge, and a maturity that keeps her centred while all the mess is going on around her. She is now able to help others in the way they need it, which is so wonderful and empowering to see. Seeing her worry for others, such as Max and then Maia, is a pleasant surprise that does not counteract her toughness, but rather, enhances it.
Speaking of Maia, she is such a consistent, deep and strong character which makes her all the more loveable. It is with celebration that Shadowhunter fans receive the news Maia (played by Alisha Wainwright) has been promoted to series regular in Season 3 next year. Maia’s relationship with Simon is a welcome change of pace as far as relationships go in the Shadowhunters series. The slow build up and hesitancy adds something we haven’t seen between our characters yet in their relationships.
Other badass females in this episode include Dot and Cleophus who, although toeing the line between dead or alive at the moment with their predicaments, have at least shown what they’re made of: bravery, quick thinking, devotion and care, as well as physical and mental mettle.
Will Tudor continues impress as he settles into his character (Sebastian/Jonathan Morgenstern). Now that we get to see more than just how evil he is, and having been introduced to some interesting and complex internal conflict, he is becoming such an enthralling and fun character to watch; his volatility, menace and fragility is such a welcome exploration in the show that really enhances it to another level.
This episode starts to pull the season together as a whole, where we see characters' individual issues begin to reflect a bigger theme and come together to confront the growing conflict that is being constantly foreshadowed.
Although not as powerful as past episodes, it has it's individual moments, with this episode suggesting a thrilling finale in just a few more weeks. Bring on Episode 18!
'Shadowhunters' Season 2 airs weekly on Netflix.
