Synopsis for 1×09: Clary, Jace and Isabelle are forced to take drastic action after they suspect Lydia’s harsh plan for the Seelies could prove to be disastrous; Alec is emotionally torn by events at the Institute.
Rating: ★★★½☆☆
With intrigue rife within the Institute, we get the return of Meliorn, Isabelle’s faerie ex-boyfriend. After the break-in at the Institute and investigation that revealed that the trespassers had seelie blood within them that allowed them to bypass the wards set up around the Institute, Meliorn has been arrested by the Clave. On top of that, Clary has to deal with the fact that Simon is now a vampire fledgling and must face the fact that his life has been irreversibly changed.
I’ll admit that while I enjoy this show Shadowhunters is often times more a guilty pleasure than anything else. But despite the stilted dialogue, poorly timed comedic lines, and a leading couple that seems to lack the right amount of charisma, this episode was enjoyable. The pacing within the episode was good, playing on character dynamics and strengths, while finally pushing forward the main plot involving Clary and Valentine.
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The plot revolving around Alec continuously strains his relationship with his family, especially after his engagement to Lydia where he told absolutely no one only to have no one approve after he shared the news. After finding out that his parents were a part of Valentine’s Circle, he not only feels even more betrayed but his relationship with Lydia is strengthened.
For most of the episode he plays contrast to Jace and Isabelle and even Magnus, and honestly is kind of harsh. His relationship with Jace, in particular, takes a particularly devastating turn that I find hard to believe. Their parabatai bond makes them into something more than brothers or partners or any other human bond. It connects them, and the idea that this bond is so easily severed to the point where they not only fight, but Alec abandon’s Jace even when he begs him to join him? It definitely weakens the mythology of the bond.
If anything, even Simon and Clary’s friendship seems to be stronger than it at a time when it should definitely be weaker. After waking up and realizing he’s a vampire, Simon spirals. It’s completely understandable. A month ago he was a normal kid, now he’s pretty much forced to drink blood for the rest of his life and is scientifically undead. Separated from his family, his friends, his old life, he’s got no choice but to turn to Raphael.
However, despite the general class structure of shadowhunters thinking their better than their downworlder counterparts, Clary is unwilling to accept this default. Her relationship with Simon — while sometimes a little cheesy— is really one of the strongest relationships on the show. They genuinely care for one another and show it well. Even with the Clave and Meliorn and the trials with the Cup, much of her attention and efforts are spared for Simon.
But, Clary is able to pull them all together and they get Meliorn away from the Clave, and save his life. I’m still not really sure what his intention is, or the depth of his relationship with Izzy. His character is a little foggy for me, but he serves as a good liaison between two sides of the fight and reveals to Clary that he can help her find Valentine in exchange for her saving his life.