SHADOWHUNTERS “Lost Souls” (S3E11): The Final Season Begins

With that in mind, however, it’s not over until it’s over. As the episode began, this was the first thought that came to mind. Did anyone else feel as though the production value was slightly elevated over last season, as though there was a little more green stuffed into the budget? This is most immediately clear during the Seelie mirage chase as Jace, Alec and Isabelle worked to capture one of the escaped prisoners from last season. It could be my own personal hopeful mind playing tricks on me, but it seemed there was a little hope sewn into the episode from those behind the screen. If anything, it is the first sign there is an intent to send the Shadowhunters off properly.

Plenty of blame to go around…

It has only been a few days since Lilith’s (Anna Hopkins) plan brought the destruction of Jonathan (Will Tudor) and Clary (Katherine McNamara), and the effects on those left behind are immediately understood. Jace (Dominic Sherwood), engulfed with grief and regret, is acting irrational, chasing after escaped downworlder prisoners, his life seemingly worth nothing in the face of all he has done. Strong and valiant as he is, Jace lacks the strength of coping – the memories of his time as the owl worsening his ability to exercise sound judgement and understanding.

Yet, unlike the Jace from previous episodes, he begins to listen to those around him, their concern and advice seeping into his consciousness. Alec (Matthew Daddario) calls out his behavior, stating “it would be a disservice to the memory of Clary”, words that cut deeper that the spear Jace had taken to the gut earlier. Though words, encouragement, and knowledge provide understanding, Jace is unable to move forward giving into grief – even when Luke (Isaiah Mustafa) tries to shine hope that Clary may still be alive.

Jace is not the only one whose grief has them frozen in place. Simon (Alberto Rosende) grieves for his friend, the mark on his forehead to blame for the destruction he has caused. When Lilith attempted to attack him on the roof, the mark the Seelie’s had embued him with due to his day lighter status lit up, causing the explosion that obliterated Clary. Fear for not only the people who could find harm from attacking him, but also those around them, Simon has holed himself up in his apartment, terrified to venture back into the world.

It is only when Maia (Alisha Wainwright) returns is Simon able to begin the path to find his own answers. After a visit with Raphael (yes!), played by David Castro, Simon has a small lead that may give him the answers to understanding and removing the mark for good.

Vulnerability

Shippers will be saddened at first to find their favorite warlock struggling with his loss of powers, but relieved to find the bond between Alec and Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) stronger than ever. It is now time for Alec to take care of Magnus. For a warlock who has utilized his powers for over a century, the loss of his power is taken in stride. First shown learning how to manually apply eyeliner, it seems Magnus may find a less magical life manageable. That is until Iris (Stephanie Belding) uses his newest vulnerability to try and take Madzie (Ariana Williams) back into her clutches.

Determined to not allow his new status affect his ability to protect her, Magnus joins Alec and Isabelle (Emeraude Toubia) on the hunt to find Iris, finding that without his Magic, he is no match for her. As she tries to break through his memories to find Madzie’s location, Alec and Isabelle try to devise a plan not only to save Magnus but to recapture Iris before it is too late – finding that strength of the mind is at times more powerful than strength of body.

Clary Fairchild

If you have seen the trailers for this upcoming conclusion to season 3, you already know that Clary is not dead – that somewhere, some way, somehow she is still in existence. Thankfully the writers behind “Lost Souls” do not take long to answer the question of “What happened to Clary?”. As Clary opens her eyes, her confusion turns into our excitement. She is alive! Though as the scene further plays out in front of us, viewers will find her new predicament may be more precarious than originally thought.

Safely tucked away in a cabin in the middle of Sibera, Clary comes face-to-face with her brother Jonathan (now played by Luke Baines, as with the resurrection he can show his true face) – who seems more interested in making her comfortable and winning her over than some evil venture. As it is revealed to Clary, Lilith had transported them before the explosion on the roof, protecting both of them from harm. This ensured the resurrection spell worked to fruition, and that Clary was protected from the Clave, as she will be killed on sight as an escaped prisoner.

While Clary initially tries to flee, she is no match for the vast and treacherous wasteland of Sibera, Jonathan finding her unconscious in the snow. Bringing her home and tending to her, he tries to make amends, to convince her that he has changed – that the only thing he truly wants now in life is to get to know his sister. Clary, unconvinced at his change of heart, attempts to end his life, finding that in doing so the consequences of such an action are more dire than she could ever have imagined.

The countdown to the end begins…

There seems to be trouble brewing from every angle for the Shadowhunters in the coming future. With the end in sight, things are likely to only get worse before they come to a (hopefully) satisfying conclusion. With Simon looking for a Vampire Urban legend, a supposed pardon for Clary from the Clave, corruption behind the curtains, the Seely’s plotting behind closed portals and characters lost in grief and obsession, there is definitely plenty to come before the end.

The next episode of Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments airs on Freeform on Monday, March 4th, 2019.