SHADOWHUNTERS: “The Night Children” (S3E15): Love, Duty & War

This season is definitely heating up, though maybe not in the way we would like for our characters. Battles big and small are being waged, players both seen and unseen making their play, a final showdown seemingly coming from all sides. While the return of Shadowhunters had initially felt slow, the last episodes lagging behind expectations, there is still hope fans will not be left in the dust.

The Children of the Night

As she launches her plan further into action, covering her tracks, Maia (Alisha Wainwright) makes the first move, displaying what kind of leader she would have been if she had had the chance. Here decisions are questioned by Simon, who sizes her up and compares her to Heidi, asking that she make decisions that separate herself from those she finds fault in, to never stoop to their level.

The Inevitable Dark Side

Clary’s (Katherine MacNamara) path seems destined to grow much, much darker this season as Jonathan’s (Luke Baines) breakthrough last week foresaw her decent into the dark side finally snowballing into effect. Can you blame the girl? She has lost her mother, found out her father is a mass murderer, her brother unhinged and faced extreme emotional abuse at the hands of those who sought to hit and manipulate her. She is ready for a break, and it seems the fuel flows just below the skin.

With the ruin on her chest drawing her closer to Jonathan, not only preventing her from turning her brother in but now drawing them together physically, it seems the only answer to saving the Clary we love is to remove it (which has been a futile attempt thus far). Yet, as she pummels another sparring partner and begins to unknowingly harm herself, it seems as though time is running out before she is gone. And the Clave seems less forgiving this time around.

Now add the fact that Luke (Isaiah Mustafa) has not only been arrested for the murders at the Jaded Wolf but has also pleaded guilty as a means to account for leaving them defenseless, the world around Clary is pushing away the good within her, instead further drawing the darkness out. With the potential loss of the only father she has known to the judicial system determined to prosecute at his request, the only thing truly keeping Clary somewhat grounded is Jace (Dominic Sherwood). Though as Jonathan professes the destiny and love between one another (most likely due to the ruin), Clary’s love for Jace may not run deep enough.

A Lovers Retribution

I personally have been waiting and wishing for Raphael to return. Yes, his behavior last season was deplorable, locking Heidi away and experimenting on her (I mean he is the reason she is the way she is), yet seeing him try to make amends, working at a soup kitchen and caring for others has been truly endearing. A man on a mission for redemption, determined to do all the good he can even if it never comes.

Yet, when Alec (Matthew Daddario) finds out that Isabel (Emerald Toubia) let him go last year, instead of taking him in knowing full well what he did, she was tasked with correcting the past. He has violated the accords, and he needed to be brought in for prosecution by the Clave. When Isabel arrives, Raphael knows why she has come and goes quietly, the interaction between them truly heartbreaking – a battle between love and duty quietly fighting within Isabel.

More gut-wrenching is the knowledge viewers, and inevitably Isabel, have of the treatment the Clave has been placing on their Downworlder captives, rumors of experiments being carried out – violating the Clave’s own policies. Isabel has been slowly researching in recent weeks, her first informant murdered, a single encrypted chip in his corpse the only possible lead she may have. With this knowledge in mind, viewers can hope Raphael’s story does not turn in this direction, but that if it does, Isabel will be there to save him.

Conclusion: Failed Magic

Just when you think the episode couldn’t pack more of an impact, Alec goes and kicks Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) out of the Institute, asking that instead they live together. This sweet moment of pure joy, a step forward for the couple that is sure to send shippers into a frenzy, instantly crushed as Magnus spawns a bloody nose, the effects of his magic’s failed ability to stick with him. Though, while a nosebleed is something manageable, the subsequent seizure Magnus collapses into is far more serious. The cries of Alec for a medic are all viewers are left with until the show returns next week.

To say things are heating up would be an understatement. Drama and action are coming from all sides, and it will be an exciting road to see what this will all lead to.