SHADOWHUNTERS: “The Beast Within” (S3E18): Dark Clary Rises

Before continuing any further, it must be stated that this does not feel like a show that is ending. As I stated in my first review for the premiere when it seemed that there was a higher production value, the introduction of new villains and ulterior motives, my false hopes of a quick save are once again rising. Could there be a secret in the wings? Could a surprise announcement of a last minute save be lurking? While unlikely, this is definitely a ride I want to be on.

Love, Simon

If there is one thing this show has made a point of – everyone loves Simon (Alberto Rosende). Everyone. I mean how could you not. He is the sweetest and most humble character of the series, while facing extreme adversity, usually greeting it with a smile and resilience many of the characters within the series have floundered to grasp. The Seelie Queen loves, Clary (Katherine McNamara) loves him, Heather loved him and now – Isabel (Emeraude Toubia)! That’s right, if you have been shipping Isabel and Simon, “The Beast Within” is your episode.

Simon’s plotline of the episode started off rather mild, his sister Rebecca (Holly Deveaux) arriving from Florida to celebrate Halloween (yes, Halloween in April) – a childhood ritual of her, Simon and Clary. Not much happens, Simon taking her to Hunter’s Moon Bar and introducing her to the Shadow World, Maia (Alisha Wainwright) and the various downworlders. Fascinated, she doesn’t take it all serious, almost finding herself the victim of a demon outside the bar. My main question though, why did Simon let her make a phone call outside ALONE?!

Anyways… This incident allowed not only for evidence to be discovered of a developing Seelie plan, but also opened a window for Simon and Isabel to be alone (with some sisterly encouragement of course). As their true feelings are finally brought out into the open, cries throughout Shadowhunters fandom ring out! Hopefully, as the series is ending, this is a positive indication of a happy ending for these two deserving characters. Though not all were so lucky.

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

Be still my breaking heart. One of the most popular couples within Shadowhunters has found its end. Though it is safe to assume the separation of Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) and Alec (Matthew Daddario) is not permanent, the performances by Daddario and Shum will make you forget this assumption in an instant, the actions behind the separation the workings of sacrifice to give back to those we love.

The last few episodes, we have watched Magnus struggle with his loss of magic – magic he had traded with his father at the end of last season for the means to save Jace (Dominic Sherwood). With this loss of magic, Magnus has been facing a loss of identity – and the means to cope with it. At the end of “Heavenly Fire”, Alec’s romanticized plans of proposing to Magnus were snuffed out as Magnus arrived drunk, his depression drowning him further, his drunk ramblings spelling doom for his and Alec’s future. With Magnus struggling to survive a mortal life, and Alec powerless to help as he looks on, the only answer left is to return to the source of Magnus’s pain – his father.

Using a medium, Alec is able to speak with Asmodeus (Jack Yang), try to plead for him to return the magic Magnus needs. Asmodeus agrees to comply with Alec’s request, yet in return, he must break up with Magnus, never to see him again. As Alec struggles with the sacrifice we all know he will make, the true ramifications of his actions are not revealed until the final moments. With Magnus having now lost everything, he will need family. He will need his father.

Dark Clary Rises

Hopes were high that the glorious serum that was retrieved last week would be the solution to the twinning rune, finally separating the bond between Clary and Jonathan (Luke Baines) for good. As Clary prepared for the pain and Jonathan mourned the impending separation, the gang found that all their troubles were for not – the serum was not strong enough. Painful, but not enough to to break the bond.

Determined to intensify the serum, it seems the inevitable separation of the siblings was only a short time away. Though nothing is ever that simple on Shadowhunters. As demons terrorize trick or treaters throughout the city of New York, Clary and Jace search for the Queen mother – because if you kill the mother, you kill all her children… Obviously. Clary is knocked unconscious during the battle, the few seconds away from Jace just the right amount of time needed for the darkness within her to rise to the surface. She is faced with joining the dark angel (Jonathan) or the light angel (Jace).

Based on the trailers released before the season premiere, as well as Jonathan’s prediction of the true Clary coming forward, this is the moment viewers have been waiting to see – can and will Clary go dark? Answers arrive, and they are darker and more intriguing than once thought. While we nly scratched the surface of the new Clary, there is confidence more is definitely to come.

Conclusion

I know I said it in the beginning, this DOES NOT feel like a series that is ending. With the introduction of more storylines, it almost feels as though the series is gearing up for another season. This episode saw the introduction of Magnus’s father, a covert Seelie plan and the arrival of dark Clary, with no signs that there is a slow down on the horizon. With the introduction of so much within such a short amount of remaining time, there is a concern that there may not be enough time to deliver a satisfying ending. Though at the same time, this could be the epic conclusion we have all been waiting for. Only time will tell.

Shadowhunters returns for episode 19 on April 22, 2019.