Shadowhunters 3×06 Review: “A Window into an Empty Room ”

Just past the halfway point of Season 3A, “A Window into an Empty Room” gives us our last reprieve of sorts before really kicking things into gear as we begin the countdown to the mid-season finale. The script penned by Aisha Porter-Christie (her first official one of the series) is a generous utilization of the characters (main, side, and even new). Their various arcs come together seamlessly here before delivering the heart-pounding last few minutes. Director Alexis Ostrander complements the script with beats that switch easily from quiet and character-oriented to exciting and action-packed.

French Toast with a Side of Salt

Alec somehow seems to have overcome the Lightwood Kitchen Curse and mastered French toast to rival that of Julia Child. Maybe the old family recipe was to blame for the nightmarish stew? Or maybe Magnus was lying to protect Alec’s feelings again? Regardless, it doesn’t matter because this would-be perfect Malec morning scene receives a huge dosage of salt in the form of petty Alec Lightwood out to pick a fight. You know, when the writers teased that French toast was in Malec’s domestic future, they failed to mention that it would be soaked in the poisoned syrup of passive-aggressive angst.

Meanwhile, Magnus is trying really hard to convince Alec that all of this tension is on account of Alec’s relative inexperience and not to do with the fact that they have vastly different life spans. Nice try, Magnus, but no dice. It is true that Alec was acting childish in the way he chose to re-open the immortality discussion and Magnus started a potential fire with his deflection move. Magnus could be feeling the pressure of being Alec’s first…well, everything. Both of these issues were discussed during their first date in 2×06 – something Alec later directly references, which creates a neat episode number parallel. Malec can do so much better in the communication department, so it is really hard to watch them so completely misunderstand each other. I know these are things neither can do much to change, but still, seeing them actually sit down and talk this stuff out is a thing that needs to happen.

Playing Pool Is a Malec Thing, Thank You Very Much

But if one did want to tackle the “dating other people” issue, Underhill says something that I think would be really beneficial for Magnus to hear. The idea that Nephilim (typically) fall in love only once has been mentioned on the show before. While I feel there are exceptions to this rule (*cough*Luke*cough*Maryse*), this romantic ideal is likely deeply rooted within Shadowhunter culture. To Alec, the idea of falling in love more than once could be something that’s difficult for him to wrap his head around.

Which brings us to Underhill (does he have a first name yet?). That he is the one voicing this is undeniable proof that he poses zero threat to Malec. His interactions with Alec at the Hunter’s Moon showed that he holds only respect for Alec and his relationship. However, it seems the show was purposefully trying to subvert that one popular TV trope we were all at least 0.01% worried about. Your favorite ship is fighting and then here comes along a handsome new someone to further rock that boat (yikes). But Underhill turned out to be a perfect gentleman, and Alec was the kind of drunk that wouldn’t shut up about his boyfriend. I am relieved that the show chose to go this route with this particular storyline. Not only does it avoid cliché drama for the sake of drama, but it also allows the show to cover even more ground with representation. Just because there are two gay Shadowhunters working in close proximity to each other doesn’t mean they have to enter into romantic territory. Having Underhill and Alec being just friends is the chance to show LGBTQ+ solidarity existing within the community. Also, Alec Lightwood would never.

You Got Some Issues, Heidi

It is obvious that Tessa Mossey has put a lot of thought into her portrayal of newborn vampire Heidi. The sense that Heidi is misguided and mistreated really comes through in Mossey’s performance. Heidi also seems pretty far gone, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a potential light at the end of the tunnel for her. Simon saw to that.

With Maia’s encouragement, Simon made the decision to take responsibility for his actions last season, which keeps in line with the theme of consequences running heavily throughout the season. Alberto Rosende did a great job in representing how conflicted Simon was over his decision. But Maia is the perfect support system and they work really well together at tackling these types of supernatural problems (Angel knows they are constantly coming at Simon in full force). Let’s hope that the Praetor is able to help Heidi take it down a notch (or two).

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Another daring step was actually following through on Maryse’s impending de-runing. There was no lead-up or valiant efforts to stop it from happening. It just happened, off-screen, and the result was rather jarring for both Maryse and the audience. Maryse is now a former Shadowhunter ostracized from her society and struggling to live as a mundane. This sets up the perfect common ground from which to start the new budding romance between her and Luke Garroway. Just saying. Even though they have a complicated past, he is so compassionate and empathetic about her situation. Speaking of, damn, they are NOT subtle. Look how quickly those children cleared the table. “You look just as lovely now as you did then.” Get it, Luke. I have to agree with Luke. It was nice seeing Maryse let her hair down. This whole experience has been humbling for her and seeing her children choosing to remain steadfastly by her side is clearly moving for her on an emotional level.

The gathering at the Hunter’s Moon was one of the best Lightwood family scenes we have seen to date – even with Jace being the Owl and Magnus not being there at all (we’ll get our big Lightwood-Bane family dinners yet). Alec’s hilariously offended, “Oh, she told you we’re JEWELERS…” was perfectly delivered by Matthew Daddario. Thankfully, Mama Lightwood was smooth with the “we prefer to be called artists” cover story.

It was adorable how much Maryse was rooting for Isabelle and her handsome new doctor beau. Any reservations about him were put to rest once we got glowing proof that he is a good guy – really good, virtuous in fact. Lucky for him, he narrowly escaped an Owl attack. Ollie, on the other hand, was not so lucky (more on that later).

Who are you? Who, who, who, who?

Lilith clarifies that her terrible sacrifices must be righteous mundanes killing their most beloved. She truly loathes Jace for killing Jonathan – the only reason she has Jace doing her dark bidding is to torture him once he realizes all that he’s done.

Dom Sherwood did an excellent job acting as someone who was both distinctly not Jace and yet still Jace at the same time (if that makes any sense at all). One gets the sense that Owl Jace is a version that has an awareness about what has happened to the real one lying trapped beneath. Sounds like a nightmare. His interactions with Clary were devoid of the adoration he usually has in his eyes when he looks at her, and the Lilith and Jace make-out scene seemed a little bit like twisting the knife for Clace fans, but it does show her utter and complete control over him. Side note: where does he stash that sexy trench coat when he’s not all Owl-ed up?