Basic Superlatives: “Raising Hell”

This episode of Freeform’s Shadowhunters was all fun and games at first – with multipurpose jewelry, a fashion make-over, and a romantic meeting for the ages – until it all came crashing down… Check out some of our bite-size bests from episode 1×04.

 

1: Most Useful Plot Device:

This “four-carat, unheated Burmese ruby,” ooh.

This exquisite piece of jewelry caught the perceptive eye of Isabelle Lightwood the minute she saw it, and she makes it look so good (multipurpose jewelry is her fave after all). Through its introduction alone, presented by Hodge Starkweather (the Institute’s personal Shadow World dictionary), we were let in on a fair amount of information about the “mysterious” and “hedonistic” Magnus Bane (we’ll let the nerd have it for now). It clued us in about the importance of his relationship with his former vampire ladylove, Camille Belcourt, and it was the key to snagging a meeting with the warlock. It even comes with a built-in, handy-dandy demon warning system; perfect for Shadowhunters on the hunt.

 

2: Extreme Shadowhunter Make-Over:

Clary is introduced to the concept of a classic LBD (a wardrobe essential, especially if you are a Shadowhunter).

Looking better in black than the widows of our enemies. Clary wore this Shadowhunter proverb like a glove during a scene that had all the charm of a 90s-movie montage. But she couldn’t have done it without the help of Isabelle, as this episode revealed that she is quite the practiced fashionista! This make-over doubled as the official Shadowhunter transformation for our redheaded heroine. As Jace would say, someone’s looking badass. We do have one quibble, though: flat-chested, Izzy? Where?

 

3: Cutest Meet Cute:

Malec exchange meat puns and tackle this old Hollywood convention like pros.

Malec had their seeing-the-handsome-stranger-from-afar romantic moment first when Alec saved Magnus’ life at the Downworlder rave (these two don’t miss a beat, do they?). But this scene was their first proper introduction. We saw Magnus’ face go from guarded to delighted as he realized that this was his chance to talk to the beautiful creature he had seen before. We also had the distinct pleasure of seeing our stoic Shadowhunter be reduced to a stuttering mess and then rush out of the room when their instant chemistry got to be too much for him to handle. Same, Alec. Same.

 

4: Biggest Shit Show:

This honestly could have gone better.

This was quite the elaborate set-up and had so much on the line, especially for Clary. It was also fraught with tons of crazy tension. Our poor closeted Shadowhunter found himself holding hands with two extremely attractive men (one of whom he had long-standing, complicated feelings for, and the other…well, we refer you to the previous superlative). Also, practically outing Alec was not cool, Verlac! Alec effectively running back into the closet and slamming the door behind him ended in disaster, with Clary’s memories lost forever and Jace lying unconscious on the floor. Here’s a tip for the future: avoid summoning greater demons; it never ends well.