Shadowhunters 3×18, “The Beast Within,” offered up some Halloween fun in the midst of demon attacks and soul-crushing heartbreak (Red Alert: MAJOR ANGST). Originally meant to be a kind of starter-episode for new viewers of the series, our hosts, Simon and Becky, walked us through the basics of the Shadow World, while the Shadowhunter crew battled a Drevak demon outbreak. Clary’s eyes went black as she finally succumbed to the dark side and joined her brother Jonathan. However, things got even darker when Alec broke up with Magnus as part of a deal he made with Asmodeus to restore Magnus’ magic and immortality.
1: Most Devastating Shit We’ve Ever Seen:
Alec breaks Magnus’ heart (and sends every Malec shipper into a state of panic).
In a devastating turn of events, Alec made a deal with Asmodeus to give Magnus his magic and immortality back. Part of the deal was that Alec had to end his relationship with Magnus: “Break his heart, to save his life.” Alec went through with it based on the belief that Magnus would get over him (Alec is not his first love, nor will he be his last), but Magnus would never get over losing his magic. Excuse us as we rush in to hug Alec and remind him that he’s more than just a spatula in Magnus’ little box! Alec broke Magnus’ heart by telling him that the spark he loved about him had truly gone out and he couldn’t stay and watch him suffer (what a brutal callback to 3×16!). We could literally hear Magnus’ heart shatter as he pulled Alec close and kissed him with desperate tenderness. Magnus pleading, “Stay with me, okay? Come on, stay with me,” (another callback to 3×16) coupled with Alec’s struggle to resist was the Most Devastating Shit We’ve Ever Seen. Then there was that agonizing silence that followed after Alec walked away.
2: Biggest Nerd:
Becky is just as nerdy as Simon… Guess it runs in the family.
Simon’s sister, Becky, decided she had to continue the tradition of celebrating Halloween with her brother (Clary was originally part of the festivities as well, but her being a Shadowhunter had her otherwise indisposed this episode). She dressed up as a vampire and hung out with her brother, who is now actually a vampire (fitting). Stuff like this is in the Nerd Handbook – we checked. On top of pulling off the best Halloween costume ever, Becky proved herself to be a great sister as she walked into Simon’s world with an open mind and the same dorky sense of humor as him as well. She also deserves props for being the ultimate Sizzy fangirl since she gave Simon the kick in the pants he needed to finally end the slow sizzle and go for it with Isabelle.
3: Most Pivotal Moment:
Clary joins the darkside.
When a Drevak demon threw Clary through a wall, she had a vision that changed everything. Faced with the choice of a black-winged Jonathan reaching for her and an angelic white-winged Jace calling her name in the distance, Clary sided with her brother, making this a Pivotal Moment for 3B and the series overall. When Clary woke up, her blackened eyes left no doubt that the Clary we know and love is buried under the influence of Jonathan’s darkness. Any shred of hope that Jace could pull her out of it like he had been able to do before was immediately snuffed out when we saw her smack him in the face with a metal pipe. Ouch!
4: Best Parabatai Fight:
Parabatai on point.
Alec was little late to the demon-fighting party, but once he arrived, he immediately fell into step with his Parabatai. Jace and Alec were in perfect sync on the battlefield, as they took out both the Drevak Queen and her minion in classic badass Shadowhunter style. Jace spun around with his seraph blade to take out the demon while Alec fired FIVE arrows at once to take out the Queen. Doesn’t get any cooler than this really!
It’s also worth mentioning the Parabatai bond was on full display earlier in the evening. In a not-so-subtle reference to his own situation with Magnus, Alec asked Jace, hypothetically, if he would make the choice to never see Clary again if it meant saving her from the Twinning Rune. Jace’s response that he could never be without Clary after already losing her once before was the some wisdom we really wish Alec had applied to his own life. Listen to your Parabatai, Alec!
Honorable Mention: Best Multitasker:
Alec is EVERYWHERE this episode.
The Head of the New York Institute was pulled in a million different directions this week and somehow managed to nail every task put in front of him. Between running a major operation to handle the Drevak infestation, fighting out in the field, overseeing the attempt to separate Clary and Jonathan, and contemplating whether or not to end his relationship with the love of his life, Alec was spread pretty thin. This is the man who blows up the very ground he stands on to make things right after all….
That’s the best of the best for us this week. Hit us up on Twitter and share your picks!
The series finale of Shadowhunters airs on Freeform Monday May 6th at 8pm EST and is available the following day to stream on Hulu and Netflix International.
