Shadowhunters 3×02 Review: “The Powers That Be”

A bit of a departure from the fast pace we are used to seeing, “The Powers That Be” was definitely one of the best episodes Shadowhunters has done to date. It took its time with longer scenes, digging deeper into the relationships between the characters without making things drag. Peter Binswanger is the longest-serving writer on the show and, as a result, he really knows the characters…and it shows. Despite this being a Malec-centric episode, all of the characters had their layers peeled back just a bit – it helped that the pacing was absolutely phenomenal. Director Peter DeLuise (a Pete and Pete team up!) also complimented Binswanger’s script well with shots that lingered on the actors, catching all of the great expressions that we were getting from them this week.

Party like It’s 1534

We finally get to meet the much-anticipated Lorenzo Rey, portrayed by the amazing Javier Muñoz of Hamilton fame. Lorenzo is a younger warlock at 484 (just how old is Magnus, anyway?) who’s apparently had his eye on a High Warlock position for some time and is celebrating by throwing a lavish party at his mansion. A mansion isn’t really in the spirit of Brooklyn there, Lorenzo, but okay. With every warlock in the city in attendance, we got to see the beloved faces of Catarina and little Madzie. Not only does Alec’s “favorite little sorceress” run to him excitedly upon arriving but he is quick and instinctual in protecting her as soon as things go wrong at the warlock gathering. With the demonic corruption of the warlocks’ magic, we are able to see a glimpse of the warlock marks most of them hide from day to day, such as Catarina’s bright blue skin, Lorenzo’s shimmering scales, and Magnus’ stunning cat eyes. Lorenzo is definitely not pleased at Magnus’ display of power at his inauguration party, but hey, someone had to save the night. #RIPRufus

Doing Things the Old-Fashioned Way

In an episode with a strong focus on the warlocks – from their traditions to their parentage – one of the prevailing themes seems to be doing things without magic. The theme came up repeatedly, from Magnus’ homemade shampoo and enjoyment of showers to Lorenzo’s joy in preparing a drink by hand. Even Malec’s epic heist was made possible not through magically breaking in but by Alec discretely unlocking Lorenzo’s door. Where this is going (if anywhere), we aren’t sure, but we’re definitely intrigued.

Go Kick His Ass, Baby – I Got Yo Flashcards

Meanwhile, Maia and Simon are out there being hands-down The Cutest, and we’re talking about a Malec-heavy episode here. While Maia is hard at work practicing for exams and Simon is trying to learn how to deal with human food again, a werewolf with OPINIONS about Maia and Simon gets his ass handed to him because Maia is having exactly none of it. Far from trying to step into werewolf business, Simon is happy to just sit and be proud of his girlfriend. We also get to see Maia and Simon try to figure out the mysterious mark on Simon’s forehead in a beautiful display of comfort and intimacy with one another. Maia’s investigation turns into the most adorable Indiana Jones reference and, listen, Simon, we should all be so lucky to have Maia Roberts kissing our boo-boos better, you lucky little vampire, you.

Jace and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night

Jace is having a hell of a time trying to take Clary on a perfectly normal romantic outing. We get to see that Clary is still pursuing art in her spare time, between resurrecting boyfriends and fighting demons, and it stands to reason that her relationship with Jace could benefit from some time outside of work as well. Since Jace’s “normal” is aptly described by Clary as ichor-drenched days, he’s really making an effort to ask her out on a proper date, while Clary is more interested in drawing him like one of her French girls.

After calling literally everyone in his contacts – except for some reason, the two notorious NYC Foodies, Magnus and Alec – Jace finally settles on a place recommended by Simon and takes his girl out to dinner. Well, let the Hunger Games begin! First of all, Jace somehow doesn’t know he needs a reservation even though he’s lived in New York City his whole life. Second, it seems that Simon had the same idea because he’s there with Maia – ooh, awkward double date time. Really, there were cute moments in these scenes, but it was probably the most awkward thing I’ve ever witnessed. Maia is over the stilted hostility between the boys in an instant and is like, “Who’s up for cocktails?” I think we all needed a drink to handle the second-hand embarrassment as well, Maia.

Maia and Clary are making the best of it until Jace’s Rough Night from Hell gets worse when he puts his foot in his mouth and lets slip that he and Maia hooked up that one time. Just a pro tip, Jace, “I’ve seen you naked,” is never good dinner conversation.

When the nightmare of a double date is finally over, we do get some sweet moments between both couples. Clary and Jace have a very important – but awkward is still the name of the game – talk about why they haven’t had sex yet. It turns out that Jace is being mega awkward and cautious because he wants to take it slow. It really is sweet when he lists all the little thing he’s noticed and loves about Clary. I think we really needed this moment to show that Clace has layers and that they’re both (Jace especially) aware that the intensity they have with each other can bite them both in the ass if they’re not careful.

Izzy’s Burning the Midnight Oil

It seems Izzy is doing penance for her past mistakes by taking on extra work and staying in while everyone else has a night on the town. It was great to see the interaction between Luke and Izzy, and it makes a lot of sense for them to bond, given how Izzy is a dedicated forensics expert and Luke is a cop. But we don’t usually see this team-up highlighted. Luke is there to remind her that she deserves to have fun and put herself out there because she deserves the kind of love that he had with Jocelyn. Also, look at Luke go, parenting Izzy! Luke is a very supportive father figure to literally every 20-something in the city. Parent everyone, Luke. Do it.

Messrs. Bane and Lightwood, at Home

Magical bed-making and Alec casually admiring Magnus’ #sandalwood shampoo in his boxer briefs? Ugh, could they be any more adorably domestic? The answer is probably ‘yes’ and we cannot wait to see more. The mention of Magnus making his own sandalwood-scented shampoo – a reference to the books – really has me thinking that if selling potions and spells doesn’t work out, Magnus has a future making things for LUSH.

Their domestic bliss is interrupted by High Warlock Rey who is there to accuse Magnus of sabotaging his party with the help of the Greater Demon Asmodeus. Magnus seems particularly affronted by the accusation and threat to exile him.

Listen, I know we’re supposed to hate Lorenzo, but given the information that he’s working with, he’s actually got a lot of solid points. Magnus would be a prime suspect given that he was just ousted from his position and the bombshell reveal that Asmodeus is Magnus’ father. JERRY SPRINGER MOMENT.

Alec slides into Shadowhunter mode very subtly and beautifully by taking his military stance as soon as Magnus admits to personally knowing Asmodeus, but once the shock of Magnus’ confession passes, Alec instantly takes a few steps toward Magnus and brings back to the soft familiarity between them. We were definitely NOT expecting to see Magnus confess his celebrity parentage any time soon – the most powerful prince of Hell? HOT DAMN.

Malec Pulled a Heist, Your Faves Could Never

While Alec and Magnus’ decision to sneak into High Warlock Rey’s mansion to investigate has the most heroic of intentions, Lorenzo is justifiably (and correctly) suspicious of Alec being there just to do his job. It’s interesting to see Alec in military parade stance while they speak. It seems like an important acting choice on Matt’s part, especially when it breaks as soon as Alec starts being a devious little shit.

The break-in, just like the drink that Lorenzo fixes for Alec, is done the old-fashioned way and has all the trappings and comedy of a classic movie heist scene. The purely physical moment of Magnus doing a “get on with it” motion and then diving behind the couch had me doubled over in cackling laughter.

Meanwhile, Alec trying to lie and flirt Lorenzo into distraction is hilariously awkward. Seriously, he is so bad at deflection – probably because he’s so darn earnest and honest – that he’s just a complete mess. How even are you in politics, Alec?

Once Alec shows an interest in Lorenzo’s home and in Lorenzo himself, we see the newcomer melt a bit. Alec might be as awkward as a newborn colt, but he’s still sweet and kind, and that comes across enough that the suspicious warlock starts to show a much nicer side. Lorenzo really is a powerhouse of charm and has quite the collection of beloved knickknacks. He even has a portrait of himself as baby Jesus, like…seriously, what do you say to that? Alec’s tiny, awkward laugh is needless to say, my new go-to response to having absolutely nothing to say.

Surely the “absence” of Magnus, as well as Alec showing no favoritism towards him, helps, but it really doesn’t seem as if Lorenzo is a villain at all. If we consider that Magnus did make a mistake that cost him his position for legitimate reasons and that he has been doing a lot of favors for the Institute out of sheer devotion to Alec and belief in Alec’s goals, Lorenzo’s desire to take the warlocks in a new direction isn’t all that devious. This is some impressively nuanced writing. Either way, I’m tentatively with Lorenzo on matters of state.

Meanwhile, Magnus is downstairs dealing with some really scary demonic-looking business. It’s a good thing he’s quick with the small household repairs and disappears into Lorenzo’s perfectly manicured gardens smoothly. So, the culprit is not Magnus’ father at all; it’s great aunty Lilith! But we knew that of course. Speaking of which…