Monday night’s episode of Freeform’s Shadowhunters certainly took us on a journey. Heartbreak, murder, hangovers, tears, flashbacks, foot fetishes, more tears, and a toasty marshmallow (really toasted). You can read our full review here, but below are some bite-sized bests from episode 2×15.
1: Episode MVP:
Alec on those red sheets.
For a shot that lasts a total of 12 incredible seconds (measured on account of how we all stopped breathing), it really does lift the spirits of audiences who are about to embark on a really dark episode. We applaud everything about this, from the choice of red satin sheets to the lightly implied notion of the Head of the New York Institute, Alec Lightwood, being the little spoon, all the way down to the sad puppy frown Matthew Daddario gifts us with as he groggily calls for Magnus. We are eternally grateful (and hoping next time Magnus is snuggled up beside him).
2: Best Parent Award:
Luke “you’re the closest thing I have to a son” Garroway.
With all that pack business, it can be easy to forget that Luke helped raise both Clary and Simon, but we were very well reminded that he most certainly did and his concern for Simon’s safety (and Clary’s safety from Simon) showed the fantastic complexity of this kind of parenthood. Family doesn’t end in blood, and Luke isn’t about to give up on his kids. The man really needs to have new business cards printed out: “Luke Garroway: Pack Alpha and Professional Loving Stepdad.”
3: Stand-Out Performance:
Harry Shum Jr.
The subtlety of Harry’s acting these past few episodes made it clear that Magnus was most certainly Not Okay, from his unsure movements to his wavering voice to his far-off stares. The work Harry put into showing this quiet unraveling of Magnus came across beautifully, and it all led up to a heartbreaking confession (and an emotional Malec scene). Even if we do hope to see him happy and striding confidently once again, Harry’s acting this week took our breath away!
4: Best Fight:
Simon Lewis, the Vampire Slayer.
How many pieces of furniture in a vampire club can be turned into instant stakes? TOO MANY. Good thing our boy Simon has some serious hand-to-hand combat skills ready to go. Has he been hanging out with too many Shadowhunters or has Jace’s pure angel blood made him a lean mean fighting machine? Whatever the source of his newfound badassery, Simon took matters into his own hands by staking the foot-loving vampire who framed him, and he looked awesome (and glittery) doing it.
5: Worst Day Ever:
Simon can’t seem to catch a break. Ever.
It hasn’t been a good day for anyone here. Aline falls for the lies of a murderous doppelganger, Clary is drowning in Clace vs. Climon-related guilt, and Magnus is reliving the worst memories of his life. But Simon’s no good, very bad day takes the cake. Still hurting from losing his girlfriend to an angel-blooded underwear model, he gets absolutely plastered for the first time ever as a vampire and wakes up in his own personal version of The Hangover. Did he or didn’t he kill someone? Raphael refuses to help him because Simon continues to keep the recipe of his Daylighter-ness a secret, and when he tries to investigate the crime scene himself, he only ends up getting arrested. It turns out he is innocent (yay), but he gets into a fatal brawl with the guy who told him to drink his sorrows away in the first place. And after all that, he’s still single and sad about it. Worst. Day. Ever.
6: Best Reveal:
Will the real Sebastian please stand up?
Double your pleasure, double your fun, double your dirty-blond British boy. Two Sebastians? Clearly, this is the return of that mother of all plot devices – the shapeshifting rune. By the way, that’s some serious kidnapping skills this evil doppelganger has if Isabelle spent a whole night in that apartment without suspecting anything at all. Alas, the one true Sebastian Verlac meets a quick and dirty end while trying to warn his cousin about this imposter.
Shadowhunters airs Mondays 8/7c on Freeform and Tuesdays internationally on Netflix.
