After an excruciatingly long hiatus, Shadowhunters finally returned for its remaining 12 episodes, and believe me when I tell you, we as a collective were not ready. As much as we’ve all been begging for the return, after tonight’s episode I wish we could have a few more weeks of hope to cling to.
Warning: spoilers for the season 3B premiere, “Lost Soul,” ahead.
Honestly, it’s shocking that the creators didn’t know 3B would be its last on Freeform, because the vibe they’ve set up is remarkably similar to the way many fans feel: devastated. And it looks like they’re setting the mood for the rest of the season. Despite the “reveal” that Clary (Kat McNamara) is not dead, now she’s got another seemingly immovable obstacle in her way, and blasting it to Edom probably won’t solve anything. Here, the most heartbreaking moments from Shadowhunters’ big return:
Everything with poor, sweet baby Jace
Clace fan or no, it’s hard to ignore Jace’s (Dominic Sherwood) pain over the “loss” of Clary. Due to the fact that the love of his life would still be alive if it wasn’t for him (his words, not mine), he’s acting reckless on hunts and literally throws himself into a warlock’s spear.
If the pain over losing Clary wasn’t enough, he’s also having flashbacks to his time as The Owl…and it’s not pretty. It takes some devastating talks with Izzy (Emeraude Toubia) and Alec (Matt Daddario) to stop him from doing something he can’t take back.
It’s especially telling that the king of bad plans is so dejected that he doesn’t even jump at Luke’s (Isaiah Mustafa) wild conspiracy theory that Clary might still be alive somewhere.
Speaking of which, he’s totally right, but it’s a little depressing to think of Luke hiding himself away from the world, grasping at any clue that his daughter, who disappeared after a literal explosion is not dead.
John Medland
Simon also blames himself
As if there wasn’t enough “if it weren’t for me, Clary would still be alive” to go around, the episode shows a literal montage of platonic Climon moments while Simon (Alberto Rosende) hides alone in apartment. When Maia (Alisha Wainwright)—who’s officially back,btw—tries to get him out of his hovel, he tells her that he is too much of a threat to be near anyone. Someone please protect my daylighter son.
The beginning of the end of Saia
Look, based on teasers for 3B alone, we already knew that Sizzy is going to happen in the near future. And if Simon and Isabelle are finally going to find their way to each other, that has to mean the end of his relationship with Maia. But did it have to come so soon?
It’s true there was no official breakup in this episode, but the usually fiery couple’s stilted chemistry marked the beginning of the end. In the 3A finale, Maia left town when Simon arguably needed her the most (no shade to Maia, it’s important to take care of your own mental well-being first). I can see why her return would be bittersweet for Simon.
Sure enough, Maia doesn’t feel the pull to join Simon on his mission to find a vampire who might have a cure for the Mark of Cain. While her excuses are definitely sound (she’s right, it’s not a great idea to bring a wolf into an enclosed sewer system), there was a time she’d want to do anything to help Simon. This exchange is what broke me:
Maia: Call me if you find him.
Simon: And if I don’t?
Maia: [long, uncomfortable pause] I’ll always be here for you. You are not alone.
Rip my heart out, why don’t you.
The Magnus of it all
All the men of Shadowhunters are in dire need of a hug. Somehow, despite his ability to fend off Iris Rouse’s (Stephanie Belding) spell and protect Madzie (Ariana Williams) by sheer force of will, even without his powers, Magnus “Quite Magical” Bane believes he’s useless.
It doesn’t matter what Alec tells him, the loss of Magnus’ magic is clearly going to be a trauma that will continue to effect him for the rest of the season. I’m already getting anxiety over the forthcoming Malec angst.
John Medland
How will Clary get out of this one?
After a very-much-alive Clary wakes up to find Lilith’s apartment in the snowy wasteland of Siberia, she discovers a fresh-faced Jonathan Morgenstern (Luke Baines) and a whole new set of problems. A new rune that binds her to her demonic brother not only serves to entwine their powers and bring him back from the dead, but tethers the siblings physically as well. After a failed escape, Clary stabs him through the neck, and finds herself dying as well, saved only by Jonathan’s ability to use his Iratze.
It’s going to be a bumpy road ahead for everyone, I can feel it.