Shadowhunters TV Series, S3E2 ; THE POWERS THAT BE / Review #shadowhunters

From Freeform's Shadowhunter's tumblr.

* * * * SPOILERS AHEAD * * * * 

Well, the episode starts off in a promising way. We see the party for the new High Warlock of Brooklyn, but it all goes awry and Magnus finds himself having to close off what looks like an open portal.

The chaos is followed by ApologeticJace, which may be my new favorite Jace of all. Jace is determined to take Clary out on a date. Yeah, sweet moment, but this makes the episode so much slower than last week's adrenaline-filled, choppy plot.

From Freeform's Shadowhunters' tumblr

A discussion on Magnus' particular, home-brewed shampoo (and refreshingly something that's right out of the book, but for reals, THIS filler scene is what they lift from the books?) ensues between him and Alec (warlocks make potions after all, Alexander). Did the powers that be look up "slow-burning romance", and decide to pace the show so slowly that while watching, my fingers turned to pinterest to see if anyone makes homemade shampoo (short answer: yes, yes they do and essential oils are the key ingredient because I know you're like me and you're curious).

And in a side story to end all side stories, Magnus and Alec have a discussion regarding leylines (was there ever a mention of these in any of the TMI books? I can't recall), which leads to this BIG REVEAL, in the words of the Dark Lord, himself:

from giphy

Only, it's well, the most "powerful Prince in Hell"  -

From Freeform's Shadowhunter's tumblr

Dun-dun-dun-DUN. I think that this definitely points to the fact that we're going to have all three of the remaining books in this season. OHGOD, does this mean that they will go on to wreck film The Infernal Devices? PLEASEGODNO.

And apparently, thanks to the next scene with Maia and Simon canoodling, werewolves can smell vampires on other werewolves. Where have we heard this before? Oh wait, TWILIGHT.

Now, I will give props to the Jace Plans a Date subplot, because his exchanges with Simon are the best bromance EVER. Those two? Heads up to the powers that be, I could watch an entire show with just them.

From Freeform Shadowhunter's tumblr

And during this double date we find out what happens to their clothes when a wolf turns wolfie. You got it, another Twi reference. They stash clothes around town. Also, the cutest moment of all? When Jace and Maia have to awkwardly admit that they, er, dated. The fallout? Awesome. As Maia says, "It doesn't matter who we've been with in the past. It matters who we're with now." EYEROLL. This causes Clary to be emo and Jace's declaration of love has lead to the EYEROLL FROM SPACE. Badly scripted and therefore, badly acted (apologies to Dominic Sherwood, who is trying his best).

In the mean time, Lillith is raising an army from murdering mundanes. As one does when one's waiting for the world to burn.

From Freeform's Shadowhunters tumblr. 

The ley lines and their core plot is just one of those stupid things that Freeform had to add because, apparently, there wasn't enough lore in the books. Spoiler alert for the powers that be -- there are THOUSANDS of pages filled with lore, details and a world so darkly magical that it will make your hair stand on end. Stop inventing crap. In other words, eyeroll, eyeroll, eyeroll. So freakin' dumb.

(ASIDE: As a Mundie Mom and a true book nerd, I'm hoping that Isabelle's angelic rune on her cleavage be somehow covered up or, dare I ask for it now that it's part of her character, moved? It's distracting. Last season, she was covered up. This season the dumb placement of the rune is back and it's all sorts of stupid. And yes, I realize that it's slightly smaller and a inch or so higher up.)

Well let's just say, that the episode wraps up and we find out that Lillith is behind the entire ley line issue. And, er, we get our gratuitous shot of Shirtless Jace.

Onwards, to episode 3. Anyone missing Valentine's Chernobyl lair? Hands in the air!


FINAL COUNTS
Total eyerolls 11, 000, 001
Shirtless Alec 1
Shirtless Jace 1
Alec showing his muscles for no reason: 1
Total Stealing another show feels 2
Homemade shampoo recipe 1