#sh 107

Act One

This episode is peak Clace. I can get on board with this fun and cheeky dynamic.

Robert is like “Izzy, dear… quick question… why… are you… cosplaying as your mom?”

Why does everyone think Downworlders would be working with Valentine? No, honestly, why? Being forced to work for Valentine, okay. But helping him? Out of their own free will? Why is this a thing the characters worry about at all?

When I first watched this conversation between Alec and Izzy, I thought Izzy was asking Alec to be honest with her and admit that he’s gay. But he has told her that years ago. Rather, Izzy here really is asking Alec to be honest about what happened at Magnus’s beyond “Magnus made cocktails, but nothing happened”. I dig that. Also, “turning on a new leaf” is peak Alec humor.

The juxtaposition joke between Alec/Izzy scene and Clary/Jace scene is cheesy but I like it.

Act Two

Clary being smart is something I will never get enough of. But the fact that the cops at the precinct know her and help her deal with the “crappy boyfriend” makes my heart ache because in 310 Luke’s superior asks about the daughter that disappeared. Clary’s mundane life is so underused but when it comes up, I get sad in the right way.

The humor on this episode is so silly but so wholesome. Simon’s making lists about becoming a vampire and the waitress being like “I don’t get paid enough for this.” And it is cute that Simon and Clary are regulars at Java Jones. More hints to Clary’s mundane life that could’ve been used further along in the series.

The dog barking at “Vargas” and not at Fisk was a really nice touch.

*Obligatory mention of Jace saying Alec has never slapped him on the face two episodes before Alec punches him*

Simon saying “I think I’m sick” and not “I think I’m turning into a vampire” is such lazy writing. Either make Clary don’t take the call or have him say what he really thinks is happening and Clary dismisses that assumption. It is not Clary’s fault that she assumes Simon is having another hypochondriac episode when Simon starts the conversation like that. Clary will feel bad about this conversation in the next episode, but I’m not buying it.

RIP Captain Vargas. You were cool.

Act Three

I’m glad NYPD is portrayed as competent in this show. Fisk knows something doesn’t add up in Luke’s narrative, he just can’t possibly imagine that something is supernatural in nature. Still, he’s not convinced by flimsy excuses. Fisk, Ollie, Lt. Dwyer: it makes sense that they would be a pain in Luke’s ass. It wouldn’t be believable if they weren’t.

More mundanes being smart. Maureen thinks Simon is on drugs, Becky and Elaine make an intervention. People acting like people would. Though Simon still searching for a mundane explanation is stupid and I’m tired. It’s been three episodes. Get on with the program.

I don’t know if “I’m on your side” is the line Alaric used when he kidnapped Clary because apparently that scene existed and was cut, so no, I do not appreciate a call back to something I didn’t watch. Also, if Clary and Simon left the room after Alec specifically told them not to, that means Alec didn’t lose them; they disobeyed his instructions.

Clary chooses the most uncomfortable way to draw a rune for no logical reason other than to get Jace to draw it for her. Noted.

Alec continues to be made relatable as he panics over serving as the distraction in this tiny hero-arc. Reluctant hero refusing the call? Check. Hero tries to be something he is not and fails? Check. Hero finds his own path and accomplishes the goal? Check. Simple, silly, and very effective.

It’s funny how random the “turning things into drawings” Fray power works. I think the common factor is strong emotions. Clary was happy at the coffee shop and then she was distraught at Magnus’s. Sounds like a plausible theory.

“We need to leave this place full of demons as quickly as possible and secure the Mortal Cup which is with Clary, so obviously the three trained shadowhunters should walk fast and leave her behind.”

Act Four

Why is leaving the sniper-type in a perfect shooting position even a problem? Alec couldn’t have a better shooting point than in front of the tight entrance that is directly in front of him. Jace should know better than that.

Oh, now the writers have Simon spill out the real problem when Clary can’t pick up the phone. Right.

That is really not the time for Clary to be thanking Jace – and only Jace – for helping her.

Act Five

I still don’t get how does Valentine control these many demons. They tried to explain it away by saying he’s bribing them but how does that work? Bribing them with what?

Jace really sucks at defense tactics in this episode. He told Clary to go on by herself? Really? There are two shadowhunters there. Leave one behind. Instead of wasting screen time with poorly timed declarations, they should’ve spread out this flee attempt with each Lightwood having to stay behind until Clary was truly on her own. These three are supposed to be competent at their job.

Act Six

Luke using the pack to protect Clary: 1

I actually like that it is Clary who kisses Jace and not the other way around.

If, on one hand, I blame Camille’s blood for Simon’s attraction to the DuMort, on the other I blame lazy writing for Simon never once mentioning his suspicions about becoming a vampire to Clary or the shadowhunters until it was too late. He had ample opportunity.