Tonight’s episode of Shadowhunters, “The Descent into Hell Isn’t Easy,” saw Clary and Jace entering the City of Bones and facing the very creepy Silent Brothers.
Where have all the warlocks gone?
As Dot searches for Clary, she seeks the help of Magnus Bane. He and the other warlocks are using a portal to hide from Valentine, who is searching for the warlock that made Jocelyn’s sleeping potion. Dot refuses to leave Clary behind and continues her search. She also meets up with Luke back at Jocelyn’s apartment. He is collecting anything of Clary’s that hasn’t been destroyed so the Circle can’t find her. Luke and Dot distrust each other but both seem to want to protect Clary.
The odd thing about this plotline is that the warlocks are hiding. Warlocks are powerful and there are a lot of them, so why not fight to protect themselves? Even more strange is that Magnus Bane is leading the group away. He’s lived for centuries, so some self-preservation skills are expected, but this seems out of character given how he acted when the circle was in his club. It will be interesting to see what Magnus is really like once introduced to Clary and company. We haven’t really seen Magnus for more than a few minutes, so it is hard to really judge who he is and what he stands for.
The Circle
The Circle is on a mission to find the cup and Clary. However, some reside in the Institute as a punishment for working with the Circle. We get our first glimpse of a younger, more lethal Hodge. Hodge’s back story is similar to that of the book character, but he is marked with a circle member rune that doesn’t allow him to speak of the Circle. He also isn’t allowed to leave the Institute, ever. Clary and Jace speak to Hodge hoping to learn more information about why the Circle is after Clary. Hodge reveals that Jocelyn Fairchild was part of the Circle, but each time he gives too much information, the rune flares to life and burns him. The younger generations of shadowhunters have been forbidden to learn about the Circle and everything they did.
This scene is interesting because it gives some background information on both Valentine and Jocelyn. The rune thing was a bit weird, but it was a good way for the Clave to manage those who were once part of the Circle. The younger version of Hodge was interesting and fits with the age of the other Circle members. It will be interesting to see how this version of Hodge interacts with the younger shadowhunters and where his allegiances really lay. Also will Valentine have any Circle members left? We’ve seen at least four killed. How many more can there be?
The City of Bones
The descent into Hell might not be easy but the descent into the City of Bones, not so bad. Jace decides it would be a great idea to bring Clary to see the Silent Brothers to retrieve her memories. The issue with that is if she isn’t strong enough she could die, which Alec is all for. While Clary and Jace are all about risking her life, Simon is not so impressed with the idea. The entrance to the City of Bones isn’t in the same as in the books, but the city itself is pretty impressive. Skulls and bones cover most surfaces and the Silent Brothers were terrifying.
This scene is important for several reasons. First, Jace reveals a little of himself to Clary and we learn that his father was a Circle member who was killed when he tried to leave. Clary and Jace share a moment that will hopefully continue to build the relationship we are all waiting for. So far we don’t get the impression there is a lot of attraction there. Second, we learn that Clary is Valentine’s child, which leaves us with many questions and Alec with a permanent scowl.
Izzy + Simon = Sizzy
This episode definitely highlighted one of the fandom’s favorite couples, Simon and Izzy, aka Sizzy. The two meet at the Institute and Simon is immediately smitten. Isabelle seems to think of Simon as an entertaining mundane and is willing to keep him busy while Jace and Clary look for answers. Simon’s one-liners are priceless and Alberto Rosende is perfectly cast as the geeky sidekick. The scene where Isabelle makes Simon breakfast is perfectly awkward. By the end of the episode Simon finds himself a pawn in the battle between shadowhunters and downworlders.
Next week’s episode, “Dead Man’s Party,” will be very interesting as Clary, Jace, Alec, and Isabelle have to save Simon from the downworlders without breaking the rules of the Accords. This could be an interesting episode for Simon because in the book his run-in with the children of the night makes everything different.