The Shadowhunters season 3 premiere is right around the corner. Is it worth the wait? We break down some highlights from the new season.

Praise the Angel, Shadowhunters season 3 is almost here! While time outside of the Shadowhunters universe drags along, the storylines remain frozen. The season 3 premiere, “On Infernal Ground” airs on Tuesday, March 20 on Freeform.

Our spoiler-free review of the episode highlights some of the pillars that will drive the season. Check it out and let us know what you are most looking forward to in season 3!

Related: New Shadowhunters season 3 footage hints Malec and Clace have a rough road ahead

While this is a spoiler-free review, if you want to remain completely free from impressions and possible story arcs coming your way, don’t read on!

‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 relationships

Romantic, platonic, professional, parabatai. With many different types of pairings comes a plethora of dynamics to work through. The fallout of the events that transpired on the shores of Lake Lyn carry over into the season 3 premiere.

After all, summoning the Angel is not exactly an event that blows over in one day. It is an event that touches nearly everyone in the Shadowhunters universe. But it is not the only action looming over some characters.

Alec and Jace

One pairing the events of Lake Lyn affects in particular is Jace and Alec. After all, Alec’s parabatai rune disappeared. He felt Jace die. And now he just happens to be fine?

That explanation is not going to fly. Alec digs his heels into this unspoken issue in their relationship, poking and prying not only Jace, but Clary as well. Being left in the dark is not exactly something Alec enjoys.

And in that spirit of open communication, Alec is not letting any conversation transpire with words unspoken. Clary and Jace are not the only two he is putting some pressure on. Alec carries this sentiment over in an effort to keep everyone his life open and honest with him.

Simon and Maia

Ahhh, budding romance. So pure and innocent, especially when a vampire and a werewolf get together. Right?

It would be unless, of course, one party happens to make a deal with the Seelie Queen. That won’t exactly lay the smoothest foundation for them to build upon. As season 3 opens, we will catch up with Simon in the Seelie court where he will face his debt to the Queen in exchange for Maia’s life.

And for someone who gives nothing away, the Seelie Queen’s plans for the daylighter are shrouded in mystery. Expect to have more questions than answers by the end of the premiere.

Luke and Ollie

Luke and Ollie, meanwhile, must handle their professional relationship now that Ollie presses Luke for information on his pack. While his tipsy demeanor at the end of the season 2 premiere was quite enjoyable, the sobriety of the next morning will hit him hard.

Ollie is proving to be a formidable force in Luke’s life. And no, she isn’t buying that he is in a recreational bike gang. Can Luke reveal this world to a mundane? Especially if she is going to be in constant danger by association?

Clary and Jace

Requesting a wish of the Angel is a HUGE deal. So big, in fact, that everyone is going to be pressing Clary for details about being in Raziel’s presence. Of course, Clary cannot exactly reveal that Jace’s existence is thanks for cashing in that once in a lifetime token.

Naturally, Clary and Jace will struggle not only with keeping secret what happened on Lake Lyn, but with how they co-exist. There is likely no greater proclamation of love than the action Clary took that day. But can their relationship sustain that level of commitment and intimacy?

Jace and Himself

Picking up mere hours after the celebration in the Hunter’s Moon, Jace is still grappling with not only being alive, but the consequences of Clary’s action. It is not going to be an easy road for him as he faces everyone and lies. What does that say/change about his character?

Jace is, in a sense, hunting for meaning under his own shadow in the premiere. Was his life worth returning? Can he ever connect with Alec in a meaningful way again if he must lie all the time? Does he need to live up to a greater purpose now that Clary brought him back? What is that purpose?

It’s a lot to process and it will certainly not be resolved in one episode. And for that I am grateful. It is one of the more complex character struggles that I am looking forward to unpacking over the course of season 3.

Demons are back and they are NASTY

Sure, all of your favorite characters make their way back to screen. But so do their enemies both old and new. The demon in the premiere is particularly cringe-worthy. If this is any indication of the path the season is going down, brace yourselves.

Inner demons are much worse

Literal demons are one thing. Inner demons are another, nastier foe.

One of the tent poles of the series, one that touches every characters’ motivations, is trust. Who can you turn to when things get rough. Can you trust your family? Your chosen family? Are the people you pledge allegiance to truly in your corner?

This is not something new for our Shadowhunters story arcs. But burying demons is not something these characters can do for much longer as season 3 kicks off.

These demons come in the form of accepting love, guidance, heritage, powers, addictions, and anything else that makes these people who they are. Some are quite overt – like Jace facing the physical and mental torment of coming back from the dead. Others are less visible – Magnus and Alec saying what they think the other wants to hear.

But unlike the scenes we saw Jace in at the close of season 2, other characters need to own up to their actions from season 2.

This includes Clary, who made a wish. Simon, who returned to the Seelie Queen. Luke, whose partner sees a bit more of the Downworlders than Luke is comfortable with. And Izzy, who is still working to overcome her addition to yin fen. It’s going to take some time and pain to rip off the bandages from seasons 1 and 2.

Moves are made in the premiere and those who take the leap are better for having done so.

Ceremonies, promotions, demotions

Even though very little time has transpired, a lot has changed. Season 2 featured Alec coming into a position of power in the New York Institute. With the events of the finale still fresh in everyone’s mind – namely the defeat of Valentine – some reassessing of who handles what aspects of the Clave’s business in Idris and New York comes into question.

In the midst of a Valentine takeover, allegiances were tested among the Downworlders. Decisions made in light of war will circle back with some interesting consequences. Expect these to carry on throughout the season.

Introduction of Lilith

While there is SO much to day about Anna Hopkins’ debut, we’re going to keep a lid on this one. But rest assured, she is superb and everything you want in a villain.

You can catch the premiere of Shadowhunters season 3, Tuesday, March 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Freeform.