Mundie Moms

Friday, March 10, 2017

Shadowhunters TV Series, S2 E10: BY THE LIGHT OF DAWN / Review #shadowhunters

From Freeform's Shadowhunters' webpage

Well, Mundie Moms, we have arrived at the mid-season finale of season 2 of Shadowhunters. Who's still watching? Who's excited for the remainder of the season? Let's take a look at what Emm and I thought of this finale epi:

EMMALY'S REVIEW

As far as finales go this wasn't too bad. It gave us what we wanted some romance, suspense, battle scenes, angst, a villain and a twist.

A few things happened in earlier scenes that I didn't like, but for a change most of them were resolved and got us a bit more back on book track. I think the Izzy & Rapheal relationship is weird. As is Izzy's addicted to YinFen, which doesn't come from vampires in the book, and kind of spoils the Sizzy relationship we all know and love.

Aldertree and do we trust him?? It's kind of annoying now how he seems to be flip flopping from side to side. I guess he is true to the Clave, hard and focused, but he is just weird now. And still no answer at the end, even after his long conversation with Alec.

As the episode unfolded it started looking like a mix of the battles at the ends of both books 1&2. And I'm ok with that, it tied up some loose ends for me and revealed the wonderful Daylighter story with Simon we all know and love.

More revaluations about Jace's angel/demon blood and parents. It did ask more questions than answered but this is ok at this point of the story. We are supposed to be confused. I'm just sad that a certain CoA Seelie court scene may not happen now. I wanted to "close my eyes and think of England" I even have the tshirt courtesy of our MM Sophie.

I'm not sure what having Valentine in custody will do to the continuing story. But assume this is where a certain blond super villain will enter. Was it our evil brother carrying the sword at the end, we think so.

And it ends on a happy note. Alec & Magnus declaring their love for each other is sweet. I did notice that none of the important downworlders where killed in the battle, convenient. We also get to see Jace looks on with angst as Clary & Simon celebrate in the sun.

This has been one of the only episodes that has given me hope that the writers may have actually read the books. And now I wonder what will happen in the second half of Season 2. Like a sucker I'll keep watching.


SOPHIE'S REVIEW

From Freeform's Shadowhunters webpage

This week, given that it's the mid-season finale, I've decided to pretend that I'm holding the Soul Sword in my hands. So, I cannot tell a lie. Here we go, all truths, all the time:

Truth #1: Little Baby Warlock Whatshername continues to be a useless character especially now that Dot is alive and better thanks to Magnus. She serves as a weapon of mass destruction and really nothing more. There could've been better ways to do this. Like, you know, how the book explains Valentine's reign of terror. Ahem. Just sayin'.

Truth #2: Who's the Demon Now? The entire who touches the sword first plot device is just plain stupid. Hey, I'm holding the Soul Sword, so no reason to minimize how I feel. Is Jace a demon? Is Clary angelic? Honestly, again, it's just not that important. The real question is -- who can take the weapon away from Valentine? And again, we have our answer in the books.

Truth #3: Redward. By the Angel Almighty, please, please, please STOP with the Twilight references. Raphy loves Izzy. But, Raphy doesn't want to have relations with the girl who has an angelic rune tattooed in her cleavage. I'm sighing and you are sighing with me. Don't get me wrong, I actually like the Rizzy plotline, but this bit was cheesy, The Twi-way out is once again evident, and completely eyeroll-worthy. I am hoping that Raphy's backstory includes that he wanted to be a priest, and thus the vow of chastity. Or maybe he's asexual and only wants to drink Izzy's blood, so he can be more angelic like Isabelle mentioned. But, HOLD THAT THOUGHT because we have a plot hole coming!!!

Truth #4: Valentine. The actor. He is so good. He's good when he's being maniacal. He's good when he's being coy. He's at his very best when he's being truthful. The tension between him and Jace sparks right off the screen. Bookishly believable.

Truth #5: Aldertree, the Dealer. I just can't stand his character. He seems useless in every way. He hasn't even memorized the codes for the Institute's security system. If he's Sebastian, I'm already yawning. HOLD THAT THOUGHT because we have more on Seb-baby down below!


Truth #6: Daylighter. I have no words. Except that I yelled out to my girls watching with me, "It wasn't Clary who gave Simon her blood!!!!" And then, it was answered on screen:


Yes, I took a picture, because right there were the very words I was thinking -- well, that's original! I'm not sure if the writers heard our complaints about that truly dumb rune, but, er, thank you. I see your tongue-in-cheek and raise you an eyebrow in sarcasm solidarity. 

Also, if Simon drank Jace's blood and is now a Daylighter, will Raphy also be one, too, seeing as he drank Izzy's blood? An explanation will be needed. 

Truth #7: Pained Jace. There are no words for my absolute love of how the writers/producers/directors handled Jace's pain. His moments with Simon were perfection (I snickered out loud when he asked Simon if he knew how to use the knife (Aside note to powers-that-be: vamp speed is just dumb, too, but now that you have it, can you please downplay it instead of referencing it continually? It just makes us remember it's another Twi-reference and that you felt the original vamp characteristics Cassie wrote in were not enough for your tastes.). His moments with Valentine rang true. That last moment where he is watching Simon and Clary hug and kiss? It was absolutely gut-wrenching. Thank you for that. 

Truth #8: Ending with Seb. That ending? Sebastian (although, I worry that he's not necessary, too) was awesome. But, wouldn't he have destroyed the sword because he IS Valentine's demon experiment? Or does that sword have to be "activated" first? Anyhoo, I smell a plot hole, and I have a bit of a headache from all these truths. 

This season was a lot to take in. A lot of uneven writing. A lot of plot holes. A lot of eye-rolling moments. But, there was a lot of good. And most of that good came from the actors. The have delivered us truly character-like moments. I am hopeful that the next part of season 2 will be even better. 

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So Mundie Moms, have you watched the mid-season finale, yet? What were your thoughts on it? And here's to a good last half of season 2, which resumes on Monday, June 5th. 


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