During the run up to Shadowhunters Season 2, we heard a lot about how this season was going to be a lot more character-driven. The executive producers detailed how they were going to bring the focus back to the core cast, and center the season around the individual development of each character. As well as the development of various ships on the show. Season 2 Episode 2, gave us our first real glimpse of that character-driven element, showing the strengthening of a few relationships, and the emerging of all-new ones.
1. Clary And Isabelle
After Alec gives Clary a pretty stern talking to, and Lydia and Aldertree exclude her from missions, Clary finds herself alone in her room, upset and with no one to talk to. That is, until Izzy walks in. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the books shows the girls have a somewhat frosty relationship at first, and unnecessary rivalry, but the show chose not to include that. Instead, it opted to have the girls immediately bond - for Clary (who grew up as an only child), a sister figure in the form of confident and exuberant Isabelle Lightwood is exactly what she needs. When Clary's world feels like it's crashing down around her once again, and she starts to feel incredibly alone and abandoned, Isabelle comforts her, and reminds her that Clary has her as a friend. It's a really sweet scene, and one that Clary needs with everything she's going through. Subsequently, it is one that Isabelle can surely benefit from considering she appears to have no female friends.
2. Jocelyn And Luke
When Season 1 ended, it was pretty obvious that Jocelyn and Luke had some unfinished business. They looked at one another like they were seeing only each other and no one else. Through all the crazy things that happen on this show, it's rare that we see these two get a moment to themselves. In Episode 2, Luke finds himself hurt and upset that Jocelyn never told him what Valentine did to her (injecting her unborn child with demon blood). When the two talk things through, she eventually apologizes, citing the fact that she didn't want to hurt him (you'll recall Valentine was his Parabatai before he became a wolf). The pair hug it out, and later go off in search of Clary.
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3. Lydia And Aldertree
As envoys from the Clave, both Lydia and Aldertree are in positions of power, but Aldertree's surprise arrival at Maryse's request initially threw Lydia off guard. He's been a pretty crappy leader so far, barking orders left, right and centre and getting absolutely no results. When we compare their leading styles, though both have allowed a number of shenanigans to take place under their leadership, Lydia naturally triumphs over the cocky and conceited Aldertree. Her decisions are made based on the greater good, not on personal vendettas and getting one up on someone else. Though earlier in Episode 2, Aldertree appeared to try and blame recent failed events on Lydia (mate you're in charge), she stood her ground in true Lydia fashion. She shut down his attempts to pull Izzy and Alec from the mission, citing their skills and the fact that they're the best The Institute has, before walking away effectively dismissing Aldertree.
4. Magnus And Simon
Magnus and Simon's relationship took a wonderful turn in Episode 2, with Simon seeking out Magnus's help finding Camille. Still trying to find his place in the Downworld and with the Vampires, Simon benefitted from a little pep talk from Magnus, shortly before he finally managed to Encanto. Magnus also recalled his time as a young Warlock, alone, with no real friends in the Downworld and no one to help teach him the order of things. He vowed that if he ever found someone in a similar position, he would offer them the help and support he never had and thus Simon found his Downworlder BFF for life in High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane.
What's In Store For Simon?
Alberto Rosende sat down with Hypable to talk about what's in store for everyone's favourite Vampire, Simon. Season 1 saw Simon cast aside as Clary discovered she was a Shadowhunter, before being thrown as violently as she was into the Shadow World when he became a fledgling Vampire. When asked about where Simon is for the beginning of Season 2, Alberto had this to say.
"At the end of season 1 and especially at the beginning of season 2, Simon, I dont think, fully understands where he is yet. All of this has just happened. Jace just left with Valentine, we have no idea where that is going and he knows how much that affects Clary. But he doesnt realize exactly how much it affects his situation as well."
One of the things we'll see Simon deal with is finding his place in the Downworld. He's not exactly a fan favourite with the New York Vampire Clan, but he is nevertheless a part of that clan. Though he doesn't "understand the rules of the Shadow World", he'll have to learn to do so fairly quickly if he wants to survive as a Downworlder. That's where Maia comes in.
Maia is a werewolf, who, like Simon, wasn't born a Downworlder. Just as he's now learning the ropes, she too had to do the same thing, and in meeting one another, the pair will immediately bond and take a liking to one another.
"The cool thing about Maia and Simons relationship is Maias probably the first person that Simon meets that truly understands his predicament. Shes another Downworlder who wasnt always a Downworlder. [She is someone] who once lived a normal life and was then forced into the Shadow World. She learns how to navigate it, learns about its protocol, its politics, and becomes a functioning member of that society. They immediately bond over their geekiness and their understanding of This is a hard life, but you figured it out. Im going to try to figure it out, too."
So in addition to his burgeoning friendship with Magnus, Simon will also have Maia. His relationship with the latter will cause some tension between him and Clary, as although the two have been friends forever, they now find themselves on different sides of the spectrum.
But she also represents and creates a problem for Simon and Clarys relationship. This is the first other person that Simons able to connect with on a different level. Now that Clary is starting to be more of a Shadowhunter, naturally those roles are separated. Finding another Downworlder who provides that same sense of comfort, it creates a little tension for Simon and Clary.
As Clary finds her place as a Shadowhunter, and Simon as a Downworlder, their friendship is bound to go through some tough times, but here's hoping they can come together at the end of it, friendship intact.
You can check out the rest of Alberto's interview on Hypable, and if you missed Episode 2, you can check out the recap for it, so you're all caught up!
Shadowhunters airs Mondays at 8/7c on Freeform, and Tuesdays on Netflix Internationally! If you're already suffering withdrawals, check out this sneek peak of episode 3, with a self-centred Jocelyn and a not-so-happy Magnus!
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