TV Series Reviews Archives

TV Review | Shadowhunters 3×03 & 3×04

Apr 12, 2018

Shadowhunters: Season 3 Episode 3

Episode Name: What Lies Within
Release date: 03 April 2018
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Amanda Row
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

The Shadowhunters try to track down the new imposing threat, while Jace has a suspicion that Jonathan is back and behind the mundane attacks.

Simon tries to figure out what The Seelie Queen did to him during his time in the glade.

Alec decides to host a Lightwood family dinner at Magnus’ house after a surprising visit from Maryse.

What Lies Within:

I was too sick last week to get my review up for episode 3, so today I thought I would share my review of episodes 3 and 4.

What Lies Within brought a lot of secrets both out in the open and some left answered. It was filled with highs and lows for many of our characters and really got the ball rolling for Jace this week.

Clary, Jace and Izzy all try to track down The Owl who is taking mundanes and the cause of deaths of more. It was really great to see some more Shadowhunter fight scenes in action. Especially with Clary and Izzy. I love how they work together and bring some women power to the action scenes.

It’s one of the best things that Shadowhunters has done well. Female empowerment. I love seeing the girls standing up for themselves. Not getting a man to save. And when Clary and Izzy team up – hell it’s a scene.

Jace had some trouble in this episode – he is still not sleeping, he thinks that Jonathan is still alive and is The Owl. It was really hard seeing Jace struggle through this episode. I know and understand what is happening to him, but it still hurts right?

Meanwhile, Simon is still trying to figure out what the Seelie Queen has done to him. I can’t remember if I said it before, but I am still not sure how I feel about how they have done everything with the Mark of Cain. But, I am going along with it. I am sure they have changed things for a reason and I cannot wait to know why. It’s the Seelie Queen we are talking about, she doesn’t do things for people for no reason.

Also, Alec decides to hold the Lightwood family dinner at Magnus’ house. It was different to see Alec ‘domestic’ in this episode. We are so used to him being a Shadowhunter, head of the institute. So it was nice to see him act nervous and shy at times. Again I adored the banter and relationship between Alec and Magnus.

It was nice to see Maryse again, even though she didn’t have great news. But it was nice like Alec to see a different side of Maryse, especially with Alec and Magnus.

Overall, What Lies Within was an entertaining episode, at times I was waiting for more and it didn’t really happen. Probably my least favourite episode of the season so far. In saying that, the last couple of seconds! It’s going down.

Shadowhunters: Season 3 Episode 4

Episode Name: Thy Soul Instructed
Release date: 10 April 2018
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Emile Levisetti
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

Jace’s concerns grow about his mental state and turns to Luke for information on his family’s past.

Clary and Izzy go after a rogue vampire, while Raphel lands himself in trouble.

While Simon hunts for a new apartment. And Alec doubles his efforts to find the Owl.

Thy Soul Instructed:

Now, this was an interesting episode. Throughout the whole episode, I was kept on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. Especially cause of how episode 3 ended.

Thy Soul Instructed was a really interesting episode, they again gave us answer to questions, but then left the audience hanging for more. Jace thinks he is going crazy, Clary and Izzy try and find a Vampire on the loose while Simon tries to find a new place to live.

This week Jace knew that he was struggling. He hadn’t had the faintest clue of where he had been and can’t remember what he was doing. When Alec reminds Jace of a family history with mental illness, Jace goes to Luke for both support and some insight on what really happened.

It was nice to see Luke and Jace talk about the past. And for Jace to know a little bit more about his birth parents. He doesn’t know much about them so it was great to see Luke reminisce and for Jace to take in.

It’s a wired thing, we know what is happening to Jace, the audience is the only one. And it’s so interesting to see the hints, the little things that could help Jace or anyone figure it out, and it goes unnoticed.

After some incidents with the werewolves, Simon is in need of somewhere to live and it’s going to be hard. He’s a vampire that needs blood to survive, he doesn’t really have much money and he can’t get a job. But then he runs into a familiar character.

Episode 4 is when we first meet Kyle – or by another name if you have read the books 😉 – It was really cool to see him and while I don’t particularly like him as a character, things are about to get a whole lot more interesting.

Alec is also doing everything that he can to catch The Owl, but it’s always one step ahead of him and when he doesn’t even know what it is or what it wants – it’s going to be hard. Lucky he has Magnus to help him out.

Overall, I really enjoyed episode 4. It’s really starting to bring things together and everything is getting even more interesting. Have no idea what’s going to happen next.

Have you watched the last 2 episodes? What did you think? Are you ready for what is going to happnen next? Let’s Chat!

TV Review | Shadowhunters 3×02 ‘The Power That Be’

Mar 29, 2018

Shadowhunters: Season 3 Episode 2

Episode Name: The Power That Be
Release date: 27 March 2018
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Matt Hastings
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

With the institute under siege by a greater demon, tensions between shadowhunters and warlocks are higher than ever as Alec tries to remain in control of the situation.

Meanwhile, Jace plans a date for Clary and it doesn’t go to plan.

The Power That Be:

After last weeks episode, I knew that we were in for trouble and oh boy did that happen. Episode 2 was intense, kept me on the edge of my seat and made me laugh so much. It was such a great mixture of humour and seriousness.

In this weeks episode, Alec and Magnus visit the new Head Warlock of NY, they run into some trouble. That causes a chain reaction for Shadowhunters and Downworlders alike. While Jace tries to woo Clary with their first official date and things don’t go to plan.

The Power That Be had a real big focus on Magnus and Alec and I loved it! The banter between the two of them just put a smile on my face. Sometimes I did feel that the connection was lost, but they are still trying to find their feet with one another. The audience is also able to see another of Magnus vulnerable sides this week and that was really cool. I really love where the writers are taking Magnus and Alec relationship and I knew there will be struggles in the future so, I am waiting.

One of my favourite scenes this week was when Magnus and Alec broke into ‘someones’ house. You could tell that they both really didn’t know what they were going, but they tag team really well.

The new High Warlock of NY – ahh. What can I say? I hate him and love him at the same time. While they have swayed away from the books in this sense. I think it has really worked here, it’s caused this tension and I am really excited and nervous to see where it goes.

In The Power That Be, we also get to see warlocks powers at their weakest and that was so interesting. And it’s all to do with ley lines. There is something and it causing warlocks powers to wreak havoc.

While Jace is trying to plan a date for Clary. It was adorable, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing so much. He is trying so much, but like always it backfires and well, just made me laugh even more. However, in saying that I still feel a real disconnection between Jace and Clary and that’s really annoying.

In this week episode, we see the first sign of the Simon and what the Seelie Queen did to him. And gosh I am so excited. Again they have changed this from the book, but I am intrigued to see where they are taking this.

One of the things that Shadowhunters does do well is the magic scenes. It doesn’t look too fake, but also doesn’t look like it’s nothing. It’s that nice combination of both. There is one scene with Magnus’ eyes – so good!

I hate addressing this all the time, but I think that I need to. I have to separate the books from the show. They are different, they have changed things that make a huge difference later on. But I understand why and I need to live with that. I can’t keep on having a go at the showrunners and writers about it – it’s done. In saying all this – so much has changed from season 1 and I am really enjoying this season so far. I cannot wait to see where it goes.

And that is it! Have you watched The Power That Be? What did you think of it? Are you excited to see where they take things? Let’s Chat!

TV Review | Shadowhunters 3×01 ‘On Infernal Ground’

Mar 22, 2018

Shadowhunters: Season 3 Episode 1

Episode Name: On Infernal Ground
Release date: 20 March 2018
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Matt Hastings
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

Secrets abound as the Shadowhunters and Downworlders try to get back to normal after Valentine’s death. Clary struggles with keeping her secret about Raziel’s wish, while Alec pushes Jace to come clean about whatever Jace and Clary are hiding. Luke must use tough love to keep his secret hidden from Ollie who is on a warpath for answers. And Magnus hides his true feelings about his new position in the Warlock community from Alec. Meanwhile, Lilith sets a plan in motion in New York City as Simon spends time in the Seelie Court.

On Infernal Ground:

Shadowhunters is back! Do you know how much I missed it? Especially with no books to get me through the break. With how season 2 ended, I really didn’t know what was going to happen next, but let me tell you, I am so excited. I have reviewed both season 1 and season 2 and cannot wait to share my thoughts on season 3. So let’s go!

On Infernal Ground starts not long after the end of season 2. Valentine is dead, the shadow world has some peace, and Jonathon is dead. Or is he? Now with Valentine dead, Clary can finally become an official Shadowhunter and it was really nice to see some peace in the show. As well as seeing more Shadowhunter rituals.

There was a beautiful moment with Clary and Jace that just warmed my heart. You could see how proud Jace was of her and what she has done. We also get to see some of Jace’s real emotions in this scene. It’s the first time that he is able to see his true parents graves and it’s heartbreaking.

But while all this is happening Clary and Jace are still trying to keep the secret of Raziel’s wish. And Clary is really having a hard time keeping it hidden. With both Alec and Izzy hinting there is something more, Clary wants to tell Alec especially.

Meanwhile, there is a new demon on the loose.

Clary, Jace, Izzy, Alec, and Luke are all on the hunt for this new demon. It was really good to see the gang back together, doing what they do best. Fight demons. I really enjoyed the scenes with Jace, Izzy, and Alec. The banter that they have with one another is just so great.

Meanwhile in On Infernal Ground, Luke also has to deal with his cop partner Ollie. Who last season, saw some interesting things. While Luke tries to persuade her that the things she saw aren’t real, the shadow world isn’t hiding from her. Obviously, this is totally different from the books, but I am finding it really interesting. And we find out why she is so interested in finding out as well. Intrigued to see where they take this storyline.

Along with Clary now being an official Shadowhunter, she has to choose her weapon. And while it isn’t done as it is in the books, the outcome is still the same. It still brings up the same emotions and power as it did in the books. And that scene between Clary and Luke was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. You can see that they both care for one another, as well as sharing the grief of Joycelyn.

After the downfall of Valentine, Magnus is demounted from his role of High Warlock of New York. On the outside, he seems like, he’s going okay and tries to put on a brave face for Alec. But we know he isn’t. And throughout the episode we see Alec find out the truth. We really get to see a ‘human’ side of Magnus in this episode. We see him feel and hurt, but we also see him want to protect Alec in a way. I love seeing these two together, they just make me smile, like crazy.

We start to see Lilith in On Infernal Ground. And she is going to let hell loose. I am so excited to see where her storyline goes and it’s going to get crazy.

We don’t get to see much of Simon in this episode, but oh boy was it exciting. What happens really set’s up the rest of the season. And hell I cannot wait.

Overall, I really enjoyed On Infernal Ground. It was a great way to start the season. With a little action here and there, that’s is going to play a big part overall. Have you watched episode 1 of season 3 yet? What did you think of it? Are you planning on watching it? Let’s Chat!