Shadowhunters: The End of the Shadow World

I’m sure after so many books by Cassandra Clare, a movie, and the birth of a television show, everyone expected this show to last more than three seasons. I think there were so many possibilities for this show, and they definitely took their own spin on it, but it didn’t quite rise to the occasion.

I love what the actors did with the characters, they really breathed live into them. There are moments and even sometimes entire episodes that focus too much on reveling in the character development and how they feel about that, which is something I never say. I love character development, and usually there’s too much action in shows. However, there is so much action this show overlooks in favor of long drawn out sentimentality and quiet emotional drama. There isn’t enough balance.

This is a show about warriors with angel blood who fight demons to protect humans and fantastical creatures. There should be action bursting from the seams. And there are episodes that get it right, like Heavenly Fire. There are moments in this season that I love, like how Clary is the one linked to Jonathan instead of Jace, Clary and Jonathan’s stint in Paris, Isabelle’s fusion with heavenly fire (instead of Clary), every moment in the Seelie realm, and all of Simon’s awkward jokes. I like how the show plays around with details and doesn’t get shy about switching them around. They mix up some timelines and manage to include Jem, and even mention Tessa briefly. They handle their villains well, Lilith and Jonathan are especially magnetic. The pace is the only thing that really needs work, but it would be a big change. There’s too much repetition instead of trusting that the audience can connect the dots.

The number one rule of creative writing is show, don’t tell. And while they make impressive work of the characters, creativity, and shadow world, they get lost in endless discussions and teary declarations.

Hail and farewell, Shadowhunters. Thank you for giving us an extra glimpse into the shadow world, and all it’s fantastic inhabitants. I wish you could have made it to Emma and Julian, but we’ll just have to rely on the books and their magical creations.