In “A Dark Reflection” Sebastian’s attempt to kiss Clary made us really uncomfortable…

This week’s episode of Shadowhunters was all about the search for the Mortal Mirror. The episode kicked off with Clary waking up from a scary dream. When she woke up Jace was by her side and they talked about what’s been on her mind, her brother. Magnus went to the Institute to bring Alec some dinner since he has been busy with his new job. They talked about Magnus recent visit to the Seelie Court and Magnus expressed how he knew times were different now that Alec was in charge. Alec was visibly upset since he’s been keeping a secret from his boyfriend. At the Hunter’s Moon Simon asks Maia out, but she rejects him, leaving him confused. He later helps Izzy train Max, who has been approved to go on missions. But since Isabelle doesn’t think her brother is ready for it, she decides to continue his training.

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Magnus later learns that Alec knows the Soul Sword is missing, and confronts him about it. After expressing how angry he is, Magnus leaves Alec’s office without giving him a chance to explain. Back at his apartment, he decides to go to the Seelie Court to deliver the news and get help. Valentine and Sebastian, are looking desperately for the third Mortal Instrument: the Mortal Mirror. And it’s revealed that the person who has all three Mortal Instruments can summon the Angel Raziel who will grant them one wish. So Clary, Jace and Dot start looking for it before it ends up in Valentine’s hands. And just when they found it, Jonathan, who tracked them down, tries to take it away. Jace and Clary are able to get away by a portal made by Dot, who leaves herself behind in order to keep the Mortal Mirror safe with them.

It was a very eventful episode, while we’re still processing it to be honest. Let’s get started and meet our Roundtable for this week:

Blaire (@theshadowhunterscodex) – Reader, Author and all round Fangirl.

Emmanuelle (@shadowhunters_news IG) – Shadowhunters Fan and Fan Account Owner

ShumDario News (@shumdarionews) – Update account about Harry Shum Jr. and Matthew Daddario.

Nephilimupdates (@NephilimUpdates Twitter / Instagram) – Update account about everything Shadowhunters.

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1. Clearly Sebastian has an obsession with his sister that goes far beyond wanting a brother/sister relationship. Why do you think he feels this way?

Blaire (@theshadowhunterscodex): Sebastian has had, well, no real upbringing. He does not understand the difference between love and obsession, and I think he craves the love he never received from his father and believed he didn’t have from his mother. He so desperately wants Clary to approve of him because she is the only family he has left that actually has compassion for him. So he is doing everything in his power to try and convince her to love Jonathan, and show her that he loves her too. But I think he doesn’t quite know what love feels like; does not understand how to love. He is mistaking this desperate obsession within him for love, thus leading him to acting out and growing frustrated when Clary does not act the way he wants. (Shout out to Will, who once again has blown me away with his acting. Amazing.)

Emmanuelle (@shadowhunters_news IG): Sebastian has been cut off from humanity for a long time. He doesn’t know how to act or what a healthy brother sister relationship looks like. And this isn’t me saying I condone that little incest kiss (ew). Someone needs to tell the guy that this is no way to build a brother/sister relationship with Clary.

ShumDario News (@shumdarionews): Sebastian is a person who has never known real love. He didn’t feel it as a child growing up with Valentine, and he didn’t feel it when he was banished to Edom. He has no concept of what love is and probably no capacity to feel it either. These things he overheard Clary say about her brother, have sparked a desire for some type of relationship between them. He sees Clary as a person who might stick by his side like nobody else ever has. But, just like Valentine said in episode 2×1, his demon blood will take those intense feelings and twist what should be a brotherly love into something just plain wrong. As much as we dread this part of the story it certainly adds suspense and drama. We think Clary will soon realize her brother is far beyond the point of saving.

Nephilimupdates (@nephilimupdates): Earlier on, Valentine tried convinced Jace that he had demon blood. An entity that makes you devious and gives you impulses that otherwise someone would not get. When Jace thought Clary was his sister, he believed it was because of the blood running through his veins. Sebastian’s feelings for Clary are definitely beyond that of a sibling relationship, and it may be the demon blood influencing his mind. I believe he feels this way towards her because Valentine got into his head when he was younger. The lack of emotion, attention, and love from Sebastian’s childhood years is reflected onto his sister. She is the only individual showing compassion, attempting to find humanity within her brother, and trying to convince others to save him from a dark path.

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2. Clary discovered that her dreams are hallucinations, messages that are trying to tell her something. Who do you think is sending them and why?

Blaire: Possibly Ithuriel, he has come to her before; and he has passed on messages to both her and Jace before too. He would also be someone who wants them to protect the Mortal Instruments, hence him showing them the Soul Sword and now showing Clary these visions. *book me silently screaming because i know what the visions mean* I can’t think of who else might want to show Clary these visions.

Emmanuelle: I’m not sure who could be sending them but the visions are big hints to the real Mortal Mirror. In all her visions, she sees doubles of herself and the sword. I’m not sure I want to spoil it but I think that the Mortal Instrument isn’t a cute little compact!

ShumDario News: Clary has received messages from Ithuriel before, so possibly he is helping her again. When she last saw him in Brocelind Forest he said he could point her toward the right path, so maybe that’s what he’s trying to do. Back in episode 2×10 Magnus said the angels communicate using metaphors, so this seems to fit their pattern. Or maybe this is part of Clary’s special angelic powers that she just doesn’t quite know how to use yet.

Nephilimupdates: The angel Ithuriel might be the one sending Clary messages. The first occasion in S2E7 was when Clary saw a vision of a new rune and another of a demonic figure with the Soul Sword. When she arrived to Lake Lyn in S2E17, hallucinations began almost immediately and she saw a rejuvenated Ithuriel hinting that Jonathan may very well be alive. Her dreams of drowning in Lake Lyn may be an indication that the angel is trying to point out another subject of importance. It is a game of connect-the-dots that the characters are trying to piece together.

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3. Maia and Izzy properly met in this episode. And Izzy knew exactly what Maia was feeling. What are your thoughts on this interaction and this new possible friendship?

Blaire: I don’t know how to feel, I mean i love the idea of them being friends because they are both great characters, but book me is a little unsure because, well, sizzy. I don’t want them to become friends and then ruin it because of what will happen with Simon and Izzy. So, yeah. On the fence here. Regardless, I think they are both super badass and if this friendship is going to become a good one then
I look forward to seeing it progress.

Emmanuelle: There was a lot of tension from Maia’s part during this interaction but it was good for her to hear what Izzy had to say. Possible friendship? Maybe but I think they need more build up (and scenes) before we can see them as friends.

ShumDario News: It makes sense that Izzy would pick up on Maia’s attempt to fight her feelings. She’s very intuitive and also quite an expert when it comes to love and relationships. Maia is very stubborn though, and doesn’t seem terribly receptive to her advice about opening up. But Izzy appears to really have Simon’s best interests at heart, so hopefully Maia will think about what she said and consider telling Simon how she feels. It would be great to see Izzy and Maia form a friendship, they are both remarkably strong women.

Nephilimupdates: I think these two could be great friends. Maia and Isabelle interact differently with Simon, and I think their unique connections with him could block the girls from creating a friendship of their own. With Simon in the middle, it seems a bit complicated.

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4. Magnus was very hurt after learning that Alec kept things from him. Is there more behind his reaction? Was it fair of him to react this way?

Blaire: I think he is still struggling with his past. He was vulnerable with Alec, something he has learnt not to do considering his age and immortality, and he fears that him opening up will lead to him being hurt. I think he is starting to fear the possibility of Alec breaking his heart so  is slowly starting to use what he can as an excuse to push Alec away, protecting his own heart. So, in it’s own way, it was Magnus’ defence, something everyone has, and it’s hard to say it’s not fair for him to react like that because everyone deals with their problems in their own way, and this is how he is dealing.

Emmanuelle: This is a tough one because I see both parts of the argument. For one part, Alec didn’t want Magnus to keep this huge secret away from his people but at the same time this is Magnus we’re talking about. He wouldn’t dare do anything that could possibly get Alec hurt. Their promise of total transparency probably made this worst. But couples fight, it happens. This is just another (yes, another) little obstacle they have to overcome to grow closer as a couple.

ShumDario News: We could definitely understand why Magnus was upset that Alec didn’t tell him about the Soul Sword. Alec had promised “complete transparency” between the Institute and the Downworld Council, which obviously didn’t happen in this case. However Alec did have legitimate reasons for wanting to protect Magnus from this difficult news. Knowing he would be put into a tough position having information every Downworlder would want to know. Not to mention it could possibly lead to an uprising. Magnus’ reaction was a bit shocking to us though. He really lashed out more than we were expecting. Going as far as to compare Alec’s secret about the sword to his father’s cheating and lies. That was really tough to witness.

Nephilimupdates: I think Magnus was jumping to conclusions and would not have done that under normal circumstances. His mind was going a mile a minute and he was not listening to Alec’s reasoning regarding the Soul Sword. On the other hand, Alec should know by now that Magnus is not very fond of the Clave and their politics due to past experiences. I thought what Magnus did was unfair, but it was to prove a point in a harsh manner. I do see why he was this mad after all that had happened. For the most part, they both seem to be on the same side.

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5. Even after knowing that he is more powerful than Valentine, Sebastian is following his Father’s orders. Do you think he is seeing him as a leader now or is he just pretending?

Blaire:I think he is looking to Valentine because he is clinging to the last scrap of family he has left. I think, as I said for the first question, he is struggling and confusing his emotions. So he thinks that if he follows his father’s wishes then they will end up a family again and he will have their love and be able to love them. I don’t think he understands that Valentine does not have love for him. He is proud of his creation, but that’s all Sebastian is to him. A creation. And when he comes to realise that Valentine does not really care for him in the way he wants, then things will start to change. For good or bad, we shall see!

Emmanuelle: Sebastian seems to be ready to try anything to keep somewhat of a family. But let’s remember that he was going to send Valentine to Edom. Sebastian is lost, and yet we truly have no idea what his big plan is. Destroying the Downworld has always been Valentine’s mission and Seb just jumped on it. I have a feeling that around the very last episodes we will see what he truly wants – not what Valentine is forcing him to do.

ShumDario News: Sebastian is powerful but he doesn’t have leadership skills or experience when it comes to planning their next move. His demeanor was often unhinged and erratic, which doesn’t lend itself to keeping a cool head for strategy.  Also, he probably still sees Valentine as a father figure, so it makes sense he would automatically put him in a place of authority. Although at some point we suspect the tables will turn and he’ll put his own desires ahead of Valentine’s plan.

Nephilimupdates: I take that Sebastian does not see his father as a leader, nor is he pretending. Valentine has done unforgivable things to his son. Since the moment he was born, he has been a “pawn” in Valentine’s plan. Sebastian had a lot of time to think while locked in a basement and while in Hell. I believe that Sebastian has a plan of his own, but he needs his father’s knowledge to achieve it. Each of them are powerful on their own, but together are stronger. However, it also seems like Sebastian wants to finally feel that his father is proud of him, so he is doing everything in his power to do so.

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6. Against Luke’s advice, Magnus decided to tell the Seelie Queen about the Mortal Sword missing. Is this a good idea? How do you think Alec will take this news?

Blaire: Again, Magnus is starting to put up walls, starting to create ways to push Alec away, and I think this may just do that. Whether it’s a good idea? Well, book me says no for certain reasons that other book readers will understand. And even those who haven’t read the books probably can see that the Seelie Queen isn’t the best ally to have, not because she isn’t powerful, because she is and the Shadowhunters certainly need them on side, but because she sides with whoever will win. So she will turn on the shadowhunters at any moment if things start to look dim, taking any important information with her.

Emmanuelle: Personally, this is one of the worst decisions you can make at the moment. The Seelie Queen has always made it very obvious that she hates the Clave and will always choose the winning side. Out of all the Downworld leaders, she’s the last one that should be aware of this big secret. Alec will probably feel betrayed (fair enough since Magnus also felt that by not being told about the sword in the first place) because Magnus would always protect him no matter the cost. This is Magnus making big decisions when he isn’t in his best state to think rationally.

ShumDario News: We definitely think telling the Seelie Queen is a bad idea, and we hope Magnus will change his mind. Perhaps Luke can talk him out of it before it’s too late.  But if he does tell her, she will certainly use the information as fuel to incite the Downworlders to her cause. She actually might be glad the sword is missing because it helps elicit panic, which she can use to her advantage. Alec’s reaction would surely be to put the Clave and all the Shadowhunters on high alert for a possible uprising.  In all of this mess Luke seems to be the lone voice of reason. Probably because he is a former Shadowhunter himself and can see this issue from both sides of the coin.

Nephilimupdates: Nope! No! This is the worst idea in the world. I hope Magnus realizes before it is too late. The Seelie Queen will definitely manipulate this information to her advantage. Magnus was thinking irrationally and this news will most likely hurt his relationship with Alec. Not only could it hurt personal relationships, it could hurt the entire Shadow World.

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7. After seeing Max discovered Sebastian is Jonathan, and after watching the preview for next episode, do you think he will make it out alive?

Blaire: I can’t answer that. Too many emotions.

Emmanuelle: So this is something I’ve been thinking about since the SDCC trailer was released. For one, the preview showed us a bloody Max with Izzy over his body, yet again we aren’t shown many emotional Lightwood scenes in the rest of the trailers. He could possibly die and the show is keeping it well hidden OR he is badly injured and they don’t go through with his death. Which I would be very disappointed. As terrible as that sounds, it’s a very big part in the storyline of our beloved characters.

ShumDario News: It will be interesting to see if the writers decided to change Max’s fate. Right now it could go either way.  He’s definitely very badly injured, and if he does die that will no doubt catapult the Lightwoods into a mission for revenge. Alec, Izzy, and Jace would surely hunt Sebastian to the ends of the earth to get justice for their little brother.

Nephilimupdates: I am going to say Max barely makes it out alive. His interaction with Sebastian might have injured him.

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Final Verdict: Clary’s family issues just don’t stop.

As the season starts to wrap up, more colors are starting to come out from the characters as revelations are being made. Like Sebastian’s obsession with Clary. Clearly the demon blood, apart from giving him abilities, it is also affecting his feelings and decisions. And the way he was raised can’t help that much either. Although Clary met Jonathan in this episode, she still doesn’t know that Sebastian is actually Jonathan. How is she going to react to the fact that her brother tried to kiss her?

By the end of the episode, we know Max is in great danger. But if Jonathan hurts him in  any way, we know for a fact that the Lightwood family will search non stop for him until he pays for what he has done. We also need to see Magnus and Alec working  things out again. We can’t have them fight constantly without talking everything, and we mean EVERYTHING, out for once. The writers have been teasing that the next episode will be great for Malec fans, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that everything gets sorted out.

For Simon and Maia, things seem to be going really well. As their relationship keeps progressing, we hope we learn more about Maia and see her more involved with the group. Alisha Wainwright has been confirmed as a regular for Season 3, so we can’t wait to see more of Maia’s story as the show progresses. The writers also teased that next episode is big for Luke too, which we are very excited about. We feel like there is something big coming up for him and we can’t wait to find out what it is. One thing is for sure, next week’s episode is one we don’t want to miss. So we’ll see you next week to discuss everything that happens!

Shadowhunters airs Mondays at 8/7c on Freeform.