In “The Fair Folk,” Clary is forced to make a decision and hurts somebody in the process

Fans finally got to meet the Seelie Queen, and it was not a very warm introduction. In the new episode of Shadowhunters Alec assigns Clary and Jace the mission to go and meet Seelie Queen. Meanwhile, he starts to take action as the new Head of the Institute by arranging a meeting with the Downworlders representatives. The idea is to make things amicable between all Downworlders and Shadowhunters again. Alec let’s them know that his main priority is to listen to them and reach agreements that can benefit both parties. Luke gets an an anonymous message from someone, who offers him what he’s been wanting for awhile: revenge. The unknown helper provides him a way to enter to Valentine’s cell without getting noticed. But things don’t work out and he is caught in the act by Alec and Sebastian.

RELATED | SHADOWHUNTERS 2X14 “THE FAIR FOLK” REVIEW

Clary, Jace and Simon meet the Seelie Queen and realize that although she might look like an innocent girl, she is in fact very dangerous. She refuses to let Jace and Simon go and states that she wants them dead. After accepting to play a game in exchange of their freedom, The Seelie Queen forces Clary to kiss Jace. Simon is visible hurt and after returning back home, he refuses to listen to Clary’s explanation. Maryse arrives back at the Institute where she and Izzy finally make peace and tell each other the secrets they were both hiding from each other.

At the end of the episode our suspicions about Sebastian grew after we saw what items that could have been used to break the Institute’s security system at his table. But when we know that is definitely a bad guy is when we learn that he has someone kidnapped at his apartment. So many things happened in this episode, we’re still trying to wrap our heads around them. Let’s not waste any more time and jump into our Roundtable! Meet this week’s participants:

Devanshi (@NephilimUpdates Twitter / Instagram) - Admin for Shadowhunters Updates

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

Emmanuelle (@shadowhunters_news) - Shadowhunters Fan and Fan Account Owner.

Danielle Pitter (@dani_pitter) - YA book blogger, Shadowhunters fanatic, and TVAD Contributor.

1. Clearly Alec Lightwood was born to be the Head of the New York Institute. What are your thoughts of his first tasks as a leader?

Devanshi (@nephilimupdates): He has been preparing for this his whole life. Keeping the recents events in mind, it was very important that he try and build trust and relations between Downworld and Shadow World. It was impressive that his first action to impress the Clave was a step towards equality. I hope he can bring the change that is needed. He will have many difficulties, as we saw that his peers didn’t want him as the head, but he will succeed with the help of his loved ones.

Danielle (dani_pitter): I was impressed with how he had handled Luke’s hasty actions to try to kill Valentine in prison. He could have had Luke killed right then, but Alec remembered his bigger mission is to keep both Downworlders and Shadowhunters together in balance.

Emmanuelle (@shadowhunters_news): Alec’s first actions as a leader are very relevant. After the mess the Inquisitor and the Clave caused in last week’s episode, he’s trying the piece everything back together. I admired his courage. He’s been blamed in the past for having his romantic relationship influence his decisions, but on the contrary, I believe it helps him because he isn’t influenced by the prejudices of the Clave; he sees both sides. I can’t wait to see more of him as the Head of The Institute in future episodes, especially when the tension and risk will increase as we approach the finale.

Blaire (@theshadowhunterscodex): I think Alec is an absolute angel. He is working so hard to make the Clave see that the Downworlders aren’t bad and is doing all he can, despite what it may do to him and his reputation, to convince them that working together is best for everyone. Sure, he has a relationship with a Downworlder, but you can see that he genuinely cares about the Downworlders and wants to create a better relationship with them all. While his connection with Magnus may have contributed to allowing him to see how important working together was, he definitely isn’t just doing it for Magnus. He can honestly see that the Downworlders deserve better - deserve to be treated as equals.

2. Maryse seems a different person now, ready to make amends and actually taking the time to listen to her children. How do you think things are going to be from now on in the Lightwood family?

Devanshi: Maryse’s character journey has been remarkable. She is trying to make amends with Luke to whom she has been unfair to and trying to get closer to her children. Maryse realized she taught wrong ideals to Max, that she has been too harsh on Izzy. She remarked that she was happy that Alec fought for his love and is now accepting of his relationship. She is also happy that he is trying to build relations with the Downworld. Lightwoods (Jace included) might become closer together now, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.

Danielle: I hope things are going to be better for the Lightwoods, especially for Maryse and Isabelle. They’ve both been holding in their emotions for the sake of their families, but it’s also been straining it, as well. And that energy isn’t good to have for a family. I remember Maryse being kinda insufferable, so I’m glad that she’s let her guard down and changed her perspective.

Emmanuelle: The Lightwood family is at their best we’ve ever seen. Seriously, since season 1 Maryse has been so hard on Alec and Izzy, but now we will finally see them in a good place. Hopefully, they will continue to support each other through this tough moment with Robert’s cheating and from what the showrunners have been saying; we will see him soon.

Blaire: I think that it will be hard to start with, because we still have Robert to deal with. Not only is Maryse possibly leaving him, but Izzy, Alec and probably Jace as well will want to confront him about it all. He’s still their father (and a fatherly figure to Jace) and he is still a part of their lives. And obviously with Max, who is still so young, it’s very hard to just push Robert out of their lives for good. He still has relationships with them all, and they still love him, probably Maryse still does too. So I think they still have a long road yet, but it is great to see Maryse making amends with everyone and at least taking the leap needed to turn her own life around. It will be nice to see how her own relationships with her kids changes.

3. We finally met the Seelie Queen on this week’s episode. What were your first impression of her?

Devanshi: I had guessed the actress so it wasn’t a big surprise for me that the Queen was a young girl. I thought it would be rather interesting to see that an innocent face could be menacing, but while the actress’ performance was impressive I felt something was lacking and didn’t find it very menacing. However, noted that the Queen is ancient and can take any form, so it’s possible that we may see multiple actors playing the role of the Seelie Queen. As for the Queen herself, she was well written, like someone who always has an ulterior motive, and will help no one if there is nothing in it for her. Someone to be wary of.

Danielle: I didn’t think she’d be a child! I remembered her being super young-looking in the books, but not a child. So many fans thought she would be played by Sarah Hyland, Dominic Sherwood’s girlfriend, but I’m glad we were all wrong. The Seelie Queen was mysterious, alluring, and took on to Simon a little too much, which was creepy. Fairies can’t lie, but they can bend and stretch the truth in so many ways to make your head spin.

Emmanuelle: The Seelie Queen was a big shocker for me. I never thought of her manipulating her age but it made sense, she still acted like an old soul; very wise and very vicious in her own way. (props to Lola Flanery for being amazing!) I’m curious to see if her appearance will change over the course of the season.

Blaire: Well, I liked that they kept her red hair from the books! I would have loved to see her in her true form rather than her manipulated form, especially because it’s hard to look at a kid and think she is this all knowing, wise, powerful being. But, I did still enjoy finally meeting her, seeing the seelie realm and everything else that came with it. We only got a small taster but I look forward to hopefully seeing more of this world and it’s people in the future!

4. After THAT Clace kiss.. Do you think that Climon has a future now that Clary’s feelings for Clace were revealed?

Devanshi: While I only ever saw Simon and Clary as BFF’s, I feel so bad for Simon. This guy was in love with Clary since they were kids, and when he finally thought she loved him back, it was proved that she doesn’t really love him the same way. Clary has to come clean to Simon, it’s not fair on her part to string him along. Simon deserves the truth and he doesn’t deserve to be hurt and neither does Jace.

Danielle: As of now, not really. I don’t want them to lose that friendship they’d had way before Climon got together. But at the same time, Clary has feelings for someone else. In one hand, I saw it coming, since I’ve read the books and know better. But on the other hand, Simon has wanted Clary for so long, only for it to go down so fast. I couldn’t help but feel bad for the guy. He lost his family, mortality, and now his girl. Even Clary was upset when she’d realized what she’d done. The heart wants what it wants, I suppose.

Emmanuelle: THAT KISS! I’m a huge Clace shipper and I have been since the age of 12. For those who follow me on my fan account, you will recall me recording my reaction (I was crying,screaming,sobbing). This was such an iconic scene from the books that Kat and Dom executed it perfectly. Certainly worth the year long wait! As for Climon, there really is no going back to what they were before. Clary loves Simon, but not the way she does Jace and Simon knows this now. Hopefully, we will see them settle back into that beautiful friendship they had throughout the beginning of the show. I miss it so much!

Blaire: Sadly no. Even if they do make amends and get their relationship back on track, either Simon will realise Clary just isn’t in love with him as she is Jace or Clary will decide that she can’t keep lying to herself and Simon and Jace. I think these three have a tough time ahead, and I think it will he hardest because the one person Clary would turn to in such an awful time is Simon, and the one person Simon would turn to is Clary, and neither of them will have that. I feel really sad thinking about how heartbroken Simon was, but I know that Clary and Simon need each other, and in time, they will figure things out, that much I’m sure of.

5. Luke was so eager to get his revenge on Valentine. Is he going to keep trying to achieve it?

Devanshi: What would you do if you were in Luke’s place? First that guy who he thought was his Parabatai, a person who will always have your back, stabbed him in the back. Then he led to the death of the person who he was in love with for over 20 years. Then he led Luke’s sister to betray Luke. Luke couldn’t even mourn his love properly, he couldn’t attend the funeral. Luke is hurting and he needs to grieve and he needs his revenge.

Danielle: If he is, he better not do it in such an obvious way. Like, what the hell, Luke! I think he has a death wish against his former parabatai. And that’s the thing, Luke totally put in the back of his mind that he knows Valentine more than anyone, by being his former parabatai. What sense did it make to go after him like that?! If Luke does go after Valentine again, it better be in a more stealth-like way.

Emmanuelle: Luke was too caught up in his own feelings and trying to prove to his pack that he’s the leader they want him to be. I think that the state of mind he was in just made him want to kill Valentine more and get it over with. After Alec and Sebastian stopped him, I can’t see him trying to attempt it again because he’s now truly aware of the consequences his actions might have. But we know Luke, he won’t stop till Valentine get’s the punishment he deserves for all the pain he’s caused.

Blaire: No, I don’t think he will. If the opportunity arises in a situation where he is allowed to then maybe, but I think he see’s where Alec is coming from, and I think that he is appreciative of the second chance and won’t blow it just like that. Luke is such a great person, and he knows that Clary is his only real family left, and she needs him as much as he needs her, so I think once he sits down and considers his options, he will realise that he can’t risk doing anything that will leave her without him.

6. Izzy is getting her life back together and we know that opening up to her Mother is going to help her solve unfinished feelings. Were you surprised that she knew about Robert’s affair?

Devanshi: In the show perhaps I may have been surprised, but as a book reader I suspected them to follow the same path showing that Izzy is afraid to love because her father cheated on her Mother. Maybe this conversation helped her realise that she should fight for love. Maybe the love her brother has found will help her believe in love (Mr. Lightwood and Mr. Bane are truly a remarkable couple to make anyone believe in love). Maybe this will finally help her open her heart and let someone in for real.

Danielle: Not really, correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Izzy know about the affair already last season? If so, it’s still sad because it’s like being backstabbed by your family. And Izzy has done so much to hold herself together, but the yin fen addiction had taken over her spirit. Thankfully, she overcame that addiction to both let her mother back in, and vice versa.

Emmanuelle: I was extremely surprised. As we saw in season one,, Izzy is very close to her father and something like an affair can very well ruin, not only the relationship between the two parents, but the one a parent has with their child. Keeping all this information bottled up inside of her can be overwhelming and I’m glad she finally came clean to her whole family. It makes their bond that much stronger.

Blaire: A little bit, but then again, she has such a huge weight on her shoulders due to many different reasons, from wanting to live up to expectations, to wanting to protect her family, to wanting to be the best Shadowhunter she can. It makes sense that this was just another weight on her mind, driving her to turn to Yin Fen. It makes sense that she knew about it, and it’s really nice to see that all the secrets are finally out in the open with the Lightwoods. They can all be themselves now, no one is pretending to be anything they aren’t.

7. Now we know Sebastian is definitely up to something. Why do you think he wanted Luke to kill Valentine? And who do you think he has kidnapped in his apartment?

Devanshi: Sebastian! That guy is a mystery. He was the one who lured Luke into a trap but why? To get Luke arrested. But why would he want that? Cause he wanted to prove that Downworlders cannot be trusted and to stop the committee? Or does he have some other vendetta against Luke? Or maybe it was to get Valentine to move into another cell (best prison breaks happen on the move). Who is locked up? It looked like it was a blonde male, very similar to Sebastian in appearance so I can’t help but think that maybe it was ‘Sebastian Verlac’ and this guy is an imposter. Did anyone run a background check? Shadowhunters are awfully trusting of other shadowhunters (and just as doubtful of Downworlders).

Danielle: I think he wanted to construct an even bigger division between the Downworlders and Shadowhunters. Even though Valentine was a rejected Circle member, he was still one of the best Shadowhunters out there before he’d become evil. So having an outsider like Sebastian come in and put a wedge between two of the biggest fantasy clans out there seemed necessary. I think Sebastian’s closet has either an angel or a forgotten older Shadowhunter, like from the Infernal Devices prequel book series. It would make sense, since the show had discussed some characters from the series last season.

Emmanuelle: Luke killing Valentine would be the perfect way the destroy the thin thread that the Downworlder and Shadowhunters still have as an alliance. War,chaos, everything we know (from the books) Sebastian wants. The closet seems to contain someone that Sebastian needs to keep quiet…I personally believe it’s the real Sebastien Verlac that he has kidnapped.

Blaire: *Cue True Colours song* Okay… so many things to address in this situation but I know I have to be careful not to cross over into book content. Firstly, I think it’s the real Sebastian that is locked up in his apartment, and I think that the Sebastian we know is… well not Sebastian. I can’t think of who else it would be locked up, and from the little we did see of the victim I swear he had blond hair, so that’s all I’ll say there. Secondly, him playing the piano IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT POINT. THAT IS ALL I WILL SAY ABOUT THAT. And thirdly, I think it was all a set up. Clearly he set up the situation with Luke so he could then get Alec to catch Luke out and then use the situation to manipulate those at the Institute into trusting him.

I mean, who would suspect the innocent blond from London who actually caught Luke out and turned him in? And who would think that in doing this he managed to score time alone with Valentine? And who would guess it’s all an act so he could get closer to Valentine? For what reason, we will have to wait and see. To kill Valentine himself? Or something more? I can’t wait to see what else happens with Sebastian. Will is an incredible actor and I couldn’t have picked anyone better to play the role.

Final Verdict: Not all is fair in the Seelie Court.

“The Fair Folk” is going down as one of our favorite episodes from the show so far. This episode was a treat for book fans, who heard exact lines from the book on their screens. Shadowhunters proved that they can go there and still keep the originality that they’re aiming for. The episode featured a kiss at the Seelie Court, a long awaited moment for the fans, and we can say we were not disappointed. Apart from the Seelie Court visit, the other storylines featured in the episode worked perfectly. It wasn’t an episode that felt rushed or that left us with a feeling of something missing. Isabelle got some closure in two important things, her relationship with Raphael and her relationship with her Mother. Raphael rejected her, which will give her a chance to finally move on. And the relationship with her Mother seems to be stronger than ever.

Alec seems to have things under control at the Institute so far. You can tell that he loves his new role and that he’s passionate about the causes he is fighting for. We can’t wait to see Luke being recognized as a leader and the true fighter we all know he is. Luke clearly has unresolved feelings after Jocelyn’s death. We don’t know how he is going to get closure, but we can tell time will help the healing process. Luke deserves happiness, and we hope that in future episodes we can see him achieving it.

We are excited to see what the rest of Season Two brings. We still have new characters to meet and new stories are yet to be told. Join us in two weeks as we discuss the newest episode of Shadowhunters!

Shadowhunters airs Mondays at 7/8 on Freeform.