Shadowhunters Season 2: Character Overviews

We are now three episodes into Shadowhunters season 2 and things are looking pretty grim for all our favorite Shadowhunters and Downworlders. With Jace captured and Valentine ready to unleash his army at any moment, things seem to be getting worse before they get better. In light of that, let’s take a look at our beloved characters and where they currently stand and what we predict for their future.

Clary

Our favorite newbie Shadowhunter has had a difficult time figuring out just where she fits in this world. Missing her old life and simpler times, assimilating into the Shadow World hasn’t been easy for her. Add in the fact that her mother Jocelyn continues to try to shadow her from her true identity and immediately tried to kill Jace, and Clary has every reason to question everything around her. With the Clave always doubting Clary’s intentions and her motivation to protect those she loves, we have a feeling things will remain complicated for Clary for the foreseeable future.

Jace

Our fearless leader has so far spent this season being mentally, physically and emotionally tortured. If Valentine isn’t abusing him in hopes he will join his army, Jace is being hunted by both the Clave and the werewolves. Not to mention his difficult relationship with Jocelyn, who initially wanted to kill him (and possibly still does). Risking life and limb to save his parabatai Alec, he will now spend his time behind bars by order of the Clave. It’s pretty much looking all doom and gloom for Jace, bruises and all.

Alec

Things most certainly haven’t been easy for Alec thus far. Feeling lost and fueled with anger at the disappearance of Jace, he lashed out at all those close to him. Desperate to find his parabatai and running out of options, Alec used an ancient tracking technique that almost killed him. He was saved by Jace only to watch Aldertree put him in handcuffs and take him away. While Magnus has stuck by Alec’s side, they’re still navigating their newfound relationship and haven’t even had time to go on their first date (with the impending war and all). Here’s hoping next episode we get some levity and get to watch these two have a nice evening together – free of bloodshed and chaos.

Magnus

Our favorite high Warlock of Brooklyn has proven time and time again he has everyone’s best interests at heart, even when it proves to be difficult. When Alec lashed out at him due to Jace’s absence, he gave him his space and was deeply understanding of his feelings. Not to mention he used every Warlock trick up his sleeve to try and locate Jace himself, to no avail. When Alec slipped into a dark place in an effort to pinpoint Jace’s location through his parabatai bond, Magnus stayed by his side even though the Clave didn’t want him there. He’s even agreed to be a sort of mentor to Simon as he learns the ins and outs of the Downworld and remains a loyal companion to Clary. Having lived hundreds of years, Magnus is undoubtedly best equipped to handle whatever darkness lies ahead of them.

Our beloved Izzy has been faced with one challenging decision after another. Risking de-runing and her position among her fellow Shadowhunters, she has done what is necessary to protect those she loves. Izzy even made a deal with Aldertree to ensure Jace’s safety from both the werewolves and Valentine, one she appears to feel guilty about. Trying to honor her family name while staying faithful to those she cares about has proved to be an uphill battle. So far Izzy has spent this season between a rock and a hard place and we doubt the Clave is going to make things any easier on her.

Simon

Our lovable newbie vampire has found it challenging assimilating into the Downworld and isn’t sure where to call home. No longer welcome at both the Hotel Dumort and the Institute, Simon has been taking residence at Jade Wolf under the protection of Luke. While Luke invited Simon to stay as long as he likes, his pack doesn’t share those sentiments. Not to mention Raphael is using his mother to persuade him to find Camille sooner, as Simon has the greatest chance of doing so. Simon has also spent the better part of this season wrestling with whether or not to tell Clary how he truly feels for her. Recently, he’s had the difficult task of deciding whether to tell his mother he is a Vampire or not. Undoubtedly Simon will remain to be the light among the darkness, but his path this season won’t be easy.

Luke

Still finding his footing as the leader of the pack and figuring out where his loyalties lie, Luke has been tested thus far this season. With Jocelyn now awake, he has to navigate a relationship with her while keeping the shaky alliance with the Clave. Not to mention maintaining his bond with Clary, since he was the one to tell her the truth about what went down with Valentine. It’s clear Jocelyn and Luke will have some disagreements when it comes to Clary and how much she should be included and informed. He will unquestionably cause friction among his pack due to his friendships with both Simon and Jace, having already clashed with Maia over how Jace should be handled. It seems for Luke this season will be about choosing sides and staying true to his morals, while testing his abilities as a leader.

While season 2 has been riveting and visually stunning, it’s been incredibly dark in tone and deeply painful for all of our favorite characters. We hope in the coming episodes there will be some levity and we will get some lighthearted character moments. Episode 4 which is titled ‘Day of Wrath’ has teased Magnus and Alec’s first date, which is much needed after the heaviness of ‘Parabatai Lost’. Although with a title like that, Jace behind bars and Valentine’s impending army, we are undeniably in for more chaotic moments and characters in peril.

We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the growth in each actor on the show and how much they’ve embodied their characters this season. ‘Parabatai Lost’ was a particularly powerful episode for the entire cast, delivering their strongest performances on the series thus far. We think it goes without saying that Dominic Sherwood was the MVP of the episode, beautifully depicting Jace’s struggle to reach his parabatai Alec before he was lost forever. We will never be over that heartbreaking scene of Jace reciting the parabatai oath to an unconscious Alec! Bravo, Sherwood, bravo.

What was your favorite moment of the season thus far and where do you think each character is headed?

Watch Shadowhunters Monday nights at 8/7c on Freeform.

Photo Credits: Justin Stephens/Freeform