Episode 20 Beside Still Water

There is so much going on in this episode and it’s all so good.

Jonathan performs one final (for now) act of evil by bringing hell to earth, literally.

Magnus allows his pain and anger to keep him from seeing reality and helping his friends.

Our Shadowhunters pay tribute to The Avengers, Shadow World style.

Alec resists reaching out to Magnus. Until Izzy forces his hand.

Finally back in a room together, Malec’s true feelings start surfacing for them both.

Magnus, Alec, and Izzy fight to close a Hellmouth, reinforcing their bonds in the process.

The Malec fandom dares to exhale and flirt with hope.

Jace crosses over, but Clary isn’t having it.

Clary slays the beast and makes a wish with the Angel. Like the badass she is.

Jace convinces Alec that he didn’t die. Or does he?

Malec officially reunites.

Demons become human-shaped.

And I fail to contain my joy at having Malec back and my never-ending love for this show.

Okay, I know it’s about to unleash the evil of all evils on the Shadow World - but Jonathan forming this pentagram with his blood is so cool.

I’m torn on Magnus’ behavior here. on one hand - I love that he is leading the Warlocks and using their wards to keep Valentine and Jonathan in the city. Even if the rest of us already know it’s too late.

On the other hand - I hate that he is still so angry with Alec that he is refusing to listen to Simon and Luke about the Queen and Maia. And I really hate that he just walks away from Simon.

And my poor Sweet Simon. He is so worried about Maia and feels so guilty! Dammit Magnus!

“He didn’t raise the wards for us.”

Alec, I am still not happy with you, but I sure do love when you’re petty.

Alec, Izzy, Jace, and Clary running into the middle of New York City like this, is such a killer tribute to The Avengers. SHADOWHUNTERS ASSEMBLE!

“Relax. I got this.”

Yeah you do, my love!

“When am I never not careful?”

Jace tossing this line at Alec is so damn funny.

Alec’s reaction just makes the scene that much better! I wish we had gotten more light moments between these two. They’re so damn fun together.

Alec! Someone needs to tell Magnus about the Queen’s betrayal. I get that you don’t want to go because you think you’re giving Magnus what he wants. And, let’s be real, Luke has probably told him already (He has). But you don’t know that (yet).

“If you won’t ask him, I will.”

Well played, Izzy. Well played.

“Izzy wait!”

Does she know her brother or what!

Okay Magnus is acting like a petulant toddler, but that ‘Duh’ is hilarious. And the fact that he can’t look at Alec clearly says that he is more hurt than angry.

Magnus, you can say that you agreed to close the rift to save lives - not for Alec - but we all know better. You still love this face and cannot say no to him.

Jesus! All these fucking corrupt Clave members!

I love this trio. And it is so nice to have Malec working together, again. It’s tense, but the way they keep looking at each other says they desperately miss each other.

“You going to be okay?”

Careful Alec. Your heart is showing.

“I’m the High Warlock of Brooklyn.”

Yeah ya are, baby!

I love everything about this scene. Magnus’ “Cover me.” Alec’s nod and then turning to face the demon. Firing at it, trying to keep it away from Magnus.

And then, when he misses and the demon heads right for Magnus, Alec running toward him yelling his name. Also, with this run, the Malec fandom exhales a breath of hope.

Magnus turning at the last minute and saving Alec by throwing a ball of magic at the demon. Alec slaying all the little demons, except one thanks to Izzy, while Magnus closes the Hellmouth.

Alec running to Magnus’ side after he collapses, Magnus’ “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Alec’s little smile.

It’s all so intense and sweet and hope-inducing.

Interesting that Magnus said he would only help with closing the portal. Yet here he is, back at the Institute, helping look for the demons and Jace and Clary, and trading angsty glances with Alec.

OMG! This scene! Valentine stabbing Jace right in the heart and then having the audacity to apologize and call him son as he lays him on the ground!

Clary’s begging him to stay and then her screams when he is gone.

Alec flashing back to his life with Jace and becoming Parabatai, then collapsing to the ground as the Parabatai Rune disappears, Magnus running to his side, Izzy dropping to her knees as the Rune fades. It’s all way to much!

Valentine, they were unstoppable together. You just made Clary dangerous. Dumbass.

And if anyone ever says that Kat can’t act - well, first off, they’re an idiot with no taste. Second, show them this scene! Because Holy Hellfire she is phenomenal! (She always is, but this is one of her best.)

Magnus, Alec, and Izzy coming through the portal to find Jace and Clary and seeing that Valentine has already raised Raziel is such an intense scene.

Alec’s immediate reaction is to say “Magnus, you need to get to safety.” And Magnus responding “We need to find Jace and Clary.” is so indicative of their characters. Alec’s first concern always being Magnus and Magnus’ last concern always being Magnus, is exactly who they are.

I love that Raziel is voiced by Anthony Stewart Head! Fucking Legend!

Clary, you absolute badass! Way to go! Gods, I love her! Enjoy hell, Valentine.

The look of cautious hope on Clary’s face as she waits to see if the wish will work and Jace will come back is heartbreaking. And I absolutely love this shot of Kat! The way the light hits her, the look on her face - it’s absolute perfection. Then again, I am convinced Kat is damn near the perfect woman, so…

Yay for an Alec and Jace reunion! I just love their connection so much!

Now do Malec!

“Magnus, I don’t think I can live without you.”

“I thought I had to choose between you and the Downworld. But I don’t.”

This reunion between Magus and Alec is everything that makes them so damn special! It’s sweet, it’s funny, it’ s intense, it’s self-effacing, it’s romantic. And I am so damn happy!!

Sweet Simon, what did you do?

Hey Alec! I found the demons. And Jonathan’s body. And a very strange woman that the demons merged together to form…

This is it for Season 2. Season 3 coming later this week. See ya then for On Infernal Ground.