Shadowhunters: Top Moments from “Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen” (Season 2 Episode 18)

Jonathan’s identity has finally been revealed on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 18, “Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen.” Meanwhile, Simon and Maia must help a mundane who’s been attacked by another werewolf.

On top of having the Institute on lockdown Max must also fight for his life after having Jonathan attack him.

Here are my top moments from “Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen.”

#ThrowbackMalec

I have had anger fueled feelings towards the way Shadowhunters handles Malec since we were robbed of the first time they got intimate with each other. But, I take back some of my hostility because the way it is shown is so beautiful and well-handled.

Magnus thinking back on all of his moments with Alec makes for viewers at home grasping for tissues – at least I was. Re-watching the way Alec used to handle himself around Magnus is adorable because it was at a time where he was truly figuring out who he was and what he liked.

As for the sex scene we were never allowed to see until now, man was it worth it. Harry Shum Jr. and Matthew Daddario never fail to make me fall in love with their characters all over again when they’re together. Their chemistry on screen is so genuine with the way they respond to each other’s touch.

There was a lot of debating when Alec and Magnus supposedly hooked up on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 7, “How Are Thou Fallen,” because Alec was moving too fast to get Magnus in bed when Magnus was physically saying he didn’t want to take the next step.

I didn’t want that to be their first time; I didn’t. The way it was portrayed was wrong and off-putting because there wasn’t full consent from both parties, but after seeing it, my mind has been changed. The scene is handled with such grace and confronts what most viewers had a problem with – consent.

I’m glad that Magnus stopped Alec before they got too far and allowed himself to explain why he didn’t want to continue. I love that at that moment he saw that Alec accepted the real him, no matter what.

Now for the hard part, the breakup. I cried, I ate some ice cream, and I cried some more. I know this can’t be the end for them, but it’s heartbreaking to see the look on Alec’s face as Magnus walks away.

The only thing I want to come from this breakup is I want to see it affect Alec. I want to see the hurt in him come alive, for him to act like someone who has truly had their heart broken for the first time by someone they love.

We all handle breakups differently, and knowing that this is Shadowhunters Alec will probably just be shown “dealing with it,” but I want to see him break down. I want him to feel it, to cry to Izzy about how he’s lost one of the most influential people in his life. I want it to be accurate and not just have Alec deal with it by showing no emotions.

At the same time I want to see the hurt in Magnus as well. We know how much Alec means to him – Magnus had nothing to lose until he had Alec and now he’s lost him. At this particular time he has to do what he feels is right to help lead the downworlders, but this most definitely has to affect Magnus the same way.

New Relationships

Simon and Maia’s first date doesn’t go exactly as planned, seeing as how it got interrupted by Russell scratching a mundane while in wolf form, but it ends up being perfect.

Maia taking care of someone who was freshly scratched, someone who is about to go through their first change, brings back all the horrible memories of when she was alone going through the same thing. She can relate on an emotional level, and that’s why she’s chosen to make sure this kid makes it through.

I’m not an advocate of seeing Maia in pain, but this is progress for Maia. She’s standing up to one of her worst memories by helping the mundane get through his first shift. Not only is she helping the random stranger, but she’s also helping herself by opening up about Jordan to Simon.

Maia doesn’t speak about Jordan much, I don’t blame her, and for her to open up and tell Simon everything he did, how and why she became a werewolf, is a step in the right direction in healing.

It’s also the step in the right direction for her relationship with Simon. She’s seen Simon when he’s been vulnerable, she’s seen him deal with being a new vampire, they can relate to quite a bit of things when it comes to being a downworlder, and she’s listened to him open up about his past.

This time around it’s Maia’s turn to open up for Simon. Her admitting that she blames love for turning her into a werewolf is proof that their bond continues to grow more and more.

I’m glad that Maia was the one to kiss Simon first because it means that she trusts him.

Luke Proving Himself

Luke has tried to do the right thing since day one, no matter what. His go to isn’t violence, it’s talking and strategy, and that’s why he continues to prove that he is the leader that all of the werewolves need.

Luke could have easily killed Russell in front of his pack to show his dominance, but he didn’t because he knows that’s not the way things should be. If he wants to gain their trust and make sure they stay on his side when the downworlders begin to fight he has to continue to prove himself.

He showed that no matter what’s happening in the current moment, you don’t have to kill someone. You don’t have to be a monster even if that’s what you’re generalized as. Russell was smart to return to Luke’s pack where he knows he’s in good hands.

Other Thoughts:

• I want Izzy to be the one who finally kills Jonathan. She’s the one he tricked in order to bring him to the Institute, and she feels guilty about it.
• I’m so happy that Max doesn’t die. I was worried there for a moment.
• I wish Clary had gotten the chance to rough Jonathan up a little more before he escaped.
• Luke’s partner has been and always will be a problem, especially now that she’s figured out Luke is the pack leader of a bunch of werewolves.

What did you think of this episode of Shadowhunters? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Shadowhunters airs Mondays at 8/7c on Freeform.

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