Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Day of Wrath
Justin Carreiro
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Did that just happen?!
I think we need a minute to process this and breathe. There's no way she's dead! After everything that happened in the first season, I'm not ready to say goodbye.
On Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 4, a powerful smoke demon came into the picture and killed almost anyone who got in its way. Luckily, most of our core group lived to see another day from the rampage within the Institute. But a few familiar faces didn't make it out alive.
I can't believe Jocelyn is dead! Did you see this murder coming? I sure didn't...
When the show and commercials were teasing that one of the Shadowhunters we knew was going to die, I had guessed Lydia.
She seemed like the obvious choice. In retrospect, however, she was TOO obvious. It was all there, though: She's big enough that we got to know her and be emotionally invested, but not main enough that would affect the story if gone.
I was preparing myself to say goodbye and mourn the loss of her witty comebacks.
Raj: Wow. That guy's heart is obliterated, and I thought I was having a rough weekend...
Lydia: Show some respect for the dead.
Raj: I'm just saying I've been in his shoes before, except my demon's name was Cathy.
Lydia: You know, you might wanna cut back on the 'smart ass' after getting manhandled by a warlock.
Looking back at the end of the episode, Jocelyn was getting a hero edit. (A hero edit is the final storyline, scenes, book, episodes or etc. where it leads the character to an impactful goodbye.)
For example, her character was getting written out for a stay in Idris and she tried to give Clary a new life together in a different world. Once Clary established her own independence and decided to stay, it sealed Jocelyn's fate. The nuances were subtle, but it was leading to a powerful moment.
Will you be sad to see her go? I will, for the most part. Even though Jocelyn was getting on my nerves the last few episodes (especially her interfering on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 1), she was a caring character.
Jocelyn loved Clary, she cared for Simon, and she was in love with Luke. There's no denying that she's a good character, and Maxim Roy did a great job portraying her. For those like me who followed her search since the beginning, it's sad to see her go.
And when Luke finds out about her death...that will be heartbreaking to watch.
The concept of the demon was interesting to watch, especially with the smoke special effects done pretty well. This was a simple smoke monster that could possess and control any person with negative thoughts. The fact that certain people (Raj, Alec, and Isabelle, to be precise) were targeted, it definitely shows their inner thoughts.
Isabelle seems like a strong and confident person. She is continually giving advice to her friends and is always there to help with the Institute. I continue to love the friendship she has with Clary; it is still one of the strongest connections on the show.
Clary: You think I should go?
Isabelle: Of course not. No one in Idris is going to teach you how to fight in five-inch heels.
But I couldn't help ignore how she acted under the demon's influence.
She went after Alec and had a few choice words for him. Ever since the flashback on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 3, there seemed to be a hint of sibling resentment there since they were young kids: Alec was always the favorite, Isabelle was the forgotten child. The demon revealed her hidden truth.
And kudos to the monster being witty. I love a good pun!
Always the favorite child. I'm done living in your shadow.
Isabelle
The other character we said goodbye to this episode was Hodge (the traitorous Shadowhunter from the first season). It took me a while to recognize him as it had been a while since his storyline. It's a shame he was merely a body count number, but he did offer an interesting perspective to the episode.
Before this episode, the show didn't explain much of the City of Bones or what happens to those captured. We finally got more backstory to this location in the Shadowhunters world. Suffice it to say (according to Hodge), it seems just as bad as Azkaban from the Harry Potter series.
The same can be said for the mess of information Jace revealed during his trial. And I do mean mess! They say the truth sets you free, but Jace would've given anything to lie a little.
His position on not trusting the Clave is understandable, especially after everything that happened to him. Would you trust the Clave or even Aldertree? But it's the inappropriate question asked by Aldertree that gets the juicy tidbit: Jace might still have feelings for Clary.
Jace's real identity has been debated before, but now that Jocelyn is dead and Jace is back at the Institute, we need a DNA test. This truth needs to be confirmed if Jace is Jonathan, Clary's dead brother. If one has been done before, we need another test to put any doubt to rest.
I'm excited that we're seeing an end to the Camille storyline. All Simon fans (myself included) can breathe a sigh of relief now that she's captured; Raphael's torment was becoming a tad unjustified as it's not Simon's fault. However, I was interested with what the writers revealed about Magnus' backstory.
Did anyone expect the depth of the Magnus and Camille romance? We always talk about "Malec" and their new romance, but Magnus did date others before Alec appeared. It was sad to see him capture his former love and send her away for punishment.
His decision could result in her death in Idris or him never seeing her again. That's terrible for a warlock who could live forever, and for a vampire forced to live out that punishment. But it also puts a tiny damper on the Malec relationship too.
Alec is going to eventually get old, and Magnus has the chance to outlive all the characters on Shadowhunters, with the exception of Simon and Raphael (vampires!). He will have to say goodbye to his friends at some point. Let's hope they enjoy every minute together.
Magnus: Believe me, this wasn't an easy decision. But you crossed a line! I won't let Raphael suffer for your bad deeds.
Camille: So this is about one little insubordinate vamp?
Magnus: You sired hundreds of vampires, your children, but as a warlock, I can have none. The Downworlders I take under my wing, they are my children. My family. I'm sorry, Camille. I'll do whatever it takes to protect them.
Camille: The fear of loneliness has always been your Achilles' heel.
Magnus: Don't!
Camille: You don't do well losing those you love, do you? I'm the only one you can count on to be here for you forever. You know that. That's why you love me, and you always will.
What did you think of "Day of Wrath"? Will Clary truly forgive Alec for killing her mother? Does Aldertree believe Jace's innocence now? Will Raphael start treating Simon better now that Camille is captured?
If you missed the latest episode of Shadowhunters, you can watch Shadowhunters online via TV Fanatic. Come back and let us know what you think.
Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
