Is Jonathan only a ball of pure evil? I'm starting not to think so anymore.

On Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 17, we heard a few of his inner-most desires. And it seemed to be about having family. He wants to be good.

Surprisingly, he may not actually be the most evil character in the Morgenstern/Fairchild family tree.

"A Dark Reflection" highlighted the complicated relationship between Clary, Valentine and Jonathan.

They've never really had the chance to be a family, but yet it's something they all want in a way. Valentine wants his children, Jonathan wants a friendship with his sister, and Clary wants to help her brother. Though, I don't feel like this is ever a possibility.

All three of them have too much of a complicated history that there's no way they can live together harmoniously. One of them is surely going to die.

My money is on Valentine turning against Jonathan...again.

Jonathan: My sister is different.
Valentine: Yes, she is. If you had the chance to meet Clarissa, spend some time with her.
Jonathan: So, you're acting like I'll never see her again?
Valentine: Of course you will. You have my word. One day we will all be together as a family. But right now...right now I need you to trust me.
Jonathan: Trust you? It goes both ways.
[Pulls out Valentine's dagger]
Jonathan: I found this under your pillow.
Valentine: Force of habit...that's all.
Jonathan: Is it?
Valentine: I'm a wanted man, I must always be prepared. Soon I will no longer be regarded as the enemy; I will be seen as a hero. So will you. Isn't that what you want?
Jonathan: Yes. Yes, it is.
Valentine: Good. We're gonna achieve great things, Jonathan.

• Permalink: Trust you? It goes both ways.

Jonathan has some serious things he needs to work out.

I'm not sure if he loves Clary as a brother or if he's IN LOVE with her. I didn't expect that incestuous kiss at all. It was shocking...

He seems like there is a bit of good inside of him and he wants to be "saved". I blame Valentine for all the trouble that's happening; the demon blood is driving him to do all the bad. I hope Jonathan is able to overcome it and help his sister.

Clary: Jace thinks my brother is a lost cause, so...
"Sebastian": What do you think?
Clary: I mean I understand he has demon blood. I know what he's capable of, but he's my brother. God, it's stupid, right?
Sebastian: No. No, God it's not stupid at all.
Clary: I mean if there is any humanity left in him; shouldn't we at least try to save him?
Sebastian: I think so.
[He kisses her]
Clary: Sebastian!
Sebastian: I'm sorry, I was stupid.
Clary: It's just...I'm not.
Sebastian: Look, I get it. I just want you to know that I will...I'll always be there for you, Clary. Whatever you need.

• Permalink: Jace thinks my brother is a lost cause, so...

I enjoyed following the investigation on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 17. It was a nice change of pace away from the Downworlder vs. Shadowhunters drama. And it put their wits to the test.

Hopefully Dot survives whatever trouble Jonathan sends her way. But can the writers give her a break already?

She's been through SO MUCH during both Shadowhunters Season 1 and Shadowhunters Season 2. I would hate to see her being tortured yet again by Valentine. The same goes with Cleophas.

Did the Mortal Mirror seem a tad...underwhelming...to everyone?

When I think of the Mortal Instruments, I expected them to be grand items of power. The Mortal Sword is deadly and the Mortal Cup is beautifully designed, but the Mortal Mirror looked like a makeup compact. Clary could've actually hidden it in her pocket.

Hopefully the power behind the item makes up for the design. And it has something to do with her visions.

Speaking of the vision, my gut feeling is that it will lead to someone's death.

Two swords are flying towards her and she's able to stop one before the other attacks her. I think this could be a Jace vs. Jonathan situation where she has to choose between saving her brother or her crush.

Alec lately has been the worst.

Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 17 showed that he's just like his father and the other Clave leaders. Omission is still a form of lying. He should've told Magnus about the Mortal Sword's disappearance.

I mean, he told his sister! Magnus would've helped him instead of hurt him. He was right to walk out, especially after sharing so much about his past.

Though, I am worried for what the Seelie Queen will do with the news. After Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 15, she's been itching to find a reason to start an uprising against the Shadowhunters.

Did anyone else think Simon moved on pretty quickly? I mean, he JUST ended things with Clary and now he's already asking Maia out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he and Maia are going to have their date; I've been shipping them for a long time. But, this was rushed. He seemed really determined to start something with her.

Shouldn't he have alone time to sort HIS stuff out?

Maia: That's really sweet of you, but I can't. I'm busy.
Simon: I didn't give you a date yet.
Maia: Right...I'm working a lot of doubles this week, and I've got reading for class. I just can't, it's not a good time right now.
[Maia pours a drink]
Simon: Not a good time to go boating or not a good time to go on a date with me?
Maia: I mean, I had a lot of fun at your family dinner, but just as friends.
Simon: Oh, no, yea, I'm sorry. I totally read that situation wrong, but what else is new. Is this about Clary? Because you know that's past tense.
Maia: It's not about Clary. I like you and I like spending time with you, but just as friends.
Simon: Right. Friends.

• Permalink: Not a good time to go boating or not a good time to go on a date with me?

I'm excited to see where this relationship goes. We got a bit about Maia's dating background from her chat with Isabelle, and she seems genuinely interested in Simon. However, Simon better not hurt her again.

We can't deal with a retread of this Clary dating drama in the future.

Isabelle and Simon's friendship/chemistry needs to be explored more. I've liked the few scenes we've had with Emeraude Tobia and Alberto Rosende together during Shadowhunters' run. Their characters have a spark.

They're supportive, direct with each other, and they have a light flirtatious thing going on. Sometimes I had hoped the characters would start dating and begin a storyline together. Their buildup has all the makings of a relationship.

I'm not ruling it out just yet. This could be a couple I might be shipping for Shadowhunters Season 3.

Isabelle: You're not sending our little brother out into the field!
Alec: You know better than anyone how good Max is. His simulation scores are off the charts.
Isabelle: That's a simulation; I'm talking about the real world.
Alec: Max has had his Rune ceremony. It's standard to get orders after that, just like we did when we were his age.
Isabelle: it was different back then. We weren't fighting Valentine.
Alec: Izzy...
Isabelle: You weren't there that night with Kayleigh. He came this close to dying.
Alec: Max is a soldier. It's time we start treating him like one.

• Permalink: Max is a soldier. It's time we start treating him like one.

Isabelle is right to worry about her little brother. Max is still a child and he doesn't have much field experience. He nearly died on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 14.

After ALL the recent Shadowhunters deaths, I was surprised that Alec didn't show a single ounce of concern.

The Institute has been attacked plenty lately. And being a bit concerned of the enemy climate is justified. He should've remembered how it was for him when he went out on his first few missions.

Though, with that being said, Max seems ready to go. His training with Isabelle and Simon looked fun and I'm not sure what else they need to teach him.

Except the Star Wars training, of course. He ABSOLUTELY needs to know what a Jedi is, and the Force. That is unacceptable! 

Simon: Let's get back to work, young Padawan.
[They look at him weird]
Simon: What? Don't tell me you don't know what a Jedi is?
Max: Ummm...
Simon: Izzy, what type of trainer are you? This is important stuff. Last one back to the boat base is a Gonk droid.
[He bumps into Maia]
Maia: Hey.
Simon: Hey.
Max: Are all vampires this weird?
Isabelle: Definitely not.

• Permalink: What? Don't tell me you don't know what a Jedi is?

How is it Max was the only one to find the strand of hair?

It's clear why his simulation scores were off the charts. He was the only one who thought to spend time actually checking the box for any trace of Jonathan. Clary and Jace gave up when the shoe wasn't there.

Izzy doesn't need to worry. Based on this alone, he's going to be a good Shadowhunter.

Max: What are you doing?
"Sebastian": Hey! Buddy. Don't mind me. I'm just looking for something for the boss. How's the training going? What's the matter?
[Max lifts up a glowing strand of hair]
Max: I found a single hair at the bottom of the box. You're him. You're Jonathan.

• Permalink: I found a single hair at the bottom of the box. You're him. You're Jonathan.

Crossing my fingers that Max will be alright. It would be sad if the demon gets rid of the little kid.

Sure, Jonathan won't simply let Max escape after finding out the truth. However, hopefully Clary is able to sway Jonathan into doing an act of good and letting him escape.

What did you think of "A Dark Reflection"? Will Jonathan consider joining the side of good? Is Max's life in danger? What will happen when the Seelie Queen arrives?

If you missed the latest episode of Shadowhunters, you can watch Shadowhunters online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and let us know what you think.

Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.