Which side will you take: the Shadowhunters or the Downworlders?

The Seelie Queen is fanning the flames on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 18 for an uprising. She's rallying the Downworlders...and it looks like it might work.

There's definitely a storm coming, and I don't mean Jonathan and Valentine.

"Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen" highlighted the next step in the inevitable Shadowhunters vs. Downworlders war. People are picking groups and siding with their heritage.

I'm happy we're getting to dive deeper into the character development. These characters are making tough, real life decisions that affect multiple people. This isn't about helping the Shadowhunters anymore.

We can thank the Seelie Queen for this. I'm so happy she's back! She still is one of my favorite characters.

The ultimatum she gave to Luke and Magnus is a serious dilemma. They speak on behalf of their people, and it will affect what happens later on in Shadowhunters Season 2 and Season 3.

I'm curious as to what decision they'll truly stand behind.

Did anyone think Max would die? I was on the fence at first, but I figured he would pull through.

I'm still shocked at a few things surrounding this entire situation. Like, why did Max choose to confront Jonathan himself and not get help? And why were his parents so quick to call on Brother Enoch knowing it might kill him?

It baffles me a little. He's lucky Jonathan's attack didn't leave permanent damage (or the cleanse by Brother Enoch). The evil Shadowhunter could've killed him.

Clary: If you have to leave, hold this for at least 30 seconds.
"Sebastian": I was just wondering actually, if you caught Jonathan, you wouldn't kill him, would you?
Clary: I used to believe that Jonathan could be saved, but after what he did to Elliot, and Dot, and now Max, I'll kill him with my bare hands if that's what it takes.
Sebastian: Well then...shall we?
[Holds the stone]

• Permalink: I was just wondering actually, if you caught Jonathan, you wouldn't kill him, would you?

I was impressed by Clary on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 18. She had a hunch, followed it, and discovered Jonathan's identity. And she stood up to him AND stabbed him twice – claps for her!

Even though she said she would kill Jonathan, I don't quite believe that yet. This is Clary, after all. Family means a lot to her, and if there's a chance to save her brother, she's going to take it.

Valentine, on the other hand, is a different story. He's on the bottom of her family list...

Are you sad "Malec" is going on a break?

I think it's the right move. Even though I 'ship them, they need to work out some stuff since they rushed pretty quickly into a relationship. One clear thing is their priorities.

Alec has kept his Shadowhunter duties high on his list; we even saw him omit to Magnus on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 17 because of it. Magnus has his own responsibilities for the warlocks. This is conflicting drama.

Hopefully, they'll be able to work it out. They seem like endgame, but anything could happen during this potential war.

Alec: Magnus, I love you.
Magnus: I love you too. But as a leader, there are difficult decisions I need to make to ensure the survival of my people. The only thing holding me back from doing that...is you.
Alec: No, no.
Magnus: I can't have both.
Alec: Yes, you can. We can. Magnus...we can figure this out.
Magnus: You once asked me what I'm afraid of...it's this.
[He walks away from Alec]

• Permalink: The only thing holding me back from doing that...is you.

My heart broke for Maia on Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 18. Watching the werewolf transformation brought up a lot of bad memories for her. It's clear she didn't want to be there.

I'm happy we explored a bit of her backstory, especially now that she's a series regular for Shadowhunters Season 3. Having her ex-boyfriend be the one to turn her explained a lot of her hesitation for dating Simon.

Though, does everyone else expect Jordan to make an appearance soon? He's bound to visit. There's no way this opportunity isn't used.

Round of applause for Maia and Simon FINALLY having a date together. This took long enough to happen.

Sure, it got interrupted with the werewolf attack by Russell and the transformation. But we can't let little things like werewolf scratches get in the way. (Even though I think Maia and this new guy will start getting closer.)

Luke asserting his dominance over the New York pack is the right step for the character.

For much of Shadowhunters Season 2, he's been letting Clary, Jocelyn, and Simon take his attention away. He has people depending on him and a faction of Downworlders needing a leader. This will give him a purpose to chart his group's future.

And the fact that he got to put Russell in his place makes it even sweeter. I found him to be an annoying antagonist. He's lucky that Luke didn't kill him after that fight!

Russell: The rule is to the death.
Luke: Time for new rules.
[The wolves bow down to Luke]

• Permalink: The rule is to the death.

Speaking of fights, "Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen" had some great fighting choreography.

We got Luke's factory brawl, but we were also treated to Jonathan's sword fighting. I enjoyed watching these fight scenes; the editing was pretty seamless shifting between the shots.

I've noticed that the fights have played to the characters' strengths. Luke tends to stick to hand-to-hand combat, while Jonathan and the other Shadowhunters go for weapons. It could be a Downworlder vs. Shadowhunter thing. Even Simon was hand-to-hand before needing a stake.

Jonathan has killed a lot of people in his pursuit of the Mortal Instruments. The same goes with Valentine. This "wish" they're killing for better be worth all the trouble.

Now that Clary discovered the real Mortal Mirror, how will Jonathan find out? For all he knows, it's being kept by his sister. Is he going to torture someone to get the location?

I have the strangest feeling someone else is going after the Instruments when the time comes. It's just too tempting now that they know where the Mirror is...

Clary: What if the mirror I destroyed isn't the Mortal Mirror?
Jace: Why would your mom give it to the warlocks to protect?
Clary: Maybe she thought it was. We all did. Maybe whoever made it wanted it that way?
Isabelle: To distract people from finding the real one...
Jace: Well, the legend says the Mirror is not meant to be easily found. The angels hold the key.
[Clary remembers her vision]
Clary: The water. It's a reflection.
Jace: What water? What are you talking about?
Clary: I didn't destroy the Mirror. These visions I've been having...they're a message from the angels. The Mirror is Lake Lin.

• Permalink: What if the mirror I destroyed isn't the Mortal Mirror?

What did you think of "Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen"? Is Jonathan officially against Clary? Will Luke's secret identity stay hidden now that his cop partner knows the truth? Is Max completely cured of his attack?

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.