Shadowhunters: 10 Best Episodes According To IMDb

Inspired by The Mortal Instruments series of novels, Shadowhunters made its debut on Freeform in 2016. Though the series sharply diverged from the source material in several ways, it garnered a passionate fanbase. That fanbase helped the series make it to three seasons – and a pair of additional episodes to conclude the story once it was canceled.

The series follows Clary Fray as she navigates a whole new world inside the one she already knows. When she learns that demons, angels, and everything in between exist, she’s caught in the middle of the struggle between good and evil. Her story made for some compelling episodes of television.

10 S2E14 The Fair Folk (9.1)

By this point in the series, the audience already has a good deal of information about how the Shadowhunter world operates and has already been introduced to a lot of different kinds of Downworlders (supernatural beings). This episode expands a bit on the world of the fairies.

Alec sends Jace and Clary to talk to the Seelie Queen, but Simon insisting on going with them complicates things as the Seelie Queen gets to the truth of Clary’s feelings about Jace. Her meddling adds more drama to a complicated dynamic.

9 S2E08 Love Is A Devil (9.1)

If the audience at all wonders about the insecurities of the various Shadowhunters in the main cast, this episode puts them all out in the open. When the group goes to a party for Max Lightwood at Magnus’ loft, they all start seeing things that aren’t really there. It turns out another warlock is making their fears manifest.

This leads to a tense standoff between Jace and Maryse in which Jace believes Maryse is going to try to kill him. It also leads to one of the most emotional moments of the early episodes as Alex tries to jump from the roof, blaming himself for the death of Clary’s mother.

8 S3E08 A Heart Of Darkness (9.1)

Season three of the series had a whole lot going on, and it’s also where the show begins to truly diverge from the books.

This episode sees Lilith and the Seelie Queen begin negotiations, but not in the way either of them really expect. Instead of doing what Lilith wants, the Queen simply offers up Jace. Of course, that’s all why Magnus is busy helping Alec and Isabelle literally get into Jace’s head. Jace, for his part, just wants his siblings to put an end to him. It’s a tense episode that also sees Clary wind up sentenced to death by the Clave, so fans are left reeling by the time the hour is up.

7 S3E09 Familia Ante Omnia (9.2)

When Clary needs to stall her execution, she decides to give the Clave what they want: a chance to interrogate Valentine. She resurrects him, which gives Jace the chance to steal one of his ribs (and Clary) later in the episode.

Simon also ends up in a difficult position thanks to Lilith encouraging Heidi to turn against him. He is forced to drink his own sister’s blood in front of his mother, driving a wedge between him and his family even farther, though Isabelle is there to try and save his sister’s life. More Isabelle always works in the story’s favor.

6 S3E02 The Powers That Be (9.2)

After thinking they were siblings, dating other people, and saving the world, Jace and Clary finally get the chance to go on their first real date. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly go as planned since the two run into Simon and Maia while they’re out.

A new mystery also begins in this episode as Magnus discovers that something is wrong with the magical ley lines. He and Alec get the chance to work together. The more often the two of them get to be on screen together, the more likely fans are to be satisfied.

5 S1E12 Malec (9.2)

The only freshman season episode to make it into the top ten is one that marks a big turning point for Alec, but also a big turning point in the show. Hodge is revealed to still be working for Valentine when he knocks out Lydia and steals the Mortal Cup.

What most fans are interested in, however, is Alec’s wedding. Just as he and Lydia are about to marry, Magnus arrives for the ceremony, and Alex can’t go through with it. Lydia isn’t upset, but understands the position Alec has placed himself in, so she lets him go, and his relationship with Magnus officially begins when he kisses him in front of his wedding guests.

4 S2E18 Awake, Arise, Or Be Forever Fallen (9.3)

When the real Jonathan Morgenstern enters the series, there’s a whole new wrinkle in the story tapestry. He manages to get the Institute on lockdown (again) and his presence has Downworlders considering new treaties.

The Seelie Queen is willing to go to war with the Shadowhunters in an alliance with the other Downworlders against Valentine. While Luke isn’t willing to take the risk, Magnus takes the time to consider his people. He’s willing to risk his relationship with Alec, breaking up with him, to make the alliance with the Queen, creating another obstacle for the characters.

3 S2E10 By The Light Of Dawn (9.3)

Valentine’s plans to get all of the Mortal Instruments gets one step closer to reality in this tense and action-packed episode. While Isabelle goes through withdrawal, Alec is stuck in an Institute attacked by Valentine and the Circle.

Valentine uses the young warlock Madzie to get inside, but Madzie makes sure not to use her powers against Alec, which gives him a chance to formulate a plan. In the end, the planning doesn’t matter because the information the group has isn’t exactly accurate. Though they believe Jace touching the Soul Sword will destroy it, his angelic blood actually activates it instead, killing all of the Downworlders (including most of Luke’s pack) inside the Institute who have come to take on Valentine. Luckily, Magnus and Madzie get out just in time, and Simon is protected by the angelic blood he drank to survive. Though Valentine is captured, it’s the kind of episode that leaves fans wondering where the show goes next.

2 S2E20 Beside Still Water (9.4)

It seems like the major arc of the story is coming to an end in the season two finale, but not everything is as it seems. Though Jonathan is left for dead, his body summons demons that take care of him.

Likewise, though Clary defeats Valentine, she does it only after he kills Jace in a fight. Clary uses a wish, bestowed on her by an angel, to resurrect Jace, which has some unforeseen consequences in the third season. The episode also teases some conflict to come as Luke’s new partner realizes he’s a werewolf and Simon decides to go back to the Seelie realm.

1 S3E10 Erchomai (9.5)

The midseason finale of the third season is all about giving the audience massive cliffhangers to bring them back for more. Nearly everyone is left in dire straits.

When Jace is possessed, he stabs Alec, but Magnus is able to remove the demonic influence from Jace. Unfortunately, Clary ends up with a rune from Lilith connecting her own life to Jonathan’s just before Simon sends Lilith away in an explosion. Clary missing after the fact has him thinking he killed his best friend. It’s the kind of episode that would have left the audience livid if it had been a season finale, but at midseason, it becomes the highest rated episode of the series.

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