Season 1 struggled with low budget CGI (the "vampire face" is infamous), wooden dialogue, and a rushed adaptation of the first book. However, the final three episodes clicked. The reveal that Valentine (Alan Van Sprang) is Clary’s father and Jace’s "brother" (watch the show for the twist) hooked viewers.
Must-watch Episode: Episode 12, "Malec." The first real kiss between Alec and Magnus changed television for LGBTQ+ representation in YA fantasy.
This is the most painful chapter of Shadowhunters Season 1 2 3 - threesixtyp. In June 2018, Freeform announced that Season 3 would be the final season, split into two parts (3A and 3B), with a two-hour series finale to wrap things up.
Despite its cancellation, Shadowhunters remains a streaming giant. Here is why threesixtyp believes the show succeeded where other YA adaptations failed:
Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara) is a normal Brooklyn art student until her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped. Clary discovers she is a Shadowhunter—a human-angel hybrid warrior—and that her memories have been blocked. She is thrust into a world of runes, seraph blades, and the Downworld (vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and fairies). Shadowhunters Season 1 2 3 - threesixtyp
By the third season, everyone knew. Jace had seen her sketch of his own funeral. Magnus had read the future in her tear-stained runes. Even the Clave called her Fray the Fractured—half prophet, half weapon.
Valentine, in this loop, had also found a coin. So had Jonathan. And the Seelie Queen revealed her true game: three coins, three seasons, three hundred and sixty weeks.
Only one could flip their coin at the final eclipse and choose which timeline became real.
The final battle was not at the Institute, nor Alicante. It was a burning clock tower in a place that didn't exist yet: the threesixtyp spire, where every past episode bled into the next. Alec from Season 1 fought beside Izzy from Season 3. Magnus kissed a dying version of himself. Simon held two different holy swords. Season 1 struggled with low budget CGI (the
Clary faced Jonathan. He held the black coin. She held the silver one. Valentine held the gold.
"One timeline survives," Jonathan whispered. "One where I win. One where Father wins. Or one where you lose everyone you love—but live."
Clary looked at Jace. He was bleeding, but smiling. He didn't know which version of her he was holding. Neither did she.
She flipped the coin.
Not to win. Not to choose.
She flipped it into the eclipse itself.
Episodes: 13
Original Run: January – April 2016
Season 1 is an origin story with a fast-paced, sometimes chaotic energy. The show deviates from the books early on, which divided purists but intrigued new viewers. threesixtyp Review of S1: The first few episodes
Key Plot Points:
threesixtyp Review of S1: The first few episodes suffer from low-budget CGI and wooden dialogue, but by Episode 7 (Major Arcana), the cast finds its rhythm. The Clary/Jace chemistry is undeniable, and the introduction of Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr.) and Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario) sets up the show’s most beloved romance.