#but what she DOES choose to comment on unfortunately paints a derogatory picture lately and i hate it and it makes me sad

[septembersghost]

Taylor’s tweet about women’s history month rubs me the wrong way especially more now that we know Matty has racist beliefs. Not all women are white.

one thing isn't equivalent to or even really reflective of another here, but that tweet was by far one of the more ignorant and tone deaf things she's done (until recently), and the fact that the young actress in that show was then attacked, including racially, by unhinged swifties on the internet proves exactly the point as to why words and commentary from celebrities, and intersectionality on issues, matters, and driving your rabid stans after someone does actual harm even if you didn't intend to cause it. she can be very myopic in her worldview sometimes, unfortunately.

[bluephoenixdruidicprincess]

Shadowhunters 3x14, A Kiss From a Rose -- Review

Alright, so Shadowhunters 3x14, A Kiss From a Rose, let’s talk about it. I’m finally buckling down and writing this review. I’m sorry for always being super late on these reviews, but this show is just so damn boring. It’s really difficult to just sit in front of my computer these days and talk about this show because there’s nothing I really want to talk about. Everything that I could possibly say about these episodes, I’ve already said a hundred times before in previous reviews. Shadowhunters has never been a “good” show, but at the very least, it was always somewhat interesting and so bad that it’s enjoyable to watch in an ironic sense so once upon a time, I legitimately enjoyed reviewing the show. But all of season 3 (including A and what we’ve seen of B) has just been so boring and directionless, it’s become a real chore to actually review this show. Dare I say it, I think I’m enjoying Lega-Trash far more than I’m enjoying this show currently and that’s saying something considering Legacies makes me feel like I’m dying whenever I watch it. But, I made a promise to you all as well as myself that I would see this show to the end, so here I am.

I would like to preface this review with saying that I am NOT a huge supporter of this show. I do enjoy certain elements of it but I’m not what would be classified as a devoted fan. For me, Shadowhunters is not a good show and I do get very critical of the show in my reviews. Honestly, for me, I watch the show because 1) I’m too curious not to and 2) I find that this show can be so bad its funny and that’s how I reap enjoyment out of it. I am not at all invested in this show or its characters anymore. I’m just watching to see what happens. If you’re a die hard fan and you lash out at everyone who has a different opinion than you, you might want to skip these…I’m just saying. My reviews may not be for you. If you do decide to be a total troll, well then pay attention to the below disclaimer.

This is going to be an honest review of my thoughts and feelings regarding this episode. If you’re the kind of Shadowhunters fan where you only want to hear positive things about the show, this is not the place for you. If you decide to stick around and get offended by what is said, then that’s on you. I warned you. Just know that if you send me any rude comments or messages, I will 100% ignore you. I find that’s the best way to deal with bullies. I work 14 hour days. Do you really think I want to waste my incredibly valuable free time dealing with derogatory comments? Hell no. This review will consist of my honest opinions. Opinions are never right or wrong. I’m not telling YOU how to think and feel. I’m telling you what I, quirky and socially awkward me, think and feel. So please, lets discuss with dignity and respect. If I’m critical about this show, it’s only because I want it to get better. There is, in fact, a difference between hating a show and being critical of it. I do not hate Shadowhunters, I am being critical and analyzing the flaws as I would with any other show. There are positives but there are also negatives. It’s great if you want to promote positivity with this show (and I encourage you to do so) but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to point out the things that are legitimately wrong with it. Also, keep in mind that despite the fact that I do like the books, me being critical of this show has nothing to do with my fondness for the books. I don’t really care if the show deviates from the source material as long as the changes are good, it makes sense, and it doesn’t create plot holes within the confines of the world the show has created. My problems with this show are problems I would have with any show or book for that matter. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to take issue with a show that has plot holes, shoddy world building, and inconsistent characters. There will be spoilers for the books and movie.

3x14, A Kiss From a Rose was…surprise, surprise…super boring. Seriously, it’s beginning to feel like this entire season is filler. This show continues to astound me in its talent for having too much going on but yet nothing also happens at the same time. I must’ve fast-forwarded probably about 70% of the episode because I was just so completely bored. I don’t understand it. There’s so much plot, the show is operating on a deadline but they continue to use filler episodes. It boggles my mind. In fact, I’m actually beginning to wonder just how far in advance the show might’ve known they were going to be cancelled because it feels like no one is trying this season. The writing is bad, the directing is bad, a lot of the acting is very bland and uninspiring, I’m beginning to think that the production staff, at least, had known about the cancellation most likely after 2B and before 3A. Like, if I had never watched Shadowhunters before, never read the books and an episode of season 3 (whether it be 3A or 3B) was my first introduction to the franchise, I would’ve written this show off no questions asked. Whereas if my first introduction to the show was an episode from season 1 or season 2, I still would’ve thought the show was bad but I also might’ve found myself slightly intrigued. The show, while being so completely bad, does have its moments of intrigue where I can tolerate it and there is none of that thus far in season 3, it’s just really bland, boring writing.

More Directionless Incesty Stuff…Yay

We unfortunately continue this story line of Jonathon being super attracted to Clary (for some reason, again, it’s beyond me on why everyone and their mother loves show!Clary in all of her Mary Sue glory, but whatever). I was originally excited for seeing this story line being switched up with Clary getting Jace’s story line from the books but the show is approaching this all wrong. It shouldn’t be about Clary sympathizing with Jonathon, it should be about Clary understanding him and seeing a bit of herself in Jonathon and questioning her motivations and if she can really justify her own actions as any better than how Jonathon justifies his own actions. It doesn’t mean she forgives him, it just means she gains an understanding of him as well as herself. It’s something that I’ve mentioned before in previous episodes that when really analyzing Clary as a character and what motivates her, she’s really not all that different from her father. The only thing that separates them are their ideals. In fact, I’d wager that without Jocelyn, Clary could probably have turned out exactly like Valentine. I think Clary has more in common with Valentine than she does with Jocelyn. At her very core, I actually don’t believe Clary’s this inherently good and pure person. She’s selfish and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the things she wants and without Jocelyn kind of curbing those instincts into a sense of social justice values, she could easily have gone the opposite direction. And that version of Clary is a fascinating character…it’s too bad the show doesn’t think so, they keep on wanting to depict her as this pure and perfect and innocent little flower who can do no wrong and deserves zero consequences for her actions and that’s what makes her boring and dull.

But this story line does nothing for Clary or Jonathon for that matter. Jonathon just continuing to have these romantic feelings towards his sister with very little development towards it just further showcases the show depicting him as this “evil” guy. He’s evil so of course he desires his sister in a sexual manner. And this certainly does nothing for Clary as a character. All we’re seeing is Jonathon manipulating Clary and taking advantage of her and her gaining feelings of sympathy towards him, it’s completely unnecessary and gross.

I was also bothered by just how long it took before Clary realized that it was actually Jonathon she was on a date with and not Jace. I mean, the whole part where Jonathon is making excuses for himself, it really doesn’t say very nice things about Jace, don’t you think? So the fact that she just accepted what he was saying as the truth while wearing Jace’s face really paints a very jaded picture of how she sees Jace. So again, it leaves you with the question of, “why on earth is Clace a thing?” They clearly don’t understand anything about each other. Or at least she has zero understanding of Jace as a person. 

It was an interesting move for the show to give Jace’s City of Lost Souls story line to Clary in the show but thus far, the show isn’t doing a very good job of executing it. And I still wish that since we’re going for a role reversal here, that it should’ve been a complete role reversal and instead of Jonathon being super obsessed with Clary like he is in the books, it’s actually Jace he’s super obsessed with. As I’ve said before, if you’re going to do a role reversal, you might as well go all the way.

But the date in the ice skating ring was a little cute so I’ll give the show that. I didn’t hate that scene. And early in the episode when the seelie is pretending to be Clary for Jonathon and she blows it by saying something Clary would never say and Jonathon blames the seelie for it, I really like that the seelie points out that it’s not her fault that the script she was given sucks. By no means do I believe this show is that self-aware, but I found enjoyment in choosing to think that there’s a possibility that the writers are making fun of themselves a little bit with that line. As I’ve always said with this show, their dialogue is atrocious and this show is actually known for it’s bad dialogue so I enjoyed that line.

The Return of Magnus’s Magic…Sort Of

So apparently warlocks giving each other magic via magic transfusion is a thing, I guess. Awfully convenient though, right? Something we’ve never seen as part of this world in the show before. But whatever. Magnus goes to Lorenzo and in exchange for Magnus giving up his apartment, Lorenzo agrees to perform this magic transfusion on Magnus. It’s nice to know that this whole plot point of Magnus losing his magic and having to find a way to live without it was a complete waste of time. Although, at least it looks like there’s consequences for it so we’ll see, I guess but I’m not holding my breath that this is somehow going to further develop Magnus in any sort of way other than put him in a victim position once again. Seriously, I’m so sick of this guy always being put in a victim capacity. I’m sick of always being told I need to feel sorry for this guy and that being the entire development of his character. An anon came to me last week talking about how Magnus is basically the Bonnie Bennett of Shadowhunters and to a certain extent I can agree with that but I would never compare the awesomeness that is Bonnie to show!Magnus. Bonnie may have been a victim a lot but she always grew every time she lost and we don’t ever get that with Magnus. There was this inherent strength about her and we never had to be told that. But this show goes way out of its way to tell us how strong of a person Magnus is. If you develop a well-written character, you don’t have to do that. The one time show!Magnus became legitimately interesting to me was the set of flashbacks we got in the first episode of 3B where we got a glimpse of the darker parts of his past and I’m just like, “where’s that guy? I want to see that guy.”

But anyway, there’s was some sort of Lara Croft Tomb Raider shit going on with the Magnus and Alec plot point where they’re trying to find the sword Jonathon is looking for but it’s ultimately pointless, they don’t find it. And we also get a really cringey scene where Alec threatens Lorenzo for being mean to Magnus and dare I say it…expecting payment for what he gave Magnus, I know, a real shock that when you make a deal for something, you should actually have to give up something. And what you give up should have a similar importance to what you’re being given. In general, that’s how payment typically works. But whatever, again, Magnus needs to always be the victim so of course this is what happens. I don’t mind so much that Alec threatened Lorenzo…I do however mind that he’s using the power he has as a head of the Institute to threaten Lorenzo, to me, that was a little uncalled for. Sure what Lorenzo did was distasteful but it’s hardly something where Lorenzo should be threatened by Clave punishment. I’m not saying Alec shouldn’t have threatened him, I understand why Alec did it, I just wish it wasn’t Alec using the power he was given as a leader to threaten him. Threaten Lorenzo individual-to-individual, that kind of thing, but don’t use your privilege for it, that’s distasteful and frankly really showcases how incredibly racist this show actually is. And it also shows a double standard. It’s not cool to use your political power to lord over downworlders but yet it’s okay to use that power to lord over downworlders you don’t like? How very progressive and woke of you, Shadowhunters.

But maybe with Magnus getting his magic back, we’ll have the conversation we were supposed to have in 3A where Malec actually deals with the immortality issue instead of sweeping it underneath the rug where they sweep all their other conflicts.

Jordan’s Underserved Redemption in Maia’s Eyes

I really dislike how Maia’s forgiveness of Jordan went down in this episode. This is something that definitely shouldn’t have happened immediately after Maia saw her entire pack get slaughtered and then have her claustrophobia triggered and oh yeah, Jordan is also dying in front of her. That’s sensory overload right there and it does nothing for her as a character. Really, how the show has been executing this whole Maia Becoming Alpha does nothing for her character. What’s the point of Maia going through this character arc of her feeling weak and defenseless and finally gaining the confidence to be strong if there isn’t a pack left that enabled her to become that being? It all feels just really pointless.

Oh, and I guess Simon and Luke did something this episode. It wasn’t much and really the episode could’ve gone without them and it wouldn’t have made that much of a difference. They find Maia and Jordan...and Luke gets arrested. I don’t know why Luke is so obsessed with giving the wolves the funeral rights immediately after their deaths when that’s never been the case before but whatever. I guess we must continue on this whole plot line of the NYPD cop plot line Luke has been on since Season 1 despite it always 100% being a complete waste of screen time.

There you have it. My review of Shadowhunters 3x14, A Kiss From a Rose. It was boring and another filler that really continues to worry me about the rest of the season. So far, 3B has had 0 direction, 0 character arcing and it’s just been a really dull experience. And what they’re doing does absolutely nothing for the characters. I’d give this episode a C+. It’s nothing special. It’s bleh. I guess I’ll hope for better when I watch the newest Shadowhunters episode today.