THE SHOW: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (Season 2, Episode 19 – Hail and Farewell)
THE PAIRING: Jace Herondale (Dominic Sherwood) and Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara)
THE MOMENT: Rune tattoos illuminate as Jace and Clary share a lingering embrace
THE QUICK OVERVIEW
SPOILERS!
Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments is a supernatural, fantasy TV series, based loosely on the bestselling book series of the same name by Cassandra Clare.
On her 18th birthday, Clary Fray discovers a whole other world than the one she’s been living in her entire life. Clary is actually a Shadowhunter, a daughter of two Shadowhunters and, therefore, of mortal and angelic blood and, thus, destined to be a demon-hunter. Because that’s what Shadowhunters do – they hunt demons in a world full of Downworlders, creatures with demonic blood – vampires, fairies, warlocks, werewolves – whom the Shadowhunters are sworn to protect.
Clary ends up honing her shadowhunting skills at The Institute among other Shadowhunters, teaming up with the butt-kicking siblings, Alec and Izzy, as well as the beautiful and aloof, Jace, with whom she has an increasing connection. They teach her to use a stele, a wand to draw runes on her body that will activate powers within her. Evil Shadowhunters, belonging to The Circle, which is headed up by Clary’s bad Daddy, Valentine Morgenstern, are always up to no good, including kidnapping Clary’s mother, killing, maiming and just generally causing mayhem.
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Clary’s best friend from childhood, Simon, gets dragged into this world and is changed into a vampire, which does not hinder his love of his best friend. Her step-dad turns out to be a werewolf. Valentine and The Circle are seeking the mortal instruments, legendary tools that will raise the Angel Raziel, harness his power and rule the world. Magic, demons, angels, conspiracies, intrigues, love triangles, forbidden love, quests – yeah, Shadowhunters is a show with it all.
THE LEAD-IN: JACE AND CLARY
Valentine told Jace and Clary that they are siblings – both his children. So, all the intense feelings these two have felt and shared are now deemed incestuous and cruelly doused. Jace struggles to control the unwholesome thoughts and desires he has for his apparent sister, to morph romantic love into platonic. They avoid each other. Clary enters a relationship with the ever-eager and persistent Simon, who’s been after her for years.
But Valentine lied. Clary and Jace are not siblings. But, by the time that is revealed, Clary is in a happy relationship with Simon. And the noble Jace, just wanting Clary to be happy and well, keeps his distance. But a visit to the fairy realm to the court of the trickster Fairy Queen results in Clary revealing that she still has deep feelings for Jace. This revelation occurs in the presence of Simon and Jace, hurting Simon profoundly. Clary denies its veracity and shuns Jace. But, the truth is now out there. Simon and Clary tearfully end their romance, although Clary still suppresses the intensity of her feelings for Jace.
THE ROMANTIC MOMENT
Clary does indeed have a brother, one laced with demon blood, possessing bodies and in cahoots with their big, bad Daddy. In order to track the untrackable brother, she needs to draw upon the angelic blood bond she shares with Jace. Yes, those two are indeed bonded, but not by Valentine and not by family.
Clary has had a vision of a new rune and wants to see if it will do the trick. Clary’s ability to create new runes is a rare talent. She draws the rune on her left arm with her stele and then seeks to find an empty space on Jace’s heavily tattooed upper body. One shirt removal later, Jace stands bare-chested before Clary. She draws the rune on his right pec, touching his arm with her left hand.
Cue the longing music and the lingering touch. And a wind machine and slow-motion camera shots.
Staring into one another’s eyes, the tattooed runes of Jace’s body begin to light up, glowing ethereally. He touches the nape of her neck, caresses her hair and face. The world slows. Their eyes close. Their noses nearly touch. The music grows in strength. The glowing increases. And Jace gently tucks Clary’s head into his shoulder, holding her, cradling her, hugging her.
The camera circles our shining, embracing couple.
And then a sudden wave of power cracks them apart. As soon as the moment started, it ends. The runes are back to being plain black. And they both stare at one another, wordless, shocked, titillated, yearning, confused by the intensity, breathless.
Segue to Clary’s brother grabbing his arm in pain and saying to their father, “I think, we’ve been located.”
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Yes, something sure worked right there and right then. We get a glimpse of the divine power that surges between Clary and Jace. A power that they don’t fully understand, but which is becoming increasingly undeniable.
Finally – because I for one was getting sick of Simon!
Here’s hoping Jace and Clary share some more intense moments in the upcoming third season.
Where to Watch: On Freeform in the U.S. and Netflix internationally. Season 3 premieres in March 2018.
What are your favorite moments between Jace and Clary? Sound off below…
Photo Credits: Constantin Film/Freeform.
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