The best episodes of Shadowhunters
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
With everything that Simon has gone through this past year, a family dinner for Yom Kippur – the Jewish Day of Atonement – poses as a real challenge. How can he come clean about being a vampire and especially about what just happened to his family? And if he is stressed out, what if he can’t control his vampire urges? Looking to take care of this himself, Maia insists on helping him out whether he likes it or not. Meanwhile, Clary and Jace go on an unsanctioned mission and test out their newfound rune powers.
- 02
Alec, Jace and Isabelle make a plan to finally get Clary back and stop Jonathan—much to Luke’s and Simon’s chagrin. Meanwhile, an emotionally raw Magnus struggles to deal with his father’s reappearance and Maia must make a tough decision that could affect the rest of her life.
- 03
To help get answers to what Valentine may be planning, Isabelle and Clary are sent on a mission to visit the Iron Sisters. Once there, more truths may be revealed than Izzy and Clary planned. On a mission of their own, Simon and Maia are determined to find Luke who is still missing after the demon attack at the Institute. Meanwhile, Magnus and Alec finally go on their first date.
- 04
Clary feels pressured between choosing Jace or Simon. Izzy settles things with Raphael. Sebastian breaks his father out of prison.
- 05
Jonathan begins his reign of vengeful terror as the Shadowhunters try to find a way to stop him. With only one hope, Clary must make a sacrifice that could have long-lasting implications for all. Meanwhile, wedding bells are in the air for one special couple.
- 06
Tasked with arranging his brother Max’s Rune Ceremony, Alex decides this would be the perfect opportunity for his family to get to know Magnus. But with tensions flying among the different Shadowhunters, Max’s big event quickly becomes an evening where they all must face their biggest fears. Meanwhile, Simon makes a bold move as Isabelle finds an unlikely new ally.
- 07
With word getting out that Clary is a key part of Valentine’s plan, the Downworlders are at odds on how to handle the issue. But when Iris activates her blood oath, Clary has more to worry about than hiding from Valentine and the Downworlders. Meanwhile, Isabelle and Raphael get closer as Alec tries to figure out what’s going on with his sister.
- 08
The New York Institute is under attack as Valentine’s plan for The Soul Sword is getting dangerously close to coming to fruition. The Shadowhunters must act fast to save their loved ones and the rest of the Downworld. Meanwhile, some of the Downworlders have their own plan to stop Valentine and their target is Clary.
- 09
Alec has big plans to mend fences with the Downworlders, while Jace and Clary are summoned by the Seelie Queen.
- 10
Already cut off from the Institute and his friends, Jace finds his situation worsen when he becomes a target for the New York wolf pack who believe Jace to be a killer. And don’t forget about Aldertree and the Shadowhunters who continue their own hunt for Jace! With Jace becoming the most wanted man in New York, can his friends get to him before everyone else? Meanwhile, Simon is on a search of his own as Raphael puts pressure on him to find Camille.
- 11
Luke’s sister shows up at the Jade Wolf claiming innocence about the recent attack. But with Luke not trusting a word Cleo says, he finds himself at odds with Clary who sees an opportunity to get to Valentine. Yet how far will Clary go to prove she is right about Cleo? Meanwhile, Simon gets dating advice from a surprising source as Isabelle takes a dangerous path.
- 12
Secrets abound as the Shadowhunters and Downworlders try to get back to normal after Valentine's death. Clary struggles with keeping her secret about Raziel's wish, while Alec pushes Jace to come clean about whatever Jace and Clary are hiding. Luke must use tough love to keep his secret hidden from Ollie who is on a war path for answers. And Magnus hides his true feelings about his new position in the Warlock community from Alec. Meanwhile, Lilith sets a plan in motion in New York City as Simon spend stime in the Seelie Court.
- 13
Simon goes down a dark path while Alec and team prepares to transport Valentine.
- 14
After the recent attack on the Institute, the Shadowhunters are left devastated and wounded. Trying to regroup, each of the Shadowhunters deals with the situation their own way. Meanwhile, Simon moves home but finds it is not so easy to pull off his new life with his family around.
- 15
After several Shadowhunters are killed, The Institute turns to controversial methods to prevent a Downworlder uprising.
- 16
Awake, Arise, or Be Forever Fallen
After a devastating attack at The Institute, everyone is on high alert as the Shadowhunters close in on their hunt for Jonathan; Simon and Maia help a new Downworlder as the Seelie Queen demands an answer from Magnus and Luke.
- 17
Jace and Clary rush to make a final stand, but when a traitor is revealed, Jace and Clary may have a bigger fight on their hands than expected. Meanwhile, Alec and Izzy must fight off a large mass of demons that have unexpectedly shown up, as Luke and Simon head to the Seelie Court to deal with some unfinished business with the Seelie Queen.
- 18
The Warlocks’ magic is becoming corrupted by a demonic presence while Izzy and Luke try to track down more information on the recent series of possessions.
- 19
Clary teams up with Magnus to investigate a recent demon attack. Simon is stunned with he’s visited by someone he never thought he’d see again, and who now won’t seem to leave. Meanwhile, Izzy worries about dinner with her family and a special guest and Luke reaches out to Maryse.
- 20
With the Owl's identity revealed, Alec, Isabelle, and Clary head to Alicante to try and find a way to stop him. Luke and Simon team up to track Lilith's latest possible victim. Maia reflects on her past.
- 21
Magnus, Alec and Isabelle try to reach Jace inside The Owl, but even as powerful as Magnus is, can he help the Lightwoods retrieve their brother from his demon prison? Maia and Jordan join Simon on the hunt for Lilith, while Luke tries to find a way to get to Clary.
- 22
In the climactic mid-season finale, the team scrambles to find a way to put a stop to Lilith’s plan coming to fruition. But going up against their biggest opponent yet, their odds are not looking good. Meanwhile, Simon makes a heartbreaking choice with Isabelle’s help and Magnus reconnects with a powerful person from his past.
- 23
Simon is determined to get rid of the Mark of Cain and, with Isabelle’s help, tries to track down New York’s oldest vampire to get more information on the mark. Now in Paris, Clary desperately tries to find an escape from her current situation. Meanwhile, with his new sense of mortality, Magnus tries to live life to the very fullest.
- 24
Jordan and the Praetor try to track down Heidi, while the Shadowhunters try to locate Jonathan. Meanwhile, Luke looks to Maryse for help and Isabelle gets a possible lead on information on what is really going on in the Clave prisons.
- 25
Clary and Jace come up with a risky plan to get rid of her twinning rune, which may bring an old enemy back into the fray. Meanwhile, Alec is worried about Magnus.
