WiC Watches: Shadow and Bone season 1
Episode 2: “We’re All Someone’s Monster”
“We’re All Someone’s Monster” doesn’t immediately pick up where the premiere left off, instead taking us back to Alina and Mal’s time at the orphanage. The opening scene shows the kids discussing the test every child undergoes to determine if they’re Grisha, reminding newcomers of the different types of Grisha powers in the process. Alina and Mal run off to avoid taking the test, afraid that they’ll be separated if one is proven to possess extraordinary abilities.
This is, perhaps, the perfect lead-in to Alina waking up on the skiff after miraculously having survived the volcra attack. Despite her pleas to see Mal, the Grisha take her to General Kirigan’s tent, where we finally meet the Darkling and get a recap of what happened in the Fold.
Ben Barnes delivers a performance that’s every bit intimidating as it should be, and his first scene is likely to sell book fans and Netflix-only viewers alike on the character.
After questioning Alina about her abilities to summon light — which it’s clear she had no prior knowledge of — Kirigan helps draw out her power. The result is a stunning display of light that can be seen from miles away, even if viewers are left questioning why the Sun Summoner can only tap into her abilities under certain circumstances (a question answered later, but it may create some confusion nonetheless).
Once it’s clear the Grisha do indeed have a Sun Summoner on their hands, Alina is carted off to the Little Palace, where she’ll be protected from spies and assassins from enemy nations. Of course, after the Darkling’s light show, those enemies track down Alina and her Grisha protectors long before they reach the palace.
The Darkling arrives, predictably, just as one of them is about to kill Alina, cutting the man in half with his magic. It’s bloody and brutal, but it demonstrates why he has such a powerful reputation. It’s also well balanced by his conversation with Alina afterward, during which he tells her that she’s not alone and reveals a seemingly softer side to himself.
Meanwhile, in Ketterdam, Kaz and his gang search for a safe way through the Fold despite a threatening visit from Pekka Rollins. Pekka warns Kaz off the job, advising against crossing him. After he and his cronies take the Dregs’ leader by surprise, one has to wonder how a gang leader of Kaz’s reputation could have been taken so off guard. (You’ve also gotta question Kirigan showing off Alina’s powers in full view of Ravka’s enemies; there are some questionable decisions in this episode.)
The interaction with Pekka establishes that there’s more to his relationship with Kaz than meets the eye, though the Five Pointers boss doesn’t seem to know it. Kaz’s desire for revenge, however, is brought up several times after their meeting, promising more conflict between these two in the future.
“We’re All Someone’s Monster” also explores Inej’s past. Taken from her family and sold to The Menagerie when she was barely into her teens, the Wraith has understandably strong feelings about the practice of human trafficking, especially since, despite being under Kaz’s protection, she’s still in Tante Heleen’s debt, something the brothel owner takes full advantage of during this episode.
In exchange for her freedom, Heleen asks Inej to kill a man called the Conductor. And Inej is tempted to abandon her moral code, especially after Heleen tells her the Conductor also kidnaps and sells children. Amita Suman delivers a deeply emotional and heartbreaking performance as Inej interrogates the man and reveals her own story (all while questioning whether she really wants to take another person’s life, even someone as vile as she believes the Conductor to be).
The twist, of course, is that the Conductor isn’t a trafficker at all. Kaz hooks up with him as he’s trying to find safe passage through the Fold. True to his name, the Conductor has a train car he uses to smuggle people through the great, black mass. And Heleen has only sent Inej to kill him to upend the Dregs’ plans.
Fortunately for them, Kaz arrives in time to prevent Inej from doing the unthinkable and bargains with the Conductor to help them. He also offers Heleen part of the bounty should they return from the job, and the Crow Club if they don’t make it back. It’s an uncharacteristic act of kindness to pay off Inej’s indenture, but it’s fully in line with the relationship the two of them seem to have. Much like the Darkling’s words to Alina, this scene shows there’s something less hard beneath the surface when it comes to Kaz.
The second installment ends with Alina arriving at the Little Palace and breaking down, an understandable reaction from someone who has been dragged away from everything they know. And although slightly slower than the first episode, “We’re All Someone’s Monster” packs in plenty of these emotional scenes that will leave viewers feeling much more invested in these characters.
In fact, the episode’s strength lies mostly with its character development. It offers insight into what makes the main cast tick, as well as what their lives were like before the events of Shadow and Bone. There are a few questionable choices in there, but overall it’s a solid and consistent look at who we’ll be following.
Of course, Episode 2 is also heavy on exposition, but it’s a necessary follow-up to the premiere. And “We’re All Someone’s Monster” isn’t entirely devoid of action. Seeing the Darkling showcase his power and watching in suspense as Kaz rushes to stop Inej are two highlights.
For a show that’s still finding its footing, the second episode continues to keep this story going strong, even if it isn’t quite as exciting as the first.