10 things we’d like to see in Shadow and Bone season 2

8. Politics: What’s a court without a little intrigue?

Shadow and Bone‘s first season may have introduced the king and queen of Ravka, but the majority of its court scenes are dedicated to showing off Alina’s power. Viewers learn about the royal family’s corruption through General Kirigan and Genya, but most of the political intrigue takes place offscreen (including Genya’s poisoning of the king).

Apart from the scenes set at the palace, there are a few other references to the tensions within Ravka scattered throughout season 1. There’s a reason the troops on the other side of the Fold were planning an uprising, and the Apparat (Kevin Eldon) clearly has his own motives for standing at the king’s side.

Now that General Kirigan has betrayed the king’s trust, it’ll be interesting to see the show delve more deeply into Ravkan politics outside of the Grisha. Alina eventually returning to the Little Palace will no doubt help fuel this; not only will she need to maneuver around the king, prince and Apparat, but she’ll get front-row seats to whatever conflicts they’re dealing with among themselves.

Kirigan’s actions are also likely to have consequences for any Grisha that remained at the Little Palace, meaning the Second Army will probably have to do some political maneuvering of its own. Through exploring court politics like this, Shadow and Bone has an opportunity to raise interesting questions about power and who should wield it. Let’s hope it does that conversation justice.