Shadow and Bone returned to Netflix with season 2 on Netflix this Thursday, and after eight episodes of visiting new and old stories, I can say that the latest season definitely upped the stakes. A lot was going on between scenes, and it is understandable if you got confused, so I’m here to sum up the ending and discuss what to expect form season 3.
In the beginning, Mal and Alina had set out to find the Sea Whip and use its flesh and bone to amplify Alina’s powers to take down the fold. Morozova’s amplifiers, if united, supposedly held the key for taking down the fold, and with two down, the duo felt quite good until the identity of Firebird was revealed.
Mal, a descendant of Morozova, was the true Firebird. Alina would have to kill Mal to access the powers that she needed to take down the Fold and, with it, the Darkling and his Nichevoya. And after some emotional turmoil, Alina sacrifices her long-time love and gains the powers she needs.
With the power of all three of Morozova’s amplifiers, Alina takes down the Fold and slays the Darkling, thus erasing his Nichevoya to ensure nothing like that is repeated again. But in trying to save Mal, the Sun Summoner uses merzost herself, and though Mal is resurrected, her new powers suggest an ominous new path.
We see a taste of her new power at Nikolai’s coronation when the Fjerdan Grisha, drugged with jurda parem, attacks the palace people, and Alina gathers the Cut.
Instead of a burst of pure light, viewers are stunned to see a shadowy blade slash through the sickened Grisha, suggesting Alina’s use of merzost deepens the connection she had with the probably deceased Darkling. Her shadow powers have even birthed theories that the Darkling could be alive – how I wish that were true!
Speaking of Nikolai, I fear the young King’s reign might be shortlived. In the books, the scar left by the Nichevoya festers and remakes the once Sturmhond into a dark gargoyle-like creature. The growing infection and Nikolai seeing a Nichevoya in his reflection might hint at the show taking the book’s route, meaning a grim turn waits for the new King of Ravka.
Now that Nikolai is no longer the Privateer leader, Mal takes his place and leads the twins and his crew to rid the county of slavers.
Inej might have flown the crows’ nest with Kaz’s blessing, but the Bastard of the Barrel, along with Jesper, Wylan, and Nina, stay behind to find and eradicate the new addictive drug Jurda Purem. The drug, lethal to non-Grisha, acts as a temporary amplifier when ingested by a Grisha, is highly dangerous but leaves them sick and deadly.
Pekka Rollins has made a new enemy in Nina Zenik after he denies the Heartrender Matthias’ freedom, a great new addition to the story that’ll be an interesting turn in a potential season 3. But will Matthias take Nina’s help now that he has a new role at Hellsgate?
Season 2 wrapped up many questions and stories with some doors left open for revisiting in a potential season 3. The Triumvirate’s formation and the joining of the two parts of Ravka have already ruffled quite a few feathers at Fjerda, and we might see an all-blown out war in the next season.
Netflix has yet to renew the series for season 3, but hopes are high. What did you make of the season 2 ending of Shadow and Bone? Drop your comments below!
About Shadow and Bone (2021)
Shadow and Bone is an American fantasy TV series developed by Eric Heisserer and 21 Laps Entertainment for Netflix. It is based on the Grisha novel trilogy, the first of which is Shadow and Bone and the Six of Crows novel duology by Leigh Bardugo.
The show follows orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov who discovers she possesses extraordinary powers which could change the world. As she ventures out on a journey to hone her powers, she must find friends among foes as dark forces conspire against her.
Main cast members include Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, Ben Barnes, Zoe Wanamaker, and more. Season 2 is out now.
Source: Netflix
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