Shadow and Bone Adaptation Review

Leigh Bardugo's debut novel Shadow and Bone has been making waves since the second it hit shelves in 2012. Shadow and Bone is the first in a trilogy—but that's not all. No, Bardugo created a whole universe in which two other duologies plus two spinoff companion novels exist. Fans of this universe—the Grishaverse—have waited patiently, hoping that this world would be the next for an adaptation. In January 2019, the show—which combined storylines and characters of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows—was given the go-ahead by Netflix, with a late 2020 release date. Not unlike everything else in this world, the show was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, finally, after years of waiting, the eight-episode adaptation has released on Netflix on April 23rd, 2021. But, what's the verdict? How true does the show stay to the heart of the series? And, the fated question, are the books better than the TV show? 

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now on Netflix!), which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology, The Language of Thorns and The Lives of Saints—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. Leigh grew up in Southern California and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. You can find her at leighbardugo.com. You can find more of my reviews of Leigh's work here. 

Eric Heisserer is an American screenwriter who earned his first Oscar nomination in 2017 for writing the screenplay to the acclaimed science-fiction film "Arrival" (2016). Heisserer's script was primarily singled out by critics for its high level of depth and craftsmanship. The Shadow and Bone television series was developed by Heisserer for Netflix. He is credited as being the show runner, creator, head writer, and executive producer. 

Based on Leigh Bardugo's worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive. 

I am very excited to take the opportunity to read the books and compare them to the TV series, just to see the ways in which the worlds are different but the heart is the same. Similarly to my reviews for The Lovely Bones and Looking for Alaska, I will be noting the similarities and differences to the Shadow and Bone book and TV series. Below, I will be breaking down each episode in the 8-episode season! Please beware, there will be spoilers for both the shows and the books ahead, so read at your own risk!

"A Searing Burst of Light" (Episode 1)

Leigh Bardugo has said multiple times that this adaptation stays true to the heart of the story. I want to take this opportunity to note that this essentially means that there will be changes from the original story. Walking into this TV show, expecting it to be exactly like the books, will leave you disappointed. It won't be a carbon copy of the books—and besides, if you want the story the books provide, then read the books. The TV show offers a whole host of new things: new interactions, new details, new storylines. We would be remiss to hold those new things against the cast and crew and writers, who have worked hard to combine the new with the heart of Leigh's stories. If we enter into this new Grishaverse with an open mind, then we will be in the right state of mind to be shocked, delighted, and awed by the work of everyone involved. So keep your minds and hearts open—these are our characters in new and exciting ways, interacting with each other in ways we'd only dreamed up before. It's real. 

This first episode opens on Alina's, played by Jessie Mei Li, experience in the army. She is truly one of the lowest rungs of the Ravkan army's pole as a cartographer for the First Army, and in the army she faces blatant and disgusting racism as a part-Shu orphan. There is a lot of people commenting on this racism over socials—rather than making any sort of comment here, I implore you to read the different things the Asian community is saying about this part of the show. 

This episode has a lot of work to do, especially as far as building the world of the Grishaverse. Not a single detail was overlooked. The maps are written in languages developed by David J. Peterson and Christian Thalmann. The folklore that Ana Kuya tells Alina along with the amazing shots of Ravka and the Fold build the tone of the rest of the series: one of foreboding, and also hope, along with just the right touch of power that will see the characters through to the end. The costumes are designed with intent and integrity, beautifully bringing these characters to life through the things they wear (keftas!)—and the props they carry (Inej's knives, Kaz's cane, and Jesper's guns especially). But more than that, the writers strove to emotionally connect the characters to parts of the world. The Fold has taken everything from Mal and Alina—their families, their childhoods—and now it's the one thing that can separate the two of them. This heightens the emotion and drama of the first episode. The writers also didn't just let the Crows be side characters, as seen by the early choice of having the Crows help explain the backstory of the Fold, and thus the world all the characters live in. 

Alina and Mal, played by Archie Renaux, are two of our leading characters, whose scenes in this first episode are powerful and heartwarming all at once. The scenes of their childhood are full of nostalgia, and actually most of those shots build the story of the one formative day that changed everything. This day is flashed back to constantly, as we start to understand what Alina's motivations in life are, and how she continues to make the same choice she always had. We are first introduced to Alina and Mal's friendship when they first sight each other at the Fold; time slows down for the first time in the season here, when they see each other and smile. It is a fantastic moment that holds a lot of weight for their dynamic moving forward. They clearly care about one another, as seen by how Alina tries to stop Mal from the crossing. She offers to shoot him in the foot, and when she walks onto the skiff he threatens to do the same. But, if you know the story of the books, Alina clearly feels something more than just a protective friendship for Mal—her feelings have gotten deeper, which are seen by perfectly timed facial expressions from Li throughout this first episode. By the time Mal and Alina are entering the Fold, viewers feel emotionally connected to their past and their present, heightening the suspense for that fated moment to come in the Fold. 

But it's not just Ravka that gets built, but Kerch, the country that houses the infamous city of Ketterdam. Ketterdam is full of thieves, greedy businessmen, and spies. The first of these characters is Jesper, played by Kit Young, a sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. Our introduction to him is spot-on: he's bubbly, haunted, hilarious, and charming all in the one second he discovers the user of the counterfeit coins. Kaz, his boss and leader of the gang, swoops in with his cane and his wit. Inej sneaks in not too far afterwards, and the immediate tension between Kaz and Inej is perfectly portrayed by actors Freddy Carter and Amita Suman. Jesper and Inej's friendship blossoms throughout the series, and its foundation is built wonderfully in this first episode, and it is sure to make you smile. You can also see that this is a prequel story for the Crows, not just because the dynamics are being newly cemented, but because of the way Kaz acts. He is a well-known criminal, but he is still trying his hand at bigger and riskier jobs. You can tell by the way he flounders for a plan. When he ushers everyone inside the merchant's house, you can tell he's also learning how to be their leader, which is a super important moment to think about once he evolves into that figure for Inej and Jesper. 

One of my favorite writing choices for this episode is the way in which the Crows get their information about the Sun Summoner. Alexei jumping the skiff and taking his chances in the darkness, only to end up all the way in a Kerch basement, murdered, was a great way to take one of the earlier character deaths in the books and use it to the advantage of roping the Crows in. 

Fans of the book Six of Crows will especially love one of the final scenes in this episode. When the man with the information is shot, Kaz doesn't blink, Inej blinks but doesn't move, and Jesper has to turn all the way around at the sound of the gunshot. Most of the plot elements the Crows participate in are completely new material—and yet, as Leigh said, all of the character reactions and decisions stay true to the characters from the books. For me, it was this moment at the end of the episode where that became clear, and which made me appreciate the writing and adapting of this series for TV. 

But of course, the character we've all been waiting for has yet to arrive: General Kirigan, played by Ben Barnes. When Kirigan's carriage arrives to the camp, we don't get to see him descend from the carriage, building suspense for the first moment we get to meet him. The second time we see him is from a great distance, once Alina's blue and gold scarf gets thrown off her neck when they start to enter the Fold. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• The reveal of the skiff's sails with an image of the Ravkan double eagle
• Shared look of absolute terror between Alina and her fellow cartographer
• Mal and Alina falling towards one another, almost holding hands, paralleling with the shot of the two of them as children, holding hands in the meadow
• Inej's reaction to Alexei's news of the Sun Summoner
• The Crows taking one last look at Alexei

Notable lines:

• They're not the monster. They're just boys. 
• Either you take your time or you take your chances. 
• I'll meet you in the meadow.

"We're All Someone's Monster" (Episode 2)

In the second episode of the highly anticipated Shadow and Bone, everything about Alina's life changes. She learns she can summon the sunlight. She meets General Kirigan, we get flashes back to Mal's and Alina's childhood, insight into the Crows and their character dynamics, and much more. 

Ben Barnes was fantastic as General Kirigan from start to finish. He completely commanded his character, from the second he lays sight on Alina, and each second afterwards. Laughter stops when he whispers that he wants it so, and only Alina is brave enough to test him by barely moving when he asks. It is through Kirigan that Alina learns about parts of the world they live in, and the power that she holds. The moment in this episode where she tells him "no" is beyond powerful, and you can see how Kirigan is confused by her lack of desire for her power. Their interactions this early on require them getting to know the other and allowing them these moments of confusion and vulnerability—Alina asks at one point if he could use the Small Science to reallocate her power to someone else, and important line to remember for later. 

I will say, all the the offering of hands—General Kirigan offering his hand to Alina, mostly—is a repeated image throughout the show that should not be missed, and its connotation should be noted! These are the really small moments that build trust and consent, and when those start to disappear, we should pay attention to what's happening between the character relationships that make that so. 

When Alina gets whisked away to the Little Palace, she has a conversation with Heartrenders Ivan and Fedyor that set up the stigma around Grisha that will be explored throughout the show. In the first moments of the episode, Alina is truly a myth come true, come to save them all. But more than that, she's also now a figure that could make life for all Grisha easier, not just someone who can eliminate the Fold. That would be by changing the stigma around Grisha, one that could change a Grisha's position in the world. Instead of being treated poorly and having to hide, they could step into the light without fear. Then, when Alina finally has time to talk to Kirigan alone, she learns about the implications of the Fold's existence: how it weakens Ravka economically and militarily, and the gains other countries have been making because of it. 

Mal also gets his fair share of the storyline in this episode. Following him and his moves right after Alina is taken is important for his character development, and it's fun to see where he goes and what he does when Alina is taken. We can't get this in a first-person book, so it's definitely a treat. It's what allows Mikhael and Dubrov to become hilarious side-characters, and an avenue the writers take to explore more of what it really means to the Army if the age of the Grisha is coming to an end due to Fjerdan militarization and industrialization. It's also important to see how hard Mal is fighting to get back to Alina, which will contrast with Alina's fighting to get back to Mal in later episodes. 

When we flash back to Ketterdam, we get a crucial interaction between Kaz and Inej that sets up the conflict between them for the rest of the show. Inej is the only one who dares stands up to Kaz, while Kaz is floundering and unwilling to admit that he doesn't have time to make a good enough plan that'll bring them back alive. This is a great moment for Inej and Kaz, setting up the immediate difference in priorities and beliefs of this mission—which ends up haunting them in future episodes. 

There is one moment in Ketterdam that confounds me. After Inej figures out that Kaz clearly wants revenge against Pekka (reason unknown), Jesper finds out that Kaz had a run-in with Pekka and his men. Jesper asks Kaz "Did he remember you?" which is interesting, because Kaz and Pekka have only had one previous run-in, way before the events of the TV show, which you'll know if you've read the books. Kaz and Pekka both agree (in separate occasions) that if Pekka remembered Kaz, Kaz would be dead. It begs the question, does Jesper know about Jordie? This fighting over who gets the one million kruge job creates a set up for Pekka and Kaz later in the series, but I'm still questioning over whether or know Jesper knows parts of Kaz's past.

We also get to learn a lot more about Inej in this episode. When she ends up back at her old employer's place for a job so that she can join Kaz and Jesper to Ravka, it's clear that Heleen knows how to play on Inej's desires while also forcing her into making a difficult choice that, in the end, benefits Heleen and would destroy Kaz's plan. Even though Inej asks Jesper for help, she ends up going after the man Heleen wants dead herself, as a way for Inej to grasp freedom and knowledge in her own hands. This is where we learn that Inej has a brother, and that she's still searching for her family in the midst of doing jobs with Kaz and the Crows. 

The transitions between the Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone storylines is fantastic, because just when you're wondering what's happening with the other characters, you more or less switch to them immediately—but it doesn't mean you leave the other group in a good place before you go. At the end of this episode especially, we leave our main characters Mal and Alina in states of unrest and disquiet, as they each search for the other in their sleep and find the other gone. The parallelism of this final image is heartbreaking, especially when there's a flashback of their childhood selves holding hands. It makes you hope against hope that they will find each other soon. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• The way Mal reaches for her hand on the skiff before being lifted away to medical
• Jessie only taking one singular step forward when the General asks, again, for her to come closer
• Kaz fighting with his cane
• Inej taking Jesper's shot, and then Kaz coming down two minutes later and taking the second of Jesper's shots
• Kaz finding a woman with information on how to get across the Fold just by watching how differently she counts money
• Inej taking out all fourteen of her knives
• The Fjerdan attack is brutal and well-filmed! 
• General Kirigan handing Alina a handkerchief
• Inej throwing the knife towards Kaz's head
• Kaz's deep breath after Inej let the Conductor go, unsure if she would or not
• Alina sobbing in the Little Palace
• Especially since this entire scene lines up with what her and Mal joked about at camp: don't let anyone see you cry, and always have a weapon on you
• Kaz giving Heleen his shares of the Crow Club as collateral, and then looking at Heleen's hand for a few long seconds before shaking it

Notable lines:

• Not if we can't go together. 
• What are you?
• Inej? Listen, I . . .
• Never make decisions out of fear, Jesper. Only out of spite. Well, greed always worked for me.
• Of course, love.
• By making them look.
• You are Grisha. You are not alone. 
• She's worth it, sir.
• Which is a super fun line because it was taken from Mal's letter at the back of the Shadow and Bone paperback!
• The lines about Jesper asking for an explosive expert for jobs
• Hints to a set-up for Wylan to be introduced in season two

"The Making at the Heart of the World" (Episode 3)

The third episode begins with narration from Alina that come from her letters to Mal. These letters are an emotional plot point, as they serve as one of the only ways Alina can stay connected to Mal while far away from him. Throughout this episode especially, the decision to have the letter voice over narration is fun and effective for getting inside Alina's head as she learns what life as a Grisha is like. I also enjoy how we get some montages of Mal and Alina together during these letter narrations, because it shows how it truly is the one thing that connects her to him, when they aren't together physically. 

We also get an introduction to one of the Grishaverse's favorite characters, Genya Safin, played by Daisy Head. Fans will recognize a lot of Genya's lines from the books, and watching her Tailor Alina is a dream come true. Genya and Alina hit it off the second Alina snaps back at the attendants—and when Genya sends them away after they say racist things right to Alina's face, Genya makes it clear that, to her, Alina is only a girl who needs a bath. This sets up their easygoing and trusting friendship. 

Another introduction we get is to Nina Zenik, Heartrender played by Danielle Galligan. Nina was the Conductor's contact to the Little Palace, and was a crucial part of the Crows' plan for once they crossed the Fold. But once she's taken by the Drüskelle, the Crows need a new plan—in fact, it's very much like Kaz to say that he will figure out what they'll do on the other side once they get there. But just because Nina isn't part of their story, doesn't mean we'll be leaving Nina behind. 

Once Alina is presented to the king, some other tensions within the world are becoming clearer. General Kirigan asserts his dominance to the monarchs, as seen by the sly step he takes onto the red carpet leading up to their thrones. It suggests that there are no boundaries he will respect. While the King is focused on reuniting Ravka with the Sun Summoner's power, Kirigan agrees to no such thing, only claiming Alina's power as the power to change the future—which could mean anything. General Kirigan has to take Alina's hand to amplify her light in his darkness, which also sets up this dependency on him for her to use her power. 

The Crows are figuring out a way to get across the Fold, slowly but surely. Kaz trusts Jesper to get the coal for their journey, but he had to know that Jesper would get detoured along the way; it's interesting that, for the most important item, Kaz would trust Jesper—it suggests that there's a reason Kaz trusts Jesper despite knowing about his easily-distracted disposition. It makes me wonder again how much of Kaz's backstory Jesper knows, and vice versa. But even though Kaz knows that Jesper might get distracted, Kaz won't: he takes note of who the Conductor is going to meet during the time before sundown—the general spearheading the independent Ravka campaign. He also finds Inej, who did also get sidetracked trying to track down some word of her family on a memorial. Kaz straight up not understanding Inej's need to know about them once again heightens that conflict between their different interests as characters. 

We finally find out where Nina has been taken: a Fjerdan ship, headed back to Fjerda where Grisha like her are to be taken to trial. Except, everyone knows that in Fjerda, all Grisha are found guilty of what they are. When a Drüskelle locks her up, Nina refuses to go down without questing Fjerdan law and honor. She figures out that this Drüskelle helped capture her, by flinging those ropes around her through the open window. This is the last we see of Nina in this episode, but this is all we need to get us invested in her storyline: will she survive? We will just have to wait to see!

Zoya also becomes a bigger character in this episode. She sets herself up as Alina's enemy, whispering a hateful thing in her ear just as she's starting to feel welcomed by all the other Grisha. Zoya uses her powers against Alina during combat training, telling everyone without words that Zoya is jealous of Alina's being favored by General Kirigan. But while Alina does now count Zoya as an enemy, she's making some friends too. Nadia and Marie, characters from the books, seem more like true friends to Alina than they did in the books. I appreciate this change, because it makes it easier to expect Alina to start enjoying life in the Little Palace, even if her powers aren't working in her favor. Because they aren't. Which is evident by her training—or lack thereof—with Baghra. 

There is more world building in this episode, perfectly timed with a conversation with the Apparat, the King's spiritual advisor. He offers insight into lore on the stag that Alina keeps seeing in her dreams, and gives us a better basis for understanding Grisha power as the Small Science. It is through the Apparat that we understand what amplifiers are, and that the bones of the amplifier need to be melded to the bones of the Grisha who killed the animal. Fans of the books will recognize the Lives of the Saints copy that the Apparat gives Alina at the end of their conversation. 

Crucial character development and internal monologue for Alina appears at the end of this episode. She is longing for her past life, longing for where she felt like she belonged with Mal, when nothing was bad and everything was good. When Ivan flames her for being at dinner—we don't even know if Alina's had a proper meal up until that point—she realizes that they won't accept her until she can do what they want her to do. But the problem is that she doesn't have faith in herself, or her powers, because Mal was everything and Mal's faith in her was everything since the Saints, she felt, abandoned her a long time ago. A montage of a bunch of earlier moments in the series so far help support this longing, this loss. She's terrified of failure, terrified of success, and is just completely unsure of how to continue in this strange life that Mal is not apart of. 

While this episode was pretty heavy, it was also full of humor! Alina blowing her veil away from her face as Genya leads her to Kirigan is a lighthearted moment. Kaz's character holding a goat is just too funny not to laugh at. The quick flashback to Mal teaching Alina how to fight is simultaneously so funny while also wholesome and heartbreaking because it feels like a sharp reminder of his distance from her. Alina receiving a funny taste tester at dinner brings some humor back into the difficult days she's been having at the Little Palace. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• The way the camera films under her veil as if viewers are Alina, getting misled by the transition from being led by Genya to being led by General Kirigan is a fun shot
• The goat on a leash <3
• Jesper admitting, eventually, that he did in fact gamble all the money away
• Kaz recognizing that the Conductor is his kind of man
• Jesper hugging the goat
• Jesper singlehandedly killing all the volcra will his guns is marvelous 

Notable lines:

• I think the Grand Palace is the ugliest building I've ever seen.
• Then what are you? (pause) She is Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner. She will change the future. Starting now.
• Welcome home, Miss Starkov.
• And then Leigh Bardugo in a purple kefta moving forward to hug her, and the rest of the Grisha following, is sure to warm your heart! 
• But you have suffered, haven't you? I think you will suffer more.
• Where's the rest of you? 
• Everyone believes that you are the one. Come back when you believe it, too.
• Hug the goat. Shut the hell up. 
• Everyone is looking at me like I'm the answer.
• If I really do have this power, who am I? — A stranger to myself and to you.
• You told me about cardinal north. And true north. Cardinal north is a direction on a map. True north? True north is home. It is where you feel safe (flash to Alina seeing Mal at camp). And loved. You have always been my true north, Mal. (Mal: I'll find my way back to you.) And, if I am to survive this, I need to be home again . . . (Mal: I'll meet you at the meadow.) . . .  with you. 

"Otkazat'sya" (Episode 4)

Now, this episode is a foil to the last one. When we started with Alina writing letters to Mal, we get to see Mal writing letters to Alina, and those being voiceover narrations as we follow Mal's story back in the Army. He stayed with the army, listening to Dubrov and Mikhael when they said he will find an invitation to the Little Palace by either winning a medal or doing some other great deed. Now, Mal has his chance: he volunteers to track the stag, something General Kirigan wants and something Mal knows he can deliver. We find out that Mal has a scar on his hand, much like how Alina also has a scar on hers. He looks at it when trying to figure out what Alina is to him, and that is the hand he raises when he volunteers. But Dubrov and Mikhael won't let him go alone, and the friendship between these three gets built upon during this episode.  

Meanwhile, Alina is still trying to hold onto herself. She refuses to wear General Kirigan's black, but she learns his real name and the story of the Black Heretic as he pulls her closer to him. I know there is some tension around the fact that General Kirigan asked Alina to call him Aleksander very early in the series. In the books, he tells her his real name at the end of the third one. However, I support the decision to giving General Kirigan a first name in the show, because they changed his title from The Darkling (which is more like a moniker that totally hides his real name), whereas calling him General Kirigan is a formal address. When General Kirigan declares that he wishes he could be anyone else, over and over again, I find it interesting that he gave Alina his real name in that moment—because he's allowing himself to be as human and as true to her, in a sense already becoming someone else in her presence.

Alina goes back to the Little Palace, where her summoning powers still aren't nearly enough according to Baghra. This is the first hint that something could be dreadfully wrong. But she's unaware of Baghra's deep need for Alina to figure out her power, because she's distracted by the idea that Mal really is genuinely on his way. Since she invited him in her letters—even though Mal has admitted to us that he still hasn't heard from her—she is excited to welcome him to the Little Palace. 

Meanwhile, the Crows are getting ready for their first heist of the season: the Little Palace blueprints. They have to leave the goat behind—bye Milo!—as their discussion of the heist starts to play in the background as Kaz sets it all in motion. Kaz acting as an eccentric sculptor is definitely one of the funniest moments in the whole show. And one of the most impressive moments is how Inej shadowing the guard as he searches the room actually works! Now their next step to the plan is actually getting to the Little Palace, where they know Alina is being kept. 

Nina's storyline remains relevant, as General Kirigan asks Fedyor to go on a search for her. She is clearly valuable to the General, as she was on a mission for him. Then we switch to Nina, who is interacting with the same Drüskelle as before. This interaction, where he tries to give her food and she refuses, is brilliant. The back and forth between them is entertaining, while also revealing important information about the way Grisha are treated by the Fjerdans. As Nina takes all his questions and turns them back on him, you can see the moment where the Drüskelle turns and might start to see and understand Nina's background, at least just a little bit. She spits the food back out at him, claiming she'd rather starve than be a traitor. This is important for later, as this exact kind of situation comes back to haunt her in episode eight.

Inej and Jesper have to perform to get their crew on a traveling troupe to the Little Palace. Suman trained really hard with these silks, and the performance she puts on is incredibly impressive. Then, Jesper shows off his sharpshooting talents. He blows himself a kiss in his mirror and then kisses his gun before shooting the card out of Inej's mouth—this is so in-character for Jesper, and he really stole the whole moment with these little confident and cocky actions of his. 

Alina heads back to training with Baghra, which takes a turn in this episode. After being drugged with some tea, Baghra eggs Alina on to get a reaction out of her. The tea forces Alina to hallucinate, in a sense, and she ends up back to that day where Alina was tested by the Grisha testers. This is where we learn the truth of what Alina did to stay under the radar—in their haste to run away, Alina breaks a porcelain mug and uses one of the shards to injure herself, so that the testers wouldn't detect any pain. Baghra uses these feelings against her, in a really savage way, causing Alina to question why she's even waiting for Mal anymore, why she's putting herself in pain and hiding from herself when she knows now he isn't coming. 

Alina's midnight conversation with General Kirigan is a definite turning point in the show. He says to her, "I have been fighting this war alone for so long. I have buried so many good soldiers. Friends. The coffers are running dry, the noose tightens, and our own people are turning against Grisha, just as their kind once did." And then, Alina touches him and brings light around them as a bubble. Unconsciously, Kirigan had been making the room darker, and she takes that away and says, "You are not alone." This moment parallels perfectly with an earlier moment where Kirigan had told Alina that she was not alone. Now, the two of them are in this together, whether they like it or not. When Kirigan takes ahold of her face, this is a moment where he might have felt something for her. His eyes are teary and he's really looking at her as she's a person, not just as the one he's been waiting for. I think he tries to deny what he's feeling, but it's clearly there for both of them. Alina leaves, trying to get out of that really charged space, and there's this lovely shot of both of them on each side of the door: Kirigan in the dark, and Alina fleeing into the light.

It is after this moment with Kirigan and her training with Baghra and after she receives no letters (a moment that parallels with an earlier moment in the episode when Mal was also hoping is name would get called) when Alina sits down and decides to let Mal go. We learn that Mal has always heard Alina in the back of his head as this high tone—when they held hands, when she summoned light in Kirigan's tent, and now when he spots the stag. While he is caught in the middle of a brutal Fjerdan attack, Alina is erasing the scar on her palm and moving on from him. As he is flashing back to the day he attacked the quartermaster to defend Alina and realizing that they will have matching hand scars for their dedication to one another, Alina is getting rid of hers. 

By the end of the episode, Mal's and Alina's paths have officially diverted. Alina is leaving Mal behind and claiming her power, believing that holding onto Mal and her past life is the reason she's unable to fully accept her powers. Yet, the only thing that anchors Mal to this life and to this sorrow is Alina, and the bright spot she has always been for him. He risked the Fjerdan border and his friends' lives just for the chance to sight the stag and the small possibility of being reunited with her. The ending of this episode hits hard, and no one would be surprised if it left some viewers completely teary-eyed. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• Street art of the Sun Summoner in Ravkan, being translated to English on screen
• Genya calling Alina sunshine when she wakes her up
• Inej taking the next steps of their plan by saying, "As a friend once told me, 'If I can't crack this, none of us are going anywhere.'" And then she hands him some of her knives for safekeeping. 
• This is what Kaz said earlier to Inej when he was trying to figure out how he would get them across the Fold. 
• Mal's gun jamming in the worst second possible. The entire Fjerdan attack scene was well-done and brutal, and also full of grief. 

Notable lines:

• What is she to you, anyway? And I wasn't sure how to answer.
• Comes straight from Mal's letter at the back of the paperback version of Shadow and Bone
• You and I are going to change the world, Alina.
• Bit slow on the draw there. Or just in time. 
• But I will find the stag. It's the one thing I can give to you. Maybe the only thing.
• I feel nothing about you. Well, I guess that makes you good at your job.
• (In unison) Shut up Jesper. I miss Milo. 
• You protected yourself by denying yourself. I wasn't thinking of me, I was thinking of him.
• Who are you holding back from, then? Bring the light. 
• How many more Ravkan children need to be orphaned to this war because you are afraid to face the truth?
• Alina, if you get this letter, know that when I told you about true north, I was talking about you. You are my true north and I can see my way to you now.
• This especially hurts because the episode before this ended with Alina also coming to this realization, but now she has given up on him. 

"Show Me Who You Are" (Episode 5)

The opening of this episode brings much hope. Mal finally stumbles back to camp with the sighting of the stag, and he gets to go to the Little Palace to deliver the news directly to General Kirigan—and hopefully see Alina because of it. The Crows' heist is in motion: Kaz is disguised as a guard and the troupe gets access to enter the grounds. Alina is finally starting to feel comfortable in the Little Palace with her new friends Marie, Nadia, and Genya—their friendships are sweet, and honest—but at the cost of Alina's hope in Mal. 

Alina tells Genya that she has chosen General Kirigan, and Genya warns her away from powerful men. This moment is crucial, as not only does Alina give up on Mal, but she's consciously choosing General Kirigan. When David presents her the gloves—which are super cool in the books—Alina also refuses them, truly showing how deeply she now believes in herself and her power. Despite this heavy interaction, Alina is able to convince Genya to go outside with her and have fun. 

The Crows are finally at the Little Palace. Inej and Jesper's interaction while Inej is practicing is perfect: they talk about their way out, the Sun Summoner, belief and faith. Jesper's answer to Inej's question is also in-character: he just wants it to be worth something. More than anything, it seems like Jesper's desires will be fulfilled by the end of the season. When Jesper is outside scouting, he discovers who Alina is (as Alina and Genya are outside), giving the Crows a slight edge in their search for her. Kaz makes the call to have Arken (the Conductor) grab Alina, which, if you know Kaz, feels like a strange choice—we now all know that something is up, but what? 

Before we can figure it out, we flash to Alina and the General's conversation before the demonstration. Alina is starting to feel like she belongs to something greater now, that her and Kirigan can offer Grisha and Ravka hope for the future. That is what the demonstration represents. This "Darklina" moment as the fandom calls it, is everything we could have ever hoped for. Kirigan had the exact right facial expression in this moment, too, like he was pleasantly surprised by Alina's actions and the feelings he may have started to feel.

The first time time slowed down in the season was when Alina caught sight of Mal in the first episode. Now, time slows down for the second time: when Alina catches sight of Kirigan and they move towards each other during the fete, even though that wasn't the plan of events. This made my heart stop, because even if we wanted to ignore all the other signs, this is the biggest one: Alina feels something for Kirigan, the same thing she felt for Mal at the beginning. And now, Kirigan has replaced Mal as the romantic figure in her life. She has officially moved on, and moved towards the man she wants in her future. The slow down of time cements that idea. 

After the light show, instead of clapping, people start bowing and calling her a Saint, including Inej. This gives more weight to the fete and the whole situation of her Sun Summoning abilities. This adds a deeper layer of faith and lore surrounding Alina's abilities. When she is stopped by the Apparat, later, he sucks the joy out the success, by claiming that she has become dangerous and she will become even more dangerous still. While the show of faith by the people for Alina seems unnerving, it is the Apparat that claims that there is power in it, more than enough power to topple nations and monarchs. This sets an ominous tone for the rest of the episode; this is the turning point.

Mal has finally arrived at the Little Palace, to share the news of the stag. The second Kirigan sees Mal, he asks if he's all right, which feels very surprising and out of character for Kirigan—but he probably does this because he knows exactly who Mal is from Alina's letters, and cares for Alina enough to extend the one nicety to Mal. Mal's revelation that the antlers form the Sun Summoner symbol proves that the stag is meant for Alina, but Mal knows that too and won't give Kirigan any more concrete information until he's seen Alina. 

At the same time, we see the Crows' plan for kidnapping Alina go sideways. Arken kills Alina instead of taking her, and then he is kidnapped. But, it turns out, Kaz was expecting this outcome, because Arken didn't kill Alina, but Marie, disguised as Alina as a decoy. Kaz knew all along that Arken would betray them, and made sure to lead Arken astray so that Kaz, Inej, and Jesper's way was clear to grab the real thing. But there are a lot more pieces on the board than just the Crows, and they might not get to Alina first—Baghra is going to be after her, because she suspects that Kirigan's plan is starting to fall into place with the knowledge the tracker is about to bestow. 

But Kirigan gets to her first, and they share another moment. It's made all the more special when you know that the second kiss—the one he steals before leaving the room—was completely improved. Once he leaves, Baghra has the space to swoop in and reveal all. While we as viewers have guessed that this has started to go sideways, this is the moment where Alina's eyes are finally opened to Kirigan's manipulation of her. Alina makes her escape—right into the back of a carriage she hops will take her far away from the Little Palace, and far away from Kirigan who was planning on using her as a weapon the entire time. 

Luckily, it's the same carriage Jesper prepared for the Crows' escape. Bet he didn't expect the job to get that easy. But Kaz and Inej are trapped by Grisha who have caught onto their disguises. Kaz is able to fight an Inferni, but can't get away fast enough. When he stands again, there seems to be no hope for Kaz, until a knife embeds itself in the back of the Grisha's head—Inej, who doesn't kill, didn't hesitate to kill a man to save Kaz's life. And he is the only one to force her out of her shock and to get them moving. This was an incredible moment, because you can see the shock and horror in Inej's face as she realizes what she's done, while also being relieved that Kaz is okay. And you can see Kaz's surprise and relief at Inej's saving him, and when he snaps back to the task at hand to keep Inej from falling apart. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• Genya spotting and talking to David
• Kaz's leg acting up so much he almost collapses and leans against the wall
• We don't get any of Kaz's backstory in this season, so Freddy Carters portrayal of him is crucial—from the mental all the way down to the physical. He really nails this part right here, which is great for fans of the books and for fans of the show, might start to cause them to wonder how exactly his leg was hurt
• Zoya correctly identifying Inej as Suli
• This hits super different if you've read Rule of Wolves
• Jesper flirting with and kissing the stable hand
• Fedyor forcing Ivan to try a pink cookie
• David looking at Genya when Genya's not looking

Notable lines:

• I think I'm going to stick with the black moving forward.
• I want you to be careful of powerful men.
• You're not Ivan. Sorry to disappoint. Do I suspect a little disdain for my Heartrender? 
• You look lovely, by the way. You looked like you needed saving.
• You know who you are. I do. 
• You have no idea how much larger a role you have to play, do you? 
• He is eternal. And you never stood a chance. 
• Unlike a spider, I only need one good leg.

"The Heart Is An Arrow" (Episode 6)

The previous episode was a complete turning point in the action of the show, and we start this episode with a completely unexpected interaction: between the General and Arken. This is what Kirigan was occupied with as Alina made her escape, and where we find out that Nina is Kirigan's very loyal spy and that she had been playing Arken all along. 

Towns away, the Crows finally encounter Alina. Like the moment where the Crows' reactions are perfect for their characters when Alexei is shot, the same is true when they meet Alina. Jesper and Kaz of course would be unwilling to let her leave and willing to fight her to keep her, while Inej would give her a beseeching but understanding look, and surrender to let Alina go. I loved how this was portrayed, and how this becomes the breaking point for the Crows—while they all agreed to the job, Inej made it clear since the beginning that she had different priorities and beliefs about it. In this moment, it finally shows. 

Meanwhile, the storm has completely taken over Nina's ship. They've been shipwrecked, and Nina is struggling to stay afloat in the freezing Fjerdan sea. When her and Matthias agree to help each other, it feels like a breath of fresh air, because viewers will have been holding their breath during this moment. Watching Nina and Matthias agree to help one another swim to shore feels more intense than reading about this scene ever did. Something about seeing the scene makes it a stronger moment, more real, especially once they reach the hut and have to sleep close to one another to keep warm.

The parallelism between Mal and Alina's journey through the woods and Nina and Matthias's journey through Fjerda is on point. It heightens the emotional stakes of this episode, and I think this episode is entirely about the emotions of each of the characters. When Mal reaches out his hand to Alina and Alina takes it, when they are reunited and agree to work together again without saying as much, it takes us right back to their past, to their friendship, to their belief in each other. When they finally hug, it's a moment that took my breath away, more so than any of the kisses she shared with Kirigan. 

One of my favorite few scenes in this episode is when each of the Crows take on a different Grisha. Jesper moving between the sheets and using his sharpshooting skills to keep punching bullets in the chest of the Heartrender is clever, and fun and exciting to watch. I also appreciated that he spares the Grisha because the child is watching. Inej is facing the sister of the Inferni she killed in the previous episode, and she hates that she has already hurt her—yet, once the Grisha threatens to kill everyone Inej loved, Inej resigns herself to not taking any chances, and kills another Inferni. While Inej does not kill, we are finding out that she'll do anything to save her loved ones. And then, of course, the big showdown between Kirigan and Kaz. I am a little disappointed that Kaz didn't hit Kirigan with his cane, but it definitely feels more on-brand for Kaz to use his wit to get out of this sticky situation. After defeating three of their powerful Grisha, the Crows know they need to escape, and they steal Kirigan's carriage. But not without poor David getting the wrong end of Kaz's cane first. 

Alina and Mal have a difficult decision to make—to flee west, and out of Ravka away from Kirigan forever, or to hunt the stag. Alina thinks back to a conversation with the Apparat and makes her decision. Rather than leaving the stag for Kirigan to kill—and thus, giving Kirigan all that power—Alina decides to claim it for herself, so that one day down the line she can come back and destroy the Fold. 

When Kirigan finds out that Mal and Alina are together, he is beyond bitter. It's almost funny how upset he is. Kirigan started off the episode happy, thinking Alina is in his power and under his thumb, and now everything is going awry. He is going to come back stronger, and now he's not going to hold himself back. By the end of this episode, we should all be scared of what's to come. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• Inej finding out that Kaz sold his shares of the Crow Club so that she could come on the job with them
• Nina falling into the ice in Fjerda, and the look in Matthias's eyes before deciding to save her. 
• Nina and Matthias finally giving one another their names
• David getting more abilities as a Durast—with his connection to metals, he actually is the one that can track Alina down. 
• Kaz being unable to look at Inej while she starts to stitch herself up, knowing he can't help
• I love this moment because it also forces viewers to question, why is he holding himself back? 

Notable lines:

• Thank you for finding me. Always. I'll always find you. 
• Your powers don't scare me. Is it me, then, do I scare you? I'm sorry that it took me this long to see you Alina. But I see you now. 
• Who's Aleksander? 

"The Unsea" (Episode 7)

This is the episode that has been dubbed the most emotional and having "the most stag" by Leigh Bardugo, and I was beyond nervous to start this one knowing what it would hold! But, it didn't start the way I expected at all. It started with Kirigan's backstory. 

Kirigan has been fighting for the Grisha since the beginning, and even loved one, once. Once she was taken and killed by the Army, he used the Cut on them and has been fighting against them ever since. This was hundreds of years before, when Kirigan was more human and probably used to have better relationships with Baghra and the other Grisha. But after Luda's death, Kirigan refuses to listen to anyone except his own desire for vengeance. He doesn't listen to Baghra telling him that the Grisha don't want to fight, they just want to exist. So, it's Kirigan's fault that he pulls them into this war that they never wanted. While he wants to help them, because he doesn't listen, he doesn't go about helping them in the right way. He defies the belief that a Grisha has to touch hands to use the Small Science, and creates the fold with merzost and hate. And, right from the get-go, he plans on using the Fold to his advantage. This backstory to understand Kirigan was expertly placed at the beginning of this episode, because it will explain and inform all of his future decisions. 

The scene where Mal and Alina find the stag is so emotional, it's too difficult to put into words. Watching all the pieces fall into place on screen is heart wrenching, and the actors portray their feelings for one another and their fear of Kirigan is spot-on. Honestly, this is an episode that you just need to watch closely, with no distractions. This moment is breathtaking, and Leigh was right in that it's definitely the most emotional episode of the season. 

After Inej stitches herself, she goes to face Kaz and what she did in letting Alina go. In the trailers, we see Kaz say "She's real" in this broken voice, and now we can understand why. Somehow, Kaz has become a believer in Alina's power. He doesn't believe in the Saints, but he believes this may be his last chance to admit something to Inej, and he chooses to admit that he believes in Alina's ability to save Ravka and get rid of the Fold. This moment between them is incredibly powerful, as they also talk about their belief in one another. 

My favorite decision with this episode was when Kirigan tells Alina, "to transfer your gift to someone who could use it." Earlier in the season, she begged Kirigan to take away her abilities and give it to someone who could use it. Now, with the way the stag was killed and how it is being bonded to bones, he has done just that. Even as she's fighting him about this, even as she fighting against it, Kirigan is still manipulating her to put the collar on, and he won't answer a single direct question about what he plans to do with the Fold and her power. To use her power, he melds a piece of the antler to his hand, along with melding it to her collarbone: a complete twist and shocker. I lost my breath. 

Alina and Mal are separated once again, but Alina is put directly in Genya's path, where Alina is hoping to get more people to her side against Kirigan. Alina figures out that Genya never sent her letters to Mal, and that would mean nothing if Alina could convince her to fight against Kirigna. But Genya won't do it. Not only won't Genya join her side, but Kirigan is taking extra steps to try and turn Mal against Alina as well, getting into his head about how Time will show Alina that Kirigan is the one she'll want to be with. But Mal knows better than to be tricked by Kirigan after his demonstration, and with some lovely help from Milo the goat, Mal escapes. 

Alina tries one more time to defy Kirigan, throwing everything he's done in his face. Once Kirigan sees that he cannot convince her back to his side, he says, "Fine. Make me your villain." This infamous line is one everyone has been looking forward to, and Ben Barnes delivers it perfectly. In the books, the line is said pretty flippantly or offhandedly as the Darkling slumps back in his chair. But, the fandom has fallen completely in love with the line, and has made it more dramatic and heart-stopping. I was glad to see that this is the interpretation that Barnes and the rest of the crew decided to deliver. It was absolutely perfect. 

Kaz, Jesper, and Inej are on their way to leave east Ravka back through the Fold. Once the train car blows up, they have to figure something else out. Knowing that there's a skiff leaving the next day with the ambassadors and Alina and Kirigan, they make a plan to get onto that skiff, and to stay alive long enough to get back across the Fold. 

This episode ends with all the important players of the show getting onto the skiff. My favorite part of this is when Kirigan chains Alina to the deck, and Alinas tells him, "That's not a good look for you." He responds by saying, "I doubt very much they'll be looking at your feet." This completely harkens back to Mal's and Alina's jokes to one another in the first episode. Alina offered to shoot Mal in the foot to get out of the crossing, and Mal threatens to do the same once she seems him enter the skiff. A joke that started in episode one has now left the main characters chained to this fate by the end of the penultimate episode, with only guesses as to how it could turn out. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• Watching the Fold unfold across the screen is truly heartbreaking
• Jesper making Inej laugh when she's on the brink of crying
• Kaz promising Inej that she won't go back to the Menagerie and she almost starts crying

Notable lines:

• She's real.
• If not Saints, what do you believe in? Myself. Why'd I even ask? And you. And Jesper. My crows.
• No Saint has ever watched over me. Not like you have.
• None of this has been up to me! 
• Jes? It's Suli for friendship. 
• Arken and I think alike. Is it too soon to appreciate the irony?
• Fine. Make me your villain. 
• No mourners. No funerals

"No Mourners" (Episode 8)

The final episode in the season is the scariest to begin, because it has the most pressure! How will Shadow and Bone end? How will we leave the characters, and what's going to happen to them? And, almost most importantly, will it set up a season two? 

This episode is my favorite as far as Zoya's moments and character. Zoya learns that something is definitely off about this whole trip the second they take off. Having Zoya mention that her aunt is in the next town is a perfect buildup for her character, especially for later seasons once we have the chance to get to know Zoya better. If the show ended up continuing all the way to the King of Scars duology, especially, it sets up the viewers knowing most everything about Zoya's losses and motivations for that duology. When Zoya turns away from General Kirigan, it's a brilliant moment for her character. Not because she is freaking out from grief, but it's a conscious and clear-headed choice on her part to defy him and physically put herself away from him. It's a new statement of allegiance, along with her later choices in the episode in standing with Alina. When Zoya and Inej start to work together to save Alina, it is clear who she is fighting for now. 

Nina and Matthias, after struggling together for so long and finally understanding and starting to see each other, decide to stay together and get celebratory waffles about it. I found that this was super on-brand, especially for Nina, and was so glad a line about waffles made the cut. But when Fedyor finds her, she has to make a choice. Calling Matthias a slaver buys them some time before they get to Kerch for Nina to make a new plan for their freedoms. This, in my opinion, was such a great move. I couldn't remember how Nina ended up getting Matthias to Hellgate, and making this decision to save him from General Kirigan while also essentially transporting them to Kerch was clever and well-done. 

Kaz, Inej and Jesper end up in the bottom of the skiff, making plans to stay hidden, as it's the least exposed area. Inej finds Mal, and Kaz essentially recruits him to their gang for the time being, as their interests all align. But, when the fighting breaks out, their crew splits again as Inej follows after Mal to go save Alina on deck. While the Crows are belowdecks, Kirigan is expanding the Fold, and he tries to validate this decision to Alina by claiming that it is retribution for the people who tried to kill her in earlier episodes. This is beyond manipulative on his part, and just goes to show that despite all the feelings he'd had for her earlier, he will never become more human or change his actions. 

This episode is full of heart stopping moments. The first one for me was when Alina reached across the deck of the skiff for Mal, and then being pulled away from Mal's hand. It was super reminiscent of when their hands almost touched in the first episode on the deck of the skiff. The second such moment is when Inej launches a knife right at Kirigan and it lands true. Inej using her knives against General Kirigan is more than we could have hoped for, and is such a powerful moment. Time stops when Alina sees the stag on the deck of the skiff. The stag looks knowingly at her, and at the abandoned knife on the deck, and Alina knows what to do. She delivers some of the most powerful lines in the series and then launches the antler out of his hand—this is an absolutely brilliant way of visually depicting Alina's ability to reclaim her power, changing the course of this episode. 

There is even more brilliant parallelism as Mal and General Kirigan finally have the fistfight we've all been waiting for. Once Mal is able to rejoin Alina, he says, "Don't you dare say 'meet me in the meadow.'" This is another powerful moment, because he's essentially telling her not to be as weak as he was, all those months ago when he thought he was coming to the end. He doesn't want her to accept that this might be death, and wants her to survive. Instead of saying all that, he parallels back to what he said to her, making it all the more emotionally charged. 

After the battle on the Fold, Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Zoya, Mal, and Alina end up in a field by a fire together. Several important interactions occur that set us up for a season two. Alina and Inej have a wonderful conversation, and she gifts Inej a knife that I'm hoping will come back into play in a later season. Alina doesn't let the Crows walk away empty-handed, giving Kaz some jewels that should cover more than enough of the profits they will have lost by letting Alina walk away. Zoya decides to leave the group, to look for her family among the wreckage—but she doesn't leave without Alina giving her a hug. This hug signifies so much: it shows that Alina forgives Zoya for everything she's done, is thankful for her support, and is hoping she finds her family. 

But of course, all of our favorite characters end up on the same ship back to Kerch: Nina and Matthais; Inej, Kaz and Jesper; and Mal and Alina. Kaz is coming up with a new plan for his gang that will keep them from dying once they reach Ketterdam's shores, one that involves a Heartrender—luckily for them, Nina is paying close attention, and with her mind fresh with Matthias's lack of trust for her, she knows the price she'll name in exchange for helping them. Mal and Alina are ready to be free of Kirigan, but agree that they'll have to go back to destroy the Fold. Eventually. 

But of course, that's not all. Because Kirigan didn't die in the Fold. He survived, and now he has a new tool in his arsenal, and more anger and hate as fuel for retribution and revenge. 

Favorite shots/moments:

• The reveal of the sails now holding the Sun Summoner symbol, rather than the Ravkan eagle
• Kaz catching Jesper and pulling him out of harm's way
• Kaz running to help save Inej from the volcra with his cane

Notable lines:

• You may have needed me, but I never needed you. 
• The stag chose me. (then watching the antler necklace sink down into her skin.)
• I don't have to kill you, Darkling. Your past will do it for me. 
• The deal is the deal. 
• She needs my help more than you. But we do need you. I need you. I want to see the look on Heleen's face when you clear out the books. After that, we'll see.