Shadowhunters season 3 episode 6 review: A Window Into an Empty Room

Jace’s secret has finally been uncovered and he’s left quite a wake behind him. Spoilers ahead for last night’s Shadowhunters!

It took six weeks, but Lilith finally has all her disciples on Shadowhunters. Somehow, she’s still mostly in the shadows, but her Owl is not. Let’s discuss how we got there.

At the start of this week’s episode, Simon and Kyle are working to figure out what exactly triggers Simon’s Mark. Unfortunately for Kyle, the only way to find out is to attack Simon and see what happens. They quickly learn that an unexpected attack is a quick route to being thrown several yards. But, if Simon evades the attack, no one gets hurt. Good to know.

While Simon evades Kyle’s attacks, Kyle evades an invitation to have dinner with Simon and Maia. He still hasn’t exactly told Simon about his previous relationship with Maia, and the fallout of that reveal looks like it’s going to be heartbreaking. But more on that next week.

Simon’s already got lady troubles, as Heidi has finally tracked him down. The awkward part? He doesn’t remember her at first.

SHADOWHUNTERS – “A Window Into an Empty Room” – Clary teams up with Magnus to investigate a recent demon attack. Simon is stunned with heÕs visited by someone he never thought heÕd see again, and who now wonÕt seem to leave. Meanwhile, Izzy worries about dinner with her family and a special guest and Luke reaches out to Maryse. This episode of “Shadowhunters” airs Tuesday, April 24 (8:00 – 9:00 p.m. EDT) on Freeform. (Freeform/John Medland)

ALBERTO ROSENDE, TESSA MOSSEY

Lucky — or, more accurately, unlucky — for him, Heidi doesn’t mind. She’s still in the honeymoon phase of her stalking. She believes they’re meant to be together, for quite literally ever. Meanwhile, Alec and Magnus are still struggling over the concept of “forever.” Alec is hung up on the idea of eventually becoming a burden to Magnus, and the fact that he didn’t think this all the way through at the beginning.

But, as Magnus adorably points out, “We fell in love. There was nothing else to think about.” Sadly, he couldn’t go 2/2 on finding the right words. After suggesting that Alec might be struggling more because this is his first real relationship, Malec is in a rougher spot than where they started.

Alec storms off to work, hopeful for some advice from Izzy. She doesn’t have it. For her, the appeal of Downworlders has always been that their immortality keeps things from getting too serious. On the contrary, things seem to be on the fast track to serious with mundane Dr. Charlie. Maryse Lightwood — officially de-runed at this point — even wants him to come to dinner with the family.

It was a great episode for Izzy and her mother, each supporting and encouraging the other. The family is stronger than ever, and Max even got a mention.

But speaking of dinner, Maryse wants everyone so, “Where’s Jace?”

Well, he’s back with his “queen.” Don’t get me wrong, Anna Hopkins more than deserves that title for her brilliant portrayal of Lilith. But it still just feels wrong seeing and hearing Jace be so under her thumb.

Now that he’s no longer in love with Clary, he’s managed to focus on his work as the Owl. Lilith only needs him to locate one more disciple. But she can’t send him off without a kiss (again, so wrong) and a good taunting. It’s one of Lilith’s most sadistic moments yet. See, Jace is still in there deep down. He just can’t control what he’s doing.

What he can do is act normal… ish. Jace has a very Stepford vibe about him this week, especially when Alec intercepts him on the street. It’s even worse when he finally does see Clary at the Institute.

She notices but doesn’t have time to dwell on it. Clary managed to create a rough sketch of Lilith in demon form and has taken it to Magnus. As an extra lead, Magnus can tap into the magical energy Lilith left behind in Clary.

Lo and behold, it’s the same energy signature left behind in the corrupted ley lines. Still, Magnus doesn’t know whose magic it is (a frustrating notion in itself) so he sends for more help from Brother Zachariah.

It moves the story forward, but it also means Magnus won’t make dinner with the Lightwoods.

On the other side of town, Simon is also asking for help, from Raphael. After all, he’s technically the one who brought Heidi back. But, unbeknownst to Simon, Raphael has left town. The texts he’s been getting are actually from Heidi. Even Downworlders get catfished.

So far, Simon’s been handling this whole Heidi situation relatively well. He even deflects her attempted kiss, which is technically the right move. He does have a girlfriend. But that’s one detail he probably should’ve left out.

Maia’s not worried though. Realistically, she could probably take Heidi down pretty quick. Even so, Simon is on edge at Hunter’s Moon. And, as they say, misery loves company. Everyone (seriously, everyone) is at the Hunter’s Moon tonight. Izzy is there with her family and Charlie — which still feels too soon -– but manages to get in a quick chat with Simon at the bar.

Of course, Heidi sees this and assumes Izzy is the girlfriend Simon mentioned. Dare to dream, right? Maybe one day, Sizzy fans.

Still, Heidi is impulsive and unstable and goes after Isabelle. It’s a short battle; Isabelle is calculating and a literal weapons master. It’s an easy take-down.

For a brief, shining moment, it looks like she might dispose of Heidi entirely. But, thanks to his Vampire hearing, Simon steps in before Izzy gets the chance. He may not agree with everything Heidi’s done, but he gets why it’s happened. That doesn’t mean he thinks she should go free. After saving her from Isabelle and scoring major heart eyes, Simon walks Heidi into a trap by the Praetor Lupus. That’s one problem taken care of.

There’s still the problem of Jace though. He may have everyone fooled (still weird that no one picks up on it) but he’s still in Owl mode. He’s got his eye out for a candidate for Lilith’s final disciple. And apparently, they glow. Sure.

Charlie was already a golden boy, but when he enters the bar, that becomes quite literal and Jace locks in. Fortunately, Izzy unknowingly becomes the hero a second time. When she returns from her tiff with Heidi, Dr. Charlie spots the blood on her arm immediately and sticks to her side.

But, of all the Shadow World gin joints in all the world, another disciple walks into Hunter’s Moon. Welcome back Ollie.

She stops in for a quick conversation with Luke, but he’s a little preoccupied with Maryse Lightwood, and noticing how she’s wearing her hair down for the first time in 20 years. (This is one ship that really doesn’t need to sail).

After catching up with him, she’s on her way out, with Jace hot on her trail. Only now, Clary and Magnus are hot on his trail.

SHADOWHUNTERS – “A Window Into an Empty Room” – Clary teams up with Magnus to investigate a recent demon attack. Simon is stunned with heÕs visited by someone he never thought heÕd see again, and who now wonÕt seem to leave. Meanwhile, Izzy worries about dinner with her family and a special guest and Luke reaches out to Maryse. This episode of “Shadowhunters” airs Tuesday, April 24 (8:00 – 9:00 p.m. EDT) on Freeform. (Freeform/John Medland)

KATHERINE MCNAMARA, HARRY SHUM JR.

Thanks to a quick meeting with Brother Zachariah –- who dropped an incredible reference to the TMI books -– Magnus and Clary know that Jace never went to the Silent City for treatment.

Magnus has also realized why Jace has truly been acting so odd. Remembering what Clary said about Jace acting distant, Magnus mentions the anti-love potion he made. The fact that it needed a piece of Clary’s soul would explain why the demon didn’t kill her.

All at once it’s a giant lightbulb and Clary and Magnus portal back to the city. They’re just a second too late though. The Owl has caught up with Ollie and possessed her, but he’s not getting away easy this time.

In a triple team of epic proportions, Clary, Magnus and Luke manage to box the Owl in. And so Jace’s secret finally comes to light -– before he turns into Spider-Owl and climbs up a wall.

It’s probably good that Alec was drunkenly venting to the Institute’s head of security the whole time. Seeing Jace as a demon probably would have scarred Alec. But that Shadowhunter -– whose name I genuinely do not know -– doesn’t need to stick around past this episode.

On top of it all, Ollie is up and off. Her love life was already struggling, now it’s really in trouble.

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And we thought things were messy before. Next week should be fun.

Shadowhunters airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Freeform.