![]() ![]() ![]() And if that weren’t bad enough, those who’ve read the books and heard the cries know that what he pulls on Genya is beyond redemption. The villain who stands before us today would stop at nothing to ensure that he contains the pain brewing within by finding more power, which involves cutting off his mother’s finger to use the bones as an amplifier, as Morozova did. Whatever once remained died on the raft in the Fold. And credit where it’s due, but Barnes’ performances make him that much more ruthless because today, it’s more challenging than ever to see any glimmer of good left in him. As much as some of his actions in the first season could be excused, drawing on the humanity that Ben Barnes brought to him, much of that is gone today while he’s entirely in his villain era. ![]() Like Calls to LikeĮlsewhere, the Darkling wreaks further havoc, touching all the wrong people and ultimately showing why I could never personally root for him beyond that. The dynamic at the Grisha sanctuary is made significantly better with moments like this, as well as Mal’s continuous support, which is considerably lacking in the books. We don’t need one, especially when the Darkling is still in the picture, and it ultimately takes away from the friendships that could develop further. If nothing else, it’s good that the show isn’t leaning too heavily into a love triangle with Mal, Alina, and Nikolai. Toward the end of the episode, he proposes the fake engagement, initiating that if he and Alina pose as a married couple, then perhaps the allegiance with Grisha and Otkazat’sya will show a united front in restoring Ravka. Frankly, it works to showcase the type of people his family are and why, plus how he differentiates as drastically. Although there might be hesitations between the two of them having the same face, it’s not necessarily something that changes too much in the show’s canon when the spare’s role is erased at the palace. While we’re on the topic of Nikolai, the episode reveals his true identity as Prince Nikolai Lantsov to Alina and Mal, enlightening that Sturmhond is his way of giving back to his people. (Yet, we’ll still wait patiently for the Zoya and Nikolai interaction.) For what it’s worth, this moment is proof that, if nothing else, the women in the Grishaverse are well on their way toward establishing deeper friendships than the romantic relationships in their lives. She takes it one step further when she affirms to Alina that the guilt punctured in her by the Darkling doesn’t belong there, and it’s something she needs to let go of before they all move forward in destroying the Fold. There’s something to be said about the revere in Sujaya Dasgupta’s voice when she asks Alina, point blank, why she’s apologizing for something that isn’t her responsibility. Whereas the Zoya Nazyalensky that stands before us today is a woman who’s not only experienced tremendous loss, but one who understands that authentic alliances matters more than anything in the world. In “No Mourners,” it’s apparent that Zoya’s rage still clouds her judgment, despite her decision to align herself with Alina and Mal. When fans expressed frustrations with the series pitting women against each other, Shadow and Bone 2×03 “Like Calls to Like” brings the exact opposite onto our screens, showing substantial character growth while developing a brilliant new friendship. ![]() But there’s one area where we have vital growth from the previous season, related to Zoya Nazyalensky’s character arc. In the coming episodes, there are issues within Shadow and Bone Season 2 that I’m not qualified to speak on, and it’s a shame the writers were not made aware to do better. That said, there’s a clear picture in this episode that veers us toward the season’s primary objective-destroying the Shadow Fold. Or perhaps, that’s merely this writer’s preference. This isn’t to say that the Grisha arc is bad by any means, but it needs more work to be as captivating as the events at Ketterdam. While we’re headed toward combining worlds again, it’s hard not to wonder what the shows would’ve been like if they remained separated from one another, coming together in crossover fashion as network television does. Still, moving elements from Siege and Storm onto the small screen, the show finds its more compelling chess pieces when taking from Six of Crows. The episode’s theme probes the audience to pay attention to what truly matters, despite where our allegiances might lie, asking us to look toward what’s best and necessary. Shadow and BoneSeason 2, Episode 3, “Like Calls to Like,” is one of the show’s strongest narratives, drawing on little moments to add layers and depth to the characters, as well as their most meaningful relationships. Shadow and Bone 2×03 “Like Calls to Like” Review ![]()
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