Fresh off of multiple explosive conclusions, Shadow and Bone moves past the midpoint of its series into the beginning of a new series of rising action beats. The antagonist is stronger than ever, the heroes are spread out across the world, and multiple factions are finally coming together to save the day. This episode sets the stage for the level of the series' story.
Episode 5 "Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)" was penned by Christina Strain, who previously wrote the penultimate episode of the show's first season. She previously worked on Marvel's Runaways and on a variety of large and small comic book projects. On top of being a gifted writer, she also works as a colorist.
The last episode's big engagement ceremony concluded in tragedy when the Darkling and his nichevo'ya monsters raided the palace. The king lies dead, Prince Nikolai is now first in line for the throne and the entire royal ensemble is forced into the palace's underground bunker. Whilst there, they are greeted by The Darkling's mom Baghra and the Tailor Genya, who have escaped from Kirigan's dungeon. There's some tension, given that Genya poisoned the former king of the land and Baghra birthed the main antagonist. Simultaneously, Mal reappears, declaring that he's been held in prison for most of the previous episode. As all the tension in their relationship boils over and Alina attempts to hold everything together, it becomes clear that she has as many internal problems as she does external ones.
Things are going a lot better over in the B-Plot, where the Crows have claimed an unquestioned victory over their mortal enemy. Pekka Rollins rots in the Hellgate prison he once owned, what's left of the Crow Club belongs to their rightful owner, and the entirety of Ketterdam is theirs. They hardly have the time to enjoy it, as the heroes need them to undertake a new task. Alina and the people of Ravka are convinced that the only way to kill the nichevo'ya and beat the Darkling is with a legendary weapon. It's up to the Crows, Ravkan soldier Zoya, and Shu privateer Tolya to find it and steal it. Their mission is complicated when its current owner figures out their scheme and sets them up. It's further complicated when the new blossoming romance between Jesper and Wyland hits a few snags.
Since Kirigan attacked the palace, his C-Plot has been mostly on hold. He's sat in a chair looking dour and barking orders for the overwhelming majority of this episode. Though it's not his most dynamic performance, he does get one moment in the sun. Alina has discovered a connection between herself and the Darkling that seems to put a limit on her ability to use her powers. She doesn't understand it, but she knows she wants it gone. She finally gets her chance to break the chain when the reoccurring dream conversations reach their climax. It's fairly obvious why Kirigan and Alina keep having their little chats from halfway across the world. The primary villain has to stick around somehow and the writers would hate to lose Ben Barnes and Jessie Mei Li trying to out-seduce each other as a principal plot point. Either way, Kirigan's presence has lost whatever humanity it managed to gain in its early moments. He's a full-on monster now, and it doesn't seem to bother him much.
Finding room to breathe continues to be this series' biggest issue. Not to suggest they should take one of the eight episodes of this series to celebrate, but it seems as if every resolution is followed instantly by a new problem. The Crows are now entangled in their fate of the world business, rather than their more personal struggle for power. Alina is juggling three complex relationship dynamics while trying to gain more power. It's quite an achievement that the show still manages to pack in character-defining moments for almost every important figure. At times, Shadow and Bone feels like watching someone walk with both arms full of groceries. They're successfully carrying the load, and it's impressive, but it's hard not to wonder why they wouldn't just pick up fewer things.
Anyone with any interest in any of the genres Shadow and Bone operates in will enjoy the series. The upside of being filled to bursting with characters, ideas, and concepts is that it'll be hard not to find something for everyone. The show continues to be a solid fantasy adventure, its world-building never gets too out of hand, and it never fails to make its characters likable or interesting. As the final episodes come over the horizon and the fated final battle comes into view, it's exciting to imagine how Shadow and Bone will bring everything together. As it stands, the show is fresh off of one satisfying conclusion and ready to set the stage for the next.