Shadowhunters Episodes 1-3 Reviews: An Angel, A Vampire & A Demon Walk Into A Bar (Series Premiere)

"Shadowhunters" airs on Freeform (previously ABC Family) and is based on the book series "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare. There was also a 2013 movie which I vaguely remember.

Clary Fray has reached her 18th birthday. She plans to celebrate her friends Simon and Maureen. Simon has a crush on Clary. Maureen has a crush on Simon. Of course, everyone is oblivious to everyone else's feelings.

Clary's mom Jocelyn is the typical protective single mother. There's also a bestie named Dot. Luke is Jocelyn's friend on the police force. I'm not sure what's up with these two yet.

Clary bumps into a guy (Jace Wayland) that no one else can see. Then all hell breaks loose. To protect her, Jocelyn pushes Clary through some sort of portal. Jocelyn is then kidnapped by "The Circle". They are after something called "The Mortal Cup". It gives the owner the power to control demons.

Jac takes Clary to an abandoned church. Invisible to the typical person, it's actually the headquarters of the Shadowhunters (and is known as "The Institute"). Clary is formally introduced to Isabelle "Izzy" Lightfoot and her brother Alec. Hodge Starkweather is a martial artist/weapons expert. He was previously a Circle member and cannot leave the Institute. Jac breaks it to Clary that both she and her mother are Shadowhunters.

Here's how this new world breaks down:

Shadowhunters-. Also known as Nephilim. They are angel/human hybrids that are tasked with protecting the world from demons. They are typically invisible to humans.
Mundanes (Mundies)- A derogatory term for humans.
Downworlders- An all encompassing term for those that are half "something". They include warlocks, vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc.
Warlocks- Demon/human combos. Magnus Bane (who owns the club PanDEMONium where the Clary first meets the Shadowhunters) is one.
Seelies- Elfish/fairy type folk. They are the offspring of angels and demons. Apparently they can't lie. Izzy's squeeze Meliorn is one.
Demons- Creatures which tentacle faces that want to kill you. They are NOT attractive.

We later learn that Clare's memories have been wiped. Off they go to see the Silent Brothers in the City of Bones to recover them. There is a big reveal. Clary is actually the daughter of Valentine Morgenstern. He is the head of "The Circle" and is a very bad dude. Val supposedly died several years ago... but wait... he's actually alive. Clare's mom was also in "The Circle" but left (as did several others) when they learned Valentine's true plans (which were to take over the world and wipe out humanity).

Simon is kidnapped by Camille Belcourt (and second in command Raphael) and held at the Hotel du Mort. Yes, the vampires want the Mortal Cup too. Everyone wants the Mortal Cup! Simon is secretly turned into a vampire but later escapes with Clary and crew. Simon/Clary share a touching scene. But again, she still thinks of him as her BFF. Ouch! That hurts.

Episode Guide:

Episode 1: The Mortal Cup
Episode 2: Descent Into Hell
Episode 3: Dead Man's Party

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Yes, there is a glut of YA (young adult) shows on the air currently. Most bore me but I surprisingly enjoyed this one. The action scenes were fun, the characters are enjoyable and there's plenty of eye candy to go around. The glow of the swords is a nice visual. Yes, the CGI is cheapo but who cares. I may not watch "Shadowhunters" every week but I'm definitely game to see more.