Summary
“Rusalye” utilizes every cinematic trope going in a painfully long and arduously cliched installment. Every cast member is either a sarcastic comedian or deadly serious, delivering quirky one-liners or complex exposition. It’s getting old fast.
Shadow and Bone is back, and in the show’s premiere installment, we were introduced to the three major subplots of the series. “Rusalye” continues these three interconnected stories. In the first, Alina (Jessie Mei Li) and Mal (Archie Renaux) search for the Sea Whip with the help of cheeky chappy Sturmhond and his jolly pirate crew. In the second storyline, the Crows perform a complex heist to gain some leverage over their nemesis Pekka Rollins (Dean Lennox Kelly). And lastly, Kirigan (Ben Barnes) tries to find a cure for the agonizing disease that rages within him.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 2 Recap
What is the Sea Whip?
We kick off with the Sun Summoner Alina as she journeys towards the next amplifier (a creature that will increase Alina’s powers), known as the Sea Whip or Rusalye, a mythical sea creature.
After being captured by Sturmhond, she demonstrates her abilities to the crook, performing another light show. Sturmhond reminds her that they are in the middle of the ocean, and if she causes any damage, they will all perish. Alina tries to negotiate her way out of trouble instead and talks of her desire to destroy the Fold. If Sturmhond helps them, he will be rewarded generously. The pirate (sorry, I mean privateer) agrees to help with their quest.
In her dreams, Alina speaks with Kirigan again. He mentions the loneliness of their powers, warning her that she will soon outgrow Mal. It is Kirigan who wakes from this specific dream this time around, and we find him beside the fire. He asks Genya to heal him and remove his facial scars, but she can only do so much. Kirigan tells her of the shadow monsters raging inside him, asking her to assess the damage. The shadow monsters then escape, and Kirigan must use all of his strength to protect Genya from their attack.
Why are the Crows worried about Kaz?
While in Ketterdam, the Crows discover they have been blamed for another death, this time the constable in charge of the Stadwatch police force. Inej and Jesper are concerned about their leader Kaz, who blew up the Crows Club without telling them. He has a personal vendetta against Pekka, and they worry his anger will cloud his judgment.
Nina offers to kill Pekka, but Kaz fears that won’t help to clear their names. They are wanted for two major deaths now. Everyone is after them; they even have their own wanted posters. Kaz formulates a plan to use Pekka’s accountant Henrik Van Poel to provide them with some leverage on the matter.
Sturmhond’s ship heads for Jelka, where Mal believes the Sea Whip is located. The crew takes all their weapons and prepares to battle this mythical beast. Although Alina wants to take the creature’s powers without killing it. They wade through a cave on the island and quickly find the beast they are after. The creature attacks, killing plenty of Sturmhond’s crew, hiding in plain sight, camouflaged by the cave walls. Mal is attacked next, and Alina is forced to kill the beast to save her lover.
What is causing Kirigan pain?
Kirigan meets with an alchemist called Vladim Gulav, desperate to be cured of his pains. Vladim suggests making a serum, but the antidote’s effects would only be temporary. He tells Kirigan that the shadow monsters are the issue, what is causing the pain, but the spell cannot be undone.
Kirigan threatens Vladim. He panics and suggests researching these demons further in the hopes of possibly curing Kirigan. Afterward, Kirigan retrieves a journal from a waterfall and releases his mother, Baghra (Zoe Wanamaker), who has been kept prisoner in this cell.
It’s the night of the heist, and Kaz rallies the troops. He tells them to regroup at Black Veil cemetery if it all goes sideways. Inej talks of trust issues and asks Kaz to elaborate on his history with Pekka, but he won’t explain himself. Nina and Kaz infiltrate the building with ease. Kaz heads straight for the accountant’s office but is ambushed by Pekka and his goons. Meanwhile, Jesper and Wylan follow Pekka’s driver and are also tricked; a shootout ensues.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 2 Ending Explained
Pekka threatens Kaz, saying he will kill the leader and torture Inej. He has sent a taxidermist assassin called Mogens to capture Inej. These two fight one another on the rooftops. Mogens sports a rather odd taxidermy mask and slashes at her limbs before she can escape. Nina disarms Pekka’s goons, and Kaz uses a bomb explosion to aid in his escape plan. The whole gang regroups at the cemetery, with Kaz commenting on the fact that he got what he needed from the mission without any bloodshed. Inej is wounded, though. They all go into hiding.
Back at sea, Sturmhond delivers a speech honoring those that were killed by the Sea Whip. A ceremony is performed, and Alina fuses with the amplifier. She instantly feels a surge of power from the beast and revels in this pulsating energy. However, Alina loses herself in the new power, and Mal has to hug her to bring his lover back down to earth. Alina calms down and kisses Mal. She tells Sturmhond they will head to East Ravka and then the Fold. Kirigan senses Alina’s powers are growing.
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