Summary
The Crows’ and Alina’s storylines intensify in “Every Monstrous Thing.” There are plenty of tense action sequences and some real momentum in this installment. The creators finally deliver some genuine rip-roaring entertainment.
We recap the Netflix series Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 4, “Every Monstrous Thing,” which contains spoilers.
In “Every Monstrous Thing,” both the Crows’ storyline and Alina’s (Jessie Mei Li) start to build some momentum. The Crows plan to bring down their archenemy Pekka (Dean Lennox Kelly), once and for all. While Alina and Nikolai (Patrick Gibson) announce their engagement with unforeseen results. And, of course, Kirigan (Ben Barnes) is back, hoping to stir up further trouble as his empire-building continues. It’s a much-improved installment that loses the dead weight of earlier episodes, focusing on gripping action and believable tension instead.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 4 Recap
The episode begins with Nikolai and Alina’s engagement announcement. Nikolai’s brother Vasily is there to air his distaste for the Grisha people, and Alina doesn’t hold back either, with her hatred towards Vasily. Nikolai’s mother decides to throw a small gathering to celebrate the engagement. And Alina declares her desire to lead the Second Army. After the speeches, Mal talks with Alina in private. He worries that Alina has put herself in more danger with her announcement. She promises Mal that they can carry on their love affair once the war is over and Kirigan is defeated. The two lovers kiss, but Vasily spies this secret rendezvous.
Alina practices her new powers but is annoyed that she cannot control this new amplifier properly. Tamar suggests that she focuses her anger and concentrates on her enemy. Alina thinks of Kirigan and unleashes a powerful jolt of energy in response. Next, she is reunited with David, who fled Kirigan’s stronghold in the previous chapter. David warns her of Kirigan’s return. He mentions these shadow monsters that cannot be killed or maimed. David tells Alina of a connection she shares with Kirigan, but the Sun Summoner downplays any knowledge of this link.
Mal urges Alina to focus on tracking down the next amplifier, the Firebird, but Alina ponders her creations. What if she can make soldiers of light compete with Kirigan’s shadow monsters? Mal asks for time to seek out the Firebird but is soon arrested. Vasily captures Mal and orders a soldier to take him to the base at Ulensk for immediate court-martial.
What is the Neshyenyer?
Before Mal was captured, he’d mentioned plans to fight the shadow monsters. He’d read up on a myth about a sword that could slice through shadow, called the Neshyenyer, aka the Relentless Blade.
Nikolai informs Mal that the real sword was stolen. He suggests the Crows search for this vital weapon. The siblings, Tolya and Tamar, plan to head to Ketterdam with Zoya and Mal to find the Crows and make the proposition.
Meanwhile, the Crows put a plan into place to bring down Pekka. Kaz has Wylan create a compound, which they will spread throughout Pekka’s businesses, all disguised as costumes and masks during a local celebration. After Kaz has laid out the plan, the gang disperses, although Nina turns on her new boss and punches Kaz in the face. She was forced to turn on Kaz after the incident at Hellgate. Nina drags Kaz to Pekka’s headquarters. Pekka beats Kaz in front of all his men.
How did Kaz’s brother die?
As Kaz is beaten, his plan falls into place. The compound releases a disease that mimics the deadly firepox virus but is harmless. This scares the guests at Pekka’s casino.
Flashbacks reveal that Kaz’s brother Jordie died from a previous firepox outbreak. Kaz blames Pekka for causing the circumstances that led to Jordie’s death. Kaz informs Pekka that the disease has only affected his establishments. The Merchant Council will want to investigate how this disease was brought to the island.
What does Kaz want from Pekka?
Further flashbacks reveal a twist in Kaz’s plan. He knew about Nina’s deal with Pekka, and they worked together to double-cross the crook. In the present, Kaz makes his own threats. He tells Pekka that he has buried his son Alby. Kaz will only reveal Alby’s location once Pekka has spoken Kaz’s brother’s name. Pekka can’t remember the name, though. The crime boss begs for his son’s location. Kaz passes him a confession to sign that proves Pekka had Tante Heleen and Constable Sem murdered. There is also a quitclaim deed for Inej that Pekka must sign. He signs the paperwork and races to the cemetery to rescue his son. At the graveyard, Pekka is arrested.
Now that the Crows are free again and their names have been cleared, Jesper asks Wylan for a date to celebrate. Wylan is unsure, worried that Jesper is a bit of a player. Their first rendezvous was just a one-night stand, after all. Jesper wants to see where this romance could go, and the two kiss. Kaz passes Inej her paperwork, declaring her a free person as well.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 4 Ending Explained
What is Nikolai’s secret?
Before their engagement party, Nikolai and Alina meet in private. He offers her the Lantsov Emerald, and they seem to be getting more intimate with one another. Is this an act, or do they have genuine feelings for each other? Nikolai opens up about his upbringing, confessing to being the son of a commoner himself. He believes his birth father was an ordinary man, not a king. Nikolai asks Alina to keep this secret. Although she appreciates seeing this different side of Nikolai. They attend the party, which has grown into a larger gathering.
Vasily has invited more people and has naively given away the family’s secret location. Nikolai is furious and argues with his brother. But Vasily has his own agenda, commenting on Nikolai being a bastard, hinting at the secret he revealed to Alina only moments earlier. Was Vasily listening in to this conversation as well? Vasily makes a big speech, indicating that he is about to reveal Nikolai’s scandalous secret to all present. However, his big reveal is scuppered as Kirigan’s shadow monsters crash the party.
The monsters instantly attack Vasily, ripping him into two. Alina fights back, but her powers do nothing. The gang retaliates and then searches for Kirigan, who must be nearby. Alina spots him and communicates with The Darkling via an intimate vision—Kirigan comments on how strong Alina has become and that he wants to help her. Tamar arrives, urging them to escape using the tunnels underground.
In these tunnels, Kirigan attacks again, this time in the flesh. His shadow monsters badly injure Adrik. Kirigan asks Alina to join him, to rule by his side. She refuses and fights back, unleashing her powers to neutralize the monsters. Kirigan is knocked over by this blast of energy. The walls start to crumble, and a shadow monster regenerates, but it is engulfed in the rubble. Alina and her friends flee as the ceiling caves in.
What did you think of Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 4? Comment below.
