We recap the Netflix series Shadow and Bone Season 2 (Episodes 1-8), which contains spoilers as it details what happened.
After a two-year hiatus, Shadow and Bone is back for a second, eagerly anticipated season. The fantasy epic tells the tale of good versus evil in a magical realm. The Sun Summoner Alina Starkov battles her nemesis, the Darkling Aleksander Kirigan, and his shadow world, known as the Fold. She must defeat Kirigan, and the Fold before the evil in this dangerous world destroys everything that she holds dear. The second season is brimming with love, loss, and great adventures. Here’s a breakdown of everything that happened in each episode of Shadow and Bone Season 2:
Recap – what happened in Shadow and Bone Season 2? (Episodes 1-8)
Episode 1 – “No Shelter But Me”
Alina and Mal travel to Novyi Zem to find the next amplifier, known as the Sea Whip. Soon they are chased through town; Alina has a large reward on her head, and Mal is wanted as a deserter. The Crows return to Ketterdam to find the Crows Club has been taken over by Pekka Rollins, and they are all now wanted for murder. Leader of the Crows, Kaz, and his friend Jesper are arrested for these crimes and sent to Hellgate prison. On their way there, they are stopped and questioned by Sturmhond, who wants Alina’s location. They give it up in exchange for their freedom. Kaz recruits two new team members, Wylan and Nina. Meanwhile, Alina and Mal escape their captors and jump onto a ship, which happens to belong to the pirate Sturmhond.
Episode 2 – “Rusalye”
Alina and Mal negotiate new terms with their captor Sturmhond. If he helps them find the Sea Whip (Rusalye), he will be rewarded financially. Sturmhond introduces them to his crew, and they soon discover the Sea Whip on an island. Alina kills the creature and fuses with it, taking its powers for her own. Kirigan regroups with his new army but is plagued by shadow monsters that lay dormant inside him, escaping out of his body in unpredictable ways. He asks Genya to help him, but she is scared of these creatures. Kirigan finds his mother, Baghra, and Morozova’s journal. The Crows plan a heist, stealing Pekka’s financial records to gain much-needed leverage on their enemy. Inej is badly wounded during this mission, though. The Crows all meet at a hideout, just escaping Pekka.
Episode 3 – “Like Calls to Like”
Sturmhond takes Alina into the Fold using his flying ship, the Hummingbird. Once inside, Alina uses her new powers to destroy the Fold but collapses before finishing the job. The flying ship then crash lands on the other side of the Fold. The team are quickly apprehended by soldiers, but they soon realize who Sturmhond is. He was using an alias all along; he is actually Nikolai, the Prince. Nikolai takes them to his sanctuary, the Spinning Wheel. Mal suggests they look for the Firebird next. Nikolai proposes an engagement with Alina to help protect her and form new alliances. Kaz has Pekka’s financial records and sends Jesper and Wylan to one of his shady businesses. They discover that Pekka has a son called Alby. Kaz wants to use Alby for leverage.
Episode 4 – “Every Monstrous Thing”
Nikolai announces his engagement to Alina in front of all his family and friends. Nikolai’s mother decides to throw an engagement party to celebrate. Nikolai’s brother Vasily spies Alina and Mal kissing. David escapes from Kirigan and warns Alina of Kirigan’s shadow monsters. They decide to find a sword called the Neshyenyer that may defeat these monsters. Kaz orchestrates a plan with the Crows to bring down Pekka. He uses Pekka’s son as bait. Pekka is forced to sign a letter that proves the Crows’ innocence. Pekka is then arrested for murder and thrown in Hellgate prison. During the engagement party, shadow monsters attack, killing Vasily. Kirigan and his monsters attack Alina, but she manages to escape.
Episode 5 – “Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)”
Baghra and Genya escape from Kirigan and seek out Alina, who is hiding in the tunnels with Nikolai’s people. Many are dead or injured after Kirigan’s attack. Baghra helps Alina take on Kirigan, but Mal’s return ruins their chances when he interrupts an important vision. They decide to find the Firebird next. Baghra suggests looking in Morozova’s workshop first. The Crows are offered a new quest by Nikolai’s messengers (Tolya and Zoya); they must find and return the Neshyenyer sword to Nikolai for a hefty reward. Kaz quickly tracks down the item’s location. They head to Bhez Ju to meet with the possible owner, Ohval. At Ohval’s house, they are trapped and knocked out with poisonous gas.
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Episode 6 – “Ni Weh Sesh (I Have No Heart)”
Baghra, Alina, and Mal head to Morozova’s workshop. Baghra explains that she is Morozova’s daughter. Baghra reveals that Mal is the Firebird that they are after. Baghra attacks Kirigan but is killed by her son’s shadow monsters. Alina and Mal flee. In Bhez Ju, the poison causes the Crows to hallucinate, but Wylan manages to free them all. The Crows are attacked by the sword’s owner Ohval, but she eventually hands the Neshyenyer to Jesper. Mal tells Alina the truth; he is the Firebird. Kirigan finds out that Mal is the Firebird as well.
Episode 7 – “Meet You in the Meadow”
Mal wants to sacrifice his life to help Alina destroy the Fold, but she refuses to give in so easily. They make other plans instead, sending one team to fight Kirigan as a distraction while the other team heads into the Fold. Kirigan uses the magic from Baghra’s bones to strengthen his own army. They wait for Nikolai and his team, ambushing them in their flying ship. Nikolai’s army retreats but are attacked at a nearby fort. Alina and Mal head into the Fold together but are attacked by monsters. The Crows arrive to save the day, helping at both separate battles. Inej uses the Neshyenyer sword to ward off shadow monsters and save Alina, while the other Crows help out Nikolai. Kirigan’s army are defeated. Kirigan fights back inside the Fold, Mal is mortally wounded.
Episode 8 – “No Funerals”
Nikolai’s team and the Crows head into the Fold to help Alina defeat Kirigan and destroy the Fold. Meanwhile, Mal is dying inside the Fold. He asks to sacrifice his life. Alina stabs Mal in the chest and her lover dies. She screams out in agony, unleashing a large blast of energy. This single-handedly destroys the entirety of the Fold. The shadow monsters and Kirigan are still alive, though. Alina stabs Kirigan with the Neshyenyer sword, killing him. Alina then resurrects Mal with dark magic. They all burn Kirigan’s body.
READ: Shadow and Bone Season 2 Episode 8 Recap and Ending Explained
Mal feels different after being resurrected and parts ways with Alina. He heads off as a privateer on Nikolai’s flying ship. Nikolai passes on his Sturmhond alias to Mal. Inej part ways with Kaz and joins Mal’s team as well. Kaz takes over the Crows Club. Alina and Nikolai prepare for their processional. Nikolai has the shadow monster inside of him, though. During the ceremony, a woman attacks the guests, using a new drug called jurda parem. The guests collapse. Alina fights back, killing the intruder. She smiles, empowered by her new abilities. The Crows are tasked with solving this drug problem.
That is the full story recap of what happened in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone Season 2 (Episodes 1-8). What are your thoughts on the story? Please comment below.
