EPISODE 2 RECAP
After the little incident inside the Shadow Fold, Alina Starkov is taken to see the leader of the Grisha, General Kirigan, the most powerful Shadow Summoner in existence (that they know of). He is also known as “the Darkling”, aka the only title that matters.
The Darkling asks Alina a few questions, but it seems she has no idea how she was able to do what she did in the Fold. So he moves on to a different method, something the army curriculum probably did not prepare Alina for: Asking her to pull up her sleeve.
Alina did. But apparently, her attempt isn’t good enough for him cuz he means “pull it up ALL THE WAY”. Yeah, ok, calm down, general. Otherwise, it’ll be very embarrassing if she is not what you think she is.
The Darkling makes a small cut on her arm with his ring. Just as everyone hopes, light flows out of her. The Darkling is as happy as Thanos when he finds the last infinity stone; it’s like he’s finally found someone that might be able to put up with his depressing fashion choice.
Afterwards, Alina has to be transferred to the palace. She is accompanied by two Grisha: Ivan, a grumpy Heartrender who is occasionally responsible for the Darling’s laundry; and Fedyor, Ivan’s biggest fan.
They get ambushed on the way by Druskelle, trained witch-hunters from the country of Fierda. They hate Grisha with a passion.
Despite the Grisha’s best efforts, Alina is caught by one of the Druskelle and dragged out of her carriage. But wouldn’t you believe the Darkling has been riding behind them this whole time?
He jumps off his horse, summoning his shadows, and shows us the real reason why he is still single: Molding the shadows into a blade and chopping the Druskelle in half. Literally chops him in half
After the horror show, the Darkling does the gentlemanly thing and asks Alina if she is OK. Well, maybe just a little eternally traumatized. Other than that, I think she’s fine.
Mal is worried sick about Alina despite his friends’ assurance that she is safe with the Grisha General. As much as I want to tell Mal to go get a hobby, I’m actually with him in this. If your friend is stuck with someone called “The Darkling” who looks like he uses hair gel ten times a day, it’s common sense to be sceptical.
By the way, Mal just seems like the best big brother anyone can ask for.
Mal’s friends sincerely ask him not to do anything stupid — which I think they have to do on a daily basis — because he might be charged for some crime if he just barges into the palace.
On the other side, Kaz offers the deed to his club as collateral in exchange for Inej’s temporary freedom so they can begin their mission of crossing the Fold.