Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, based on Leigh Bardugo’s trilogy of the same name, combines her well-known Shadow and Bone trilogies (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising) and the double set of duologies (Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom) into one show.
The young adult series is one of the most successful adaptations in recent years. The first season of the show takes a different approach to the first book. The second combines the final two stories, Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising, and serves as a prequel to the Six of Crows story. Though the second season is clunky at times, it delivers character arcs that give big hints for what’s to come if the show returns for its third run.
While the first season focused on introducing Grisha to the world and Alina to her powers, the second was primarily concerned with destroying the Shadow Fold and restoring peace to Ravka.
It introduced new characters, added nuance to those we already know, and set up the upcoming wars that will connect all of the worlds. Furthermore, while the TV series made several changes to the books, the majority of the arcs remained consistent, allowing both readers and non-readers to understand the story’s purpose.
Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers for “Shadow and Bone” Season 2.
Shadow and Bone Season 2 and its finale: Answering four most frequently asked questions
The Shadow and Bone Season 2 finale has arrived, wrapping up this season’s ongoing story arcs while setting up numerous subplots for a possible, and highly likely, third season. Season 2 ends with the final showdown that takes place between Alina (Jessie Mei Li) and Kirigan (Ben Barnes) in No Funerals, as the Sun Summoner hopes to finally destroy the Fold and the Darkling. However, there are other threats on the horizon.
Season 2 concludes with a lot of bloodshed, a lot of answers, and a lot of new questions. Despite the fact that it covers the majority of the main events in the second and third books of the series, the season finale introduces Alina and the Crows to a new and potentially game-changing story.
So, what happens in Season 2’s finale and how does it affect Mal, Alina, and Darkling’s fates? Some of the most frequently asked questions about Shadow and Bone Season 2 and its finale are answered below.
Is the Darkling dead?
Darkling, also known as General Kirigan, is a very complex and powerful character. He dies in Ruin and Rising, only to be resurrected to suffer a similar fate in Shadow and Bone Season 2.
Despite the fact that Genya, Zoya, and Alina burn his body, it’s possible that Santka Lizabeta will bring him back to life, as she did in King of Scars. Because of Ben Barnes’ outstanding performances, Darkling is more ruthless and cunning in the show than in the books. Whatever his faith is, the ending fits the character’s actions.
What happens to Nikolai?
It appears that Alina isn’t the only one who harbors a dark secret. Nikolai feels a sudden pain in his shoulder after a visit from the Apparat before his coronation ceremony, during which the priest taunts the king-to-be about not being where he is without Alina.
It’s in the same spot as his nichevo’ya injury from the battle with The Darkling’s Grisha. Nikolai takes off his jacket and shirt to examine his shoulder, but it is only when he turns around that we notice the darkness spreading throughout his body at the sight of the healed injury. When Nikolai looks in the mirror again, he sees a nichevo’ya as his reflection, which scares him a lot.
Is Alina successful in destroying the Fold?
In the season finale, we can see Zoya and Inej fighting off more shadow monsters inside the Fold’s heart. Alina comes across Mal, who has been fatally injured. Nina is unable to heal him and falls unconscious elsewhere.
Mal recognises the gravity of the situation and offers himself as a sacrifice for the greater good. He requests to be killed and instructs Alina to redraw all of the maps, who declares her love for him before helping stab him to death.
Mal is killed, and Alina screams in pain. This unleashes an incredible burst of energy that ripples throughout the Fold. The blast completely destroys it, taking all of the Volcra with it.
Is Mal dead?
In a nutshell, no. Mal decides to leave with the others, becoming a privateer in the process. He joins Tolya, Tamar, Nadia, and Inej on the flying ship. Nikolai hands Mal his lucky compass and offers him his phony identity.
From now on, Mal will be known as Sturmhond. Nikolai requests that Mal play the role, but Tolya and Tamar will be in charge. Fast forward to the future, and it appears that Mal has already taken over. The gang is on their way to rescue slaves from a ship and fighting injustice in this new world appears to be their new quest.
So, did you finish Netflix‘s Shadow and Bone Season 2? If not, then what are you waiting for? Binge-watch it with a cup of coffee and some popcorn, and if yes, then what was your favorite part of the entire season? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section below.
