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The Worst Episodes of Shadowhunters

Every episode of Shadowhunters ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Shadowhunters!

Worst episode
S1E1 The Mortal Cup
7.14,626 votes
Best episode
S3E10 Erchomai
9.02,511 votes
Top season
Season 2
8.3avg
Binge time
1d 16h
55 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 1 - The Mortal Cup
    7.1/10(4626 votes)

    S1:E1

    One young woman realizes how dark the city can really be when she learns the truth about her past.

    Director:McG
    Writer:Ed Decter

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  2. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 2 - The Descent Into Hell Isn't Easy
    7.2/10(3968 votes)

    S1:E2

    With the knowledge that Valentine is alive and on the hunt for The Mortal Cup, the Institute is on high alert. Not wasting any time, Jace jumps into action and figures Clary’s memories are the key to finding Jocelyn and The Mortal Cup. Unfortunately, Clary’s memories were wiped leaving her without any recollection of this other life that could help her and the team. With only one other option remaining, Jace, Isabelle and a very reluctant Alec take Clary to the City of Bones to face the powerful Silent Brothers. Meanwhile, Luke continues his search for Clary, and Simon tries to come to terms with his best friend’s new life.

    Director:Mick Garris
    Writers:Hollie Overton, Ed Decter

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  3. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 3 - Dead Man's Party
    7.4/10(3777 votes)

    S1:E3

    With Simon being held captive at The Hotel DuMort, Clary pleads with Jace, Alec and Isabelle to help her rescue her best friend. As the team readies for the mission, Jace helps Clary learn more about her Shadowhunter powers, Isabelle turns to her favorite Seelie for Intel, and Alec begins to question Jace's motives and his place in their partnership. Meanwhile, a very scared Simon gets very up close and personal with Camille, the leader of the vampire clan.

    Director:Andy Wolk
    Writer:Marjorie David

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  4. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 1 - This Guilty Blood
    7.7/10(2656 votes)

    S2:E1

    Only hours have passed since Jace left with Valentine and all hell has broken loose at The Institute. Alec, Isabelle and Clary are desperate to find Jace, but are quickly stopped in their tracks with the arrival of Victor Aldertree, who means business about getting the Institute back on track. But getting the New York Shadowhunters in-line with The Clave may be counterintuitive to Alec, Isabelle and Clary's plan to rescue Jace. Meanwhile, Jocelyn has a lot to catch up on now that she is awake.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writer:Michael Reisz

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  5. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 2 - A Door Into the Dark
    7.7/10(2493 votes)

    S2:E2

    The hunt is on for Jace Wayland, and Alec and Isabelle hope to reach him before the rest of the Shadowhunters do. With orders from the Clave of “shoot to kill,” the Lightwood siblings must act fast. Also on his own search, Simon turns to Magnus for help when he finds himself at odds with both Raphael and Aldertree. Meanwhile, Clary struggles to find where she belongs since she doesn’t seem to fit into the Shadowhunter world, yet can’t go back to her mundane life.

    Director:Andy Wolk
    Writer:Y. Shireen Razack

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  6. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 4 - Raising Hell
    7.8/10(3748 votes)

    S1:E4

    After getting a clue about who may have wiped Clary's memories, the crew hunts down the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane. With all of the warlocks in hiding from Valentine, the team must lure Magnus out with something he can't refuse - a killer party and something very valuable. But with emotions running high, more may come out of their meeting with Magnus than just the retrieval of Clary's memories. Meanwhile, Simon doesn't seem to be himself after his recent Downworlder encounter.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writer:Michael Reisz

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  7. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 5 - Moo Shu to Go
    7.8/10(3612 votes)

    S1:E5

    Tensions escalate between Alec and Clary as they don't see eye to eye on the best way to hunt down Valentine. But when Jace and Isabelle are sent on an intel mission to the Seelies by Maryse Lightwood, Alec is put in charge of keeping Clary safe, much to both of their chagrin. With his hard-as-nails mother back in town and Clary's rule-breaking tendencies, Alec finds himself struggling to stick to the Claves rules while keeping his promise to Jace. Meanwhile, the New York City Werewolf pack begins their hunt for Clary and The Mortal Cup.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writer:Angel Dean Lopez

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  8. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 13 - Beati Bellicosi
    7.7/10(776 votes)

    S3:E13

    Jordan and the Praetor try to track down Heidi, while the Shadowhunters try to locate Jonathan. Meanwhile, Luke looks to Maryse for help and Isabelle gets a possible lead on information on what is really going on in the Clave prisons.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 8 - Bad Blood
    7.9/10(3073 votes)

    S1:E8

    With word of Alec, Jace and Isabelle’s “extracurricular activities” with Clary reaching The Clave, a convoy is sent to observe the Lightwoods running the New York Institute. Once The Clave representative arrives, it is very clear how much trouble the Lightwoods are in. Meanwhile, Clary is faced with a devastating decision.

    Director:Jeremiah S. Chechik
    Writer:Allison Rymer

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  10. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 13 - Morning Star
    7.9/10(2772 votes)

    S1:E13

    Jace, who is still reeling from everything that has happened, makes hunting down Valentine his number one priority even though he continues to wrestle with his conflicted feelings. In hopes of finding a way to stop Valentine before it is too late, Clary and Simon must find the key to unlocking Jocelyn's coma. But that key to unlocking Jocelyn’s spell may just undo the Downworlder peace treaty, Simon's relationship with Raphael, and the Vampire clan in the process. Meanwhile, Alec must deal with the aftermath of his decision and what his choice means for his future.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Peter Binswanger

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  11. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 14 - A Kiss from a Rose
    7.8/10(732 votes)

    S3:E14

    Continuing to track down information on the rumors about misconduct at The Clave’s downworlder prison, Isabelle asks Alec for help. Meanwhile, Magnus succumbs to asking Lorenzo for a favor and Jace takes Clary on a special date.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 15 - To the Night Children
    7.9/10(730 votes)

    S3:E15

    As the saying goes, “rules are made to be broken.” But what if the rules are there for a reason? Several members of the team must examine the reasoning behind certain rules after consequences to questionable actions come to light. Whether the rules were broken because of love, loyalty or revenge, does the end justify the means?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 6 - Of Men and Angels
    8.0/10(3441 votes)

    S1:E6

    With Luke in dire need of help, Jace, Clary and Simon take him to Magnus' lair in hopes of saving his life. Once there, the story of how Valentine came to be evil, and Jocelyn and Luke's past is revealed to Clary in hopes of triggering her memory of what happened to The Mortal Cup. Meanwhile, Isabelle and Alec are tasked to restore their family name in the eyes of The Clave.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Y. Shireen Razack

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  14. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 9 - Rise Up
    8.0/10(2963 votes)

    S1:E9

    After the attack, the Institute and The Clave are on high alert and taking no prisoners to get answers. When Lydia makes a harsh call on the Seelies, Jace, Clary and Isabelle fear that this decision could be disastrous and the wrong way to defeat Valentine. Left with no other choice, the trio takes drastic actions to stop what is about to take place. Meanwhile, Simon struggles to deal with his new situation, and Alec is emotionally torn with what is happening at the Institute.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writer:Hollie Overton

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  15. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 11 - Blood Calls To Blood
    8.0/10(2804 votes)

    S1:E11

    After receiving important intel about Valentine from a surprising ally, Clary, Jace and Luke devise a plan to rescue Jocelyn. With the mission looking almost impossible, the three will stop at nothing to rescue Clary’s mother and put a stop to Valentine once and for all. Meanwhile, Inquisitor Herondale arrives at the Institute for Isabelle’s trial as Alec turns to Magnus for help.

    Director:Mairzee Almas
    Writer:Marjorie David

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  16. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 5 - Dust and Shadows
    8.0/10(2387 votes)

    S2:E5

    After the recent attack on the Institute, the Shadowhunters are left devastated and wounded. Trying to regroup, each of the Shadowhunters deals with the situation their own way. Meanwhile, Simon moves home but finds it is not so easy to pull off his new life with his family around.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Zac Hug

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  17. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 11 - Lost Souls
    8.0/10(937 votes)

    S3:E11

    With the loss of Clary after Lilith’s apartment exploded, Alec, Isabelle and Jace try to come to terms with what has happened. Glad to have their brother back, Alec and Isabelle are still worried about Jace, who is taking the actions of The Owl very hard. Magnus is also mourning the loss of his magic and finds himself in a new position—having to rely on others for help. Meanwhile, Maia tries to help a devastated Simon who has lost his family and his best friend. But unknown to everyone, Clary is alive and finds herself in a new and dangerous predicament.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 18 - The Beast Within
    8.0/10(699 votes)

    S3:E18

    A demon outbreak in New York City on Halloween becomes a top priority at the Institute, but as the Shadowhunters hunt the demons, Jace becomes more worried about Clary. Meanwhile, Alec has to juggle the outbreak with his deep concern about Magnus’ depression.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 7 - Major Arcana
    8.1/10(3374 votes)

    S1:E7

    After piecing together the clues as to where her mother hid the Mortal Cup, Clary, Jace, Alec and Isabelle are on the clock to find its hiding place before anyone else. But with demons and Downworlders lurking everywhere, obtaining the Cup may not be as easy as they had hoped. Meanwhile, as Simon's symptoms become increasingly worse, he fears he is turning into a vampire.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Peter Binswanger

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  20. Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 10 - This World Inverted
    8.1/10(2911 votes)

    S1:E10

    Clary and Jace get a tip from Meliorn that they can find Valentine by locating a portal in another dimension, but only Clary can venture into this new world. What Clary finds in this alternative universe is that life there is as if the threat of demons no longer existed and Shadowhunters were no longer needed. While she realizes that this dimension is the life she always dreamed of, Clary must act fast or she will lose herself in the alternative world forever. Meanwhile, Alec and Isabelle must face the consequences of the Downworlder attack.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Y. Shireen Razack

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  21. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 3 - Parabatai Lost
    8.1/10(2518 votes)

    S2:E3

    Already cut off from the Institute and his friends, Jace finds his situation worsen when he becomes a target for the New York wolf pack who believe Jace to be a killer. And don’t forget about Aldertree and the Shadowhunters who continue their own hunt for Jace! With Jace becoming the most wanted man in New York, can his friends get to him before everyone else? Meanwhile, Simon is on a search of his own as Raphael puts pressure on him to find Camille.

    Director:Gregory Smith
    Writer:Peter Binswanger

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  22. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 9 - Bound by Blood
    8.1/10(2293 votes)

    S2:E9

    With word getting out that Clary is a key part of Valentine’s plan, the Downworlders are at odds on how to handle the issue. But when Iris activates her blood oath, Clary has more to worry about than hiding from Valentine and the Downworlders. Meanwhile, Isabelle and Raphael get closer as Alec tries to figure out what’s going on with his sister.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writer:Peter Binswanger

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  23. Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 15 - A Problem of Memory
    8.1/10(2200 votes)

    S2:E15

    Simon goes down a dark path while Alec and team prepares to transport Valentine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 4 - Thy Soul Instructed
    8.1/10(2188 votes)

    S3:E4

    Jace’s concerns grow about his mental state and turns to Luke for information on his family’s past. Clary and Izzy go after a rogue vampire and Simon hunts for a new apartment.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode 12 - Original Sin
    8.1/10(832 votes)

    S3:E12

    Simon is determined to get rid of the Mark of Cain and, with Isabelle’s help, tries to track down New York’s oldest vampire to get more information on the mark. Now in Paris, Clary desperately tries to find an escape from her current situation. Meanwhile, with his new sense of mortality, Magnus tries to live life to the very fullest.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Mortal Cup" is the worst rated episode of Shadowhunters. It scored 7.1/10 from 4,626 votes. Directed by McG and written by Ed Decter, it aired on January 12, 2016. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Descent Into Hell Isn't Easy".

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