GayTV Recap: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (Episode 3x18)

This week's new episode of Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments featured major development in the saga involving boyfriends Alec (played by Matthew Daddario) and Magnus (played by Harry Shum Jr.). Episode 3x15 picked up where last week's episode left off with the fallout from Magnus' emotional breakdown, where he admitted to being potentially permanently broken without his magic. Magnus presented a much better mood, but Alec was reluctant to let it go as Magnus wished. Magnus appeared ready to say more but they were interrupted by their friends Jace & Clary.

Alec was prepared to tell the duo that they were interrupting something important, but Magnus spoke up first, telling them it was fine. They told Alec about the appearance of some dangerous demons preying on humans in the city during the Halloween celebration. Magnus & Clary compared their love of the holiday, until Magnus mentioned how he used his magic to decorate. Alec wanted to get to the business of protecting the city and enlisted Magnus to help his mother decorate her new antique store in the meantime, which Magnus happily agreed to.

Despite the demon crisis, Alec had his mind on a different demon. He went to see a warlock, paying her to open communication with Magnus' father Asmodeus, the prince of hell, who took his magic in the first place. Asmodeus appeared, surprising Alec by knowing his identity. Alec asked Asmodeus to help Magnus by restoring his magic that he stole. Asmodeus reminded Alec that Magnus gave his magic willingly in order to save Jace's life, for Alec. Asmodeus, however, agreed to give back his son's magic, if Alec agreed to end their relationship.

Alec was caught off-guard by Asmodeus' terms, telling him about how deep their love is and how Magnus would never go along with this. Asmodeus demanded that Alec never tell him about their deal. He accused Alec of being the source of Magnus' conflict. He warned that Alec had to agree, if he wanted to save Magnus' life.

A conflicted Alec found himself on patrol with Jace, who checked-in on things with Magnus, given that he noticed Alec never proposed like he planned. Alec then posed what he called a hypothetical situation to Jace, wondering if Jace would agree to never see Clary again if he could guarantee her safety and separation from her connection to her crazed brother. Jace admitted that he couldn't do that after he lost Clary once before. He knew it was selfish, but he couldn't be without her. He wondered why Alec asked, but Alec changed the subject.

Meanwhile, Magnus spent some time with Alec's mother Maryse at her shop, putting his decorating talents to good use, and probing her about her newfound happiness, which he sensed might have something to do with romance. She confided in him about her new love, asking him to keep it a secret, which he agreed to do. He commended her on building a good life for herself, despite no longer having the power of the Clave.

Back out on patrol, Alec was confronted by his sister Isabelle about his brooding. Alec decided to confide in her about his plan to propose to Magnus being dashed by Magnus' breakdown. He told her about his meeting with Asmodeus, shocking her. He promised that he didn't summon him. He only spoke to him through a warlock medium. He told Isabelle about Asmodeus' deal to give back Magnus' magic, if he broke up with him. Sensing that he was contemplating accepting the deal, she warned him not to, knowing Magnus wouldn't want that. Alec said that he was sure Magnus could recover from a broken heart, more than the loss of his magic. Isabelle wondered if Alec could recover from losing Magnus.

Back at the antique shop, Maryse looked to thank Magnus for his help with a celebratory drink, but he declined, telling her about his inability to hold his alcohol now that he was just an ordinary human being. He then revealed his breakdown in front of Alec, and how he feels like a burden to him. Maryse assured him that Alec doesn't see it that way. Magnus told her that he wasn't sure what he would do without Alec. Maryse offered her support, telling Magnus that she considered him family, drawing a smile from Magnus.

Later, Alec joined Magnus at the shop after his mother's departure. Magnus tried to get him to relax, sensing he was stressed. Alec then told him that he needed to take a break from their relationship. Magnus was caught off-guard. He apologized again for his drinking, but Alec told him that wasn't it. He claimed that he couldn't stop thinking about Magnus' words about nothing being as important to him as his magic. Magnus told him that he was just being dramatic, but Alec disagreed, knowing it was the truth.

Magnus agreed that he was in pain over his magic, but breaking up wasn't going to fix anything. Alec said there was no fixing them. He said that he couldn't stand by and just watch Magnus suffer for the rest of their lives. Magnus didn't understand where any of this was coming from, after Alec had told him before that he couldn't bear to lose him. Alec claimed that the man he fell in love with was gone. He attempted to leave, but Magnus begged him not to do this.

Magnus said that he had lost everything, including his home, his job and his magic. He couldn't lose Alec too. He kissed Alec repeatedly, asking him to just stay with him. This all gave Alec pause, as he struggled to push his emotions aside as he watched Magnus clinging to their love. He stood his ground, telling Magnus that he couldn't stay with him.

Magnus let go of him, as he stood speechless. Alec exited the antique shop, leaving Magnus all alone there. Meanwhile, the warlock that Alec employed to speak to Asmodeus found herself caught off-guard by an ominous noise. She investigated, only to find Asmodeus staring at her from a mirror, revealing that as a prince of hell, she could not severe her connection to him after making it. He took control of her body, getting it to summon him into the living realm. He quickly killed her, revealing that his son needed him now.