Inspired by a series of novels, Shadowhunters might have only lasted on Freeform for three seasons, but it certainly made an impression on viewers. A few years after its cancellation, there are still fans hoping the series could find new life on a new platform. Though it hasn’t (yet), there is still a lot to love about the show.
While most fans will remember the politics of the world of Shadowhunters as they learned to work with the Downworld (the world inhabited by vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and fairies), even more fans remember the love stories that drove the show. Whether a fan is interested in the action, the drama, or the romance, there are memorable quotes across three seasons of Shadowhunters episodes for every type of fan.
10 “All The Legends Are True.”
Jace says this first, but it’s one of the most often repeated lines early in the series. Not only does it serve to give Clary a hint at what strange world she’s been introduced to, but it also serves to tell the audience that they might recognize some of the things coming in the series.
Shadowhunters uses aspects of mythology about vampires, werewolves, and fairy stories that have become part of pop culture, but also puts its own spin on it. The series even diverges from the novels a bit in its own exploration of myth.
9 “Never Trust People Who Can’t Lie. They’ll Find Much More Inventive Ways To Stab You In The Back.”
When Maryse first debuts in the series, she’s very strict with Isabelle – and very focused on the image of her family. Part of that is due to her own past with Valentine, something her kids don’t find out until much later. This line from Maryse is mentioned in reference to Isabelle’s relationship with the fae Meliorn.
The line also, however, serves as an early warning to the audience to be wary of the Seelie. Meliorn is friendly with Isabelle and her Shadowhunter friends, but the rest of his kind aren’t necessarily going to have their best interests in heart.
8 “For The Last Time, World Of Warcraft Is Not A Cult!”
Simon is a man of many interests. He has his own band, he wants to go to college, and his life is a bit derailed by becoming a vampire. Before his story really gets underway, however, he plays a lot of video games – something that worries his mom.
As anyone with passionate interests knows, the things you love can take up a lot of your time. To his mom, Simon’s obsession with World of Warcraft is cult-like. To people involved in fandoms, it’s perfectly normal, and this line is sure to hit with most of the audience.
7 “When You Walk Into A Room, Magic Or Not, That Lights Up Everything.”
Though the series is, arguably, Clary’s show, it’s the romance between Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood that really steals the show. Their relationship exemplifies the conflict between the Downworld and Shadowhunters, and it’s amazing to watch Alec truly begin to be himself with Magnus.
When Alec is truly comfortable with who he is and stops trying to live up to everyone’s expectations, he’s all in on his relationship with Magnus. This line is one of many that showcases his feelings.
6 “It Would Be Like Beyonce Riding A Dinosaur In The Middle Of Times Square. People Would Notice.”
Magnus Bane doesn’t miss a pop culture reference. Part of the benefit of living for centuries as one of the most powerful magic users ever is that he always seems to know what’s going on. He also has a flair for the dramatic.
Explaining how Valentine’s plans in the early episode of the show would expose the Downworld to Mundanes involves the idea of Beyonce riding a dinosaur. No imagery has worked so well in an explanation ever.
5 “The Law Is Hard, But It Is The Law.”
In case any fans had their doubts about where the root of the conflict would be in this series, this line, often repeated early in the show, gives them a hint.
Being a Shadowhunter doesn’t just come with a lot of weapons and cool abilities. It also comes with a whole lot of rules and responsibilities. The Clave sets those rules and Shadowhunters are expected to follow them. The political struggle of the Shadowhunters at the New York Institute and the Clave back in Idris is the through-line for much of the show.
4 “No One In Idris Is Going To Teach You How To Fight In Five Inch Heels.”
The first Shadowhunters Clary meets – Jace, Isabelle, and Alec – become her surrogate family. They also happen to be some of the best fighters in the series. Isabelle can do just about everything Alec and Jace can do, but she does it in the most fashionable way possible.
Isabelle has some of the most varied and gorgeous outfits in the series, but she also has some seriously tall heels. She might be joking when she uses this line on Clary to dissuade her from moving to Idris, but she’s also not wrong.
3 “The Famous Morgenstern Swagger. Wayland? Herondale? Lightwood? It’s Hard To Keep Track Of Exactly Who You Are, Isn’t It?”
Jace goes through the biggest identity crisis of any character in Shadowhunters. He spends his childhood believing one thing about his identity, only to be fooled into thinking he’s Valentine’s son. Spending his formative years with the Lightwoods, however, he sees them as his true family.
The result of Jace having so many family names and traditions thrown at him in a short time is a lot of confusion about who he really is, something the real Jonathan Morgenstern can’t resist needling him about in a fight.
2 “I Have You And I Have My Magic. Truly, That Is Enough.”
As previously stated, the relationship between Alec and Magnus becomes the heart of the show very quickly. The duo provides the series with their emotional center.
Despite Magnus’ immense power as the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus doesn’t need the status or the power – or all of the trinkets he’s gathered over the years. His love for Alec is more important to him. By the time he delivers this line, the audience truly believes all he needs is Alec and a spark at his fingertips.
1 “I’ll Love You Until I Die. And If There’s A Life After This, I’ll Love You Then Too.”
Alec and Magnus might be the heart of the show, but they aren’t the only couple whose love transcends the timeline of mere mortals. Clary is the main character of the series from the moment she learns about the world of the Shadowhunters. Her love for Jace sees a lot of obstacles in the series, and she makes a lot of decisions that put others in danger as a result.
Jace, for his part, spends a lot of time in denial about his feelings for Clary. When he finally does admit them, it’s not to her as he wants to protect her. By the end of the second season, Jace and Clary seem to be in a good place, but circumstances, and the demon Lilith, conspire to drive them apart in season three. It’s Jace that understands the mortality of being a Shadowhunter best, and Jace who makes this vow.
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