As season two of Netflix’s Shadow and Bone draws to a close, we are left to wonder just how the final two episodes will play out. Will Alina (Jessie Mei Li) and Mal (Archie Renaux) find a way through their dilemma? Will the Crows make it back to Ravka in time? Or will Kirigan (Ben Barnes) see his plan to fruition? In episode seven, “Meet You in the Meadow,” the final battle is set to begin. Let’s not waste any more time and dive right in.
DISCLAIMER: This is a recap and, by definition, will contain spoilers. Tread cautiously; if you haven’t watched the seventh episode, check it out here.
RELATED: Keep up on Shadow and Bone with our recaps!
“Meet You in the Meadow” opens as Kirigan prepares his Grisha to head into battle against Alina and the First and Second Army. All of them are empowered with Baghra’s (Zoë Wanamaker) amplifier and are downright terrifying. But will their power be enough against the massive First and Second Army? Kirigan thinks so. The only person they aren’t allowed to touch is Mal.
In Mal’s tent, we get a flashback to a younger time at the orphanage where things were different. Now he is the Firebird, and the last amplifier Alina needs to tear down the Fold. He knows what needs to be done, but it doesn’t make it any less hard to deal with. It also begs to question whether he was drawn to her because he was the Firebird or because he cared about her.
RELATED: Shadow and Bone Gift Guide for Those Who Love the Grishaverse
Things aren’t made any easier when Kirigan pops up in his tent through their connection. He tries to convince Mal to leave and let them deal with things on their own. When Mal doesn’t back down, he threatens Alina’s well-being, but Mal knows her people will protect her. They both know they have a limited time, but Mal has something to fight for. In the planning room, Nikolai (Patrick Gibson) updates Alina on his plans. She tries to get Nikolai to let her go alone, and eventually, she breaks down and tells him about Mal’s true identity.
Shadow and Bone. (L to R) Luke Pasqualino as David Kostyk, Daisy Head as Genya Safin in episode 207 of Shadow and Bone. Cr. Dávid Lukács/Netflix © 2023
“Meet You in the Meadow” shifts to Dominik (Louis Boyer) and Nikolai as they head off to prepare for battle. Dominik knows he will make a great King, and we can see it. Mal finds himself preparing for battle, and he and Nikolai discuss their futures. Afterward, Mal tells everyone the truth against Alina’s wishes. Mal plans to head directly into the Fold, be the amplifier, and tear it down. There are a few options thrown out by Tamar (Anna Leong Brophy) and David (Luke Pasqualino), and Genya (Daisy Head).
Nikolai gives a rousing speech, and the First and Second Armies prepare for battle against Kirigan and his forces. For Ravka! Nikolai heads off, and Alina and Mal prepare for their part of the plan. But it seems Kirigan and his Grisha have other ideas as Nikolai and his group are blown out of the sky. Kirigan’s troops mean to put an end to the First Army and any Grisha who stand in their way.
RELATED: Seven Feel-Good Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
“Meet You in the Meadow” quickly takes us away from the battle and to Hellgate and Matthias (Calahan Skogman). Pekka Rollins (Dean Lennox Kelly) warns him that if it is revenge he wants, he had better act soon. Matthias doesn’t believe in revenge, but Pekka knows how to push his buttons. Maybe the mention of a certain Heartrender? And maybe plant a seed in his head about how that person might be responsible for his imprisonment? Let’s hope Matthias is smarter than that.
Back in Ravka, Alina and Mal prepare to try and bind a piece of Mal’s bone. But before they can get started, Kirigan’s shadow friends show up and tear things apart. Nikolai and the others aren’t in the best shape either and head back to the fort. It becomes an all-out brawl on both sides as Kirigan pushes out the bounds of the Fold and sets the Volkra free. Within the fort, Alina and Mal become separated from Genya and David, while Nikolai and the others are pushed further back.
Shadow and Bone. (L to R) Alistair Nwachukwu as Adrik Zhabin, Joanna McGibbon as Nadia Zhabin, Anna Leong Brophy as Tamar in episode 207 of Shadow and Bone. Cr. Dvid Lukcs/Netflix © 2023
Just when things aren’t looking good, Inej (Amita Suman) drops in (literally) and saves the day with the legendary blade. She reunites with Alina and Mal, and with the help of Zoya (Sujaya Dasgupta) and Nina (Danielle Galligan), they head into the Fold. Elsewhere in the fort, Nikolai and Dominik set up defensive positions to face off against Kirigan’s Grisha. They stand their ground as long as possible, but Baghra’s amplifier seems to work well for them.
“Meet You in the Meadow” becomes an all-out battle. Those Grisha that went cliffside? Well, they weren’t prepared for Tolya (Lewis Tan). The battle inside continues, claiming Dominik’s life as he protects Nikolai, the King Ravka deserves.
RELATED: Six Powerful Women To Keep an Eye on in Shadow and Bone
In the Fold, Alina keeps the ship safe as it gets closer to the center. Hopefully, they will be able to stop this before it’s too late.
Back in the fort, David seals Genya away in order to save her from the shadow creatures and makes his stand. Outside, the tide of battle seems to be turning as a smoke bomb hits the field, thanks to the Crow’s demolition expert Wylan (Jack Wolfe). With him, Kaz (Freddy Carter) and Jesper (Kit Young) joining the fray, things should be on the up and up. It’s good that Jesper has embraced his powers, and Wylan and the others are here to help. With a few quick moves, they take out the rest of the Grisha and head into the fort with Tolya’s help.
“Meet You at the Meadow” comes to a close as Alina and the others reach the heart of the Fold. She refuses to kill Mal to use him as an amplifier and instead focuses on their connection. It seems to be working, but Kirigan isn’t about to let them undo all of his work. Just as he strikes out to kill Mal, Alina summons her own cut and wounds Kirigan. But he isn’t the only one. Mal is hit too.
RELATED: Five Questions We Need Answered in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone
What an episode. From the very beginning, we are met with action and suspense. These two opposing forces are at war, and seeing both sides’ perspectives was a real treat. However, and Netflix is always good for this, we end on quite the cliffhanger. Kirigan and Mal are struck down, and Alina is left to try and salvage everything. Will she be able to tear down the Fold? Will Mal be okay? Is Kirigan really done? We’ve got one more episode to go.
What I Do: I'm the Hermione Granger of GGA. I oversee operations where needed most across many different spaces including news, video games, board games, interviews. You name it I have a foot in it.
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
- Tavern Talk Thursday: Must-Read Book Series for TTRPG Players - September 29, 2023
- Netflix Drop Event: First Look at Upcoming TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT Anime - September 27, 2023
- Netflix Drop Event: New Spooky Peek at MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVOLUTION - September 27, 2023
