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'Shadowhunters' season 3 episode 18 sees Halloween special in April as Malec's struggles continue

Halloween in the middle of April might not seem right, but guess that's just how it all goes down in the shadow-world!

This article contains spoilers for 'Shadowhunters' season 3, episode 18: 'The Beast Within'

Finally, after eight weeks of the final season of 'Shadowhunters' premiering, fans got to see the Halloween episode that was promised! For those unaware, the Freeform fantasy had teased, all the way back in 2018, season 3A would have a Halloween special that will basically be a musical.

Sadly, the show couldn't deliver on that in the first half of season 3, but the wait is over as season 3B, episode 18, titled 'The Beast Within,' finally gives us a Halloween episode in the middle of April to make us all go "What?" But then again, when has 'Shadowhunters' done anything the traditional way.

Right at the beginning of the episode, we are treated to the sight of Simon Lewis' sister, Rebecca, who pops by for a visit to mark their yearly tradition of going trick-or-treating, and is finally able to convince Simon into indulging. At the other end of town, Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara) is busy slaying demons alongside her boyfriend, Jace Herondale (Dominic Sherwood), and her best friend, Izzy Lightwood (Emeraude Toubia). But back at the institute, in a bid to cheer up the forlorn Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr.) who has lost his magical powers twice on the show now, his boyfriend, Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario), decides to have a little celebration with their fellow shadowhunter friends. 

So far, so good. Everything is nice and festive and people are having fun, but the demon outbreak that Clary and her friends took care off doesn't seem to be an isolated incident. "A demon outbreak in New York City on Halloween becomes a top priority at the Institute," reveals the official synopsis of the show, and it makes sense because it's Halloween after all. But then we see Alec fighting a whole different kind of demon and suddenly the mood of the episode goes from festive to somber because Malec's struggles are far from over.

"Alec has to juggle the outbreak with his deep concern about Magnus’ depression," explains the synopsis which we get to see as he seeks out Magnus' father, Asmodeus, once again, to help Magnus regain his magic. This is where the episode plays its cards exceptionally right by twisting the story for the couple completely, and this coming after all the hurdles the two have overcome just this season alone, is a shocker that would leave Malec fans a little shaken. 

In his true blue conniving nature, Asmodeus asks Alec to break up with Magnus in exchange for his powers. "Break his heart to save his life," says the prince of Edom, Asmodeus, and once again Alec is torn with yet another dilemma taking control of his life. As if not being able to propose Magnus in the first place wasn't enough, things just keep getting worse for Alec, who just wants a happily ever after with the man he loves. Clearly too much to ask for in the shadow-world!

But a gutted Alec isn't the only crisis in this episode as the darkness of Clary's life-force rune, that she shares with her evil twin, Jonathan Morgenstern (Luke Baines), keeps impacting her on the daily. As nice as it was to see Izzy finally figuring out how to use Heavenly Fire to sever Clary and Jonathan's bond, the connection is still intact. From getting irritable to reacting with sudden aggression, Clary realizes that with every passing second, the bond's impact on her grows. Luckily for Clace shippers, Clary and Jace find each other closer than ever even in times as dark as these, as he is the only one to pull her back to normalcy every time the rune's evilness starts overriding her behavior. The power of true love as never been clearer before!

Speaking of true love, Sizzy fans are in for an unusual treat as Simon's sister figures out he totally has a thing for Izzy, and thus begins Simon's overly fumbling attitude around her. Not that Simon hasn't been the goofball since day one, but after all he's been through, this seems different because of how gradual the progression of the relationship has been. They are constantly going on undercover missions together, yet end up making pinky-promise pacts with each other about staying single forever. Too cute for times as sinister as the shadowhunters are facing, but we aren't complaining. The more, the merrier!