Amy:

I went into this show with very low expectations but very high hope and I’m pleased to say that I really enjoyed the first two episodes and I’m looking forward to seeing what else they have in store. From the pilot episode, it’s clear they’re not sticking completely to the books but thats something that I like and means that somethings will be left as a surprise.

Let’s start with the positives. Character wise I really liked Simon and Luke the most which was a surprise for me as they were the two characters I was a bit worried about because I still loved Simon and Luke in the film adaptation. Alan Van Sprang as Valentine was perfect, which wasn’t a surprise for me as I loved him in Reign and I thought he played this evil and mad character really well. Mathew Daddario as Alec was also another highlight of the show for me; he’s gorgeous and even though we haven’t heard or see much from him yet but I’m sure as the show continues, we will see more of his character.

I understand that they didn’t have a huge budget for special effects but some of them I thought were a bit poor and didn’t fit in with the show. I also didn’t like how the institute looked like something out of a spy movie and that it was full of other shadowhunters  but this is something I’m sure I’ll get used to it as the show goes on. Again on the lines of locations, I wasn’t a huge fan of the fact that Valentines lair was situated in Chenolbyl; for me I found it a bit odd and unnecessary.

Apart from those two small bits I thought the show was really great and I can’t wait for the next episode!

Eleanor:

It seems as though I have been waiting to for, for ages, but the premiere creeped up on me and I had a fit of excitement when Amy told me about the premiere date! I really didn’t want watch this show with high expectations because I was so worried that I would be disappointed especially as these books do mean an awful lot to me! Not going to lie though all of Wednesday I was really apprehensive about watching it… but luckily I wasn’t too disappointed and I actually enjoyed watching it, there were just a few things that I didn’t really like…

But let’s start with the things that I did like, some of the character portrayals I really liked, Simon, Jace and Alec I though were spot on. I also liked Kat’s portrayal of Clary, I wasn’t sure about her in the role at first but she grew on me throughout the episode, but I have to admit some of the ‘scared’ acting could have been better… I also thought that the aging up of the characters worked well so that the characters can mature a bit more, so there were lots of things that I did like!

However, there were elements that I wasn’t too happy about the main one being that I felt as though Izzy was really sexualised… I know she’s supposed to be stylish and what not but I thought that they went a little too far, plus, there’s no way she could fight in mini skirts that small without showing everyone her lady parts! Similarly, I wasn’t too happy with what they did with the institute, this is probably just be being protective over the books but I did love the fact that it was old, gothic and only contained the Lightwood family and Hodge, but i’m sure i’ll get used to it!

Overall, I did like it and i’m excited for the next few episodes and I hope my negative points will be less negative throughout the coming episodes!