This clip is amazing as it focuses on the complexity of the Shadow world and shows a different side of each of the characters something that I see as a great thing. However what I want to focus on is that we see a very different side of Alec, a massive progression from someone so focused on work and uptight to someone who can have a drink. We see that this is during a season when Alec and Magus are having issues and Alec finds that he can talk to Underhill. He sees that he can trust him. From the little we see of him we see that he was the head of Cyber security. Alec is also respected and admired for the way he runs the institute. Being gracious he accepts help from a subordinate in a difficult situation.thisA situation could easily become a massive issue for Alec and it could not help his cause to have this blow up on him.
As he had to fight so hard to even be excepted by his subordinates for what he is doing as the head of the institute, as he is young but he got the job through his connections as well. We do see that this does breed some resentment around what he is doing and the fact that he is trying to change the way that they see the politics of the shadow world.
By starting the Downworld cabinets they end up as Downworlders and Shadowhunters working as a team. Something that could be considered to be policing by prevention, to prevent problems from starting in the first place.
We see him being very gracious in the way that he takes Underhill's advice in not being so hard on himself and wanting to seek out other friends as he is so focused on pleasing his family we see that he had to work hard to gain the respect of his family. Underhill was very gracious in the way that he respected that this was his boss and didn't try to start anything when he was drunk or to take advantage of him.
In this clip, we see that Underhill is being honest with Alec as he was honest with him when Alec was drinking with his family. Something that could have turned very deadly in a way as Alec himself says about not having the warlock tolerance for booze. So he does know the risks of drinking, however, at this point, we do see that he was able to be helped by Underhill and that Underhill was able to keep his respect for Alec and even stands up for Maryse lightwood when she is ex-communicated from the clave and the Shadowhunters.
Alec doesn't realize that he is being a role model but by being "OUT OF THE CLOSET," in a very traditional society we see that he is as well as being a kind and honest boss of the institute. He is fair and tries to see the best in the Down worlders that are the troublemakers and gives them a fair hearing. He also shows compassion and hears what Underhill has to say. We see that he doesn't realize the impact that he has on people and that his making an effort in the relationship is a huge thing as it does have a massive age difference and this can be an issue at times around age and experience in relationships as Magnus has had many types of relationships but with Alec it's different and as Underhill says trusting and honest.
Yet it's not immune from the challenges that every relationship faces and the emotions that it can bring. Things like jealousy of someone's other relationships and I never fail to smile when watching this clip about Magnus having to move in with Alec and having to face the questions from the other shadow hunters. It does show that he is willing and able to go through a lot before he starts to break down.
I also have to wonder how many other breakdowns Magnus has had as being immortal would have a massive emotional cost on a person as you don't know when the people you love are going to die. However, this is a huge issue in the show about needing to be in the present and not get jealous of people that were in a person's past. This can be as simple as taking it out with people and not getting caught up in the past. If they are in the person's past seeking out boundaries around their behavior can be a great thing to set out what are the boundaries in the relationship and take responsibility for your emotions, as we see that Alec has been trained for years that emotions are nothing but a distraction but they are warnings to make us safe, it is how we react to them is the massive issue. We see that Alec has no emotional intelligence and this makes having a relationship difficult for him at first.
I would love to see some comments about what people think about Underhill and Alec's relationship as many people wondered if Underhill would hit on Alec. I don't think he would have as Magnus and Alec did acknowledge that they were in love but they couldn't have both but did find a way to come back to each other. I think having echoes of the dark war and the "time of angels," was what cemented things in Magus's mind to make things right with Alec as we did see them work through their difference's that Underhill points out.
(Originally published on Annie in wonderland how to experience the NDIS Alec and Underhill - a lesson in being a role model Shadow hunter. all clips remain property of the original owners)
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