Episode 1 of Shadow and Bone's second season begins with a gruesome nightmare engulfing Alina. A menacing wave sweeps over a peaceful village, obliterating all in its wake. Alina stands helpless, watching helplessly as Kirigan strides towards her, his gaze piercing. Just as he nears, our heroine jolts awake, her heart pounding.
Alina and Mal are sailing across the sea, their destination: Weddle Harbour, a lively seaside town renowned for its hot stones that keep beds cozy. Their journey, however, hinges on crossing a checkpoint and relying on Kaz's paperwork to sail through unhindered.
Alina is steadfast in her quest to find the Sea Whip, the second amplifier she needs to vanquish the Fold forever. But her plans are thwarted when Ravkan refugees arrive, one claiming that the Fold shifted overnight. A shiver runs down Alina's spine as she realizes her nightmares are now reality. The Fold is being manipulated, and the Darkling, still alive, is pulling the strings from the shadows.
Meanwhile, in Ketterdam, Kaz, Jesper, and Inej suddenly become fugitives, wanted for murder. Inej slips away before officers can apprehend her, while the other two are handcuffed and taken away. Along the way, the carriage halts abruptly, forcing Kaz and Jesper to disembark. They are led to Sturmhond, the true power broker in this domain, Dreesen merely a subordinate.
Sturmhond, a renowned privateer, seeks Alina. With a twenty million reward for her capture, she is a prize beyond any treasure or trinket, elevating the stakes immeasurably. Kaz decides to reveal Alina's whereabouts to Sturmhond, surmising that the latter likely already has a rough idea of her location based on the ship she sailed on. Kaz's best move is to reclaim their money. He also confesses to Jesper, once freed, that he knows Jesper is a Durast, but agrees to keep it a secret.
At Weddle Harbour, Alina delved into the depths of old nautical maps, searching for clues, while Mal ventured to the bustling dock, both in pursuit of the elusive Sea Whip's whereabouts. Alina, wielding her unique abilities, uncovered a concealed image beside an island off Ketterdam's coast, suggesting their destination. However, news of the Sun Summoner had spread like wildfire, and the town was now adorned with her wanted posters. Alina attempted a stealthy exit from the library, but an elderly woman's keen eye spotted her, triggering a frantic chase.
Similarly, Mal encountered a swarm of soldiers at the harbour, but as fate would have it, the two stumbled upon each other, their paths converging in a narrow escape. Their only hope of survival lay in the harbor itself, but soldiers were already on the lookout for them.
Inej caught up with Kaz and Jesper, revealing that they had become targets for murdering Tante Haleen. This sinister plot was orchestrated by Pekka Rollins, who had cleverly framed them for the crime. With Tante Haleen's deed to the Crow Club in his grasp, Pekka's ascension to power meant he now commanded both the Crow Club and the Menagerie, making him virtually untouchable.
Kaz realized that they needed a Heartrender unaffiliated with Pekka, and to achieve this, they required reinforcements. Their search led them to Wylan, a street performer busking on the streets. Kaz confided in Wylan, revealing the gravity of their situation and pleading for his assistance.
Meanwhile, Inej was trailed by a Heartrender named Nina, who sought to enlist her aid. Recognizing the value of Inej's skills, Nina appeared at their meeting point—Wylan's workshop. Kaz was quick to realize that Nina's involvement in this tangled web was more profound than initially perceived, given her past collaboration with Arken. Nina pleaded for assistance in breaking someone out of Hellgate, but Kaz refused, citing the impossibility of such a feat. Instead, he offered to arrange a visit, a compromise that seemed to satisfy Nina.
As the group ascended to the rooftop, overlooking the bustling town, a distant explosion lit up the skyline, revealing the Crow Club in flames. This was confirmation of the war that had erupted between Kaz and Pekka Rollins. As Kaz strode away with purpose, it was clear that he had been the mastermind behind this conflict, leaving Jesper's cherished hat collection to mourn its tragic loss.
Meanwhile, Alina and Mal managed to secure passage out of the harbor on an independent ship docked nearby. Unfortunately, this vessel belonged to Sturmhond, who greeted the Sun Summoner with a smirk, reminding her that a hefty reward awaited her capture—dead or alive.
