I did like how we got to see more of their friendship and his POV, but I think he is missing a certain edge from the books that would make his character more interesting. He almost seemed too perfect in the show, so I hope we can explore his feelings outside of Alina in the next season.
Before and right after the first darklina kiss, Aleksander looks so confused and shocked. Ben Barnes is definitely playing it like the Darkling loves Alina and was not planning on using romance as a manipulative tactic.
THE WAY I SCREAMED WHEN HE ASKED, "ARE YOU SURE?" WE STAN CONSENT. BUT ALSO, THE WAY THEY LITERALLY WANT TO DEVOUR EACH OTHER. THE CHEMISTRY IS *CHEFS KISS* AND WHEN HE TURNS BACK TO KISS HER AGAIN........PLEASE THEY'RE IN LOVE YOU CAN'T CHANGE MY MIND
The Darklina thing to me is that the Darkling is truly attracted because she is just as powerful as he is. Unlike Zoya which has always been beneath him. But old habits are hard to break and still he has to claim her. Like Alina said, “we could have been equal.” I want to see the fascination of a worthy adversary play out. PS: I didn’t read the trilogy.
5:50 "omg he's like eating her --" EATING WHAT MA'AM?!? New subscriber here, I'm loving your reactions! Your reaction to David was the best and most appropriate I've seen so far, and Genya and David they are adorableeee! Two lovesick puppies shyly simping for each other is the best thing ever
Omg David and Genya were EVERYTHING. Luke Pasqualino had maybe 5 minutes of screen time the whole season, but he stole every moment. He’s adorable. Inej’s reaction to Alina being the Sun Summoner and the purity of that moment juxtaposed with the reality of what she was doing and having her first kill was so well done. I also love that we got our first true glimpse of Dirty Hands here. Inej’s killing for him in a church of all places was honestly perfect. Helnik is so brilliantly adapted almost word-for-word from the books. Their chemistry is INSANE and they really sold it (for me) with their limited screen time. Also Callahan’s accent is the cutest/hottest thing. I agree about the Malina/Darklina comparison completely. Yes, I definitely liked Mal a lot more here although I think it’s interesting that they seemingly completely removed their main point of conflict. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I think to know how the Darkling feels about Alina, we need to look at the moments where Alina is not there or can’t see him. Moments like the scene behind the door where he’s pining like a Byronic idiot or when he looks gobsmacked when she first walks into the ballroom. There’s no need to put on a show there because she’s not looking at him. You can see him trying to regain the upper hand in the ballroom after he picks his jaw up off the floor. His reaction is genuine, but he also knows he can use this attraction to his advantage. Then she continues to surprise him and he’s both amused and turned on by it as well as taken aback. The steamy kiss may have started as a distraction combined with him giving into his desire, but Ben did say that that last kiss was improvised and meant to be seen as genuine, as was the part where he asked “are you sure.” Then you have the parts where he talks to Baghra, Zoya, the Conductor and the rest of his squad about her. The Baghra interaction is especially telling because he seems to have genuinely convinced himself that they are destined to be a power couple that will change the world. He wouldn’t bother lying to Baghra about his intentions because she knows him too well. So I think he really means or has convinced himself of the majority of the things he says to and about Alina, but it is all skewed because he’s told so many lies and lived so long that he’s managed to delude himself and justify everything. The way I see it, every interaction is genuine to a point and he tries to manipulate her by weaponizing real feelings like their shared loneliness, bond, and chemistry. But then you have those moments where the mask does come off, and Ben’s performance is so wonderfully layered that you’re kept guessing. I will also add that I thought it was a really interesting change that Baghra tried to have Mal killed. While her intentions may be good, I actually see her character as just as unreliable and grey as her son’s. After all, he learned everything he knows from her. She’s not wrong when she tells Alina about his actions and manipulation, but Alina would definitely not trust her if she knew that she’d just tried to have Mal killed. And Baghra is not above using manipulation to get the desired results, as we see throughout her interactions with Alina. Then the juxtaposition with the following scene with the Darkling and Baghra adds a whole other layer because I think their masks are off with each other and they both have their own agenda and she’s giving one side of the story while he’s giving another.
to me its like baghra 😂a creepy mom that want his son to rule ravka but wanted him and alina to turn against each other coz alina was becoming a potential love interest to aleksander , so she break them up just like she was against his mortal love which we saw during his background story
@@jashandeepkaur8203 Baghra’s is my main enemy in this show and believe me when I say that it’s very unlike me to want to disrespect my mum in law but HER... 💀💀💀
Omg FINALLY someone who can tell when Aleksander is being manipulative and when he isn’t, the Malina shipper thinking him being this 🤏🏻 close to recite the content of a love letter when talking about her to people who aren’t on her side is some attempt at manipulating her like what ? How to see without your eyes, it’s obvious she’ll never know about it yet there he stands man wtf 😂😂
@@happyjellycatsquid i hope show comes up with better plot for upcoming seasons and alina get to know darkling’s background story. he deserves a happy ending please
@@jashandeepkaur8203 I read the novella about his as a kid and I read those 30 pages with tears in my eyes, great time 🥲 At some point he’s just like « Idk what’s my favourite food, no one’s ever asked me that... I guess I like anything sweet ? » and I just stressbaked funfetti cupcakes from scratch today... If he isn’t getting his happy ending, send me man, I’ll take care of the issues idk 🥲😂😂😂
Episode 5 ist THE BEST!! And it made me a huge stan for david and genya. These two are just EVERYTHING: They even overthrew Kanej as my favourite couple in the grishaverse
@@FullofLit exactly! People who have not read Rule of Wolves, don't scroll! SPOILER!!!!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! I don't want to see this and hope sooooo much they change it. If they don't it will ruin my life. Or maybe Leigh is planing to bring him back somehow. I don't know. Either way, I don't want this to happen
Darklina has the POTENTIAL to give us a proper lovers to enemies to lovers/enemies to lovers story. Like you said,they can be the- I mean THE 🔥BADASS COUPLE🔥 ! We know the darkling is very bad and toxic and manipulative,basically THE VILLAIN and shipping darklina is like morally wrong but you know what- it’s fictional,COMPLETELY FICTIONAL! So I ship them because I feel like they belong to each other and have this bond like no other. I shipped them in the books too and in the show I know they hurried up because there was less time/were less episodes but still loved them and I cannot deny their BEAUTIFUL chemistry 😭.. And OBVIOUSLY they are interesting and fun to watch.. I LOVE WATCHING THEM(I’m obsessed).. Netflix NEEDS TO CHANGE THE ENDING AND THE ENDGAME like they already changed SO MUCH OF THE THINGS so like please 🥺🌘☀️🖤
YESSS! I completely agree. I kinda know what happens at the end cuz it's cliché, like the bad guy falls and the good guy and the girl go off into the friggin sunset. I mean, Alina + Aleksander are soulmates. He's darkness and she's light. I mean, duh. Ughh I love them so much
Darkling being manipulative or not I would argue not really in the sense that his motivation saving the Grishas is sincere. I think it made sense he didn’t tell Alina immediately that he caused the fold & I also think it would’ve have made sense for him to manipulate her to be attached towards him. The flower stuff was manipulative and his behavior towards the king. But not to Alina I think his feelings are genuine.
Edit: KAL =MAL. I mixed the names. Even as someone who never even heard of the books, i could tell whatever Kirigan says is the truth, but there's more he doesn't say, and certainly dual meanings. First few episodes, he felt like very complex yet sorted at the same time. If he was truly the charming gentleman, he is gonna have his heart broken as the girl will obviously go back to the first guy(doesn't matter if no chemistry or personality, thats thumb rule of YA fantasy). Hopeless, but wanted Darklina Was very sus of him by ep4. Imagine things i thought... Kirigan definitely is sus, every word he says can have dual meanings, he cant be soo besotted by Alina, he ain't that green. But her sunlight is something he should be wary of, right?? It dispells his aura! Anger issues, chilling but also genuinely seems to care. May be just that he finds her entertaining and is actually an idiot! Great acting though, Barnes steals every scene he's in. Even better if this is all his facade, and he is planning long con. He definitely doesn't care about Nina(?), he cares about what she might expose. i think the stag thing is him making Kal voluntarily go on a wild goose chase to get him out of the picture, which implies he's reading all the letters. Brilliant! But don't think it's for romantic interest(🤞). At 1 point i thought its nothing to do with sunlight, more to do with her mapmaking(the map table room). Misdirect within misdirects!! Now that's how u lead an army!! Anyway, i really don't care about Kal(sorry). Its alright i guess, he has plot armour! At this point Alina seems to be more akin to seducing her general🤔 (he's flirty too though) that makes me think she is some undercover Shu/first army/Desskellen(?) agent here to double cross & extract revenge(?). All those recurring sad good childhood memories must be a misdirect.Thats her red room. She's too well educated to be the awkward country girl she was acting like at the palace. Dont tell me her vast education, then military training didn't teach her not to be a air head! But i can sense atleast one of them will eventually fall for the other (him i guess, very unwillingly, it seems new territory for him, she's just on rebound/playing up), heartbreak and that's the plot. Geishas are supposed to be super talented and feared, yet all i see is them getting beat up and murdered like flies. It seems they are the victims here! They are yet to win a skirmish, may be its Kirigan setting the traps to kill Geishas off. Is he the traitor??!! The crows are the fun part, but just like the geisha their talents seem to be sadly pretty undervalued here. I mean, how many convenient coincidences can you run into🙄 Upto ep 5, had high hopes. 6 was where it went downhill for me..... You set up a flawlessly cunning manipulative bad guy, who's been the puppet master for 400 years, oh and also choke people with darkness in an instant & doesn't need to even look, and is better and faster than Hela in conjuring weapons and slicing armies up.............. I expect to see a ruthless evil genius wreck blood & havoc unchecked and unbothered, with an equally badass army he has...... But nope. Dont think the showrunners intended this, i was so ready to fear the Darkling and root for Alina..... Instead i see him getting character assasinated to enable the "good" guys seem super smart. Currently I am happy for Malina, 2 people i dont care about can run off together. I am team Kirigan.
@@rbhatt2247 The last line tho. I agree with you when you said that they are making him look dumb and his soldiers are weak just to make the good guys win, I got that feeling too. Team Aleksander.
Your reaction to the Darklina make out scene on that table.. LITERALLY ME!!!!!! I was yelping!!!!! The chemistry between Helnik is INSANE!!!!!!! The comedy moments are so good too!! I was reacting right along with you throughout this video... SO GOOD!!!!
The way that he had been intercepting her mail all this time, and manipulated Alina into making the first move... pretty brilliant. He actually comes across as a centuries old master manipulator in this adaptation.
"manipulated Alina into making the first move" Lmao how?? He is a hot charming man and she is sexually attracted to him because you know lust is a human nature.
Thinking about how when Alina lights up the whole room at the fête everything is lit up /except/ the Darkling at 4:21 I just appreciate this shows subtle hints so much 😩
I also was surprised when they explicitly mentioned Zoya and the Darkling sleeping together but I also thought it was interesting how they just had Mal and Zoya flirt in the show and not sleep together. So its really just like the two situations are reversed now.
@@annasophia2428 yeah of course! so basically i see it as the two relationships swapping roles or at least in a physical way. and so like in the books alina was always jealous of zoya getting with Mal and zoya was jealous of alina’s relationship with the darkling. so now it seems that in the show this jealously will play a different role. because before zoya sleeping with Mal made him seem like a bad guy and i think since the show made Mal out to be mr. perfect, they had to change their story a bit. And with the Darkling, zoya was always seen pining over him in the books but now in the show her jealously is validated because she had some type of relationship with him and alina threatened it. So i guess maybe they’re not totally reversed but the show is giving them a different perspective.
I think it’s more of a sign of how the Darkling is just manipulating the shit out of everyone. Zoya and Alina could absolutely destroy him in a team up and he knows that. Pinning them against each other makes it easier for him to control them both.
The darklina scenes where something else! They do have that insane sexual chemistry for sure. But like you said in the last video i feel like the same could be said about Alina and The darkling as with Malina. She is either obsessing over and missing Mal or getting sucked in by The darkling. There really is no middle ground with her! She really needs to separate from both men i think.
I had to pause the video to leave a comment - I'm just so happy for you every time you see Darkling going heart eyed or smth. This was my reaction exactly and I'm sooo glad to see someone else being also so excited. It's like watching with a friend honestly.
Yeah the whole Zoya x Darkling thing had me raising eyebrows. In the book they explicitly state that everybody was vying for the Darklings attention because he was such a respected member of their society. Prior to Alina, Zoya was the best in the First Army so she had that attention but it wasn't romantic as far as I remember.
@@priiifrg But sometimes those feelings can be confused, and from my perspective, Zoya was definitely feeling more romantic about it than The Darkling.
I think that in terms of Darklina chemistry it helps, that Jessie and Ben really have a good rapport off screen as well 😁 They are super adorable in all the interviews and behind the screen videos and photos. Looks like they really bonded 🙂 Cute facts 1. Jessie admitted in interview that she had his poster - princ Caspian movie - on her bedroom wall, when she was young 2. She admitted freaking out before the first shooting of the kissing. They actually shot that “make out session in his office” first 🤣 So she refused to kiss him in the rehearsal. So they kissed first with cameras rolling 😁 Looks like she has not kissed on screen before. So this is the real FanFiction happening in real life. From having Idol poster on your childhood bedroom wall to having him some 10+ years later as your first on screen kiss 🥰🥰😜 and s good friend.
Re the darkling revealing his name early on: the writers and actors took great pains to make the darklina relationship feel more equal and for Alina to feel more empowered in that dynamic - when you think about it, her calling him by a last name or by a title would have interfered with that. So I'm guessing they decided that him giving her his first name was a necessary sacrifice for that larger update. I bet they are planning to replace the third book's big name-reveal with something else he can tell her that will still signal that same vulnerability and intimacy.
I feel with the kissing scene during the fete, I would've been more convinced that he was manipulating her if when he went to get the door he was like stoic and like his normal expression, he was so happy when he opened the door and Alina was not gonna see that or when he found out Alina left on her own, no one was gonna tell Alina that he looked heart broken so it had to be his actual emotions.
There is absolutely NO FREAKING WAY his emotions aren't genuine. He's been so desperately lonely for long, and betrayed by nearly everyone, even his own mother! Like you said, he's reacting at numerous times to her even when she can't see him, so its not manipulation. And then she just runs away from him and betrays him too. I can't blame him at all for going all villain on her. They would have genuinely saved Ravka and the Grisha together, but she blew it. Never believed Mal ever really loved her.
@@BacktoEdenUrbanFarm Yeah I wish they gave Alina a reason for leaving other then just Bhagra (come on a woman that you have no connection to vs the guy you were minutes from sleeping with, in what world would you believe Bhagra without even confronting the Darkling), she should've seen that he was keeping Mal's letters or something
i was never a huge fan of malina or darklina because i think i came to the books a little too old, but the show has me caring SO much about both of the ships in ways that i hadn't expected before. and i'm gonna rewatch all of the kanej scenes over and over again. like they're SO good.
I love you and your reaction, no one's reactions are as good as yours, and yes, to Darklin's honor, I do not care about anything else, I just want them to be together, the best strong couple.
girl the scene he come back to kiss her was not in script and yes ben said in a interview he did darkling with real feelings about alina and with more humanity to darrkling so ....
These episodes were so good, and it's a first time for me when I ship ALL the ships? How? It's crazy! And it's great to see a reactor who enjoys Darklina, Malina and Kanej in the same way I do! Very relatable. Looking forward for your 7&8 reaction.
Does anyone else remember from Book 1: how Alina snuck into a performer's carriage to escape the Little Palace? I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the writers interwove that scene to be THE F'ING CROWS that were those performers!!!!!
I felt the darklina feels too tbh AGH and she feels the pull toooooo i mean look at his face?! but im happy mal and malina is getting more stans with the show!
I really love how the manipulation isn't what the Darkling says, it's what he doesn't say. I think he genuinely believes the things he says (unless it's a cover for his backstory) and all of these moments are real moments to him, but the way he manipulates people is all the things he holds back, and the things he doesn't say. He doesn't outright lie often, and he uses the truth as a weapon. He's been around too long that I think it's second nature for him to veil how he speaks and how much of himself he gives to people, but I think he genuinely tries to make as much of a connection as possible for someone of his age and power. Idk. I might be wrong.
Just subscribed. I agree with everything you say and it's always a joy to see your videos :) And absolutely right with the Malina and Darklina comparison.
You are literally my spirit animal!! You squealing at Darklina and all the other cute ships was just like me when I first watched this show 😂😍😍😍 this put a smile on my face!
I don't ship darklina whatsoever and I usually don't feel any particular way about "steamy" (ew) scenes between straight couples but the scene where they make out literally lives rent free in my head they just have so much chemistry
Okay, I'm so glad the algorithm dropped you on my feed -- even if its on Eps 5 and 6. I am dying from a lack of friends who have read the grishaverse or watched the show, so I'm adoring your reactions!
I literally feel like crying all the time now that I'm done reading the books and watching the show. Like, the emptiness in my soul is astounding even to me.
You know what, the Conductor deserved to be transported into the Fold by the Darkling because he tried to murder Alina which INTERUPTED Darklina making out and it’s infuriating because that scene is the most we will get out of them 😭
It’s so hard because I want to watch the show but I also want to see your reaction so I find myself reversing the video a million times just to get distracted by the show all over again🤦🏼♀️😂
If you need another fix for your Ben Barnes addiction (with bit of Archie thrown in for good measure), you should try the BBC 's Gold Digger. Mr. Barnes seriously outdid himself in that one.
Cindy Pavin, you made this comment about "Gold Digger" six months ago, but I simply *had* to respond. I totally agree with you that Ben Barnes did some mighty fine acting in that series! And I loved the character he played. I mention the series in my own comments whenever it fits in. Thanks for agreeing with *me*! @benbarnes #songsforyou #shadowandbone #CabinetOfCuriosities #benbarnesinaromcomplease
Sorry to say but if people can love Damon Salvatore , Klaus , Khal Drogo, Sebastian from shadow hunters, Thomas Shelby, Alfie then there's nothing wrong to Stan for Darkling❤️❤️. I love them all
Good analysis. IMO, it would make for a much more compelling story line where Aleksander could possibly be redeemed (after a huge struggle) with Alina's help, the forces of light & dark working together for the greater good. As opposed to Alina ending up with her childhood sweetheart which I find a little too predictable and boring.
The fact that Kanej are in the background while the Darkling gifts Alina her favorite flowers when Inej's father had told her that the right man will make the effort to figure out her favorite flowers-- (And the Darkling didn't make the effort...)
I have chosen to stop watching after that second kiss because my ship sank like the Titanic after this 😭. I am definitely writing my own version of this (not fanfic directly but a story with this in it). And I have to say, Ben Barnes is my definition of the perfect man! He is so handsome, beautiful, kind and can sing!
He's a Villain BUT why Netflix dropping these threads cast Ben Barnes?....its probably why many want to see more Darklina: 1. Alina's blue scarf blew towards the Darkling EP1 (hope he has it !) 2. They form a unique light bubble when the Darkling is visibly upset EP4 ('You are not Alone'-big deal if your immortal!) 3. Their makeout foreshadow have more chemistry on the wall than Malina EP5🤣 4. Actual war room makeout session hotter than the book!🔥 EP5 5. The Darkling killed the Fjerdan/Conductor/Zlatan EP 1/6/8 to protect Alina (Kaz luckily escaped Ep6!)
The coming back for one more kiss was apparently unscripted and entirely Ben Barnes's idea. That guy knows what fans want and he delivers!
... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Sorry this is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen and knowing it came from Ben’s genuisness is just... a m a z i n g
he added the second kiss AND the consent question. KING!
@@followingwaves AAAAAAAHHHHHH
Holy hell and I thought I couldn’t have any more of a crush on Ben YET ARE WE ARE 🥲
@@followingwaves pretty sure this was in the script already, the consent question i mean
JESPERS FACE WHEN ALINA HELPS KIDNAP HERSELF 😭🤚
Jasper ''I just got Her By doing nothing'' xD
Is it toxic? Is it wrong? Do I care? Yes. Yes. And No. give me more DARKLINA!!!!
ok i don't enjoy some of the toxicity but the chemistry does awe me
They make me uncomfortable tbh
I am head over heels for Darklina and i don't even regret it.
“Book Mal could never” is exactly how I feel about the whole season, They made Mals character so much better for the show
I did like how we got to see more of their friendship and his POV, but I think he is missing a certain edge from the books that would make his character more interesting. He almost seemed too perfect in the show, so I hope we can explore his feelings outside of Alina in the next season.
I've only seen the show, so I'm a bit scared to read the books and get "bad boy" Mal
PREACH
Exactly
"Also the fact he has Ben Barnes’ face doesn’t hurt."
Yes, girl! You cannot be more right 😎
Is the truth
@@FullofLit maybe just maybe darklina is the endgame in this version. Toughts?
Love from Zagreb Croatia :)
Sis, when I tell you I SCREAMED when they started smooching like that 😩
And the fact that Alina KISSED him first -
The "coming-back-for-one-more-kiss" killed me! 😍
And the fact that Ben said he improvised that kiss in an interview oh my LORD
@@alexyu6097 omg do u remember which interview is it?
It killed everybody, there was no survivors haha
@@chloeliu3601 Idk why my response with the link isn’t showing up here but it was his interview with Us Weekly!
Got here faster than kaz running from his feelings for Inej.
did you just- 💀
Picked up from Cindy's video😂❤️❤️
Damn you just outrun the speed of light 🥸👀
THIS ONE ☝️ 😂
Lmao
Before and right after the first darklina kiss, Aleksander looks so confused and shocked. Ben Barnes is definitely playing it like the Darkling loves Alina and was not planning on using romance as a manipulative tactic.
he does love her though
inej killing for the 1st time to save kaz is something so personal to me
THE WAY I SCREAMED WHEN HE ASKED, "ARE YOU SURE?"
WE STAN CONSENT.
BUT ALSO, THE WAY THEY LITERALLY WANT TO DEVOUR EACH OTHER. THE CHEMISTRY IS *CHEFS KISS* AND WHEN HE TURNS BACK TO KISS HER AGAIN........PLEASE THEY'RE IN LOVE YOU CAN'T CHANGE MY MIND
"WE STAN CONSENT...THEY'RE IN LOVE" Hmmm🤔
Uhhh... constent is thrown out of the window a few episodes later.
@Zeynab Kaveh And let's not forget that book Darkling didn't have a tragic backstory either. He was much more one dimensional.
Episode 5 is rated the highest coincidence? No that's Darklinas Power, the show is getting a lot of popularity with Darklina and crows ❤️
Darklina for the win they dont have to follow the book to the tea like with vampire diaries they changed the ending so they can do that with darklina
@@emiliejenkins9225 let's manifest Emilie 😭✨🙏🏼❤️
Exactly 🖤🌓
@@emiliejenkins9225 I totally agree!
@Zeynab Kaveh lol ok
The Darklina thing to me is that the Darkling is truly attracted because she is just as powerful as he is. Unlike Zoya which has always been beneath him. But old habits are hard to break and still he has to claim her. Like Alina said, “we could have been equal.” I want to see the fascination of a worthy adversary play out. PS: I didn’t read the trilogy.
5:50 "omg he's like eating her --" EATING WHAT MA'AM?!? New subscriber here, I'm loving your reactions! Your reaction to David was the best and most appropriate I've seen so far, and Genya and David they are adorableeee! Two lovesick puppies shyly simping for each other is the best thing ever
Omg David and Genya were EVERYTHING. Luke Pasqualino had maybe 5 minutes of screen time the whole season, but he stole every moment. He’s adorable.
Inej’s reaction to Alina being the Sun Summoner and the purity of that moment juxtaposed with the reality of what she was doing and having her first kill was so well done. I also love that we got our first true glimpse of Dirty Hands here. Inej’s killing for him in a church of all places was honestly perfect.
Helnik is so brilliantly adapted almost word-for-word from the books. Their chemistry is INSANE and they really sold it (for me) with their limited screen time. Also Callahan’s accent is the cutest/hottest thing.
I agree about the Malina/Darklina comparison completely. Yes, I definitely liked Mal a lot more here although I think it’s interesting that they seemingly completely removed their main point of conflict. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
I think to know how the Darkling feels about Alina, we need to look at the moments where Alina is not there or can’t see him. Moments like the scene behind the door where he’s pining like a Byronic idiot or when he looks gobsmacked when she first walks into the ballroom. There’s no need to put on a show there because she’s not looking at him. You can see him trying to regain the upper hand in the ballroom after he picks his jaw up off the floor. His reaction is genuine, but he also knows he can use this attraction to his advantage. Then she continues to surprise him and he’s both amused and turned on by it as well as taken aback. The steamy kiss may have started as a distraction combined with him giving into his desire, but Ben did say that that last kiss was improvised and meant to be seen as genuine, as was the part where he asked “are you sure.”
Then you have the parts where he talks to Baghra, Zoya, the Conductor and the rest of his squad about her. The Baghra interaction is especially telling because he seems to have genuinely convinced himself that they are destined to be a power couple that will change the world. He wouldn’t bother lying to Baghra about his intentions because she knows him too well. So I think he really means or has convinced himself of the majority of the things he says to and about Alina, but it is all skewed because he’s told so many lies and lived so long that he’s managed to delude himself and justify everything. The way I see it, every interaction is genuine to a point and he tries to manipulate her by weaponizing real feelings like their shared loneliness, bond, and chemistry. But then you have those moments where the mask does come off, and Ben’s performance is so wonderfully layered that you’re kept guessing.
I will also add that I thought it was a really interesting change that Baghra tried to have Mal killed. While her intentions may be good, I actually see her character as just as unreliable and grey as her son’s. After all, he learned everything he knows from her. She’s not wrong when she tells Alina about his actions and manipulation, but Alina would definitely not trust her if she knew that she’d just tried to have Mal killed. And Baghra is not above using manipulation to get the desired results, as we see throughout her interactions with Alina. Then the juxtaposition with the following scene with the Darkling and Baghra adds a whole other layer because I think their masks are off with each other and they both have their own agenda and she’s giving one side of the story while he’s giving another.
to me its like baghra 😂a creepy mom that want his son to rule ravka but wanted him and alina to turn against each other coz alina was becoming a potential love interest to aleksander , so she break them up just like she was against his mortal love which we saw during his background story
@@jashandeepkaur8203 Baghra’s is my main enemy in this show and believe me when I say that it’s very unlike me to want to disrespect my mum in law but HER... 💀💀💀
Omg FINALLY someone who can tell when Aleksander is being manipulative and when he isn’t, the Malina shipper thinking him being this 🤏🏻 close to recite the content of a love letter when talking about her to people who aren’t on her side is some attempt at manipulating her like what ? How to see without your eyes, it’s obvious she’ll never know about it yet there he stands man wtf 😂😂
@@happyjellycatsquid i hope show comes up with better plot for upcoming seasons and alina get to know darkling’s background story. he deserves a happy ending please
@@jashandeepkaur8203 I read the novella about his as a kid and I read those 30 pages with tears in my eyes, great time 🥲
At some point he’s just like « Idk what’s my favourite food, no one’s ever asked me that... I guess I like anything sweet ? » and I just stressbaked funfetti cupcakes from scratch today... If he isn’t getting his happy ending, send me man, I’ll take care of the issues idk 🥲😂😂😂
Episode 5 ist THE BEST!! And it made me a huge stan for david and genya. These two are just EVERYTHING: They even overthrew Kanej as my favourite couple in the grishaverse
@@FullofLit exactly!
People who have not read Rule of Wolves, don't scroll!
SPOILER!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!
I don't want to see this and hope sooooo much they change it. If they don't it will ruin my life. Or maybe Leigh is planing to bring him back somehow. I don't know. Either way, I don't want this to happen
@@line_vondensternen337 omg yesss i was litteraly crying when it happened like whyyyy 😭😭😭
Also, coming back for that second kiss was a Ben Barnes improv moment and that information lives rent free in my head.
Your oppinion on Darklina? ICONIC. I love you
You truly are my only darklina comfort RUclipsr 🥺
Darklina has the POTENTIAL to give us a proper lovers to enemies to lovers/enemies to lovers story. Like you said,they can be the- I mean THE 🔥BADASS COUPLE🔥 ! We know the darkling is very bad and toxic and manipulative,basically THE VILLAIN and shipping darklina is like morally wrong but you know what- it’s fictional,COMPLETELY FICTIONAL! So I ship them because I feel like they belong to each other and have this bond like no other. I shipped them in the books too and in the show I know they hurried up because there was less time/were less episodes but still loved them and I cannot deny their BEAUTIFUL chemistry 😭.. And OBVIOUSLY they are interesting and fun to watch.. I LOVE WATCHING THEM(I’m obsessed).. Netflix NEEDS TO CHANGE THE ENDING AND THE ENDGAME like they already changed SO MUCH OF THE THINGS so like please 🥺🌘☀️🖤
YESSS! I completely agree. I kinda know what happens at the end cuz it's cliché, like the bad guy falls and the good guy and the girl go off into the friggin sunset. I mean, Alina + Aleksander are soulmates. He's darkness and she's light. I mean, duh. Ughh I love them so much
Darkling being manipulative or not I would argue not really in the sense that his motivation saving the Grishas is sincere. I think it made sense he didn’t tell Alina immediately that he caused the fold & I also think it would’ve have made sense for him to manipulate her to be attached towards him. The flower stuff was manipulative and his behavior towards the king. But not to Alina I think his feelings are genuine.
*no sense for him
Edit: KAL =MAL. I mixed the names.
Even as someone who never even heard of the books, i could tell whatever Kirigan says is the truth, but there's more he doesn't say, and certainly dual meanings.
First few episodes, he felt like very complex yet sorted at the same time.
If he was truly the charming gentleman, he is gonna have his heart broken as the girl will obviously go back to the first guy(doesn't matter if no chemistry or personality, thats thumb rule of YA fantasy).
Hopeless, but wanted Darklina
Was very sus of him by ep4. Imagine things i thought...
Kirigan definitely is sus, every word he says can have dual meanings, he cant be soo besotted by Alina, he ain't that green. But her sunlight is something he should be wary of, right?? It dispells his aura! Anger issues, chilling but also genuinely seems to care. May be just that he finds her entertaining and is actually an idiot! Great acting though, Barnes steals every scene he's in.
Even better if this is all his facade, and he is planning long con. He definitely doesn't care about Nina(?), he cares about what she might expose. i think the stag thing is him making Kal voluntarily go on a wild goose chase to get him out of the picture, which implies he's reading all the letters. Brilliant! But don't think it's for romantic interest(🤞). At 1 point i thought its nothing to do with sunlight, more to do with her mapmaking(the map table room). Misdirect within misdirects!!
Now that's how u lead an army!!
Anyway, i really don't care about Kal(sorry). Its alright i guess, he has plot armour!
At this point Alina seems to be more akin to seducing her general🤔 (he's flirty too though) that makes me think she is some undercover Shu/first army/Desskellen(?) agent here to double cross & extract revenge(?). All those recurring sad good childhood memories must be a misdirect.Thats her red room. She's too well educated to be the awkward country girl she was acting like at the palace. Dont tell me her vast education, then military training didn't teach her not to be a air head!
But i can sense atleast one of them will eventually fall for the other (him i guess, very unwillingly, it seems new territory for him, she's just on rebound/playing up), heartbreak and that's the plot.
Geishas are supposed to be super talented and feared, yet all i see is them getting beat up and murdered like flies.
It seems they are the victims here! They are yet to win a skirmish, may be its Kirigan setting the traps to kill Geishas off. Is he the traitor??!!
The crows are the fun part, but just like the geisha their talents seem to be sadly pretty undervalued here. I mean, how many convenient coincidences can you run into🙄
Upto ep 5, had high hopes. 6 was where it went downhill for me.....
You set up a flawlessly cunning manipulative bad guy, who's been the puppet master for 400 years, oh and also choke people with darkness in an instant & doesn't need to even look, and is better and faster than Hela in conjuring weapons and slicing armies up.............. I expect to see a ruthless evil genius wreck blood & havoc unchecked and unbothered, with an equally badass army he has......
But nope. Dont think the showrunners intended this, i was so ready to fear the Darkling and root for Alina..... Instead i see him getting character assasinated to enable the "good" guys seem super smart.
Currently I am happy for Malina, 2 people i dont care about can run off together. I am team Kirigan.
@@rbhatt2247 The last line tho. I agree with you when you said that they are making him look dumb and his soldiers are weak just to make the good guys win, I got that feeling too. Team Aleksander.
Your reaction to the Darklina make out scene on that table.. LITERALLY ME!!!!!! I was yelping!!!!! The chemistry between Helnik is INSANE!!!!!!! The comedy moments are so good too!! I was reacting right along with you throughout this video... SO GOOD!!!!
Enemy's to lovers = no. Enemys and lovers= that's where it's at. 🤭
The way that he had been intercepting her mail all this time, and manipulated Alina into making the first move... pretty brilliant. He actually comes across as a centuries old master manipulator in this adaptation.
Well said 👏
"manipulated Alina into making the first move" Lmao how?? He is a hot charming man and she is sexually attracted to him because you know lust is a human nature.
Thinking about how when Alina lights up the whole room at the fête everything is lit up /except/ the Darkling at 4:21
I just appreciate this shows subtle hints so much 😩
I also was surprised when they explicitly mentioned Zoya and the Darkling sleeping together but I also thought it was interesting how they just had Mal and Zoya flirt in the show and not sleep together. So its really just like the two situations are reversed now.
what do you mean the situations are reversed? could you elaborate?
@@annasophia2428 yeah of course! so basically i see it as the two relationships swapping roles or at least in a physical way. and so like in the books alina was always jealous of zoya getting with Mal and zoya was jealous of alina’s relationship with the darkling. so now it seems that in the show this jealously will play a different role. because before zoya sleeping with Mal made him seem like a bad guy and i think since the show made Mal out to be mr. perfect, they had to change their story a bit. And with the Darkling, zoya was always seen pining over him in the books but now in the show her jealously is validated because she had some type of relationship with him and alina threatened it. So i guess maybe they’re not totally reversed but the show is giving them a different perspective.
@@lightituptaylor oh ok i kinda understood it
I think it’s more of a sign of how the Darkling is just manipulating the shit out of everyone. Zoya and Alina could absolutely destroy him in a team up and he knows that. Pinning them against each other makes it easier for him to control them both.
But Zoya did sleep with Mal tho "Your tracker friend also liked it when I put him on his back" *Zoya Winks*
"kas left the darkling with a fucking magic trick" asadfghjkj i had the same reaction
The darklina scenes where something else! They do have that insane sexual chemistry for sure. But like you said in the last video i feel like the same could be said about Alina and The darkling as with Malina. She is either obsessing over and missing Mal or getting sucked in by The darkling. There really is no middle ground with her! She really needs to separate from both men i think.
I had to pause the video to leave a comment - I'm just so happy for you every time you see Darkling going heart eyed or smth. This was my reaction exactly and I'm sooo glad to see someone else being also so excited. It's like watching with a friend honestly.
Yeah the whole Zoya x Darkling thing had me raising eyebrows.
In the book they explicitly state that everybody was vying for the Darklings attention because he was such a respected member of their society.
Prior to Alina, Zoya was the best in the First Army so she had that attention but it wasn't romantic as far as I remember.
In the show it wasn’t romantic either, sexual isn’t romantic.
@Rosa Diaz Woops, thank you.
I get them confused 😂🙃
@@priiifrg But sometimes those feelings can be confused, and from my perspective, Zoya was definitely feeling more romantic about it than The Darkling.
I think that in terms of Darklina chemistry it helps, that Jessie and Ben really have a good rapport off screen as well 😁 They are super adorable in all the interviews and behind the screen videos and photos. Looks like they really bonded 🙂 Cute facts 1. Jessie admitted in interview that she had his poster - princ Caspian movie - on her bedroom wall, when she was young 2. She admitted freaking out before the first shooting of the kissing. They actually shot that “make out session in his office” first 🤣 So she refused to kiss him in the rehearsal. So they kissed first with cameras rolling 😁 Looks like she has not kissed on screen before. So this is the real FanFiction happening in real life. From having Idol poster on your childhood bedroom wall to having him some 10+ years later as your first on screen kiss 🥰🥰😜 and s good friend.
The Crows own my heart
Re the darkling revealing his name early on: the writers and actors took great pains to make the darklina relationship feel more equal and for Alina to feel more empowered in that dynamic - when you think about it, her calling him by a last name or by a title would have interfered with that. So I'm guessing they decided that him giving her his first name was a necessary sacrifice for that larger update. I bet they are planning to replace the third book's big name-reveal with something else he can tell her that will still signal that same vulnerability and intimacy.
I literally yelled "You bitch" at my screen when Aleksander did the Flower thing. But in a fond way😂
Genyalina surpremacy btw! Heartrender Husbands too
I feel with the kissing scene during the fete, I would've been more convinced that he was manipulating her if when he went to get the door he was like stoic and like his normal expression, he was so happy when he opened the door and Alina was not gonna see that or when he found out Alina left on her own, no one was gonna tell Alina that he looked heart broken so it had to be his actual emotions.
There is absolutely NO FREAKING WAY his emotions aren't genuine. He's been so desperately lonely for long, and betrayed by nearly everyone, even his own mother! Like you said, he's reacting at numerous times to her even when she can't see him, so its not manipulation. And then she just runs away from him and betrays him too. I can't blame him at all for going all villain on her. They would have genuinely saved Ravka and the Grisha together, but she blew it. Never believed Mal ever really loved her.
@@BacktoEdenUrbanFarm Yeah I wish they gave Alina a reason for leaving other then just Bhagra (come on a woman that you have no connection to vs the guy you were minutes from sleeping with, in what world would you believe Bhagra without even confronting the Darkling), she should've seen that he was keeping Mal's letters or something
DAVID AND MILO ARE MY TWO FAVORITE PARTS OF THIS SHOW 😭😭 Also, you speculating on Kanej in future seasons BROKE ME I'm not okay
The way you explained the romantic differences of Malina and Darklina was just....absolute and utter perfection.
i was never a huge fan of malina or darklina because i think i came to the books a little too old, but the show has me caring SO much about both of the ships in ways that i hadn't expected before. and i'm gonna rewatch all of the kanej scenes over and over again. like they're SO good.
Ben is so beautiful. I can't hate him.
I love you and your reaction, no one's reactions are as good as yours, and yes, to Darklin's honor, I do not care about anything else, I just want them to be together, the best strong couple.
girl the scene he come back to kiss her was not in script and yes ben said in a interview he did darkling with real feelings about alina and with more humanity to darrkling so ....
These episodes were so good, and it's a first time for me when I ship ALL the ships? How? It's crazy!
And it's great to see a reactor who enjoys Darklina, Malina and Kanej in the same way I do! Very relatable.
Looking forward for your 7&8 reaction.
Does anyone else remember from Book 1: how Alina snuck into a performer's carriage to escape the Little Palace? I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the writers interwove that scene to be THE F'ING CROWS that were those performers!!!!!
Girl I freakin’ love your vibe! I’m subscribing right now like...🙌🏻 *chef* *kiss* to your reaction♥️
I felt the darklina feels too tbh AGH and she feels the pull toooooo i mean look at his face?! but im happy mal and malina is getting more stans with the show!
Friend to lover trope isnt my cup of tea im darklina all the way and they made the darkling more human in the series
I really love how the manipulation isn't what the Darkling says, it's what he doesn't say. I think he genuinely believes the things he says (unless it's a cover for his backstory) and all of these moments are real moments to him, but the way he manipulates people is all the things he holds back, and the things he doesn't say. He doesn't outright lie often, and he uses the truth as a weapon. He's been around too long that I think it's second nature for him to veil how he speaks and how much of himself he gives to people, but I think he genuinely tries to make as much of a connection as possible for someone of his age and power.
Idk. I might be wrong.
Just subscribed. I agree with everything you say and it's always a joy to see your videos :)
And absolutely right with the Malina and Darklina comparison.
omg I’m LIVING for your reaction to the darklina moments bc girl SAME
You are literally my spirit animal!! You squealing at Darklina and all the other cute ships was just like me when I first watched this show 😂😍😍😍 this put a smile on my face!
I don't ship darklina whatsoever and I usually don't feel any particular way about "steamy" (ew) scenes between straight couples but the scene where they make out literally lives rent free in my head they just have so much chemistry
I BLAME BEN BARNES FOR EVERYTHING BC THIS MAN. MADE ME LOVE THE DARKLING AND DARKLINA SO MUCH
Darklina!!!❤️
OMYGOOODDDDDD THESE TWO WON'T MAKE ME SLEEP AT PEACE!!!!
Okay, I'm so glad the algorithm dropped you on my feed -- even if its on Eps 5 and 6. I am dying from a lack of friends who have read the grishaverse or watched the show, so I'm adoring your reactions!
I AM LOVING THESE REACTIONS 😂
Your reactions are incredible. And that Darklina kiss almost killed me too!!
David is the moment.
He and Jes are show stealers and they know it too😂
I literally feel like crying all the time now that I'm done reading the books and watching the show. Like, the emptiness in my soul is astounding even to me.
This is the best reaction ever! I love your personality! 😂
Oh my god your reaction is sooooo wonderful!! 😂😂😇💕💕💕 I like, I love!! 😊
Your reaction was so funny to watch. Best scene when they kissed. =))) Your face... I felt the same. "Not the desk!!!!" =)))))
"that's right get on your knees"😂😂😂
Darklina 🌘🖤
Darklina for the win always!
You know what, the Conductor deserved to be transported into the Fold by the Darkling because he tried to murder Alina which INTERUPTED Darklina making out and it’s infuriating because that scene is the most we will get out of them 😭
DARKLINA ❤️🖤 >>>>>>>>
omg yes!! More S&B Reactions from you!! These videos are the best!!!
It’s so hard because I want to watch the show but I also want to see your reaction so I find myself reversing the video a million times just to get distracted by the show all over again🤦🏼♀️😂
Your reaction is LIFEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Cracked me up so much!
Darklina shipper for life 😈
If you need another fix for your Ben Barnes addiction (with bit of Archie thrown in for good measure), you should try the BBC 's Gold Digger. Mr. Barnes seriously outdid himself in that one.
Cindy Pavin, you made this comment about "Gold Digger" six months ago, but I simply *had* to respond. I totally agree with you that Ben Barnes did some mighty fine acting in that series! And I loved the character he played. I mention the series in my own comments whenever it fits in. Thanks for agreeing with *me*!
@benbarnes #songsforyou #shadowandbone #CabinetOfCuriosities #benbarnesinaromcomplease
@@brendadotter4433 It really seems it's mostly gone under the radar. I wish there were more reactions to it.
IDK WHO YOU ARE BUT I LOVE YOU AND SUBSCRIBEDDD
Omg Darklina yayyyyyyyyyyyyy
Those scriptwriters, and even the actors, are playing the bookreaders. Like a fiddle.
Well done.
I love this because your reactions are my reactions.
It’s crazy that there is at least 3 major characters from the BBC’s Musketeers show in this show.
I always come back to this reaction and im totally satisfied with my obsession
My Name is David, and I like that David. he is adorably awkward!
I don’t know you but based off of this review alone I trust you. Subscribed 🖤
A fave moment of mine is the Darkling being a dad to David
Im living for your reactions omg
Sorry to say but if people can love Damon Salvatore , Klaus , Khal Drogo, Sebastian from shadow hunters, Thomas Shelby, Alfie then there's nothing wrong to Stan for Darkling❤️❤️. I love them all
I need more Darklina, even Ben Barnes said his fav eps is eps 5, where the Darklina's kiss happende. OMFG
Good analysis. IMO, it would make for a much more compelling story line where Aleksander could possibly be redeemed (after a huge struggle) with Alina's help, the forces of light & dark working together for the greater good. As opposed to Alina ending up with her childhood sweetheart which I find a little too predictable and boring.
The fact that Kanej are in the background while the Darkling gifts Alina her favorite flowers when Inej's father had told her that the right man will make the effort to figure out her favorite flowers--
(And the Darkling didn't make the effort...)
Kaz is such a simp lmao i love it
I have chosen to stop watching after that second kiss because my ship sank like the Titanic after this 😭. I am definitely writing my own version of this (not fanfic directly but a story with this in it). And I have to say, Ben Barnes is my definition of the perfect man! He is so handsome, beautiful, kind and can sing!
your reactions is so fucking funny and relatable. i love it.
#DARKLINA 😊
I'm definitely team Darklina and I don't care if that make me evil!!!
I love your reaction to all of this!
He's a Villain BUT why Netflix dropping these threads cast Ben Barnes?....its probably why many want to see more Darklina:
1. Alina's blue scarf blew towards the Darkling EP1 (hope he has it !)
2. They form a unique light bubble when the Darkling is visibly upset EP4 ('You are not Alone'-big deal if your immortal!)
3. Their makeout foreshadow have more chemistry on the wall than Malina EP5🤣
4. Actual war room makeout session hotter than the book!🔥 EP5
5. The Darkling killed the Fjerdan/Conductor/Zlatan EP 1/6/8 to protect Alina (Kaz luckily escaped Ep6!)
"MALINA WHO? MALINA WHERE?" iconic video for darklina nation
6:18 and that scene was improvised!
I already know I’ll be crying in the second season.
"I enjoy pain. It's the only explanation" 😂
Darklina supremacy, especially show darklina. Honestly, I'm hoping for them to be endgame in the show, I'm a clown🤡
Can you please do a video about Bhagra and about the Darkling's past, especially his parents/childhood upbringing?
The flower thing, for me, wasn't manipulation; he just got information and used it to complacent the girl he likes xD