The Darkling | So Far [character study]

[@Pinkfigleaf]

alina and The Darkling are like two sides of the same coin... Forever connected. I haven't read the books but the Netflix show has shown so much depth in his character, and the flashbacks show that he had reasons for what he did, he really was trying to protect his people, you could tell that he didn't actually aim to create the fold, it came from his immense pain and anger from his never-ending persecution and loss and It took on a life of its own. I don't think he is pure evil at all, yes he has done evil things, but I believe that no one is beyond redemption and it would be really good if the series played this out... You could see that he did have genuine feelings for Alina, it wasn't all manipulation. It would be so good if they would look more until their connection in season 2 and that inspite of her better judgement that she starts to understand him and actually cares for him. he is such an intriguing character with so many layers to him and I hope Netflix will continue to give us that, and not make him some one dimensional villian. there could be potential for Alina's light to save him from himself and let go of the bitterness and revenge that has blighted his existence! I really hope they explore this possibility! also, at the end of the season he was really doing what he thought was the only option at that point, he knew they would all be killed on approach, but his thinking has been marred by hate. I hope he can be saved somehow, please Netflix! also the chemistry is so much stronger between Darkling and Alina, Mal is a bit bland and they really seem more like loving friends than anything else at this point, I know in the end Mal will be her destiny, but please give us some more Darkling and Alina content before that time!

[@Pinkfigleaf]

aw thanks for liking my comment Sarah! I meant to say that I love that you did a character study video on him too! really good clips that you chose!! ☺👍

[@sarahmorganx]

@@Pinkfigleaf thank you so much!❤️ btw i loved your comment so much, i agree with every words you said!

[@hayleysheridan2886]

I see it like been a concentration camp survivor then having to live among the same people after. He is utterly untrusting of them and you can’t blame him. I think in his mind he really does think he is protecting them all. He has already built a fortress for them and then has the fold as a weapon. He definitely isn’t all evil 100% agree I love how complicated they have made him.

[@MelanyChipana28]

yess, I agree. Also I think The Darkling who is an ancient man probably tried everything he could to protect his people before Alina. He is a such interesting character, and yeah, he did horrible things and I’m happy that in the tv show they showed why he did those actions. And I think they gave him more profundity and humanity. His methods are cruel, but what war or purpose has zero deaths or horrible things? Probably he could have tried better and not to make more Grisha deaths (a Grisha expanding The Fold would make people scared, but also a more racism and deaths)

[@kebbiew.8359]

Here's hoping Alina has an experience of the darkside or the General 'attempts' a redemption arc for some sort of romantic interlude before returning to being a villan in future. Then Alina is with Mal in the end which is consistent with the books.

[@bugzy510_]

Alexander feels deeply for her. It's not just power. Similar attraction damon had to elena.

[@anasha19]

I feel Klaus Mickelson vibe from him

[@saraimaneseddar2212]

@@anasha19 sameee

[@f0repl4y]

He's such a good actor!!!! You see the emotion in his eyes. It's convincing! Why isn't Ben Barnes in everything? He freaking killed this role!!!

[@emilyrose6442]

He really is, I think one of the best scenes in which he portrays the emotions perfectly is the one Alina walks into the room full of people without her guards. He switches from adoration to kind of mad she entered without protection in like a second. I’ve rewatched it so many times hahah

[@f0repl4y]

@@emilyrose6442 I can't give him all the credit, because Jessie did an amazing job as Alina. I love her dreamy eye every time she looks up at him. They have extremely strong chemistry and it shows EVERY SCENE THEY'RE IN TOGETHER! It's a team effort! I've seen Ben on other shows, of course, he always kills it but it helps when Jessie and Ben have strong chemistry. I re-watched Ben's sex scene in the Punisher and I much prefer his kissing scene with Jessie lol They're perfect together! I love the way he kisses her again before answering the door and I love how she looks back at him when he walks away. They have to be dating or banging behind the scenes.... like come on lol

[@emilyrose6442]

Yeah no for sure Jessie is an amazing actress and their chemistry is crazyyy & that can only happen when both actors r this talented. Also I’d love to believe there‘s a secret thing between them but I think Jessie has a partner? Im not sure tho 😶

[@aryanemarques2089]

Yes I'm so impressed with ben barnes, he shines as the darkling

[@mehwish7558]

@@f0repl4y I get where you're coming from with this and I agree with every word. I haven't watched him on The Punisher but I've seen the sex scenes. They're just sex scenes and nothing else. No feelings involved. Just actors...in S&B during the kissing scene it looked like a man ready to make love to his woman....I've never seen him kiss anyone that way in anything before. Been his fan since 2008

[@bookdragon4622]

😥😥😥😥 Why can't Alina just be patient and look a little deeper? I'm not saying she has to agree with him, but just hear him out.

[@angelazayn4878]

I love the chemistry between Alina and The Darkling but he used her manipulated her powers and stripped her of her bodily autonomy. That's unforgivable but they would have made a great couple such a shame.

[@maddyb7899]

he stripped her of bodily autonomy and lied to her he doesn't deserve to be heard out.

[@sauletol]

:(( my baby ❤️❤️❤️ He needs a hug, and no one just listens to him. They just need to talk with him normaly, not push him away and deny that he has a point. Understand him. May the show give him more justice please 😭✊ Books need to explore him more

[@nightmare1641]

If you want to know what kind of Childhood he had and see all the things he had to deal with read the Demon in the Wood it breaks my heart 💔 he just wanted to make a safe place for the grisha So no one else would have to live like he did never be afraid or hunted but I think deep down he wanted to build a place so he can feel safe do you know he is scared of the dark and love sunlight his favorite color is Rainbow and favorite food is dessert 😢 when you see how grisha used to live and think how they live now you will see how much he did for the geisha but no one remember the good he did just the bad 😭

[@sarahmorganx]

i already read the demon in the wood and i totally agree. aleksander deserved better 😭

[@nightmare1641]

@@sarahmorganx I had a crush on the name aleksander since I was a kid don't know why just give me a guy who is name is Aleksander and I will have a crush on him and I always find a man in black very hot and loved the idea of shadows I had a crush on Ben from the moment I saw the trailer for princ Caspian and loved the darkling since the shadow and bone book was released and now the fact that Ben is playing the darkling how's name is Aleksander who is a dark prince in black with the power to control the shadows is just too much I'm officially dead 😱

[@sofijaglisic5047]

It's so sad. 🥺He deserves to be happy. Please Netflix🙏

[@Pinkfigleaf]

I heard that on Netflix some other character elements have been changed a bit from the book, so that gives me hope that they will continue with this! Someone commented that Mal has a softer character , and that in the books he was a bit of a player, and a prat at times. Another point is that with Aleksander, the kissing scenes are changed from the book - Alina kisses him first, then in the next scene he also asks 'are you sure?' ....again, this shows that he cares about what she wants to a degree. He doesn't want to force her into anything. So he is not the completely power mad, controlling villain etc... This shows an element of his humanity...

[@ameliamerenla]

It hurts me seeing him like that and I really wish he doesn't end up like in the book.. Darkling stans! 😭🖤

[@ShivaniSingh-jp8rw]

Does he die in the book? 😭

[@nickyesser]

@@ShivaniSingh-jp8rw technically yes

[@DM-lh5hk]

@@ShivaniSingh-jp8rw it’s complicated

[@celia3078]

@@ShivaniSingh-jp8rw his fate is worse than death 😕

[@franziskamaria5157]

He has such a good villain story tho. He has good meaning reasons for his initial action. He still did a lot of evil things down the road, but I wouldn’t put it past him to be able to change. (I do know the basic storyline of the books, but who knows of that will be identical).

[@selenarodgers5667]

He was never the same, when he saw the love of his life murder in front of him. But when he meant Alina she brought back his laughter, smile’s , and heart. ❤️🥰

[@alisharizvi1429]

In the books a lot of his actions were not redeemable and he was sort of one dimensional but here they have shown so much more reason and depth within his actions, he has a potential to become anti hero instead of the villain of this story. And Alina is like a child who is not willing to understand anything tbh she’s so bland sometimes that I can’t. They have improved mals character a lot thou. I hated him in the books.

[@sarahmorganx]

in the books we saw the darkling from alina’s point of view and that’s why he was sort of one dimensional. i really hope they will change the final of the story, because like you said they improved Mal’s character too so they can do it with everyone!

[@nicolerodriguez1155]

🙌🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Agree! Aleksander is a more redeemable character than most on the series. It shows in his reactions and emotions to everything happening around him and his people, the Grisha. They should absolutely not label him as the mustache twirling villain is just not accurate at all.

[@hayleysheridan2886]

It had just occurred to me maybe that’s why he wants her so badly. That for once it’s someone as strong as him. He wouldn’t have to be as worried about losing her. I know in the book he didn’t seem as attached but in the show he does seem devastated when she leaves. Yes he takes her power but I do think he thinks she will forgive him one day. Maybe he was waiting for someone as strong as him so he could actually for once not watch them die. Just a thought 🤔🤔 obviously it isn’t the only reason. He uses protection as a excuse to take power. But it never occurred to me till now.

[@kebbiew.8359]

He's lonely. His mother mocked it but its true. A long life is an attractive attribute. He wants Alina by his side but his biggest mistake was to control her.

[@hayleysheridan2886]

@@kebbiew.8359 oh 100% what he does is awful. I’m just glad he is a more complicated character then a simple villain. Makes it all much more interesting. He has definitely confused control with protection.

[@vcat724]

Yes, and Alina is the one that suggests the power transfer in the first scene the darkling and her are truly alone.

[@Kuku1123]

The books are in Alina pov so it hard to know what his true feeling are to her since she wouldn't be credible source tell it. We definitely know he's hurt by her running, defying him and picking mal. "All men can be made fools".

[@hyaennaa6576]

He and Baghra are just so interesting. I mean, she was the first but she still chose to have powerful children she can later train and use instead of taking everything herself. Her most talented son then had no choice. Yes, he wanted to be normal but even without his mother, the world was too cruel to his kind. Later, she realized made a mistake but again, didn't take action. She just repeated herself and trained Grisha, probably not even caring anymore. Then Alina came into the game and Bargha had access to something she knew Darkling would want. I wonder if she was to kill the sun summoner if she refused to run away.

[@hayatalkalb4367]

He says you teached me how to kill so it was part on baghra and even at one point in the books she says she raised that power is more important so how does she blame him when he grow up believing power is more important than love

[@hyaennaa6576]

@@hayatalkalb4367 then there is also the fact other Grisha tried to kill him for his bones

[@alisharizvi1429]

But wasn’t he right about zlatan? If he hadn’t killed them first they would have attacked them and maybe darkling and alina could have survived due to their powers but the others had no chance!

[@helenvader]

This. It's a war.

[@aryanemarques2089]

Yes the cruelty of war, but alina didn't know that they would be attacked so she thought that he just killed them without any reason. What he did may not be right, but at the same time I know war is complicated and sometimes in these kind of situations there is not a good and a bad option to choose from, only many bad options...

[@helenvader]

@@aryanemarques2089 That is the sad thing about it, that she doesn't know. If he told her, and also told her how and why Marie died, it might change her perspective... also, she doesn't know that the Fold wasn't what he wanted to create originally. In war, some decisions are difficult. With the threat of civil war, with Zlatan sending an assasin to kill Alina, and the plans to kill everybody on the skiff, so from strategic point of view it makes sense.

[@kayleehouston8264]

My heart will forever ache for this man.

[@franziskamaria5157]

I have to confess, I didn’t yet watch the series nor read the books 😅 But I definitely will in the future ♥️ 11 hours later I binged all of it 😂

[@sarahmorganx]

YAY!! did you like the show?❤️

[@franziskamaria5157]

@@sarahmorganx yes! And now I need to know how it will go forward, but I am also scared it won’t go like I want it to 😂😅 But it was great, the books are on my reading list for when I have time to read multiple books in a row 😅 because when I start I can’t stop 😂

[@kennaflores5169]

I disagree. Aleksander isn't the villain, he is not my villain. Humans are, we are always the parasites that go everywhere kill everything and then move on to kill some more. Sometimes turning the cheek isn't possible, sometimes you have to strike back. Why do y'all feel so bad for that village? They wanted to kill everyone on board of that ship as soon as they arrived to exploit and maintain power. Kill Grisha because they are afraid of them. If I were Alina I would have joined Aleksander, he isn't evil, he's just tired of everyone's shit.

[@eaenneae5822]

Ah thank you so much for this comment! I thought I'm the only one! I just watched the series and I'm so weirded out by people saying that this guy is a villain. He is literally the only one fighting for well being of others. It would do him good to be more open about his plans and motives but every single thing he has done in the series, he has done for brighter future of grishas. Alina fights only for herself and Mal, Mal fights only for Alina. Crows are amazing but they literally do stuff for money and survival.

[@michellefacio8003]

I really hope that they get more scenes in season 2 and I really hope that the writers don’t follow the book completely bc i want them to end up together 😌

[@pikelawson]

In the books, they were never together anyways. But yes, I would love more of them on scene

[@MrsJones-hz9wu]

I was honestly looking for a video about this character with this song. I love this so much

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you❤️

[@vals7753]

while reading the books i learned to love him. i understood his story and why he did what he did, also why he in the end didn’t get redemption. i think alina was the only one that could help him to be redeemed and i hoped till the end of the last book that she’s understand him and why he did those horrible things. this is a great video!!!

[@Gabby_beyer45]

It upset me so much she ended up killing him, I mean yes I understand and get why they did it but she got what she did. I think at the ending she understood him, the boy that was burdened with external life the boy who wanted grisha to be equal with everyone. A boy who wanted the throne to see they were alike and not separate. He deserved a redemption because he was a great person underneath himself wants. The power he craved was what he wanted. But he also wanted ravka to be safe and for all grisha to be safe. For them not to get killed by others. I think I love him even though he wants because he wanted good for so long.

[@vals7753]

Bucky Barnes is kinda life exactly my thoughts! he did awful things (i mean, he killed ppl!!) and thats bad ofc, but his intentions weren’t bad! or at least they weren’t bad at the beginning,, then he just couldn’t control himself anymore and he deserved a way to be redeemed, someone who could actually understand him..

[@Gabby_beyer45]

@@vals7753 ikr and Alina couldn’t get why he did it but couldn’t at the same time

[@AlexandraB123]

I don't say that his motives a completely right but I empathize on what he has been going through and understand why he's doing what he's doing. I mean he has literally seen his people die and suffer for centuries. He was even rejected just for living. Terrible backstory... I hope he'll have a character development for next seasons...

[@sauletol]

This video destroyed me so much, I keep feeling sad, even cry, I keep coming back to it, it’s amazing

[@reneejett6509]

I think that Netflix has really done the Darkling justice. I seem him just as redeemable as Damon Salvatore

[@aryanemarques2089]

Yes he also reminds me of klaus, klaus was terrible but still redeemable

[@sneharaveendran6383]

Why is no one talking about luda? Her death was the reason he became like this. He lost his beloved. Why do you expect him to do....sit down and wait for everything to be alright??

[@vcat724]

Also, I hate how his mother is always conspiring against him and grisha. She only taught HIM how to use the grisha powers for defense, but is mad he starts teaching other oppressed and persecuted grisha how to defend themselves. She's the one who callously tells alina he is the Heretic -- no explanation like oh we are ambushed and surrounded by the King's men who were about to murder everyone in the sanctuary and he accidentally made the fold when he was trying to create an army.

[@sneharaveendran6383]

@@vcat724 I hate the blotched way in which Baghra explained to Alina about him. She said the fold was intentionally created by him whereas it's clearly shown how the creation of fold is an after effect of using magic. Of course Aleksander is the villain but there's no need to falsely accuse him of things he never did.

[@Misplaced776]

This is fantastic. The more I think about his past, what he's experienced, the more I believe that he's the kind of man who has had to do the hard, uncomfortable things to make a better world for others (the Grisha). I do believe that near the end of this first season, that objective overshadowed his ability to see a new way, a different way. But my question is, if he had destroyed the Fold using Alina's power, what would that have changed really? The Grisha would still be feared because of their power. Political entities would still want to use them or kill them. I mean, he's not wrong?

[@laurikxo]

You did an amazing job with this video ❤️ it really shows the depth of his character ...

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you🥺❤️

[@nickyesser]

THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!! I really hope this doesn’t end like the books, I cannot stress enough

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you❤️

[@panoszar6108]

How does the book end

[@aslgg254]

this is so good, i love him so much

[@jaberjaws00]

I'm trying to hold out on watching any videos before watching the show I haven't read the books either but know little about them but I love your videos

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you for loving my videos❤️

[@vanessaprincesssa]

Gods, I love him. I can't help but feel this - Aleksander had a different plan for him and Alina, but then she ran away and broke his heart. She betrayed him. After he said "Fine, make me your villain" he continued with his new plan, which was to kill all these people. I think if Alina had acted a little differently his actions wouldn't have been the same.

[@kennaflores5169]

The air was ashy, breathing was becoming inexorably difficult. My lungs were filling with dirt and the noises all around me sounded muffed from the explosions. My sight was becoming blurred and everything looked incredibly slow as if I were looking through a window at someone else’s life. I looked around me: the Crows were holding themselves together, Inej standing in front of Kaz, her eyes wide with surprise and fear. Kaz was on his back, I couldn’t tell if he was injured from here. Jesper was kneeling next to him trying to say something in his ear but he didn’t seem to be paying attention. All his focus seemed to be on the scene before him: Aleksander was in a cloud of night trying to fight off the king’s army on one side and rogue soldiers from Fjerda on the other. He was on his knees, a streak of pain colouring his face, blood rippling from his torso, ruining his uniform and painting the dirt on the ground. My hearing was starting to come back slowly, I turned to my right where few meters away was his majesty’s army. The General was shouting at me, it took a few seconds to register what he was saying - kill him! - his voice scary as he growled at me like a mad dog. I looked into his eyes and I saw it: just pure hate, for who I was, for my abilities. Hate for something I didn’t choose, hate because I was different from them, more powerful. I never given them any reason to be afraid of me, till a few months ago I didn’t even know what I was. But none of it seemed to matter, they still hated me just like they hated Aleksander and I hadn’t even striked back at them. In my mind came back the memories of Aleksander’s past, not the story they taught in their books about the Black Heretic but what had really happened. - I didn’t know what to do… I was just a boy back then trying to learn to control my power - his gaze was fixed on a distant point in the room but I knew he was actually lost in thought - Me and my mother spent months at a time running and hiding, until one day the guards captured us. I was threatened that they would kill my mother if I didn’t do what the king asked, he wanted me to fight for him. He wanted me to round up others like me and win a war for him and we did. You know how history says that I became greedy and insatiable with power? Do you know what had actually happened? The same night we won all my people were sleeping in the barracks and he sent soldiers for a coup: they killed everyone inside. I wasn’t there, I went to break my mother free of the dungeons but I heard it: high pitched screams like the crackling of fire. By the time we had come out the barracks were burning to ash. I spent the next twenty years running away and hiding my people - I looked at him, he seemed suddenly so young and so old at the same time. The weight of his words and the memories were showing on his face giving away a truer idea of his real age. But his eyes when he looked at me… he seemed what I would have imagined a frightened ten-year-old Aleksander to look like. A confused child whose life had been stolen from him, a child who was victim of circumstances he didn’t choose. I remembered when he brought me to the fountain saying how he had always made a wish that he could be anyone else, he hadn’t lied about that. Mal shook me out of my thoughts, I turned to him. He was covered in dirt and was pointing his finger towards were I knew Aleksander was struggling. I turned my gaze and saw him fighting to not fall on the ground. One hand was keeping his weight from collapsing, the other was erecting a wall of shadow trying to keep off spears and bullets. As if he felt my eyes on him he turned his head and looked at me and I saw it all over again: a scared boy, confused as to why he had been hunted down his entire life just for being different. I looked over the army again and I rose to my feet. Mal tried to grab my arm but I shook him off - Alina, what are you - I didn’t give him time to finish - I am going to help him - Mal’s gaze looked as confused as if I were speaking some ancient language he could not understand. - What do you think will happen once I help them kill him? What do you think they will do to me? - I pointed a finger at the army with rage. - I am the same thing as he is to them: a threat, an annoyance, a bug on their shoulder jeopardizing their power. The only reason I am still breathing right now is because they think they need me to kill Aleksander. As soon as he drops to the ground they will turn against me as quickly as they once considered me an ally. I will need to spend the rest of my existence running and hiding, fighting for my life. Fighting to not be killed or captured and sold off. And Mal, eternity is a very long time to be afraid - I didn’t wait for his reply, I didn’t even look back at him. I didn’t want to look or I might have changed my mind. I started running towards Aleksander. (Would anyone read it if I wrote an AU ending for Shadow and Bone?)

[@alicet126]

Omg your writing is amazing. Where can I find ur au

[@stephanieevans9223]

Screaming, crying, throwing up!!! I love him so much!!! I just want to protect him!!!!

[@vanessaprincesssa]

If you read the Lives of Saints, he technically is a Saint :) ;) LOVE YOUR VIDEO LOVE THE DARKLING FOREVER

[@pikelawson]

Thank YOU!! I was always questioning after reading all the series, besides Rule of Wolves. I will totally buy Lives of Saints!!

[@vanessaprincesssa]

@@pikelawson Yes, you'll love the book, there is a gorgeous Darkling illustration in there. Honestly, Alina talks too much, she NEVER tried to hear Aleksander out, never tried to hear why he is doing this, what motivates him. She only listened to Baghra who was mad at him. :(

[@hayatalkalb4367]

@@vanessaprincesssa I think the show actually illustrate that Alexander hasn’t lost all his humanity like their is hope in him to find a better path , I know by the end he feels angry and betrayed but I still think he can have a change of heart. I hope they give him this chance in the show unlike the books , Ben really brought a whole new layer to this character

[@vanessaprincesssa]

@@hayatalkalb4367 Yes, when I read Ruin and Rising in 2014, I thought the Darkling was gone forever, I cried so hard, I thought it was so unfair. There was no Six of Crows back then, I thought that was the end of the Grishaverse. Imagine my disappointment. Even in the Books, the Darkling wasn’t beyond redemption. Like you say, in the show I hope they EXPAND on his humanity and give him a redemption. For the first time in a long time I HAVE HOPE. Because of that flashback in Episode 7.

[@vanessaprincesssa]

@UThink UCan Yes. I agree.

[@zoelynnnorth5094]

Thank you so much for uploading this amazing video! 🙏 The darkling is not evil at heart. He only wanted to protect the grishas. People just misunderstood his actions. 😔 I hope alina will see his true self and they will end up together. They’re just meant to be together 😍😍 the chemistry between these two...

[@monicas5346]

Appreciate the books but still think would've been more interesting to have Alina n Alexander together. Save their homeland. Alina was raised human, Alexander was raised griesha. They teach eachother.

[@tibbygreene]

A broken character who has been alone for too long. When Aleksander says he wished he was someone else, I think that was true for a while, right❓ The dialogues present are well chosen and illustrated. Thank you for such a good edit. The talent of Ben Barnes is well represented there too.

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you for enjoying it❤️

[@YoungxDreamer]

Sono d'accordissimo con te! Questo personaggio è davvero molto complesso e non ci si può limitare a dire "È cattivo". Non è così, ci sono tantissime sfumature da cogliere. Non penso di essere mai stata così affascinata da un villain in questo modo, prima d'ora. Ogni episodio per me era una sorpresa. Ha cercato di difendere la sua gente, è stato solo per secoli e con Alina ha trovato una sua equale. Non vedo l'ora di vedere la seconda stagione ma di sicuro comprerò i libri al più presto perché DEVO sapere di più. Video bellissimo comunque, come sempre ❤

[@sarahmorganx]

mi fa piacere che non sia l’unica a pensarla così❤️ comunque grazie mille, mi fa piacere che ti piaccia il video 💕

[@nebulousdespair]

I love this song and I love him and I LOVE THIS EDIT, THANKS FOR MAKING THISSSSSSS

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you❤️

[@xxxxx9318]

Amazing. I am in love with it ❤️ he deserved better 🖤

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you❤️

[@IsuriniSirisena23]

Incredible edit!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Aleksander, my love!💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖❤❤❤❤❤

[@Izanami037]

This is absolutely amazing.

[@sarahmorganx]

thank you💗

[@sunny-kb5iu]

Omg 😱 I love this video so much ☺️🥰

[@Gabby_beyer45]

I mean I feel so bad for him. His mother was never the mother he needed let’s start off with saying that. She always taught I’m to be more then anyone else. Why would she teach him that. I am also sure he really liked Alina. I mean threw out the whole books it was never a question whether he liked her or if she liked him. It was only what was always what was the one way to end the war and devastation which way to kill him. Ben did a amazing job but I wish they showed more of his non human side, like in the tent I don’t think they should have been tears. That would have represented dhow much he is done trying to make everyone like him when he doesn’t see himself in anyone else but her,

[@Gabby_beyer45]

And he sin the books he keeps telling Alina the fold was never a mistake but what if it was. I think it trielly was a mistake the fold. Maybe he didn’t actually know what he was doing or he didn’t think it would get so big, but he was young when he made the fold. Why would he want to make something that would ruin the grisha image when he was trying to save them. Even in the books he cared for his country they just never accepted him or any grisha for who they were

[@alicet126]

Please let him be redeemed and give us a darklina endgame. Netflix u haven’t let me down so far

[@helenakarnarou]

I have watched Shadow and Bone. Honestly, i do not think Aleksander is beyond redemption as Alina says a little long before she killed him. Aleksander truly did bad things and because of that he can not be easily forgiven of his actions. But let' s just see deaper than the bad actions. He had committed crimes, i do not disagree, but, for each crime, he had a good cause behind it. The Fold was trully a blight, but the volcra were never created by intention. The only thing Aleksander wanted was to create a place where Grisha can find refugee and peace. He wanted a change in the treatment of his kind. He, and all the Grishas, wanted to stop being hunted down like animals, killed as witches and wizzards and locked up in cages like thieves and murderers. The attack in Novokribirsk let's just say was inevitable, because Zlatan had already sent assasins to kill Alina and it was obvious he was going to attack East Ravka. Ok, i guess the point could have gotten across if The Darkling had only killed him and his followers and not slaughtered down a whole town. As for Alina, i have to admit that he hurted her for his gain. But, it is very obvious that he trully loved Alina, cause he constantly told her how well they belonged together until the very end of his life. And i think Alina too fall in love with Aleksander but she kept it on the other side of the coin, of hatred. (I suppose that the Darkling's death caused too much pain than the expected one in Alina's life.)

[@DM-lh5hk]

Starless One 🧎‍♀️

[@maddyb7899]

He is not a good person and his actions are unjustifiable but he's incredibly complex they really fleshed out his character in the show and improved a lot of the mistakes made with his character in the books. He is incredibly complex and this video perfectly shows that. Although he is not a character that should be romanticised.