Amid a succession of reveals in Shadow and Bone's final episodes, Alina learned that her letters never made it to Mal (and vice versa) — here's why The Darkling kept them. Based on Leigh Bardugo's best-selling novels, the Netflix adaptation introduced fans to the mystical, war-torn country of Ravka and its surrounding nations. Though the show featured an eclectic cast of characters, events principally centered on orphan mapmaker, Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li). After unleashing a hitherto unknown power that could destroy an ancient and monstrous blight known as The Shadow Fold, she was plucked from obscurity to join The Grisha.

Practitioners of what's called the Small Science, Grisha were divided into orders of specific abilities. As the near-mythical Sun Summoner, Alina was deemed a rare branch of the Etherealki, equaled only by Grisha leader, General Kirigan a.k.a. The Darkling (Ben Barnes). As a result, he took a vested interest in Alina and her training. Over time, as she grasped control of her abilities, Alina came to embrace the Little Palace as where she belonged. Equally, she fell increasingly under Kirigan's spell — buying into his outwardly benevolent intentions and even sparking a romantic interest. However, The Darkling's true history and agenda were ultimately revealed. And, by the end of Shadow and Bone season 1, the full extent of his manipulations across the previous episodes was made painfully clear.

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A firm part was ensuring that the letters of Alina and Malyen Oretsev (Archie Renaux) never reached each other. This was because Mal had been Alina's constant since childhood. That connection had only grown over the years — with Alina so devotedly attached to Mal that she even ventured willingly into The Fold. As such, a large part of her remained with him and on the idea of a reunion. That kind of mental division was not conducive to a training regime that relied on intense focus. Exacerbating things was that Alina feared Mal's reaction to her having Grisha magic and so continuously suppressed that side of herself. Having waited centuries for the opportunity the Sun Summoner afforded, it was instrumental for The Darkling to sever that connection. By keeping the contact from being reestablished, he guided Alina to the doorstep of her fears and then over the threshold into believing Mal had abandoned her.

Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa, and Ben Barnes as General Kirigan in Shadow and Bone.

As a half-Shu Han orphan, Alina was characterized by a constant sense of never belonging. By knowingly taking away her one emotional rock, The Darkling just as knowingly put himself forward to fill the void — like shadows when a light goes out. By giving her somebody seemingly of like mind and experience, as well as an attentive presence, it plucked on her insecurities enough to provoke dependence. And, in turn, that made her easier to control and manipulate even further. It could be argued that there was also a genuine sense of jealousy that fuelled Kirigan's actions. Barnes himself emoted into the role that there was reawakened somewhere within him at least a pang of genuine affection for Alina, and, therefore, a romantic rival to dispatch. However, given The Darkling's evident commitment to his plans for Shadow and Bone's various countries above all else - even finding manipulative uses for Mal rather than simply killing off the competition - it was largely more deceitful than true.

Conversely, intercepting (and reading) the letters also had the benefit of manipulatively catering to Alina on a deeper and more specific level. When Mal finally made it to the Little Palace, he offered up the name of Alina's favorite flower to prove their connection. The Darkling immediately turned and gifted her a bunch of them to strengthen the bond he was manufacturing. Similarly, the information in the letters would've offered identical inspiration and emotional value. Unfortunately for Kirigan, forces ultimately saw Mal and Alina reunited anyway, and his true nature exposed. As such, fans will have to wait until the second season - or read the Shadow and Bone books - to see how The Darkling's strategies are revised.

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