This is definitely gonna be an unpopular opinion and you probably won’t agree with me, but what ariadne did to Anna is VERY similar to what Charles did to Alastair, but no ones ready to have that conversation yet 🤭 it’s making me mad that loads of people are hating on Anna (and I don’t even rlly like Anna) for what she says to Ariadne in that leaked snippet when actually it’s fair enough for Anna to feel frustrated and reluctant to give Ariadne a second chance. I definitely sympathise with Ariadne but people like to act as tho she’s done nothing wrong, even though she did enter into a relationship with Anna without telling her that she was engaged to Charles - Anna’s within her rights to be wary of her
Okay, lots to unpack here.
I do see your point - there are definitely similarities. Both Ariadne and Charles preferred to keep their sexuality and relationships a secret, preferred to hide their love for Anna and Alastair, make a political marriage, and be closeted forever. Reputation is a big part of why, but I feel the real reason behind it is slightly different.
In Charles’s case, it’s all about ambition. He wants to be Consul and he won’t let anyone or anything - not even his feelings - come first. He loved Alastair in his own way - as we can see from him trying to speak with him at the party in the snippet, four whole months after Alastair broke things off. His feelings were real, but his reason for wanting to keep Alastair a secret and wanting to make a politically advantageous marriage are entirely selfish.
Now, Ariadne. I feel like it’s important to point out Ari is much younger when she meets Anna and breaks her heart. She was 16/17 (not sure about her exact birth date), while Charles was 24 in Chain of Gold when he had that conversation with Alastair. You can see how this changes things.
Another important thing to consider: status. Charles is the perfect firstborn child of the Consul. We know Charlotte and Henry just want to see their children happy, no matter their sexuality, just like Gabriel and Cecily with Anna. On the other hand, Ariadne is the daughter of the Inquisitor, but his adoptive daughter. Her parents love her, but with limitations. She does not believe they would think of her the same way if they knew she was a lesbian. And, yes, she is a young woman of color thrown into the ruthless London Enclave. I know that logically Shadowhunters should be more progressive on internal racism, since they are racist aplenty with Downworlders, but it’s just another thing that sets Ari apart from her peers.
Ariadne is aware her position is more precarious than Anna’s and says as much in Every Exquisite Thing: “I am adopted, Anna. My father is the Inquisitor. I do not have parents who are as understanding as yours must be...”
I don’t blame Ariadne for her choices in EET. Should we had told Anna she was entering a long engagement? Yes, absolutely. She didn’t handle the situation well, but it’s not like she knew Anna long. They kind of fell in love instantly and acted on it right away, there wasn’t much time for conversation about future intentions.
By the way, the marriage with Charles was the perfect loophole, because both were gay and both were entering that marriage with the same intentions of living separate romantic lives. No one was being lied to or led on. Even Alastair understands this and is willing to tolerate it. It’s Charles leaving Ariadne to enter an engagement with Grace that does it for Alastair, because it makes no sense logically or politically, and Al also realizes that if Charles was willing to PUBLICLY drop Ariadne, the daughter of the Inquisitor like that, he could as easily drop him, his secret love that no one knew about. To be fair to Charles (not something I enjoy doing lol), we know Grace must have compelled him to enter an engagement, so this part is not his fault.
Now, to the situation in Chain of Iron: Anna and Alastair are indeed reacting in similar ways to their exes trying to win them back. They’re both refusing, and they have good reason to. They’ve been hurt by these people in the past and have no wish to repeat the experience.
I did not enjoy the anti Anna discourse I was seeing last week, because - as much as I ship them, which is a lot - you need to remember that Anna does not owe Ari anything. Yes, we know she’s still in love with her, but she has no obligation towards her. She is free to refuse her as she would any other lover. She shouldn’t be cruel about it or do it out of spite or pettiness, but, just like Alastair with Charles, she doesn’t have to take Ari back.
Anna wants freedom. She feels like romantic love will be a cage. Whatnot, she does not trust Ariadne with her heart. It’s not hard to see why that is, and I think she deserves to be fully sure she wants to be in a relationship with Ariadne before she rushes into one. This might take some time, and I think it’s okay Anna takes hers with this decision. Because once they’re together, Anna knows her life will change drastically: Ariadne isn’t interested in being another dalliance, she wants the real thing, she wants to win her back and conquer her heart.
Anna knows that if they do this, it’s going to be forever. I think it’s fair she considers carefully. She is not punishing Ariadne for her past mistake, she is testing her. She needs to see how committed Ari will be this time, because Anna can’t risk her heart with her again. I’m not saying I support this, just that Anna has a right to wait.
I want them to get back together. They will, sooner or later. We need to let things take their course.
