Warning: Spoilers ahead for Shadow and Bone season 1.
Alina Starkov captured the hearts of Malyen “Mal” Oretsev and General Kirigan, a.k.a. the Darkling (or at least his desire) in season 1 of The Hunger Games and Twilight included) and Shadow and Bone is no different. For fans of Bardugo’s sprawling fantasy world, collectively known as the Grishaverse, the opportunity to witness this love triangle play out onscreen was surely enticing. Of course, the question then becomes who is better suited for Alina and which ship is better than the other?
Mal is Alina’s childhood best friend, a fellow orphan who grew up in Keramzin and who was constantly bullied. Mal grew up to become a skilled tracker with the First Army of Ravka and, rather than running from fights, learned to face them. After some time apart, Mal was reunited with Alina at the start of Shadow and Bone season 1 and was an integral part of her story. Meanwhile, the Darkling, who created the Fold, entered the story after Alina’s Sun Summoner powers were revealed. At the Little Palace, as the leader of the Grisha Second Army, he ensured Alina was trained to use her gifts; he was also a kindred spirit when it came to understanding Alina’s loneliness and being an outcast from society.
Alina, who already had feelings for Mal, also became attracted to the Darkling and believed they would destroy the Fold together. Shadow and Bone included several obstacles for the three characters to overcome and Alina sided with one (Mal) over the other (The Darkling) by the end of season 1. Between the two men, however, Mal is better for Alina for several reasons.
Mal Fights For Alina, The Darkling Wants Her To Fight For Him
Mal is nothing if not a loyal friend. He spends all of Shadow and Bone season 1 fighting to get to Alina, tracking Morozova’s Stag and putting himself in danger to find her and make sure she’s safe. He’s shot with bullets and an arrow by Fjerdans and Grisha working with the Darkling and, even when he’s at death’s door, he urges Alina to do what’s right and save herself to protect against the devious plans of the Darkling. Mal’s actions are always with Alina in mind and he goes to great lengths to be there for her and protect her no matter the cost to himself.
Conversely, the Darkling wants Alina to fight for him. He’s primarily interested in her because of her powers and, when Alina finally sees through his manipulations, the Darkling takes her as a prisoner, forcing her to wear the stag’s antlers to amplify his own powers. The Darkling never wanted to destroy the Fold and he lied to Alina in a bid to ultimately sway her to follow in his footsteps, actions that subsequently put her in danger.
Mal Genuinely Cares For Alina, The Darkling Cares About Himself
Mal grew up with Alina at the Keramzin orphanage and they always looked out for each other. This continued into adulthood, with Mal going so far as to get into a fight with someone who mocked Alina for her half-Shu heritage just so she wouldn’t have to endure sleeping in a jail cell on her own. Mal genuinely cares for Alina and this translates in every possible way onscreen. Mal may not be as cognizant of his feelings for her at first, but the attentiveness he shows Alina goes well beyond just friendship. What’s more, Mal’s treatment of Alina is tender and his actions never stem from ulterior motives. The Darkling, meanwhile, only cares for himself and everything he does is in service of his power and plans. Alina is simply a device to advance and center his own selfish goals. In the rare instances that Mal has hurt Alina, he's been oblivious to it and then immediately apologized. The Darkling, however, thinks nothing of using and manipulating her as long as it serves his own interests.
The Darkling's Treatment Of Alina Is Abusive, Mal's Isn't
The Darkling, despite his charisma and intensity (thanks to Ben Barnes’ portrayal) is not exactly the kindest person and he’s rather abusive in his relationship with Alina. He lies to her from the start, convinces her that he’s trying to right the wrongs of his ancestor by destroying the Fold when his plans are anything but. He gives the order to shoot Mal as a threat so Alina would have to choose between her best friend’s life and the stag (which he ended up killing).
The Darkling also took control over Alina’s body and her powers, binding the stag’s amplifier to her by sinking the antlers into the skin and bones to fuse with her and then a piece of the antler into his own hand in order to amplify his own powers by controlling hers. He took advantage of Alina’s loneliness, isolating her further by keeping Mal’s letters a secret from her so as to cut her off from her old life and make her rely on him. He's also a centuries-old man attempting to take advantage of a young woman, which is rather creepy. Mal did none of these awful things in season 1. He was not only a stalwart best friend, but he didn’t judge Alina for anything that transpired with the Darkling, actions which she attempted to explain and apologize for. All he wanted was to be there for Alina, help her, and keep her safe.
Will Alina End Up With Mal Or The Darkling?
This is always the ultimate question whenever there is a love triangle involved in fiction. The answer always varies, however, depending on the nature of the story. In the case of Shadow and Bone, the series has gone a long way to elevate Mal’s character from the books and he’s arguably a better person because of it. He got an expanded backstory and scenes dedicated to showing his experiences, journey, and friendships outside of Alina. All that said, Mal's loyalty, care, and genuine love for her made their relationship all the more endearing and strong.
In the books, Alina does end up with Mal and it seems likely the series will go the same route. Not because the books necessarily call for it (as changes can always be made), but because Shadow and Bone has already set the stage for a wonderful romantic showrunner Eric Heisserer has already stated there will be “a lot of kissing” in Mal and Alina’s future.
And yes, Alina could end up with the Darkling, but the character has shown his true colors, centering himself and his plans while manipulating and using Alina. That betrayal of trust and the revelation of his true nature so early on in Shadow and Bone season 1 makes it hard to believe the two will end up together despite their obvious connection. All signs seem to be pointing towards Alina ending up with Mal in the future, her self-described true north. And, after all they’ve been through and the lengths they will go to protect one another, a romantic future together would be a fitting end to their story.