Season One, Episode Eleven — “St. Lucifer”
© Copyright 2016, Fox Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
By Shay Revolver. Chloe is suffering one hell of a hangover. Dehydrated, bleary-eyed, she finds herself naked in the bedsheets of Lucifer himself, who is only too happy to let her think they had shared carnal relations just long enough before cluing her in to the fact that nothing, in fact, had actually happened. This week plays the kind of cat-and-mouse Lucifer has become delightfully known for, and even though there was absolutely zero hanky-panky the night before, Lucifer is feeling spectacular that he decided not to indulge in his more primal urges — a nice twist to the nigh-predictability of this show’s high concept. As a matter of fact, the buzz of not sleeping with Chloe makes The Prince of Darkness decide that he wants to do as many good deeds as possible to regain the surge of elation he just felt. It’s called “doing the right thing,” Lucifer. (He’ll get it.) And thus, after a week’s hiatus, “St. Lucifer” begins in earnest.
This week’s case centers on a retired pro basketball player, an actual do-gooder in his community whose sudden murder has left a lot of his charity acts in flux. Lucifer steps in to fill the void and offers his club up as a place to throw a charity fundraiser to properly finish the athlete’s good work. The other prominent storylines this week centered on Dan, who’s currently being held in captivity by Detective Malcolm and about to be framed for Lucifer’s murder (which… still needs to happen), and Maze, who’s trying to get back into Lucifer’s good graces. (The things we do to those we love.)
This episode had more story to juggle than usual, but it all came together in the end, setting up the next two episodes — not to mention the war to come. Since we’ve all heard the official announcement that there will be a Season Two, it’s a lot easier to get excited about what’s to come.
WHAT WORKED: Much like the rest of the season, the interactions between Chloe and Lucifer dominated this episode. Their friendship continues to be a driving force in storyline, and how Chloe teaches Lucifer to be human is often a series highlight. And though he stumbles along the way (more often than not), having her as his teacher is a good thing — for both of them. The time that they spend on screen together is mesmerizing, and really draws the viewer in. Tom Ellis and Lauren German are both insanely believable in the characters they portray.
I also liked that the “St. Lucifer” shtick in this episode didn’t push things too far. It was a bit over the top in places (like when Morningstar just decides to literally give a homeless man the shirt off his back), but it wasn’t too campy. The show seems to have found the sweet spot that it’s been searching for all season long, and it is working out lovely for the actors involved… and the viewers at home.
WHAT DIDN’T: Nothing. This was a self-contained episode that perfectly conveyed how Lucifer balances its week-by-week procedural and its overarching ambition. I’m usually hyper-critical about this show, but I couldn’t find anything to pick apart this week.
BEST LINE(s):
“Triple espresso of hair of the dog? Oh, right. Both! I’m pretty sure we made Rosemary’s Baby! You had moves that made even the Devil Blush… You snore by the way, like an Albanian field wench.” – Lucifer, during his morning after chat with a naked Chloe.
“Only you could turn a tragic death into an excuse to talk about you!” – Chloe, to Lucifer, at the crime scene.
“Another good deed, but not a rush like before. Am I doing this wrong?” – Lucifer, after giving his clothes to a homeless man.
“You’d never know that Lux was a den of iniquity, just don’t look to closely at the floors.” – Lucifer.
BEST MOMENT: The opening scene. Watching Chloe wake up naked in Lucifer’s bed was flawless! It was funny and intimate, providing a nice jump-off point for the rest of the episode. Watching Chloe squirm and Lucifer toying with her was fun to watch, and nothing about the scene came off sexist, salacious or cheap. There was something charming about watching Lucifer feeling smug and happy about his decision to do the right thing, showing that there’s still a little bit of angel left in him. But he’s just devil enough to have fun with the situation in a different kind of way.
EPISODE’S MVP: This week goes to Dan. He wants redemption for himself and to get back into his family’s good graces. It was nice to see everyone in this episode being vulnerable, but Dan has more to lose than anyone else. He cares, and despite him having so much to lose he still comes through in the end.
© Copyright 2016, Fox Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
THE DEVIL’S DUE:
– Poor Dan. Not only is he tied to a post, but he’s got to listen to Detective Malcolm monologue.
– When you’re Lucifer, doing good is a drug.
– Watching Lucifer try to figure out how to get high from doing good is hilarious, except for when he took of all his clothes — that was hot!
– Seriously, Malcolm. You do realize that if you send the Devil back to Hell you’ll be his favorite chew toy for all eternity. Have you never watched Supernatural?
– Maze is ride or die for Lucifer for all eternity.
– Chloe needs to pick a lane. Either she wants him to use his power or she doesn’t.
8.5 out of 10
Next: “#Team Lucifer”, soon.
Before: ”Pops”, here.
