Lucifer season 2 episode 13
Feb. 1st, 2017 12:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shapinglightI'm pretty sure no one is in the mood for trivialities, but anyway...
Spoilers behind cut (also spoilers for the Lucifer comic)
So, the so-called winter finale - I enjoyed it enormously. Forty five minutes of sheer escapism, featuring drama, action, pathos, humour, angst etc, etc. It was great. Standout scenes for me were Lucifer's and Mum's encounters with Uriel in hell, every scene with Maze and Dr Linda in it, the hilarious scene where the bad guy is beating up Dan and Lucifer only doesn't intervene because he promised Dan he wouldn't do anything unless Dan told him to.
I even liked the downbeat ending. For one thing, leaving like that was exactly what the comics version of Lucifer would have done (though he would have told Chloe to her face that he was going and why), and though I like Lucifer's mum (unlike most of the Deckerstar 'shippers on Tumblr, I suspect) and love the fact that it was her that saved Lucifer, most of all I like the fact that she's been made to face up to the consequences of her previous actions. I'd like to think she and Lucifer will be reconciled further down the road, but I doubt it. However, I am very pleased that Lucifer and Amenadiel haven't been driven apart by Amenadiel's connection to Chloe, but have, if anything, become closer.
Can't wait to see what happens next (though of course I'm going to have to since the show doesn't come back till May (May, FFS! Aargh!)). I'm betting that it's Maze who will track Lucifer down and drag him back to Los Angeles (if he's left). It's just what she does.
Speaking of Maze, I saw on Twitter that Lesley-Ann Brandt is pregnant. Now I'm wondering if Maze's throwaway remark to Dr Linda about how she can do sexy even in hospital scrubs was thrown in as some sort of in-story explanation as to why Maze will suddenly start wearing less revealing clothing?
Or it could be that the pregnancy will just be incorporated into the story, in which case it's bound to turn out that Amenadiel is the dad. I'm not keen on mystical pregnancy stories - way too many of those in AtS, about which more in a moment - but it would be another shout-out to the comics version of Lucifer in a way. In those, Mazikeen and all her many siblings are the Lilim - the children of Lilith. They don't all have the same father, but Mazikeen and one of her brothers are the children of an angel - the one 'man' that Lilith really loved - and who Mazikeen - not knowing he was her father - killed to (as she believed) protect her mother. Elsewhere in the comic, the Archangel Michael (Lucifer's brother in the comics, Amenadiel, not being an archangel, only being a cousin) has two children with a human (by some weird supernatural means that I can't now fully remember - which is possibly a sign to re-read). So anyway, Maze and Amenadiel having a child has precedent in the comics.
We'll see how they deal with it, I suppose.
I did find myself thinking of AtS a lot while watching this. There are definite BtVS/AtS connections in this show, if only in that the writers of the show are fans of Joss, and are trying to replicate (sometimes quite successfully) his way of inter-cutting drama with humour. Of course, AtS is a way better fit than BtVS when you're comparing the two, in that AtS, like Lucifer, if you strip it down to its bare essentials is yet another show about a rich white guy with 'issues.' The parallels aren't exact at all, but because this episode was such an ensemble piece, I felt at times I could see comparisons with how the characters in the two shows are utilised (as it were). So, if Lucifer himself is Angel, then Amenadiel is Wesley, Chloe is Buffy (sorta, kinda, not really, not at all), and Maze and Dr Linda are kind of an amalgam of Cordelia and Spike.
Or whatever.
Anyway, in neither show is mechanics of the plot the writers' strong point. ;)
Actually, that really doesn't work, does it? I do still think that Lucifer is the closest to AtS I've seen in a long time, though. YMMV, obvs.
Spoilers behind cut (also spoilers for the Lucifer comic)
So, the so-called winter finale - I enjoyed it enormously. Forty five minutes of sheer escapism, featuring drama, action, pathos, humour, angst etc, etc. It was great. Standout scenes for me were Lucifer's and Mum's encounters with Uriel in hell, every scene with Maze and Dr Linda in it, the hilarious scene where the bad guy is beating up Dan and Lucifer only doesn't intervene because he promised Dan he wouldn't do anything unless Dan told him to.
I even liked the downbeat ending. For one thing, leaving like that was exactly what the comics version of Lucifer would have done (though he would have told Chloe to her face that he was going and why), and though I like Lucifer's mum (unlike most of the Deckerstar 'shippers on Tumblr, I suspect) and love the fact that it was her that saved Lucifer, most of all I like the fact that she's been made to face up to the consequences of her previous actions. I'd like to think she and Lucifer will be reconciled further down the road, but I doubt it. However, I am very pleased that Lucifer and Amenadiel haven't been driven apart by Amenadiel's connection to Chloe, but have, if anything, become closer.
Can't wait to see what happens next (though of course I'm going to have to since the show doesn't come back till May (May, FFS! Aargh!)). I'm betting that it's Maze who will track Lucifer down and drag him back to Los Angeles (if he's left). It's just what she does.
Speaking of Maze, I saw on Twitter that Lesley-Ann Brandt is pregnant. Now I'm wondering if Maze's throwaway remark to Dr Linda about how she can do sexy even in hospital scrubs was thrown in as some sort of in-story explanation as to why Maze will suddenly start wearing less revealing clothing?
Or it could be that the pregnancy will just be incorporated into the story, in which case it's bound to turn out that Amenadiel is the dad. I'm not keen on mystical pregnancy stories - way too many of those in AtS, about which more in a moment - but it would be another shout-out to the comics version of Lucifer in a way. In those, Mazikeen and all her many siblings are the Lilim - the children of Lilith. They don't all have the same father, but Mazikeen and one of her brothers are the children of an angel - the one 'man' that Lilith really loved - and who Mazikeen - not knowing he was her father - killed to (as she believed) protect her mother. Elsewhere in the comic, the Archangel Michael (Lucifer's brother in the comics, Amenadiel, not being an archangel, only being a cousin) has two children with a human (by some weird supernatural means that I can't now fully remember - which is possibly a sign to re-read). So anyway, Maze and Amenadiel having a child has precedent in the comics.
We'll see how they deal with it, I suppose.
I did find myself thinking of AtS a lot while watching this. There are definite BtVS/AtS connections in this show, if only in that the writers of the show are fans of Joss, and are trying to replicate (sometimes quite successfully) his way of inter-cutting drama with humour. Of course, AtS is a way better fit than BtVS when you're comparing the two, in that AtS, like Lucifer, if you strip it down to its bare essentials is yet another show about a rich white guy with 'issues.' The parallels aren't exact at all, but because this episode was such an ensemble piece, I felt at times I could see comparisons with how the characters in the two shows are utilised (as it were). So, if Lucifer himself is Angel, then Amenadiel is Wesley, Chloe is Buffy (sorta, kinda, not really, not at all), and Maze and Dr Linda are kind of an amalgam of Cordelia and Spike.
Or whatever.
Anyway, in neither show is mechanics of the plot the writers' strong point. ;)
Actually, that really doesn't work, does it? I do still think that Lucifer is the closest to AtS I've seen in a long time, though. YMMV, obvs.
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no subject
Date: 2017-02-01 10:12 pm (UTC)Second, we watched Lucifer yesterday and I think that was the best episode so far in the series. I really loved the team aspect of it, I liked that Mom took the chance of sacrificing herself for Lucifer, and that he nearly became caught in hell himself because of Uriel.
Dr. Linda was hilarious, poor woman. I don't know how she manages to make any money with Lucifer & Co. constantly barging in on her or taking up her evening and day on a mission she feels completely out of her depth for.
Ah, interesting thought about Maze's wardrobe choices. They'll have do something, alright, though I expect all the episodes will be finished soon so it's mostly an issue for next season.
Yes a good episode for bro-love.
Actually Chloe would be Kate Locksley, but I agree that Maze is very Spike-like. I'd say that Amenadiel is not actually much different than Robin Wood, though so far not as amusing. Mom is very Darla-like. But I, too, am curious to see how this season will wrap up.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 06:28 pm (UTC)That's good. I'll just carry on wittering then, ;)
I liked the episode for all the reasons you liked it. Everyone had something to do in the quest to save Chloe, even Trixie, who I think encouraged Amenadiel to hold firm by her assertion that he's good. I might be wrong, but I thought Amenadiel actually grew stronger in this episode. Three men couldn't budge him. Maybe the secret to him getting his powers back is simply to do good?
Well, even if it is, that would be very manipulative of 'Dad' (though par for the way God behaves in the comics too).
Dr. Linda was hilarious, poor woman. I don't know how she manages to make any money with Lucifer & Co. constantly barging in on her or taking up her evening and day on a mission she feels completely out of her depth for.
Me neither. I suspect, though, they're the best friends she's ever had, and certainly the most interesting. She can't help but be drawn to them.
Ah, interesting thought about Maze's wardrobe choices. They'll have do something, alright, though I expect all the episodes will be finished soon so it's mostly an issue for next season.
Yes, I suppose you're right. I get confused about the filming schedule for these long series. Of course, we don't know if there'll even be a season 3, but I believe the ratings are solid so it's likely. If so, they'll start filming it in...July, is that right?
Actually Chloe would be Kate Locksley
You're right, though unlike Kate, Chloe is a real, actual love interest. I think David Greenwalt may have intended that role for Kate, but either they got cold feet, or didn't think the actors had any chemistry, or whatever. You're also right that 'Mum' is very Darla-like. Probably why I like her so much. ;)
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 10:18 pm (UTC)Yes, it's a curious thing whatever happened to Kate. I don't know if they felt it wasn't working or the actress had other opportunities or what. Personally I didn't find them an interesting pairing, because while Kate was not unlike S1 Chloe, pairing her with a taciturn Angel was not the way to go. Lucifer, by contrast, is a total diva, more Lorne than Angel.
I like what you said about that scene of Trixie and Amenadiel, and the observation about his strength. I also was surprised by that. I thought they'd be going the route that he'd fail Lucifer despite his best efforts but nope.
And yes, Dr. Linda is no dumb blonde. I think she is indeed fascinated by Lucifer's circle and also believes in helping people even if it's unorthodox.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-03 11:55 am (UTC)Yes, that's interesting, and re: Darla does make me very slightly uncomfortable. However, it adds so many layers to her character, and is an interesting thing to throw into the mix in fanfic too.
I think Dr Linda has to be one of the best (certainly the most open-minded and patient) therapists ever. ;)
And love your description of Lucifer as a diva. That describes him perfectly. Even now, when he's become a little less self-involved, he's one. ;)
no subject
Date: 2017-02-03 05:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-03 07:09 pm (UTC)And of course both Lucifer and Angel are equally self-involved, though in very different ways, and neither of them quite realise it. ;)
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 03:49 am (UTC)I really liked this episode -- this whole season, so far. My main complaint about S1 is that Lucifer, while amusing, was incredibly shallow, and I like that this season they're giving him some depth, for escapist values of depth.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 06:34 pm (UTC)Well, I'm pretty sure I can oblige there. I can talk about Lucifer until the cows come home as long as one or two people want to talk back. I also have a fic nearly ready to post. ;)
I agree season 1 Lucifer was completely self-involved - at least till the very end of the season when he throws himself on his father's mercy for Chloe's sake.
That's certainly not something that Comics!Lucifer would ever do. He cares about no one except Mazikeen, and a little for his brother Michael's part-human daughter.
and I like that this season they're giving him some depth, for escapist values of depth.
Yes, it is all froth really - but amusingly written froth with likeable, rounded characters. Makes all the difference.
ETA: I should add that the fic I mentioned is a Buffyverse one. I've still to make the leap to another fandom fic-writing wise, and possibly never will.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 03:06 am (UTC)I don't want to wait until May!
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 06:36 pm (UTC)Still, when the show does come back, at least we know there'll be a straight run through to the end.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 03:53 am (UTC)The one thing that I really loved, is that despite the set up, they never went full on one dimensional evil with Mom.
I keep comparing how lucifer handled 'Mom' with how spn handled Amara, and I can't help but think that Lucifer managed to achieve making her a manipulative force in Lucifer's life with possible bad intentions, and still kept her someone who genuinely cared for Lucifer, and whom you could believe that he still cared about.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-02 06:38 pm (UTC)Yes, I liked that too. I didn't want her to be just evil.
Not seen SPN so can't compare the shows in any way. I'm certainly very happy with what the Lucifer writers have done so far this season (and last season. I'm very uncritical).
no subject
Date: 2017-02-03 07:50 pm (UTC)love the fact that it was her that saved Lucifer. I like the fact that she's been made to face up to the consequences of her previous actions.
And that she got to come back with him, too. I had thought for a minute that she had to take his place.
I like their idea of hell, btw. Not the blue snow (ash?) visuals, but the way a person's guilt is emphasized and inescapable. Although it points to a very positive view of human nature, which I don't 100% share but find adorable for this show to have.
I wonder how hell would be for crazy ruthless people like Malcolm, who I don't think feels guilty about much of what he's done. (But damn I loved how hell turned him completely crazy.)
The professor must have felt guilty somehow or he wouldn't have staged that elaborate killing spree, but there must be other people for whom it would be hard to be punished in this kind of hell.
I am very pleased that Lucifer and Amenadiel haven't been driven apart by Amenadiel's connection to Chloe, but have, if anything, become closer.
Yes! That surprised me, too. Also, Amenadiel staring down the guards and doctors was really hot.
Maze and Amenadiel having a child has precedent in the comics.
Oooh, I hadn't heard about Leslie Ann Brandt's pregnancy. I liked them together, so that part would be okay.
But you are so right about supernatural pregnancies not turning out so well on other shows. Omg how I hated it on Angel. I was a huge Angel fan (which reminds me, I still have to make an Angel icon tonight for that challenge comm, oops) but that storyline was so not my cup of tea at all.
I felt at times I could see comparisons with how the characters in the two shows are utilised
Interesting comparison! Spike is definitely Maze. *G* It never occurred to me to compare them in detail before.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-03 10:35 pm (UTC)Yes, this version of hell doesn't really work, does it, if people have no guilt whatsoever for what they've done. But perhaps the punishment for such people is different? Didn't Malcolm say he was in a place where none of the things that make life worth living were available to him? That wasn't quite the same as what we saw in this episode. I dunno. I expect the show writers are quite vague about it themselves. Yet another way in which this show is rather similar to AtS.
Omg how I hated it on Angel. I was a huge Angel fan (which reminds me, I still have to make an Angel icon tonight for that challenge comm, oops) but that storyline was so not my cup of tea at all.
I did love the Offspring three-parter in AtS season 3, mainly because I love Darla so much as a character, but yes, on the whole, mystical pregnancy stories don't do a lot for me. I hope Lucifer won't need to go there (no idea how Lesley-Ann's pregnancy will fit in with the filming schedule, assuming they get a season 3), but if they do, there is precedence of some sort in the comics. I just hope they won't feel they have to have the baby kidnapped and brought back as a teenager. ;)
no subject
Date: 2017-02-05 08:28 am (UTC)omg the memories. That was the first time I was ever able to download anything at all. It was tiny (like 300pixels or something), and blurry, and I sat there in the middle of the night watching Angel cradle Connor in the rain.
The best.
mystical pregnancy stories don't do a lot for me
Nah, me neither. I'm not one for kids on shows at all. Trixie is the notable exception. I have no idea why I fell in love with her, but I did.
Actress pregnancies have ruined a lot of shows - I don't even remember if there were any that didn't let it get to them. Even the ones who refused to include it in the plot (e.g. Grimm) suffered so much from the actress herself being available less. Totally understandable, but looking at it with pure fan goggles, usually disappointing for the show canon itself.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-10 10:33 am (UTC)Yes, Trixie is cute. I'm not usually keen on kids in TV dramas or films (though I make an exception for Netflix's Stranger Things, where the kids are the main characters and are all excellent), but I liked her right from the start.
In fact, I think the only time I wasn't quite so keen on her was in this latest episode, actually. The scene where she hugs Amenadiel and tells him she thinks he's good was cute but just came across as a bit false to me. She only just met him, and I'm sure Chloe has read her the riot act about not getting close to strangers.
On the other hand, he's Lucifer's brother, so who knows?