More Lucifer Stuff - Show and Comics
Feb. 8th, 2017 02:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shapinglightOkay, in pursuit of keeping things light(ish) on this journal, have another post about Lucifer.
Spoilers behind cut for both the TV show and the comics. In other words, more meandering about how they're the same (not very much) and how they differ.
So Lucifer has gone on hiatus till May. As previously stated in this context, aaargh! That's ages! I do hope such a long break won't affect its chances of renewal, which were looking pretty positive as of when it went off air.
Anyway, how to fill the gulf of time until it returns (or rather, how to fill that part of the gulf of time that needs to relax with not-to-be-taken-that-seriously TV shows). Well, obviously, a complete re-watch is in order, and I have in fact started that - my second re-watch, actually, since I did the same thing when it went on hiatus in November (yes, I'm a fan, can you tell?). I'm finding myself laughing out loud quite a lot this time - certainly more than I did the first time, though I always found the show humorous -which goes to show I really am in that happy place you go to when you first join a fandom and everything about the source material seems wonderful, and if anyone critiques it, you feel a little cross on its behalf - especially if you know the critiquer is not 'a fan like you' and therefore 'doesn't get it.'
Further to that, I've now watched two episodes. The second is the one where Lucifer and Chloe cross paths with a scuzzy paparazzo, who feels so guilty about the things he's done in his life, he's prepared to take the fall for his protege, who is doing even worse things. Remember that? Anyway, towards the end of the episode, Lucifer and Maze set up a punishment scenario, where they invite the paparazzo and his erstwhile protege - AKA murderous little scumbag - to take potshots at each other. Before they do, Lucifer 'apologises' to them for the fact that, if they go to hell, there's no one to sort out their punishments there, and I found myself thinking, 'Ah-hah! That statement was totally contradicted by what happened in the latest episode (season 2 ep 13, for anyone who cares), in which hell seemed to be carrying on quite happily without Lucifer's presence.
Maybe someone else is in charge, I thought, or maybe it's just a case of the show writers forgetting, or retconning, what they'd previously made canon? And that's when I thought, 'Aww, how terribly Jossian,' and instantly forgave them.
I really am far gone, aren't I?
Other thoughts in brief:
All seven of the main characters (Lucifer, Chloe, Amenadiel, Maze, Dan, Dr Linda, Trixie) are fully formed and fleshed out from the very first episode. I found that quite impressive, though it probably happens in most shows and I've forgotten. Tom Ellis, in particular, is really, really good.
Lucifer used to wear a leather jacket quite often in the early season 1 episodes, but he's stopped. I forget whether he says why. Will have to listen out and see.
Then there's the comics - or, to be specific, the new Lucifer comics series by Holly Black and Lee Garbett, (which I've only read the first graphic novel of, so please don't spoiler me for anything later) which features many of the surviving characters from the original series by Mike Carey, with the addition of Lucifer's brother Gabriel, who I understand has featured in Hellblazer, but who (I think) is only seen once in the original Lucifer series. Gabriel has, at some point, lost his wings and been thrown out of heaven (also known as the Silver City). He also has a gaping hole in his chest where his heart has been ripped out by a succubus that John Constantine tricked him into having sex with - and it's that, in fact, that caused him to be thrown out of heaven in the first place.
Seems to me that the story of Gabriel from the comics is being conflated somewhat with Amenadiel in the show, here. Amenadiel believes that the loss of his angelic powers, including his wings, is down to various sins he's committed since coming to earth, including having sex with a demon.
Either that, or the show writers were thinking about Preacher with the Amenadiel/Maze hook-up (which I'll think even more if Maze does end up pregnant), or are ripping off Supernatural, which I know very little about, except what I've read on various fan wikis. But even if they have done it a little bit with the character of Lucifer's mother (there isn't one all-powerful celestial being, there are two, male and female, like in Supernatural, which is not the case in the comics) I don't think they need to go there again, actually, and I hope they won't. There's enough source material from the Lucifer comics, including a huge amount of dysfunctional family stuff they can do with Lucifer and his brother and sister angels.
And it probably goes two ways anyway. The Lucifer comics series pre-dates the later seasons of Supernatural. Pop culture will eat itself, etc, etc.
Spoilers behind cut for both the TV show and the comics. In other words, more meandering about how they're the same (not very much) and how they differ.
So Lucifer has gone on hiatus till May. As previously stated in this context, aaargh! That's ages! I do hope such a long break won't affect its chances of renewal, which were looking pretty positive as of when it went off air.
Anyway, how to fill the gulf of time until it returns (or rather, how to fill that part of the gulf of time that needs to relax with not-to-be-taken-that-seriously TV shows). Well, obviously, a complete re-watch is in order, and I have in fact started that - my second re-watch, actually, since I did the same thing when it went on hiatus in November (yes, I'm a fan, can you tell?). I'm finding myself laughing out loud quite a lot this time - certainly more than I did the first time, though I always found the show humorous -which goes to show I really am in that happy place you go to when you first join a fandom and everything about the source material seems wonderful, and if anyone critiques it, you feel a little cross on its behalf - especially if you know the critiquer is not 'a fan like you' and therefore 'doesn't get it.'
Further to that, I've now watched two episodes. The second is the one where Lucifer and Chloe cross paths with a scuzzy paparazzo, who feels so guilty about the things he's done in his life, he's prepared to take the fall for his protege, who is doing even worse things. Remember that? Anyway, towards the end of the episode, Lucifer and Maze set up a punishment scenario, where they invite the paparazzo and his erstwhile protege - AKA murderous little scumbag - to take potshots at each other. Before they do, Lucifer 'apologises' to them for the fact that, if they go to hell, there's no one to sort out their punishments there, and I found myself thinking, 'Ah-hah! That statement was totally contradicted by what happened in the latest episode (season 2 ep 13, for anyone who cares), in which hell seemed to be carrying on quite happily without Lucifer's presence.
Maybe someone else is in charge, I thought, or maybe it's just a case of the show writers forgetting, or retconning, what they'd previously made canon? And that's when I thought, 'Aww, how terribly Jossian,' and instantly forgave them.
I really am far gone, aren't I?
Other thoughts in brief:
All seven of the main characters (Lucifer, Chloe, Amenadiel, Maze, Dan, Dr Linda, Trixie) are fully formed and fleshed out from the very first episode. I found that quite impressive, though it probably happens in most shows and I've forgotten. Tom Ellis, in particular, is really, really good.
Lucifer used to wear a leather jacket quite often in the early season 1 episodes, but he's stopped. I forget whether he says why. Will have to listen out and see.
Then there's the comics - or, to be specific, the new Lucifer comics series by Holly Black and Lee Garbett, (which I've only read the first graphic novel of, so please don't spoiler me for anything later) which features many of the surviving characters from the original series by Mike Carey, with the addition of Lucifer's brother Gabriel, who I understand has featured in Hellblazer, but who (I think) is only seen once in the original Lucifer series. Gabriel has, at some point, lost his wings and been thrown out of heaven (also known as the Silver City). He also has a gaping hole in his chest where his heart has been ripped out by a succubus that John Constantine tricked him into having sex with - and it's that, in fact, that caused him to be thrown out of heaven in the first place.
Seems to me that the story of Gabriel from the comics is being conflated somewhat with Amenadiel in the show, here. Amenadiel believes that the loss of his angelic powers, including his wings, is down to various sins he's committed since coming to earth, including having sex with a demon.
Either that, or the show writers were thinking about Preacher with the Amenadiel/Maze hook-up (which I'll think even more if Maze does end up pregnant), or are ripping off Supernatural, which I know very little about, except what I've read on various fan wikis. But even if they have done it a little bit with the character of Lucifer's mother (there isn't one all-powerful celestial being, there are two, male and female, like in Supernatural, which is not the case in the comics) I don't think they need to go there again, actually, and I hope they won't. There's enough source material from the Lucifer comics, including a huge amount of dysfunctional family stuff they can do with Lucifer and his brother and sister angels.
And it probably goes two ways anyway. The Lucifer comics series pre-dates the later seasons of Supernatural. Pop culture will eat itself, etc, etc.
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no subject
Date: 2017-02-08 05:24 pm (UTC)Maybe someone else is in charge, I thought, or maybe it's just a case of the show writers forgetting, or retconning, what they'd previously made canon?
I was thinking the same thing, not specifically with that episode in mind but, supposedly Lucifer's absence (and presumably Maze's as well) was causing all sorts of chaos and it contributed to Mom being able to escape. So I expected a different problem greeting him than having to face his own guilt.
I do think it was something ignored not only because it suited the needs of their current arc but also because the arc of S1 was "return Lucifer to hell." That's been pretty much abandoned with the current storyline which is more about "return all the celestial beings to heaven." And someone always fills a power vacuum so I do think it likely someone else is in charge and this may come into play down the line.
I can say that I don't see a lot of crossover with Supernatural in terms of the fallen angel issue although there is overlap in the larger plot with angel factions developing and wanting to return to heaven or being locked out, and everyone blaming God for various things. I do not doubt though that the comics influenced all that since Castiel may have been a different character than Constantine but was clearly modeled after him in appearance.
Speaking of Preacher, have you watched that series and what did you think?
no subject
Date: 2017-02-09 01:23 pm (UTC)I'm not really sure what I expected, if I expected anything in particular. One thing's for sure, though, hell in the show is nothing like hell in the comics. In those, in Lucifer's absence, God has appointed a couple of other angels to run the place - Remiel, who takes his work rather too seriously, and Duma, who never says anything. Under them, hell is divided up into various dukedoms run by demons, which I think is meant to be the same as it was when Lucifer was running it.
One common thread between show and comics, though, seems to be that in order to go to hell, you have to believe you deserve it.
I do not doubt though that the comics influenced all that since Castiel may have been a different character than Constantine but was clearly modeled after him in appearance.
Ah. Yeah, I thought that was probably the case. From what Sue has told me, SPN has borrowed quite a bit from the Lucifer comics, which of course may well have the effect of making Lucifer the TV show seem to copy SPN rather than be referring back to its own source material.
ETA: Forgot to answer your question about Preacher. I haven't watched the show actually - in large part because I've read the comics and I'm not sure I want to see them transformed into stomach-churning reality. The story was stomach-churning enough as static pictures, IMO. 'Course, it's possible the show has reined back on the violence?
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Date: 2017-02-10 03:45 pm (UTC)I think very few in Hollywood pay attention to SPN so I doubt it influenced Lucifer directly. The whole procedural set-up seems much more Castle to me and I think is more directly connected to the failed Forever in crossing over a supernatural angle with a procedural -- although given it's on FOX I'd say Sleepy Hollow would be an even closer match. I'm hopeful that the direction in S2 is a response to what viewers want, or perhaps what the writers originally wanted, rather the way that Community veered off into something quite different by S2. Sleepy Hollow had a lot of potential and some great people in the cast but was an utter mess of a show -- a former SPN showrunner was heading it, which told me nothing good was likely to occur.
Good to know what the hell setup was in the comics -- that makes more sense to me.
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Date: 2017-02-10 05:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-09 01:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-09 01:37 pm (UTC)I really am, and, as is so often the way with these things, I can't explain why this show and not another in a similar vein, of which there have been many over the years. ;)
Do you communicate with other fans?
Well, I've friended a fellow Lucifer fan on LJ, who also makes very nice icons, and I might come across others through her, but mostly not really, because I suspect most of the activity is on Tumblr, and most of what I've come across on there is 'shipping-based, and though I've no objections whatsoever to Deckerstar, as it's known (ie. Decker/Morningstar), I've no particular iron in that fire either. It doesn't bother me if it happens (more than it's already happened, which is basically that it's happened as far as I can see, but some fans I've seen posting over there and on Twitter seem to feel it doesn't count unless they have sex) and it doesn't bother me if it doesn't. So no communication there.
I am following the Lucifer Writers' Room account on Twitter, which is fun to read. They're currently trying to keep interest up during the hiatus by giving their followers challenges - like write a Lucifer haiku, or who can write the best tweet asking Fox for season 3. But, as with all things on Twitter, I'm just lurking, not tweeting myself.
Will there be fanfic?
Not while the show is airing, no. I just don't think I can fanfic anything with open canon. I didn't start writing BtVS fanfic until AtS ended, and it's still all I really want to write. I have to try and make myself sit down and finish this WIP I have on my hard drive before K has her baby and I have no time for anything ever again. ;)
But it just didn't grab me. I suppose I didn't give it a real chance.
Well, you know, it's a very personal thing, how things grab you. There are many people on LJ whose opinions I respect who, for some mysterious reason, like Supernatural and it does absolutely nothing for me.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-10 01:09 am (UTC)Is the WIP on your hard drive the Spangle fic you've talked about? I hope you are able to finish it too.
I'm extremely happy to hear about K's baby. Not that I've experienced it, but it just seems like being a grandmother is the best thing in the world.
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Date: 2017-02-10 10:16 am (UTC)Yes, it is. Every time I re-read what I've already written, I think, this is way too good not to finish. But writing is hard and stuff, especially plot. And there's a lot of plot in it. ;)
I'll do my best to finish it by the time the baby's due. I don't see me getting much writing time for a while after that.
but it just seems like being a grandmother is the best thing in the world.
People do say that. ;)
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Date: 2017-02-09 03:14 am (UTC)I wish we didn't have to wait until May.
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Date: 2017-02-09 01:40 pm (UTC)Me too! It's just such a long time. :(
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Date: 2017-02-09 04:03 am (UTC)Indeed it did. And he can even get sucked in by its workings, which surprised me. I thought he'd be immune. Maybe his vulnerability extends into the beyond, when his body is in proximity to Chloe? My work around for his earlier statement about how hell has gone to hell, is that maybe he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does about all the mysterious ways of things. Which is a safe guess for somebody as thoroughly confident as he seems to be.
I like most of the characters, although I have problems with Chloe and Dan. In Chloe's case, this is terribly sad, as I want to LOVE the female lead, always. But she was so impatient and humorless for so long, that I got impatient with her. I'm warming up to her now, I think. The actor who plays Dan also played an unpleasant character on Ugly Betty back when. I kept wondering, "why do I not like this guy?" but then realized it was this association. Probably. He's also the kind of jock-y, morally unstable guy I'm not a huge fan of, character-wise. Angel, anyone? If a character is morally, um, fluid, I prefer they not be built like a linebacker into the bargain. Lucifer and Maze (and Mom) can be as slippery as they like and I'm completely entertained. But big cops going around shooting people and feeding them to the mob? Not as funny.
I'm happy to see D.B. Woodside every week, and Tricia Helfer, too. She is better at comedy than I knew. Go, Tricia! Dr. Linda is my absolute favorite, though, for reasons that are probably obvious to you. ;-) I hadn't actually considered that sex with a demon was part of Amenadiel's problem. I though it was that he got people killed. Silly me, not confusing sex with badness, again. Will I ever get this pop culture stuff right?
I still haven't read ANY of the comics. (But I did read the newest "Rivers of London" novel, finally! Woo hoo! I hooked a bunch of other people on those, once I got back to the states, and everybody is all caught up and panting for the next one, already. I did notice quite a few proofreading errors, though, which makes me cross.)
So much TV, so little time! I've been traveling a bunch, so I'm even more behind than usual.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-09 01:59 pm (UTC)It is, and he is horribly smug, isn't it? It's always a pleasure to see him brought down a little bit, though I rather shamefacedly enjoy his arrogance too, because it has this kind of clueless quality to it, like 'Mum's' constant blurting out about the awful things she's done and her subsequent surprise when people are shocked by it.
I know what you mean about Chloe. I like her fine, and I've certainly no 'shipping irons in the fire (if the Deckerstar 'shippers get what they want, or don't get what they want, it's all the same to me), but yes, for the most part so far she's been pretty much stuck in the Margaret Dumont role, hasn't she? Like you, though, I do think she's improving.
But big cops going around shooting people and feeding them to the mob? Not as funny.
I agree, that was bad, and Dan now has a history of doing morally questionable things, and that he's doing them - as he sees it - for Chloe really doesn't count. However, I love the Dan/Lucifer bromance that isn't, and I like Kevin Alejandro - always have. His character in Ugly Betty wasn't great, then he got killed, but he came right before that, as I recall, and became supportive of Justin and his very unmacho interests etc. Also, personally I more associate him with the character he played in True Blood, which was Jesus the lover of the show's male LGBT character, Lafayette. They were a really lovely couple (so of course Jesus got killed). And Kevin Alejandro may have a nice physique but I don't think he's very tall. Unless Lauren German is too, because they seem to be about the same height. But 100% agree, what he did with the guy who had Chloe's father killed was awful, and if she ever finds out about it, he's toast.
and Tricia Helfer, too. She is better at comedy than I knew. Go, Tricia!
Yes, it's a bit unexpected, but she's great. And I think we have the same favourite character. I love Dr Linda. She's the best thing in the show.
I hadn't actually considered that sex with a demon was part of Amenadiel's problem. I though it was that he got people killed. Silly me, not confusing sex with badness, again. Will I ever get this pop culture stuff right?
Heh! It's one of those Jossian tropes I would have been happy to never see re-surface, but to be fair to the Lucifer writers, if they are basing Amenadiel's story more on Gabriel's from Hellblazer, it does have precedent in this 'verse.
I know what you mean about the typos in the Rivers of London books. They drive me nuts. I'm thinking of asking Ben Aaronovitch on Twitter if he wants me to edit for them next time.
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Date: 2017-02-14 08:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-14 09:07 pm (UTC)I need an Ella icon, I think.
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Date: 2017-02-12 12:26 pm (UTC)Oh, that is a very good point! That hadn't occurred to me (probably because I was too busy enjoying Lucifer's punishment... ahem).
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Date: 2017-02-12 12:39 pm (UTC)LOL, so cute. I definitely agree that their idea of hell has not been very fleshed out until only the latest episodes, so it never seemed very consistent to me.
In the first season they were all harping on about Lucifer deserting his post, and Amenadiel (of all people, lol) having to take over his job, which now makes no sense anymore. The way hell seems to work now doesn't require anyone's presence at all - not even the demons'.
All seven of the main characters (Lucifer, Chloe, Amenadiel, Maze, Dan, Dr Linda, Trixie) are fully formed and fleshed out from the very first episode.
True, and that worked in the show's favor from the beginning.
Although I still think Chloe somehow got the short end when it comes to characterization. In the first season, there isn't much beyond "love for Trixie" and "good, law-abiding cop". She always looked a bit bland next to Lucifer, and all the emotional episode beats were about him. But I think they did better with Chloe this season (and the s1 finale was pretty good, too). So maybe they have noticed that she needs more umph.
ripping off Supernatural
What exactly are you thinking of here? I'm not a huge Supernatural fan, but I have seen lots of eps (seasons 2 thru 6, and 8 thru 10).
They didn't have pregnancies (it's kinda hard if there are no actual female characters and the ones there are get killed off after at most five episodes).
They did have that one storyline where Sam falls for a demon and she makes him drink her blood to turn him evil (or something). Not sure if that was what you meant.
I can't really think of an instance where a celestial being was corrupted.
Unless you're thinking of Castiel trying to become God, but that doesn't really bear many similarities (except maybe Mom is trying to depose her ex :)) .
Or maybe you're referring to Castiel losing his wings? That happened to all the angels, so it's not something that applied specifically to him.
Anyway, if you have SPN questions, I can try hashing them out with you.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-12 08:03 pm (UTC)Well, I've spent a lot of time over the weekend rewatching the show from the beginning and it's consistent in one way. When Malcolm is raving at Dan about his time in hell, he describes as being a door for everyone behind which is their individual punishment, which is what we saw in the latest episode, but that doesn't solve the mystery of who is currently running the place and whether anyone actually needs to. It's also nothing like hell in the comics, which is pretty much your traditional hell with the fire, brimstone and horrible physical torture.
I agree that Chloe has, for the most part, been stuck in the 'straight woman' role. I noticed it even more while rewatching, just as I noticed even more just how egotistical Lucifer is - in fact, all the celestial characters are. But that egotism seems in-character to me, especially in Lucifer's case. After all, if he didn't have a high opinion of himself, he would never have fallen in the first place, would he? ;)
As for SPN, I've only seen a few episodes of season 1 myself, hated them and couldn't go on with it. So I have no idea (and not that much interest) in how the shows might be similar, but people who've watched SPN tell me they had a storyline with God and God's sister, and since there's no exact equivalent of Lucifer's mum in the comics, I suppose SPN fans might consider Lucifer was copying SPN by introducing her. I've only read how that was dealt with in SPN on a fan wiki, though. I hope the story in Lucifer will be different.
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Date: 2017-02-12 08:51 pm (UTC)Yes, I agree. I don't think you can measure them by human standards (although the show sometimes makes the mistake of assuming they would want the same things humans want). But overall, I like their characterization.
God and God's sister
Ah, that's season 11 and/or 12, and I haven't watched that (and also don't intend to).
I hope the story in Lucifer will be different.
Never, ever, ever trust Supernatural to handle female characters decently. It's the most misogynistic show.
In that respect, Lucifer has never tread wrong. Chloe always gives as good as she gets, never takes any of Lucifer's shit, and all the female characters are treated with respect. So I trust them to get Mom's storyline right, too.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-12 10:22 pm (UTC)Me too, though I would like Lucifer to be nicer to Maze, if only because Mazikeen in the comics is the only being he really has time for.
Which is not to say he doesn't use her shamelessly because he does. Which, in many ways, is another reason for Lucifer in the show to behave differently, or to learn to. I hope he will.
Never, ever, ever trust Supernatural to handle female characters decently. It's the most misogynistic show.
Yes, I have heard this. I'm constantly surprised that it seems to have so many female fans.
Chloe always gives as good as she gets, never takes any of Lucifer's shit, and all the female characters are treated with respect. So I trust them to get Mom's storyline right, too.
This is true. Chloe may be stuck in the 'straight woman' role in many ways but she's always written as smart and compassionate, and, though Lucifer has had to save her a few times, she's very much not a damsel, and 'Mum' and Maze are the polar opposite of one.
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Date: 2017-02-14 08:28 pm (UTC)Yes, I have heard this. I'm constantly surprised that it seems to have so many female fans.
The thing about Supernatural is that the main characters are NOT misogynistic and the female characters are really well done. The writers just insist on killing them all the time to make the main characters suffer more. *yawn* I haven't watched it in awhile, but the musical episode perfectly captured this with the song "A Single Man Tear". (BTW, the girls putting on the production actually survived the experience. Heh.)
no subject
Date: 2017-02-14 09:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-20 08:45 am (UTC)I signed up for this gift exchange (https://lucifer-gift-exchange.tumblr.com/) and I found a potential group chat (http://thefangirlconvention.tumblr.com/post/156952936677/a-little-thought-i-had). I should probably re-watch too instead of just perusing episode transcripts.
John Constantine
I really want to see John Constantine have a cameo on Lucifer (tv show). There's Ritchie Simpson as a paparazzo in 1x02 and Chas Chandler as a Russian mob boss in 2x07.
Lucifer purposely cuts himself multiple times in 2x12. John does something similar in the film Constantine.
having sex with a demon
Sounds like Hisui and Kokuyo from the manga Wish. Wish is a fluffy story so it's no big deal for the Angel Master of Wind and the son of Satan not being able to go back to heaven or hell because of what they did.
The main characters of this manga are an angel and a human so romance eventually happens...
no subject
Date: 2017-02-20 09:18 pm (UTC)There's Ritchie Simpson as a paparazzo in 1x02 and Chas Chandler as a Russian mob boss in 2x07.
These are characters out of the Hellblazer comic, are they? Or is it the movie? Have to confess that I know very little about either. Though reading the Wikipedia page about the movie, I can see some things that the show has picked up on.
I think angel/demon sex is probably something you come across in many cultures.
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Date: 2017-02-21 06:55 am (UTC)You're correct. Ritchie and Chas were both featured in the tv version which had the same name as the movie. My biggest complaint about the Constantine tv show is that the ending felt lacking.
I have noticed that Lucifer and Mom have different attitudes regarding money. Lucifer bribes a police officer in the pilot episode. In 2x03, Mom says "I-I choose money. Does anyone choose life?" to her would-be mugger.
no subject
Date: 2017-02-21 06:36 pm (UTC)I'd no idea there even was a Hellblazer TV show. Live and learn.
I have noticed that Lucifer and Mom have different attitudes regarding money. Lucifer bribes a police officer in the pilot episode. In 2x03, Mom says "I-I choose money. Does anyone choose life?" to her would-be mugger.
I don't know if that's really a good comparison. When 'Mum' says she chooses money, it's because she's taken what the mugger said literally. He gave her a binary choice -give me either your money or your life. She chose to give him her money. It's not really a choice, though. It's a bit like Eddie Izzard's cake or death comedy sketch. So I don't really think it's says anything about Mum's attitude to money.