Lucifer season 3 episodes 4&5
Nov. 2nd, 2017 01:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shapinglightWell, I may be alone in thinking it, but I thought both these episodes were great.
Spoilers behind cut.
Okay, I wasn't so keen on episode 4 (What Would Lucifer Do?) the first time I watched it - mainly because the final scene between Lucifer and Amenadiel was just so painful and unpleasant - but on re-watching, the scene was easier to bear. Yes, what Lucifer said to his brother was horribly cruel, but Amenadiel's response - I forgive you and I still have your back, essentially - was the perfect one, and also cruel in its own way, because Lucifer really can't cope with the idea that he's changed and that everything that's happening to him is part of 'Dad's' plan, and Amenadiel knows that perfectly well. Not that I think Amenadiel is twisting the knife deliberately, but every time he mentions 'Dad', the knife does get twisted, and Lucifer clings more and more desperately to his old self from before he met Chloe.
The procedural part of the episode was fairly hum-drum (it usually is), and the murderer shooting at Chloe and Pierce pretty inexplicable. You have to put it down to the fact that it was necessary for the Pierce plot that he get shot while with Chloe, because his reaction to being shot (he says he's never been so close to death before) makes it pretty plain - to me, anyway - that Pierce is, for whatever reason, also invulnerable. Except, like Lucifer, when Chloe's around. Not surprising that Pierce tells her - as 'Mum' did in season 2 - that she's 'special.'
And not surprising that Pierce is doing everything he can to alienate Chloe from Lucifer, by praising Lucifer every time he does something that Chloe considers unacceptable, so that Lucifer is encouraged to do it even more. Clever.
As for episode 5- Welcome Back, Charlotte Richards - it was a joy from beginning to end. Tricia Helfer is superb (though I do miss 'Mum' still), portraying Charlotte's hurt and vulnerability, which she can't quite hide no matter how she tries. I also thought the way the question of Charlotte's husband and children was dealt with was very well handled, and the fact that Lucifer feels responsible for her predicament - feels guilt, in fact - shows that no matter how much he might want not to have changed, he really has (though not enough to not piss Chloe off mightily in his dealings with Trixie). Interestingly (and no doubt deliberately), though Charlotte is a different person from 'Mum', both of them are women who have lost their children and are desperate to get them back.
The episode was also very funny, whereas I found the humour more strained in episode 4. That said, at least there were some drugs references, so there only needs to be a reference to Lucifer's bisexuality to reassure me that the earlier timeslot hasn't changed anything.
There are still things that are missing from the season - notably Maze, of course, but we know why that is. It does seem like the expanded cast, and the emphasis on changes at the police precinct (ie. Pierce) has impacted on the ensemble in such a way that it's becoming harder to find things for all the characters to do in every episode. Maze apart, Dr Linda has now been missing for two episodes, and Amenadiel for one. Charlotte was missing for 4, and episode 5 was the first new episode (ie. not one of the four standalones left over from season 2) featuring Trixie. Not happy about this, but...better they be absent than being shoehorned in when there's no actual material for them, IMO (this happened a fair bit with Amenadiel in season 2).
Also missing is Lucifer/Chloe, to the extent that in episode 5 Chloe was actually encouraging Lucifer to proposition another woman in order to further the case. I don't think the 'ship is dead however it may appear, but I do think Chloe is trying very hard to kill it at the moment, and you can't blame her. Lucifer is dangerous, unreliable, still delusional (from her POV), has no concept seemingly of faithfulness to one sexual partner (or potential sexual partner) and is still obsessed with his very peculiar family (I do hope we get to meet some more of them this season). It's no wonder at all that she's taken a big emotional step back from him.
Episode 6 is the second of the season 2-shot standalones, this one focusing on Lucifer and Ella. I gather that three out of the four standalones will be shown before Christmas.
Spoilers behind cut.
Okay, I wasn't so keen on episode 4 (What Would Lucifer Do?) the first time I watched it - mainly because the final scene between Lucifer and Amenadiel was just so painful and unpleasant - but on re-watching, the scene was easier to bear. Yes, what Lucifer said to his brother was horribly cruel, but Amenadiel's response - I forgive you and I still have your back, essentially - was the perfect one, and also cruel in its own way, because Lucifer really can't cope with the idea that he's changed and that everything that's happening to him is part of 'Dad's' plan, and Amenadiel knows that perfectly well. Not that I think Amenadiel is twisting the knife deliberately, but every time he mentions 'Dad', the knife does get twisted, and Lucifer clings more and more desperately to his old self from before he met Chloe.
The procedural part of the episode was fairly hum-drum (it usually is), and the murderer shooting at Chloe and Pierce pretty inexplicable. You have to put it down to the fact that it was necessary for the Pierce plot that he get shot while with Chloe, because his reaction to being shot (he says he's never been so close to death before) makes it pretty plain - to me, anyway - that Pierce is, for whatever reason, also invulnerable. Except, like Lucifer, when Chloe's around. Not surprising that Pierce tells her - as 'Mum' did in season 2 - that she's 'special.'
And not surprising that Pierce is doing everything he can to alienate Chloe from Lucifer, by praising Lucifer every time he does something that Chloe considers unacceptable, so that Lucifer is encouraged to do it even more. Clever.
As for episode 5- Welcome Back, Charlotte Richards - it was a joy from beginning to end. Tricia Helfer is superb (though I do miss 'Mum' still), portraying Charlotte's hurt and vulnerability, which she can't quite hide no matter how she tries. I also thought the way the question of Charlotte's husband and children was dealt with was very well handled, and the fact that Lucifer feels responsible for her predicament - feels guilt, in fact - shows that no matter how much he might want not to have changed, he really has (though not enough to not piss Chloe off mightily in his dealings with Trixie). Interestingly (and no doubt deliberately), though Charlotte is a different person from 'Mum', both of them are women who have lost their children and are desperate to get them back.
The episode was also very funny, whereas I found the humour more strained in episode 4. That said, at least there were some drugs references, so there only needs to be a reference to Lucifer's bisexuality to reassure me that the earlier timeslot hasn't changed anything.
There are still things that are missing from the season - notably Maze, of course, but we know why that is. It does seem like the expanded cast, and the emphasis on changes at the police precinct (ie. Pierce) has impacted on the ensemble in such a way that it's becoming harder to find things for all the characters to do in every episode. Maze apart, Dr Linda has now been missing for two episodes, and Amenadiel for one. Charlotte was missing for 4, and episode 5 was the first new episode (ie. not one of the four standalones left over from season 2) featuring Trixie. Not happy about this, but...better they be absent than being shoehorned in when there's no actual material for them, IMO (this happened a fair bit with Amenadiel in season 2).
Also missing is Lucifer/Chloe, to the extent that in episode 5 Chloe was actually encouraging Lucifer to proposition another woman in order to further the case. I don't think the 'ship is dead however it may appear, but I do think Chloe is trying very hard to kill it at the moment, and you can't blame her. Lucifer is dangerous, unreliable, still delusional (from her POV), has no concept seemingly of faithfulness to one sexual partner (or potential sexual partner) and is still obsessed with his very peculiar family (I do hope we get to meet some more of them this season). It's no wonder at all that she's taken a big emotional step back from him.
Episode 6 is the second of the season 2-shot standalones, this one focusing on Lucifer and Ella. I gather that three out of the four standalones will be shown before Christmas.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-03 12:16 am (UTC)I agree - we really enjoyed WB,CR. The 'plot' was even less significant than usual, but the ensemble work was excellent. And that little girl really nails it.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-03 02:26 am (UTC)I didn't pick up on Pierce's invulnerability though. (But I also only saw it once, so will trust your take on it.)
They seem to be dwelling heavily on the idea of redemption and forgiveness this season...each episode mentions it. And Lucifer's resistance to it.
While I agree on Chloe's take on Lucifer, I think Lucifer has also taken a step back from the relationship. In part, because he doesn't like being vulnerable, he thinks she's been set-up for him by "Dad", and he is trying to embrace the devilish part of himself -- and she pulls him away from that. I've noticed he's stopped trying to get her favor, and if anything is working to do the opposite.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-03 01:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-03 01:08 pm (UTC)Well, I'm guessing, but I think it's a pretty good guess. ;)
They seem to be dwelling heavily on the idea of redemption and forgiveness this season...each episode mentions it. And Lucifer's resistance to it.
Lucifer in the comics, of course, didn't want either. Not that anyone ever offered them to him. I think Show!Lucifer will be a lot more open to persuasion in the end, if only because the show is not going to touch with a bargepole some of the stuff the comics got away with.
As for Lucifer stepping back from Chloe, I agree he has - ever since he came back from Vegas 'married' to 'Candy.' He was still very much holding a torch for her in episode 1 of this season, though. He just seems to have put it very much on a back burner (torch pun!) while he pursues his feud with 'Dad' about the wings.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-03 02:13 pm (UTC)Yeah, I think the wings sort of distracted or side-swiped him. He was all prepared to show her his true face, that he was in fact the devil. But he no longer has that face, it's gone, and now he has these pesky wings he can't get rid of. And is being mistaken for an Angel, which is annoying the hell out of him. Of course he is an Angel, just a fallen one.
Wondering if Pierce might be another "fallen" angel?
no subject
Date: 2017-11-06 07:27 pm (UTC)Interestingly (and no doubt deliberately), though Charlotte is a different person from 'Mum', both of them are women who have lost their children and are desperate to get them back.
Ooh, yes, I hadn't thought about that.
Not happy about this, but...better they be absent than being shoehorned in when there's no actual material for them, IMO (this happened a fair bit with Amenadiel in season 2).
I agree. I'd rather each had something meaningful to do, which is difficult if you're trying to give everyone lines and scenes.
What I also liked about this episode was Lucifer's response to Charlotte coming on to him. It's good timing that we have a scene like that where it's clear that unwanted sexual advances affect everyone (even if you're stunning like Charlotte and a playboy like Lucifer). It would be nice if we could see this without the obvious reason that he still sees her too much as his mother, but I'll take it. Also, I like the idea that Lucifer will have several female friends with whom he has no sexual relationship. While that's only partially true about Dr. Linda they seem to have clearly put that behind them.
I also see Lucifer's relationships as different than Dan. While Ella is technically a colleague of both, he is involved with Charlotte, has been with Chloe and has no real relationship with Maze or Linda. So I think it's more obvious with Lucifer who, as the central character, is connected to all of them.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-07 11:07 am (UTC)It's possible. There are several candidates in the comics. Only thing is, though, since they fell from heaven with Lucifer he should recognise them.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-07 11:10 am (UTC)Come to think of it, the majority of the female characters - Dr Linda, Charlotte, Ella, Maze - are Lucifer's female friends without benefits, as it were. Okay, he seems to have had a sexual relationship with Maze at some point, and certainly did with Dr Linda, but he doesn't now. It's interesting.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-07 04:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-07 04:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-08 02:45 am (UTC)I believe I rolled my eyes when Pierce got hurt protecting Chloe. I suppose the Pierce/Chloe romance is inevitable now. Ugh. I have zero interest in Pierce's past. It's bound to be a sob story constructed to score maximum sympathy points from the audience, because the creators have gone out of their way to make him appear "mysterious."
I really enjoyed Lucifer's creative curse words, though, in spite of myself. Teaching Trixie to tell the teacher to "go to shell" haha! :D
no subject
Date: 2017-11-14 02:53 pm (UTC)Hmm. I understand not liking that trope. Did your dislike of it impact at all on your enjoyment of episode 7?
I suppose the Pierce/Chloe romance is inevitable now. Ugh. I have zero interest in Pierce's past. It's bound to be a sob story constructed to score maximum sympathy points from the audience, because the creators have gone out of their way to make him appear "mysterious."
Yes, probably. And given how unsympathetic Pierce is, it's very hard to care, have to say. I really dislike the character (as I suspect everyone's noticed).
no subject
Date: 2017-11-21 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-24 03:49 pm (UTC)Mind you, he brought it all on himself. ;)