Mikes Film Talk

In the penultimate episode of “Lucifer,” “#TeamLucifer” Morningstar is not the only one who plays out like that old Police song, “Don’t Stand So Close So Me.”  Amenadiel also wants to put some distance between himself and Maze, after she tries to stab him.  Malcolm, who has turned into some murderous, and sycophantic “Renfield” type character  also wants to get away from an enraged Lucifer by the end of the episode.

But it is Morningstar who most desperately wants a bit of space between himself and Chloe Decker now he has worked out that she makes him vulnerable.  Although there is still a little denial going on as he forces Maze to experiment with knives to see if he can be hurt away from Chloe.

The show starts with a young girl being “sacrificed” for a satanic cult and then being murdered for real.  Decker (Lauren German) calls for Lucifer (Tom Ellis) to join her in the investigation  and he avoids making contact with Chloe and does not stand anywhere near her.  After all his earlier attempts to get close he now avoids the detective like the plague.

Lucifer and Chloe go to the next scheduled meeting of the cult and Morningstar shows  a glimpse of his true self to the door guard terrifying the man from his post. The two learn who killed the girl and that the supposed Satanists are a group of frauds.  When the duo go to talk to the suspect they find him dead.

Maze goes to kill Amenadiel, after they have sex yet again, and because the demon hesitates, the angel stops her.  (The look that D.B. Woodside gives Lesley-Ann Brandt as Mazikeen is brilliant; a mixture of betrayal, hurt and rage flash across his face before he leaves the bed.)

Decker is confused about Lucifer’s sudden reticence and complains about it. Malcolm (Kevin Rankin), since getting his “Get out of Hell Free Coin” from Lucifer has managed to become even creepier. He also exhibits a lot of bravado when Amenadiel smacks him around amid threats to send him to hell. Malcolm reveals that he now knows the angel can do no such thing. 

The cult leader Onyx, Scottish actor Ross McCall,  helps the cops find Rose’s killer and an overzealous preacher (Evan Arnold) gets in the way, threatening Morningstar.  Lucifer believes that  Amenadiel is behind more than Malcolm’s attempt to kill him, he believes that the angel has also empowered Chloe somehow.  Morningstar also knows that Amenadiel is behind Linda Martin’s defection from #TeamLucifer. 

After the murder attempt by Maze a furious Amenadiel heads over the Lucifer’s bar and arrives just as Morningstar is beating Malcolm.  Amenadiel interrupts telling  Lucifer to pick on someone his own size and the devil is happy to oblige.  After the angel leaves Chloe arrives to find the dead preacher on the floor.

By the end of the episode, Chloe arrests Lucifer for murder.

The most disturbing, and creepy, character of the episode is Malcolm Graham.  As Amenadiel’s toady and “Lucifer assassin,” Graham has graduated to  arse-kissing nut that Lucifer wants to shed like yesterday’s skin.

The highlight must be the fight between the two brother’s when Amenadiel shows up in time so save Malcolm from a severe beating. Their fight, fueled by anger and feelings of betrayal is broken up by Maze.

With Lucifer being taken in for the preacher’s murder it

appears that he will have to set his feelings for Chloe aside for awhile.

Rankin is brilliant as the creepy, and clearly insane, Lazarus who, despite his magic coin, has been so scarred by his short eternity in hell that he may not stop with killing innocents.

Woodside almost breaking into tears at Maze’s betrayal was also pretty spectacular as was his reaction to Lucifer’s recounting of his “sins.”

“Lucifer” has been splendid in its first season and its penultimate episode was no exception. The series finale airs next week on FOX.