Series Issues: Lucifer returns with Candy Morningstar

Spoilers might spawn from hell.

I’ve always wanted to review Lucifer. It’s one of those series that you don’t really expect to like and then becomes a guilty pleasure that you’re almost ashamed to admit you like. It can be corny, silly and smart being silly and corny, which is when you realize you just need to keep watching. Loosely, and I mean very loosely based on Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel which was a spinoff from his masterpiece The Sandman, you instantly realize this version is quite different. To start, gone is the resemblance to David Bowie. It’s best appreciated as a completely different story and character, since this series is written as a police procedural.

Now we join the series already in progress 😉

This is a case of a TV show where romance has blossomed as planned between its leads, the carefree and impulsive Lucifer Morningstar and the tough as nails Chloe Decker. Yes, romance was planned but now that it’s the next logic step, the show is backing away from it. Feels a bit like someone is trying to delay a possible occurrence of the infamous Moonlighting curse. The funny thing is that the issue that Lucifer actually has with the relationship is that he has deduced it was planned by his father, so he doesn’t believe that the detective’s feelings are her own but planted.

And so, we get what feels like a rather crass move. Lucifer has gone ahead and gotten married. Enter Mrs. Morningstar, Candy. Candy is an airhead that has a slight penchant for pointing out something in the right direction. That is your only clue, but it’s really easy to dismiss her for being the very incarnation of the blonde bombshell stereotype. You’d be wrong, but you’d be in good company.

Of course, there’s a murder (and a blatant shot of a Supergirl ad – really?) and Lucifer’s reappearance, which seems to completely disregard his past feelings with Chloe, doesn’t seem to help. Much less, when Candy shows up. Nobody is amused, least of all the detective. Meanwhile, Charlotte is fuming and she believes this could be some sort of plan to get back at his father trying to manipulate his life. The moment she says it, it sounds like pure paranoia. But hold on, she’s not far from the truth there. Eventually she believes she’s broken his son’s spirit and he’s just acting impulsively without a compass.

Is he really that careless? A short talk with Amenadiel reveals to us that Lucifer believes Chloe has been manipulated by God into loving him, and he’s trying to set her free. Flimsy, but there’s more coming ahead. Lucifer is not taking Chloe’s feeling into account because he believes them forced, but also he believes he’s taking them into account by making her get rid of them. And there’s one more ace still up Lucifer’s sleeve.

Persuaded by his brother, Lucifer finally talks to his mom. The conversation with Charlotte not only reveals more about Lucifer’s fall from grace, but the fact that he lost the battle because he lacked one divine weapon: the Flaming Sword once used to guard Eden. Charlotte even reveals that is the same sword that belongs to Azrael. Azrael is the Angel of Death, yet to appear in the show but mentioned as Uriel’s sister. This whole super-exposition-as-dialog is nothing but foreboding for a future episode. I think it would have fitted better on an episode with a different tone, but I guess all the information is going to be crucial really soon so they had to cram it in here in a hurry.

Best moment of the show for me was Lucifer taking the stage at a club where detective Decker is looking for Hannah. His super corny interpretation of “Eternal Flame” was just hilarious. I busted out laughing when one teenager next to Chloe pops up a lighter. The fact that the silly performance turns out to be a trick to find a suspect was a nice touch.

Highs/Lows/JuiceBarTanningSalonCombo:

The reveal at the end makes Candy a far more interesting character throughout. She’s quickly dismissed. Let everyone think you a fool. Yes, she’s a con artist that owes Lucifer a big favor.
Lucifer is trying to rid Chloe of her feelings for him because he believes his father put them there. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s going to turn out that didn’t happen and they were genuine from the start, but that’s the show’s excuse for driving them apart again.
I don’t think Lucifer is playing a fully honorable card here, but he’s playing it smart in the sense of challenging a destiny he finds tainted by divine manipulation. That being said, it still feels like a flimsy excuse to prolong the tension between him and Chloe.
Chloe lowering the teenager’s hand with the lighter. That killed me.
Chloe dressing up like Candy to talk to the mediator. That was so out of left field.
Charlotte thinking Candy is “the most formidable opponent I’ve ever faced.” And, in the end, being right.
Did we really had to showcase the Supergirl ad? Feels a bit lazy.
Ella Lopez describing hugging Lucifer: “squirmy on the outside but warm and fuzzy on the inside.” I just love Ella.
Mazikeen “Maze” looking at Candy and stating Lucifer has outdone himself this time.
And finally, Candy herself, if that is her real name. A great performance by Lindsay Gort.