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As one of those rare television shows that gets a cancellation and then picked up for a final act by a streaming service, Lucifer is in high-demand and ultimately has a lot of expectations to live up to. Part B of the series finale sets off fireworks but loses the momentum of sparks in the grand finale.
Tom Ellis’ Lucifer Morningstar shows the complexity of good and evil that resides in all of us – even the devil himself. He struggles with understanding his place on Earth and accepting the possibility that his Father made him just a tiny bit selfless and loving. Sibling rivalries aside, the goal of this second half is for Lucifer to accept his big heart, while God ponders who could rule the Universe after he’s tired of Earthling whiners. One of the deepest buddy-cop shows we’ve ever seen.
Where We Left Off
We pick up with God’s (Dennis Haysbert, Mr. Allstate) grand entrance in the precinct, essentially breaking up a fight between his bratty children, Lucifer and his more evil twin, Michael, both played by the illustrious Ellis and a rather convincing accent. Whether you’re a “believer” (not the Justin Bieber kind) or not, God’s presence offers audiences to reflect on the what ifs and catch the endless quippy religion references.
Words cannot convey how incredible Ellis is in these final episodes. Not only does Lucifer navigate the challenges of becoming a rising Angel or giving in to what he believes to be his predetermined fate of a loveless, cold-hearted, forever lonely beau; Ellis quickly pivots into pure darkness within Michael’s character as if he had his own real-life twin. None of the complaints with this ending revolve around his performance(s).
It wouldn’t be Lucifer without the Devil’s Queen front and center. And while Detective Decker (Lauren German) is working to say that special four-letter word and hear it back, Lucifer’s focus seems to be elsewhere, caught in this familial war. Decker is what all significant others should strive to be: patient, kind and right there if needed. To add to her frazzled brain, Decker is forced to reconcile with her preconceived notions related to her mom and dad, while balancing a smart and sassy little Trixie (Scarlett Estevez), what she envisions her future to look like, and what it means to really address guilt and grief. I told you… deep, right?
The Devil Loves Everyone
One of the elements that Lucifer fans will appreciate most is the writers’ intentionality in giving each of our beloved characters their own, personal send-off episode. From Dan (Kevin Alejandro) and Linda (Rachel Harris) to Ella (Aimee Garcia) and Mazikeen (Lesley-Ann Brandt), the focus is on the entirety of the cast, not just Detective Decker, Lucifer and Michael, or God.
Ella’s story might be my personal favorite because Aimee Garcia displays such kindness and gentleness, while shifting focus to her inner turmoil. Lest we not forget her taste in men has left her in a dark basement emotionally. Garcia pierces our hearts with her radiant personality and the empathy it creates when things aren’t all “Sunny in the Precinct” for her character. Ella’s struggle with God resurfaces, with an added layer of hilarity seeing as He’s walking around the precinct like a sweet old grandad. And, of course, Lucifer‘s costume designers never fail to give us the endless perfection that is Ella’s shirts.
While Mazikeen is doing her best to avoid being stuck in Hell as a prisoner, her love life seems to be on a roller coaster of sorts, the fate of which is surely determined by the end. However, a moment of appreciation for Lesley-Ann Brandt’s awe-inducing and badass fight scene choreography. Seriously, we need an award for this.
Dan and Linda both have stories of their own, but I’ll leave you to those. You’ll thank me later. Regardless, it is absolutely satisfying to spend so much time with these characters who get their own episodes devoted to them, who mean so much to viewers, while seamlessly tying back to the overarching plot of the concluding season.
The Devil is in the Details
Now, despite so many positive marks on this closing, it’s time you read some sad news. It’s not all bad, I promise. However, the final conclusion does feel mighty rushed and is left quite open-ended. Again, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to use your imagination, but it didn’t feel as intentional as the writers likely intended. The addition of a mere one episode could have resolved this issue. Most of our characters receive some form of closure, but there are certainly still some strings left untied.
With that said, do not let that single paragraph deter you from finishing out Lucifer. It is well worth a viewing and repeat viewings, just be prepared that the final extended episode feels slightly rushed and isn’t neatly tied with a bow.
Lucifer‘s final season does the series justice with humor, love, death, some gritty fight scenes (thanks Netflix!), and one of the most fun and clever musical episodes, and is riddled with a talented cast hyped all the way up, offering their Sunday best. As it turns out, the devil ain’t so bad after all.
Lucifer Season 5 Part B premieres May 28, 2021 on Netflix
Starring Tom Ellis and Lauren German