caitri | Lots of Thoughts on Lucifer

In the wake of the show's cancellation and because I was in dire need of a break, I rewatched/binged all three seasons over a couple of weeks. (Easy enough to do when two seasons are basically half seasons.) To my surprise, the episode arcs I found the weakest, especially in S2 and the first part of S3, are much less wobbly when binged than when watched one hour a week. At the same time, some of the weaker plot points/holes show up in starker relief, eg. Amenadiel's insistence at the beginning of S2 that a sample of Lucifer's blood can't be tested because it would be proof of the divine and thus damaging to humanity, and then in mid-S3 he goes to the doctor like nbd and gets a false chlamydia diagnosis. And I guess you could argue that by S3 Amenadiel is functionally human? No wings, etc. (But also...where does he live? Where do his clothes come from?) But still.

ANYWAY, what struck me is how the show's big theme is about acceptance, both of one's self and of others, and that a lot of the great character moments happen around this theme. For example, when Mazikeen shows Trixie her demon-face, and Maze's relief at Trixie's delighted and heartfelt "COOL!" (Also can we talk about how in S3 at some point Maze made Trixie a pink and glittery set of demon blades and was teaching her self-defense? New headcanon that at some point Trixie told Maze about how she got kidnapped and S1 and Maze was all "Imma teach you how to never get hurt ever again!" with srs demon mama-bear feels.) Lucifer's ambivalence around his role as Lord of Hell, but at the same time his sincere love of justice. Amenadiel's plot of letting go of the idea of being the perfect son. And so on.

Also, every character has their own arc, including the minor characters. Dan starts the show as a corrupt cop and a not great husband, and by the end everything he does is for justice; I also like that after the divorce, he and Chloe are sincerely good friends who look out for each other. Ella got the least development, but in one of the final "bonus" episodes that were meant for S4 we learn about her friendship with a ghost...who is really the Angel of Death...and her fear of being herself, eg. someone who does have this relationship with the supernatural. Her relief when she tells Chloe, who believes her and is the first one to do so, is a beautiful moment. Ditto when she goes into science geek mode to Lucifer and then apologizes to him, and he's like, "No no, keep going, tell me more," and it was JUST SO ADORABLE.

I also love the representation: Lucifer may be the main character, but over half the recurring cast were POC, several characters were bi like nbd, and all of the women are well-written, individual characters who are genuinely interesting.

I just love this show so much and still have hope that at some point it could get picked up somewhere. The CW would be ideal because then they could have a random crossover and Constantine could show up and it would just be great.*wistful sigh*