Fox’s Lucifer kicks off season one on January 25, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT with an episode that sets up why Lucifer Morningstar is on Earth instead of playing with people’s souls down in Hell. Based on the Vertigo comic by Neil Gaiman, Lucifer is played by Tom Ellis who delivers a sexy, devilishly charming character you want to root for despite the fact he’s the Devil. It’s because of Ellis’ ability to alternately show he’s having fun with the character and display the dangerous side of the role that makes this new Fox series worth checking out.
Lucifer now owns a nightclub in Los Angeles because where else would the Devil hang out on Earth than in LA? He’s enjoying meddling in the lives of mortals but seems a little bored until he meets up with a detective named Chloe (Chicago Fire’s Lauren German) who instantly fascinates/frustrates him, leading him to find his calling on Earth: to help solve crimes. He’s actually the right guy for the job because of his unique ability to make people confess their deepest, darkest desires.
If, aside from the bizarre crime-fighting Devil on Earth twist, Lucifer sounds like it’s taking a road-too-traveled approach to storytelling, just know that the three episodes provided for review show Lucifer won’t just be your standard police procedural. He has real daddy issues, is a sexual beacon to all women with the exception of Chloe, and he even spends time talking to a psychologist (Rachael Harris) who attempts to help him figure out who he really is and what’s the real reason he’s hanging out in LA and refusing to go home. It’s a ‘sex in return for therapy’ relationship that hopefully will be explored further throughout season one. Harris and Ellis work well off of each other and the side plot of the Devil in therapy could lead to some very interesting reveals.
Lucifer’s not the only otherworldly creature who will be popping in and out of the show. Series regular Lesley-Ann Brandt plays Mazikeen (aka Maze), Lucifer’s badass right-hand woman who always knows where her boss is and is dedicated to keeping him safe. Amenadiel (played by D.B. Woodside) pops in and out, spreading his massive wings and demanding Lucifer get back to the business of running Hell. Neither character is developed much in the first few episodes, but it’s likely the series will delve further into their stories after the writers have finished setting up Lucifer’s motivations and desires.
Lucifer will remain worth watching as long as it doesn’t succumb to the overused crime of the week trope and instead continues to focus on Lucifer’s struggle to come to terms with why he felt the need to take a vacation from Hell in the first place. Ellis’ approach to the character is the right mix of mischief and danger, and hopefully, the writers will take full advantage of his sex appeal and take the show into racier territory.
GRADE: B
