LUCIFER Roundtable: “Favorite Son”

Well, well, well…we have a lot to unpack about our favorite fallen angel from this week’s episode of Lucifer. What initially appeared to be a “boring” robbery/homicide case turned far more interesting when it was revealed that the robbery involved “personal items” belonging to Lucifer.

In this week’s roundtable, we join Dr. Linda in diving into Lucifer’s psyche, and we’re as confused as she is.

First things first, did you suspect his “personal items” were his wings? Does seeing them make the supernatural element of this show feel more real?

Leah: I had no idea they were his wings that were missing and I do feel like that brought some of the supernatural into it. I’m still iffy though on why he had to take them “off”. We’ve seen Amenadiel hide his around humans. Why couldn’t Lucifer just do that?

Stacey: I had a suspicion. I don’t think there’s anything more personal to him than his wings. I think seeing the wings brings a new layer, and a new supernatural player. Because I think whoever stole them isn’t someone we’ve met yet.

Lisa: I had no idea that his personal items were his wings. I felt bad for Luci once I saw them. It definitely made the supernatural element of this show feel real.

Melissa: Wings were not even on my radar as the possible personal item. I was vaguely imagining some sort of amulet or vessel in which Lucifer keeps…souls? I don’t know, it was all pretty hazy. Having Lucifer be so serious about something all of a sudden threw me off. And yes, this definitely brings the supernatural element of the show to the surface. They’ve been slowly showing us who Lucifer really is behind the charming facade; between the wings and the encounter on the rooftop, this week’s episode revealed a lot.

Technically Lucifer didn’t lie to Chloe about what was in the container, but he also didn’t tell her the whole truth. Why not? He’s been so open with her about his identity, why couldn’t/wouldn’t he tell her exactly what was stolen?

Leah: His wings being stolen really shook him. He jokes about almost everything else but these are way too personal. He doesn’t seem ready to come clean on that level yet.

Stacey: He’s so open about his identity, but those wings are incredibly sensitive to him. Also – I just thought of this – it’s fascinating that he doesn’t keep them with him. They are locked away in a storage space, not safely locked at home. If he can’t face the wings himself, then he definitely can’t tell the person he cares about about them.

Lisa: I don’t think he told Chloe about his wings because he is a combination of being ashamed and embarrassed. As much as he tries to act like he does not care, he truly values Chloe’s opinion and would not want to feel judged by her in any way.

Melissa: I’m still not sure why he didn’t tell Chloe. Maybe it would be definitive proof that he is the devil, and he didn’t want her to have that proof? Or is it simply another part of himself that is too personal and therefore not open for discussion, like his relationship with his father?

Dr. Linda’s take on Lucifer’s explusion from Heaven – that it’s a “gift” and he is his father’s “favorite son” – is an interesting perspective, apparently fed to her by Amenadiel. What do you think, is it the truth or is the “pure” one using a human to manipulate his brother?

Leah: I think Amenadiel was hoping to feed into what he perceives as Lucifer’s narcissism. I think it’s manipulation. Amenadiel is willing to do whatever it takes to get Lucifer back where he thinks he belongs. I’d like to know if this mission is something Amenadiel is doing on his own or if God sent him. It seems sketchy to me that he never says anything like, “Father says….” He says, “You just have to go back…” and I’ve gotten off topic.

Stacey: Oh man- that was such a great scene. And an interesting take on the devil’s expulsion from heaven. I think it’s all a manipulation. I really think Amenadiel needs to get Lucifer back to hell more for his own sake than Lucifer’s.

Lisa: I think there may be some truth to it, but Chocolate Angel is definitely using Dr. Linda for his own agenda. He knows exactly what he wants Lucifer to do and it seems like he will do whatever it takes to get his way. Even if his actions are not so pure.

Melissa: That was a fascinating take on the “fall from Heaven” story, and with what we know of Lucifer’s daddy issues, a powerful tool to delve into his psyche. Amenadiel is manipulating Lucifer through Dr. Linda, definitely, but we’ve also seen her desire to truly help him, so I think we were seeing a skilled psychiatrist at work as well. Did you notice that by the end, Lucifer seemed to want to go back to hell? He was upset because he didn’t have “them” so he couldn’t return. Talk about a breakthrough!

This is at least the second time we’ve seen Dr. Linda forgo payment in favor of digging deeper into Lucifer’s psyche. How long until she realizes that Lucifer really is who he says he is? How long until she figures out that her new colleague is a fake?

Leah: Dr. Linda is not an idiot. She is going to have to figure this out pretty soon. On both accounts. Pretty, overly helpful men are never not up to something.

Stacey: I feel like some small part of her already believes Lucifer and just doesn’t want to admit it. She wants this to be a metaphor. I felt like she seemed suspicious when Amenadiel appeared at the door right after Lucifer left, but apparently not ’cause then she told him everything. I’m hoping it doesn’t take her too long – because I trust nothing about Amenadiel. If he keeps overplaying his hand, she might grow suspicious sooner rather than later.

Lisa: Well she got a taste of who Lucifer really is when he punched that wall! I think she’s going to be in the dark for a little bit longer, but I hope she starts to pick up on the fact that her new colleague may not be who he appears to be. I hope she starts to get a little suspicious. She’s a smart girl and appears to be perceptive so I hope the writers do not dumb her down.

Melissa: She has to be close to figuring it out! The more she participates in Lucifer’s “delusion”, the faster I think she’ll put the pieces together. I can’t wait to see how Rachael Harris plays Dr. Linda once she realizes the truth.

Favorite scene or line?

Leah: “We were like fish and chips, salt and pepper, hipsters and condescension.” – Lucifer to Chloe about their working relationship

Stacey: Tom Ellis. Piano. Dyinggggg
Trixie. Chocolate cake. Stop it.

Lisa: I loved in the beginning when Lucifer was singing in the club. It totally made me want to see a Lucifer musical.

Melissa: The wing reveal gave me goosebumps, from the shot of Lucifer’s scarred back to the bloodied wings and back again.

MVP of this episode?

Leah: I’m giving it to Dt. Douche. He had a lot to do this episode and came to a much needed revelation about his relationship with Chloe.

Stacey: Hmmm- I’m gonna go with the devil himself this week. Lucifer for the win.

Lisa: Luci himself of course, with Trixie as a close second.

Melissa: Lucifer wins it this week. Excellent work, Mr. Ellis.

Lucifer airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.