Lucifer: “My Little Monkey” Roundtable

This week’s episode of Lucifer was, ostensibly, about closing the book on Chloe’s father’s murder. In reality, it was a bit of a breather from the mythology as we reset and/or strengthened several platonic relationships. Let’s dive into “My Little Monkey”.

1. DOUCHIFER! It was mostly played for comic relief, but what did you think about Lucifer’s mimicry of Dan? Are you on board with that budding bromance?

Mynda: I completely surprised myself. They were great together!

Lisa: I really can’t believe how much I enjoyed them together. Pretty funny stuff.

Leah: So…I didn’t love it until after the improv class. Up to that point it seemed just weird. After they shared, while sitting on the stage, I could see it better. I don’t really care if they become friends or not but I need them to chose. Can’t be punching each other one week and friends the next

Cay: I thought it was interesting to get a bit of insight into both of them and it was entertaining enough. Both of them could probably use a bit of the other in them, although probably more Lucifer…

Melissa: At first it was funny, especially when Lucifer mimicked Dan’s swagger on the way into the improv class, but it ended up being rather poignant. They did get to know each other better which, I suppose, is a good thing. Still not sure if I’m on board with them being besties, though.

Karen: OMG I LOVE their new… thing. I tweet about it on Mondays, and Kevin Alejandro “likes” it – which makes me go all fangirly. So I’m pretty sure the actors are digging it too. Honestly, it may be comic relief, but Luci needs a friend right now. I could see him latching on to Dan pretty easily in MLM, and why not? Dan is easy to like. He said so! If Maze and Chloe can be friends, why not Douchifer. Danifer. Lucidouche?

2. Speaking of friendship, let’s talk about Maze and Linda. It took her a few tries, but Maze talked Linda out of the office and into a celebration. Thoughts on Maze’s persistence? Linda’s reactions?

Mynda: So happy Dr. Linda finally opened the door! Also surprised at how much I cared about her reaction. I would have been sorely disappointed if the good Doctor had not come round. I am proud of Maze’s persistence.

Lisa: I was so glad Dr. Linda open that door. I felt so bad for Maze! Maze was not giving up on her only friend and I was really moved by her performace during the door scene. Well done!

Leah: I love that Linda is Maze’s one true friend. Maze has come so far. I get why Linda is a little freaked out but I’m glad she finally came around.

Cay: You can’t blame Dr Linda, but I loved Maze’s comment that “nothing has changed”. It was kind a nice thing to think about in terms of accepting people for who they are – just because she knows who they really are, doesn’t change what she knows of them – they weren’t hiding their true selves in terms of their behavior, and honestly Lucifer was never hiding who he really was, she just wasn’t ready to believe them.

Melissa: I’m relieved that Dr. Linda recovered so quickly. It was absolutely necessary for her to struggle with Lucifer’s revelation, and her subsequent realization that Maze is a demon, but I did not what that to drag on and on. Now I’m curious what happens moving forward. If Dr. Linda accepts that truth about Lucifer and Maze (and Amenadiel), what does that look like? How does she counsel Lucifer? How does she be friends with Maze? Is she the one who convinces Chloe that Lucifer is telling the truth? So many questions!

Also, I’m delighted that Maze found her calling as a bounty hunter. That is the perfect job for her.

Karen: I’m so glad Linda’s hesitantly back on board. I mean, she had to have some kind of inkling that they might’ve been what they said, right? RIGHT? She’s supposed to be smart – they weren’t exactly hiding themselves from her. Anyway, I really want Linda to have her connection to Maze, and she needs to be back in Lucifer’s life. She was a constant for him, and right now he’s very lost.

3. We had some flashbacks to Chloe’s younger days, both the story she’d been told about her father’s death and her first day on the beat. What did we learn about her relationship with her father? Were you satisfied with the resolution regarding his death?

Mynda: Daddy issues are unfun.

Lisa: Yeah. Good ol’ Daddy issues. I felt bad for Chloe but I’m glad she found out the truth about her Dad’s killer and was able to have soem words with him. It probably didn’t help the pain, but at least justice was finally served.

Leah: Can I be honest? I forgot Chloe’s dad died in a shooting. I’m glad Chloe finally got the resolution she needed.

Melissa: I’d forgotten about that, too. I don’t think we’ve been shown that it’s a driving force for her as much as this episode wanted us to assume. I am glad that she got resolution, though, so it doesn’t drag out like other shows have done (*cough*Castle*cough*). It was also sweet to see that a lot of how she parents Trixie seems to come from her relationship with her Dad.

Cay: I’m glad she got closure. It definitely offered the opportunity for comparison between her and Lucifer.

Karen: It wasn’t a burning curiosity for me tbh. I don’t really want another “Mombatross” (*cough*Castle*cough*), so I’m good with the resolution. She seems to be fairly satisfied with the answer, and the Administrator is definitely going to get his karma twisted in prison. She’ll never really be vindicated, although Maze and Luci being there for her was quite heartwarming in a bloodthirsty sort of way. I liked the flashbacks, especially knowing that Chris Payne Gilbert (John Decker) is married to Lesley-Ann Brandt irl. I like knowing she had a good parental relationship, especially after seeing her with her mother last season.

4. This episode finally brought us back to the oddly intimate friendship between Chloe and Lucifer (and Trixie and Lucifer) that was so appealing in season 1. Will it remain a focus? Why are we coming back to it now?

Mynda: I loved it! The juxtaposition between the two is enchanting! More please!

Lisa: Loved it! I want more (especially Trixie and Luci). Trixie loves him so much and he just doesn’t know how to handle her. It’s hilarious!

Leah: Can we for the love of all that is good for back to Luci and Chloe. I think that is my problem with this season so far. I just want them to do back to working towards…something. Hopefully this will continue.

Cay: Hopefully Luci is out of the worst of his funk for a bit, he was getting super annoying to Chloe and viewers both. I do enjoy them together, I hope they remain platonic, though.

Melissa: I didn’t realize until I saw it that this part of the Chloe/Lucifer dynamic is what I’ve been missing this season. Chloe trusts him in the same way Trixie does, seemingly without logic or reason. She’s always been comfortable with him, and that chemistry between them was a huge part of the show’s appeal for me. More of that, please! (P.S. How much did they look like a happy family around the kitchen island in that last scene?)

Karen: We needed to come back to the Chloe/Lucifer relationship; it’s the heart of the show, right? That hug… *sigh* That’s not even a romantic swoony sigh either. I liked how he looked so lost until he realized she just needed him to hold her for a minute. Maybe that’ll teach him a little about letting his own issues go, either via Linda or Chloe. I absolutely love Trixie with both Maze and Lucifer. She’s 100% honest and herself with both of them, and doesn’t give a crap about who they are either. It’s just a “I like you no matter what” thing between them, and it’s probably one of my favorite parts of the show.

5. MVP?

Mynda: Can’t believe I am typing this. Kevin Alejandro.

Lisa: Ouch. Mynda I know that was hard for you. 🙂 Well I’m surprising myself too because my MVP this week is Chloe. Wow.

Leah: I’m going with Maze. She found what she loved to do. Is getting paid for it. Talked a friend out of her locked office and really is starting to be her own “person”.

Cay: Maze/Dr. Linda – they had the scenes that really affected me emotionally, even with Chloe’s emotional journey with her dad.

Melissa: I’m going with Lucifer for his attempts to copy Dan, and his reasons for doing so, and his interactions with Chloe and Trixie. Runners up are Chloe and Dan (his Lucifer impression was amazing!).

Karen: Lauren German got a very nice, meaty part for once, so I’ll give her MVP this week, but I’d like to give Kevin Alejandro a shout-out for his impression of Tom Ellis.

6. Fav scenes?

Mynda: GORGEOUS moment at the end between Trixie, Luci and Chloe!

Lisa: I loved when Maze was torturing Chloe’s father’s killer. She was like “I was bored!” I love her. She kicks major ass.

Leah: Maze and Linda talking through the door at the end.

Cay: Maze working as a bounty hunter is the perfect career for her!

Melissa: Chloe turning to Lucifer for comfort, and him providing said comfort without sexualizing it. Dan imitating Lucifer. Lucifer imitating Dan. Maze going all bounty hunter on the bad guy.

7. Fav lines?

Cay:

“There’s no way you can help me right now. You’re…you.” — Chloe

“I’m going to learn how to douche…I might have to rephrase that.” – Luci

“Look who bought a ticket to the gun show. Divorce becomes you, Detective.” – Luci

Melissa:

“I knew you were a hugger!” – Ella

Karen:

Lucifer: “I had to stop for a costume change.”
Dan: “Nice jacket.”
>Lucifer: “Thank you.”
Dan: “Oh, man, what the hell? Are you here to work, or are you here to play games?”
Lucifer: “I’ll have you know I take the School of Dan quite seriously, even if it does involve skinny-fit jeans.”

Lucifer: “Never fear, Luci-Dan is here. Or is it Douche-ifer? Actually, it’s got more of a ring to it, hasn’t it?”
Chloe: “Why are you two dressed the same?”
Dan: “Don’t ask.”

Lucifer: “Do you mind if I play the me’s advocate for just a second?”

Chloe (to Lucifer): “If I’m gonna take this guy down, I need my partner and that’s you.”

Lucifer airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.