Loveable Lord of Hell
Maxim Trevelyan
March 2016
I never thought that I would write those four words in the same sentence, but the show Lucifer makes you do just that. One of Fox network's newest series, Lucifer is, by one description, an American fantasy police procedural comedy-drama. A lot of words for a show that just aired its eighth episode of the first season.
Now, a thing you have to know about me is that I am very picky about TV shows, movies and books. If it does not interest me after two episodes, 30 minutes or two chapters, I never watch or read it again. As a consumer, I am more partial to fantasy, magical realism and sci-fi, so I have seen quite a few Satan, Lucifer, or whatever you want to call him, adaptations, with most focusing on ancient, evil or downright vicious side of him. It is quite refreshing to see something different, almost an another side of him, that of a sassy, pouting and tired lord of hell.
I think the show's title card sums up its premise quite nicely. ''In the beginning... The angel Lucifer was cast out of Heaven and condemned to rule Hell for all eternity. Until he decided to take a vacation...'' That vacation was in the city of Los Angeles, where Lucifer became the owner of a nightclub called Lux. When a girl for whom he once did a favor (as Devil often does, for a price) gets shot in a drive-by shooting in his presence, Lucifer is determined to find her killer. He crosses paths with an LAPD detective investigating the same case, while also dealing with his most loyal demon bodyguard and a pesky angel urging him to return back to Hell.
It has been a while since a show pulled me in from the first few minutes as this one did. Tom Ellis does a terrific job portraying all the charm and devilishness that is expected from the character, peppered of course with glints of evil. It is a procedural drama and according to most of its nay-sayers that makes it boring, but I disagree. You get to see Lucifer solve crimes, but it is not monotone, nor does it get old, as with some shows like Law & Order. It also has a great sense of humor, especially when Lucifer is interacting with children.
I urge all readers to take some time to watch at least one episode of the show to see if it is your cup of tea or not. However, be warned, it is not appropriate for people under age of 15 as it shows violence, graphic language and some sexual (though not explicit) situations. Enjoy!
Now, a thing you have to know about me is that I am very picky about TV shows, movies and books. If it does not interest me after two episodes, 30 minutes or two chapters, I never watch or read it again. As a consumer, I am more partial to fantasy, magical realism and sci-fi, so I have seen quite a few Satan, Lucifer, or whatever you want to call him, adaptations, with most focusing on ancient, evil or downright vicious side of him. It is quite refreshing to see something different, almost an another side of him, that of a sassy, pouting and tired lord of hell.
I think the show's title card sums up its premise quite nicely. ''In the beginning... The angel Lucifer was cast out of Heaven and condemned to rule Hell for all eternity. Until he decided to take a vacation...'' That vacation was in the city of Los Angeles, where Lucifer became the owner of a nightclub called Lux. When a girl for whom he once did a favor (as Devil often does, for a price) gets shot in a drive-by shooting in his presence, Lucifer is determined to find her killer. He crosses paths with an LAPD detective investigating the same case, while also dealing with his most loyal demon bodyguard and a pesky angel urging him to return back to Hell.
It has been a while since a show pulled me in from the first few minutes as this one did. Tom Ellis does a terrific job portraying all the charm and devilishness that is expected from the character, peppered of course with glints of evil. It is a procedural drama and according to most of its nay-sayers that makes it boring, but I disagree. You get to see Lucifer solve crimes, but it is not monotone, nor does it get old, as with some shows like Law & Order. It also has a great sense of humor, especially when Lucifer is interacting with children.
I urge all readers to take some time to watch at least one episode of the show to see if it is your cup of tea or not. However, be warned, it is not appropriate for people under age of 15 as it shows violence, graphic language and some sexual (though not explicit) situations. Enjoy!