Tori Brazier reviews the thirteenth episode of Lucifer season three…
As we settle back into what is – hopefully – a regularly scheduled pattern for Lucifer, so ‘’Til Death Do Us Part’ proves to be an episode that really channels the fun of Lucifer without becoming too silly. It brings more of the saucy and flippant mood that suits not only the series as a whole but also Tom Ellis’ performance as Lucifer.
Now it has become clear exactly why Tom Welling joined the show as such a seemingly bland and beige character, and now he’s had an episode in his newly-revealed status as Cain and opportunity to brood and rail at the universe, he can truly get suck in. It certainly brings a welcome further dimension to his character and his acting, now he is in cahoots with Lucifer and spending more time with him. The relief of being truly revealed to one person is palpable, even if Pierce wouldn’t realise himself. Lucifer enjoys probing him with pointed questions – in an effort to find out more about him – during this week’s case, the devil’s gleeful mode being one Ellis always turns to particularly well.
This episode’s case makes for an enjoyable sub-plot, with a Stepford–Wives-meets-Breaking–Bad element as the LAPD investigate the murder of a chemistry teacher who was pushed into a wood chipper. It happens in an affluent, safe area – or at least it was – with Chloe (Lauren German) and Dan (Kevin Alejandro) even looking at buying there pre-divorce. As their ‘first on the scene’ status rules them out of going undercover when drug involvement is uncovered, Lucifer happily pushes himself and Pierce forward to portray a couple who’ve just bought together in the neighbourhood. It could be construed as rather cheap to have this as a joke, but the writing focuses more on Lucifer wanting to play the suburban host with flair and then the neighbour from hell, whilst getting underneath Pierce’s skin and enjoying his discomfort. Jumpers tied around necks are probably a stereotypical step too far, though.
Lucifer also has another particularly great scene this week when he convinces a Korean crime boss to admit to any and all felonies and be as helpful as possible to the police in their enquiries. Even though he is not responsible for the chemist’s murder, it transpires he’s happy to do however much time in exchange for his ex-employee’s first class recipe that brought him so much business. Lucifer naturally leaked it to him from evidence as a sweetener – and as a connoisseur of the best quality narcotics himself…
Lucifer continues to juggle its swelling cast of characters well, picking up and putting down storylines where and when appropriate. Linda (Rachael Harris) and Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) get a rest this week after last episode’s giving into temptation with one another, and so Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) has a moment to shine again – especially handy when you’re trying to work out how to kill Cain and she just happens to be Hell’s premier torturer. The demon also develops an attraction to Charlotte (Tricia Helfer), which would usually be more than a bit gimmicky – but Brandt sells it, including during an enjoyably awkward date she crashes between Charlotte and Dan, happy to make her intentions clear. To give kudos to the writing team too, the explanation is weirdly logical – in Lucifer land. She can smell the pain and torment on her, reminding the demon of her cosy home in hell. You also can’t help but automatically file through previous episodes in your mind, wondering how these two characters have never met before.
Although the episode finishes with Pierce agreeing to allow Lucifer to attempt to saw him to death (even if it – along with a myriad of other imaginative methods – has not worked in the past), there’s still clearly some way to go until these two will work out how – if even possible – they can outsmart God. With Chloe confirming that she and Pierce shared a moment (you know the kind) together earlier in the series too, you know that Welling must be in it for the long haul.
Tori Brazier
