Tori Brazier reviews the tenth episode of Lucifer season three…
*Spoiler alert* It’s a bit of a tangled web to negotiate this episode as the writers plan to deceive over the true identity of criminal the Sinnerman (Kevin Carroll) right until the final few moments of Lucifer’s mid-season finale.
In lighter relief, Dan (Kevin Alejandro) and new D.A. lawyer Charlotte (Tricia Helfer) grow close again with the help of a mischievous Trixie (Scarlett Estevez) (or “the best wingman ever”, as her father puts it). Forensic scientist Ella (Aimee Garcia) also gets carried away with supporting her boss, Lieutenant Pierce (Tom Welling), when she learns of his brother’s murder at the hands of the Sinnerman through Chloe (Lauren German) – her excitement at aiding a tragic soul is palpable and endearing.
With the Sinnerman in custody and Lucifer (Tom Ellis) itching to cross-examine him, it all seems a little too straightforward at the beginning of this episode – until it’s not. With the inclusion of a roller derby rivalry (very Drew Barrymore’s Whip It), the girls’ fierce (and potentially deadly) competitiveness seemingly points to the involvement of a mysterious accomplice of the Sinnerman when Maggie (Britt Baron) – newly promoted to lead – suddenly vanishes in a suspected kidnap. After it transpires that the abduction was a set-up, this roller skating red herring simply allows for Lucifer and the Sinnerman to converse in more private surroundings. Disappearing from under Pierce and Chloe’s gaze, after being smuggled out of police custody in order to assist with the derby dead end, the Sinnerman is taken by Lucifer to his aptly named ‘Sin Bin’ (in reality a rather fancy villa in Southern California). The expected confrontation ensues, with assistance from Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) as Hell’s premier torturer – although the Sinnerman’s mortal roots muddy the waters as it is forbidden for an angel to kill a human. With Lucifer keen to shed his wings and regain his Devil face, however, this is less of an issue for the fallen angel…
The Sinnerman’s desperation for death though, has Lucifer questioning his power and purpose – but the criminal is shot in a tussle as Pierce and Chloe catch up to Lucifer’s plan before he can learn more. With the Sinnerman gone, this leaves quite a big hole to fill with ‘Big Bad’ of this season – until a piece of photographic evidence has Lucifer realising that the Sinnerman was the accomplice himself. And to whom? Someone with inside knowledge, details of Lucifer’s life, possibly a motive – and a tattoo that’s maybe covering a distinctive birthmark. This someone, following a rather risky move on Lucifer’s part by plunging a knife through his heart, turns out to be Kane – Kane Pierce that is, LAPD lieutenant and sibling to a murdered brother (*cough* Cain and Abel *cough*).
Meanwhile, Chloe and Lucifer have a relationship to repair (both professional and personal need definition), Dan and Charlotte one to revisit, Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) and Linda (Rachael Harris) one to experiment with, and Kane and Lucifer (and most likely, God) have a relationship to hash-out. Adding a biblical reference usually steers Lucifer down a more imaginative and structured path, which could prove promising once the season resumes after its holiday hiatus.
Tori Brazier
