Tori Brazier reviews the second episode of Lucifer season 3…
Episode three of Lucifer’s third season heralds a welcome return for demon Mazikeen, Lucifer’s right-hand woman, who essentially went off to “find herself” once she realised Lucifer wasn’t planning on returning to hell anytime soon. As a soulless being who had been sleeping with Lucifer’s brother, the archangel Amenadiel, it’s fair to assume she had a reasonable amount of issues through which to work.
Lesley-Ann Brandt clearly relishes the part of Maze – not only does she get to handle dangerous weapons and wear rather a large amount of black leather, but she also expertly channels capable ‘bad ass’ with her dry and unfrazzled delivery of lines, no matter what the topic. She also enjoys odd-couple friendships with (at this rate, group) therapist Linda (Rachael Harris), who makes great mortal foil to the celestial and demonic beings – they open the episode knocking back shots together at Lucifer’s bar – and Chloe’s daughter Trixie (Scarlett Estevez).
‘Mr. and Mrs. Mazikeen Smith’ sees Maze continue in her new role as a bounty hunter for the LAPD, and she’s determined to bring in the trickiest criminal on the run, suspected murderer Ben Rivers (Chris McKenna). Bringing her own special brand of overtly-sexualised interrogation to Canada, Maze heads off to track him down there. This allows Lucifer the chance to engage in some (deliberately – hopefully) heavy stereotyping of Canadians, and Maze to fluster the natives, who all wear patterned jumpers, work in log cabin ski resorts and are jolly sorts, apparently.
The ‘Mr. Mazikeen Smith’ turns out to be Rivers, as she and he strike up some highly flirtatious banter once she’s tracked him down. Naturally. There are handcuffs involved, too.
Back in Los Angeles, Chloe (Lauren German) is worried that Maze is being deceived by her mark, and that there are other reasons to her decision to skip off to Canada (particularly without any all-weather gear). Lucifer (Tom Ellis) works his special persuasion on Rivers’ lawyer to help uncover the truth, but other than that there is little for the usual central duo to do. Dan (Kevin Alejandro) is excused bring made the fool of this week, but that’s mainly because he’s off on holiday to Hawaii. The, um, ‘vibrant’ holiday shirt he wears to the police station before heading off is foolish enough on its own, though. He also proves his feelings for Chloe remain strong by turning up suspiciously in Canada on one of his ‘layovers’ to check on Maze for her. Bless.
There’s no room for any Lieutenant Pierce (Tom Welling), Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) or much Lucifer and Chloe really this week, and no developments with the identity or motives of Big Bad Mr. Sandman. What would normally be a frustrating turn of events, however, is excused by the entertainment of Maze, as well as some character development for the demon, who realises that she actually does belong at Lucifer’s side still, back in his nightclub Lux in LA.
Tori Brazier
