REVIEWED: SEASON 5 (PART 1) | WHERE TO WATCH: NETFLIX
Moving to Netflix remains the best thing that ever happened to Lucifer. Now, let’s be clear: Lucifer is not a good show. What it is, is fun. The premise is ridiculous, the acting is (mostly) so bad it’s good, everyone is incredibly attractive and, best of all, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Yet despite all that, Season 5 still stagnates.
Hence why the show being rehomed to Netflix was perfect. Ideal for binge-watching while browsing the ASOS sale on your phone, one can allow themselves to succumb to Tom Ellis’ devilish charm and emerge two days later with only a hazy memory of what unfolded over those eight episodes. Meanwhile, the showrunners’ insistence that Lucifer stick to its procedural structure continues to weight it down. With every hour that ticks by, Lucifer uses yet another dull, forgettable case to work through his personal issues. The show has always been at its best when focusing on its main characters’ relationships and personal conflicts. And yet, aside from Lesley Ann-Brandt’s solid performance as Maze, Season 5 lacks even that – which is impressive considering Lucifer’s evil twin brother gets thrown into the mix.
Every character appears stuck in their own Hell loop: Lucifer is terrified of intimacy and keeps mishandling every relationship; Chloe continues to receive zero character development; Ella’s love life is comically awful; Amenadiel worries; Linda gives advice then gets ignored; Dan is the butt of the joke. Did we just describe every season so far? Lucifer has its funny moments, but Season 5 could absolutely have used a few more. Maybe God can keep Part 2 from dragging.
