Have you ever imagined what would happen if the devil decided to leave Hell and vacation on Earth? Well, Fox has. Monday, Jan. 25, Fox premiered its long awaited, most-talked about show, “Lucifer.” Adapted from the comic book character of the same name in the series “The Sandman” created by Neil Gaiman and then spun off into his own DC comic series, Lucifer finds himself quitting Hell and choosing to spend his leisure time on Earth. The “lord of hell” takes up residence in Los Angeles as a nightclub owner, appropriately called Lux.
For the most part, Lucifer Morningstar (played by British actor Tom Ellis), nails it as a charming, handsome, and of course seductive protagonist. After witnessing a friend who just happens to be a famous pop star (AnnaLynne McCord), get murdered in a drive-by shooting that occurs outside of his nightclub, Lucifer starts to feel the effects of a person filled with guilt. This surge of remorse leads him to meet Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German), a woman who looks like she’d rather be anywhere than taking advice from the cynical devil. The two together are less like Holmes and Watson and more like a clumsy, half-hearted duo that are partners despite their obvious differences. As of right now, it works for them. Throughout the show, Lucifer constantly tells Chloe that he’s not just an average guy and she constantly reminds him that she doesn’t believe him. Their buddy-cop dynamic is corny but considering the circumstances, it can be somewhat seen as realistic.
The two eventually find the pop star’s killer (her ex-manager, of course) and stop him, but not before we get to see what Lucifer really looks like. Lucifer grabs the manager and pushes him against a mirror, showing us the red, evil face of, well, the devil. It’s a good move for Fox to remind the viewers that the devil is not supposed this charming, handsome, man but rather a very menacing and evil creature.
“Lucifer” has the potential to be a rather great show, and much of it has to do with Ellis’ portrayal of the character. But with characters like Amenadiel (played by D.B. Woodside) slowing the show’s progress by failing to make a point of proving why his presence is relevant, it makes it hard to find the good in “Lucifer.” Overall, if the writers continue to play on Lucifer’s battle with “good versus evil,” it could find its footing and prove that the show was worth the long wait.
