In the Fall of 2015, audiences were introduced to the indelible Lucifer Morningstar. For the next three years his portrayer, Tom Ellis, and his fellow gifted castmates brought us this complex story of the Devil finding his place in the real world. Everything was building towards one big moment when Lucifer would finally reveal himself to Chloe (Lauren German). It was always thought that at that moment the next chapter of the series would truly begin. On May 14, 2018, that moment finally came. At the end of A Devil of My Word the big reveal was made and the season faded to black. Then the devastating news came that FOX had inexplicably canceled Lucifer.
What should have been the start of a new chapter suddenly looked like the end of the story. It was devastating not just to the cast, but to their entire audience. Then something unbelievable and quite magical happened. It was almost like divine intervention because without warning and without prompt a tsunami of fans united and a fan campaign began. True to his nature, Ellis jumped at the opportunity and took charge of the war to save Lucifer. He was like a seasoned general taking his place at the front of the battle lines. He was swiftly joined by the cast and the creative team. This group was not going to get canceled without one Hell (pun intended) of a fight. And fight they did.
Hope was not lost, yet fans had been here before with other shows to disappointing results, so everyone was watching with bated breath. The cast didn't stop fighting and the fans never quieted down. The collective voice of cast, crew, and audience had to be louder than ever and news emerged that there was interest in the show from other sources. Just because there was interest didn't mean that a deal would be made. The fight continued right up until the big announcement that Lucifer had indeed beaten the odds and been resurrected by its new home, Netflix.
All of that led to May 8, 2019, when the season that almost never was debuted on Netflix. For many, there were nerves going into viewing this season. Would it be a different show? Would it still be the Lucifer everyone fell in love with? The cast reassured everyone that they would stick to the core values of the series, but until one sees for themselves it's easy to worry. But all worry was quickly seen to be unwarranted. The creator, writers, and cast held true to their promise to not break from the core of what the show was about. Season 4 was everything that made people fall in love with Lucifer back in 2015 and so much more.
Fan campaigns to save canceled shows have a terrible rate of failure. This was a beautiful success story that was only made possible by an unprecedented union between those involved with the show and the fans who loved it. Here at SpoilerTV, the site was heavily present in the #SaveLucifer campaign. As such, several writers wanted to also weigh in on this season. So below we'll look back at each of the ten Season 4 episodes from the perspective of several of our reviewers.
4x1 - Everything's Okay (Review by Ellys Cartin)
Everything's Okay because Netflix saved Lucifer, the character Lucifer accepted personal accountability, Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) reconciled with Linda (Rachael Harris), and the new season opens with Ellis sitting at a piano and stealing our souls with a goosebump-inducing rendition of Creep. Those first moments are especially wonderful, as a smooth but rapid series of lighting and costume and hair changes show the passing of time. Ellis ends the song with a quivering note, as you see that Lucifer is dealing with something intense. After Chloe saw Lucifer, really saw him for the first time, there was no time for her to react because the police and paramedics arrived. As the season opens, she has been gone for an entire month and hasn't sent postcards. When Chloe does return, though, she casually walks onto the latest murder scene and gives Lucifer the most placid gaze of all time. Lucifer tries to project aspects of his and Chloe's new dynamic onto the case, in hopes of getting some clarification on how she really feels. He's so unsettled by her lack of response that he makes every attempt to provoke a reaction. He exhibits his devilish powers with extra emphasis on "devil" any chance he gets. The strongest response he gets from Chloe is bemusement, with one significant exception. Chloe eventually comes to see him, sitting beside him at the piano and listening with genuine tenderness when he tells her that the devil isn't all that he is. It's one of the bravest and softest confessions we've ever seen Lucifer make. Our hearts are broken by Chloe's gentle, understanding response that we know is not completely honest.
German gives us a myriad of subtle clues about Chloe's true feelings, which are just as incredibly complicated as they should be. Early in the episode, she refers to spending a month in Europe with Trixie (Scarlett Estevez). Later, she narrows that down more when Dan (Kevin Alejandro) asks why Trixie is crazy about gelato. It was all that time spent in "Rome." There's also this flicker of uncertainty that German puts into Chloe's demeanor. The way she walks and talks, especially around Lucifer, is just barely awkward, but it's unmissable. She also lies to Maze that Trixie is a long way from forgiving Maze. The biggest tell, though, is when Lucifer almost unconsciously reaches out to touch Chloe's shoulder while they're working the case. She about jumps out of her skin. Something is so clearly wrong. The ending scene is a powerful tease, loaded with foreboding. After visiting Lucifer, Chloe makes her way to a church. She looks up forlornly at the crucifix, before sitting in a pew and starting to weep. The tortured sorrow that German endows Chloe with would make this a strong ending note to the episode but, the scene doesn't end there. Graham McTavish makes his ominous debut on the show as a kindly priest, Father Kinley, who reassures Chloe that they knew this part would be hard. He then says that they need to remember this is for the good of the entire world and Lucifer himself. It's a development that makes the audience instantly grateful the rest of the season is a click away. Lucifer's fourth season launches with a jaw-dropping (or pants dropping in Lucifer's case) start.
4x2 - Somebody's Been Reading Dante's Inferno (Review by Prpleight)
Questions about how Chloe is really handling the truth about Lucifer are answered in this episode. Chloe falls back on her investigative instincts. Unfortunately, what she finds are tales of a murderous, evil being; The Prince of Lies. How does she reconcile this with the man she knows? Father Kinley, a priest who knows about Lucifer and believes his presence on Earth presents a danger to all of humanity, offers her an informed shoulder to lean on. He also offers her the opportunity to do something; a way to save humanity by returning Lucifer to Hell. Chloe agrees to help him, but it doesn't feel right. Once again, she falls back on her instincts. The case of the week isn't one of the shows stronger cases, but it does provide a framework for Chloe to directly question Lucifer about the accusations made against him by the church. Some of Chloe's questions hurt Lucifer's feelings, but he answers them as he always has…honestly. It's that honesty that helps Chloe work out where she stands. Once she understands what Lucifer's willing to sacrifice for her, her confusion disappears. The strength of this episode was its reliance on Chloe's fundamental character as she determines how to move forward with her new worldview and whether she can trust Lucifer, as she did before she knew the truth. Ultimately, she makes the choice we want her to make. She will not take part in Kinley's plan.
Dan's story doesn't seem to be as consistent for his character as Chloe's is. His reaction to Lucifer's secrets about Pierce/Cain (Tom Welling) seems extreme and the reasons for this reaction don't quite track. The lighter elements of the episode are strong. Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) decides to move to Earth, permanently. But he struggles to connect to the people around him. His attempts were painfully funny. It's Linda (Rachael Harris) that provides him with the connection he's been looking for when she discovers that she's pregnant. That discovery wasn't treated in a particularly creative way, but Maze's reaction to Linda fainting made it worth watching. Linda's reaction to the news, while predictable, was fun to watch as well. It was generally a solid episode, with some solid character development. Father Kinley's effect on the season's arc promises to be dangerous.
4x3 - O, Ye of Little Faith, Father (Review by Prpleight)
In the previous episode, Father Kinley played Chloe. Kinley's Plan B is to play Lucifer; to shake his faith in Chloe and drive him to reveal himself. He's apparently realized that Chloe doesn't just make Lucifer physically vulnerable; she's his emotional vulnerable spot as well. It's a good plan. Chloe's lies cut Lucifer to the bone. Unfortunately, Lucifer's attempts to give Chloe opportunities to come clean and Chloe's attempts to change him into a better man do little to build toward the inevitable confrontation. These interim scenes between Lucifer and Chloe never felt like they were moving the story forward. When Lucifer does confront Chloe with evidence of her betrayal their conversation is interrupted by a call from Dan. It's a wonderful bonus when the murder mystery ties into the main storyline. The revelation of the murderer ratchets up the tension for Chloe and Lucifer and reveals Kinley's full plan. Kinley has given Lucifer someone he can punish in a way he can't or won't punish Chloe. He expects Lucifer to reveal his true face and prove to the Bishop that the Devil truly walks the Earth. A solid plan, if it had worked. Chloe and Lucifer finally talk and it's as intense and heartbreaking as expected. Ultimately, it comes down to the question Lucifer's been asking himself since he realized how he felt about Chloe. Can Chloe accept him for who he and what he really is? Even under the layers of make-up, Ellis is able to project Lucifer's devastation when Chloe is unable to look at his Devil face. His reaction is so powerful that it's almost easy to miss the fact that Chloe is devastated by her reaction as well. As Chloe and Lucifer's relationship breaks, Kinley's prophecy, "When the Devil walks the Earth and finds his first love evil shall be released.”, sets up the possibility of a rebound relationship or is it a guarantee that Chloe and Lucifer will work through their problems?
Ella's (Aimee Garcia) struggle with her loss of faith in the wake of Charlotte's (Tricia Helfer) death leaves her story feeling like it's in its early stages. She spent her Sunday drinking Margarita's instead of going to church and finally removes the cross she wears. It's too early to tell where her story is headed this season. Dan and Amenadiel's stories are further along. This week's murder resonates with Dan as much as it does with Lucifer, which is nice to see. It gives Dan a much-needed way to express his anger and frustration. Like Charlotte, the victims worked hard to change their lives only to have all that effort prove useless, because they would never get to live their new lives. Dan teams up with Maze to “work out a little frustration” by kicking some drug gang butt. Maze, as always, is a joy to watch. The pleasure she takes in beating people up made her and Dan's fight sequence downright fun. Brandt also shines trying to get the truth about “this ceremony of blood and pain” from Linda. That description of birth is hysterical and a little terrifying. Linda, meanwhile, wants to put off thinking about the baby for a while longer. But the people who care about her won't let her. Maze is shopping for baby knives and Amenadiel wants to get married. Luckily, he takes “hold my hand and tell me everything will be okay” as an answer. The baby story is turning out to be more interesting than Dan's resurfaced anger issues or Ella's loss of faith.
4x4 - All About Eve (Review by Zoé F.)
This episode was all about...you guessed it - Eve (Inbar Lavi)! It was the moment the Deckerstar fandom had been slightly dreading all hiatus. In the aftermath of Chloe's betrayal, the detective team has broken up. Lucifer is most definitely not taking it well, but thankfully, he reunites with an old love to keep him busy and repair his broken heart. Eve is truly an enigmatic character. Is she the killer of this episode's murder-of-the-week? She's definitely a little too close to the whole situation. What are the chances that Eve happens to jump on the first jet with a rare necklace and a murder? But, in the end, the killer is - surprise, surprise - the business partner! It's always the business partner! Some of these L.A. guys really need to start their own businesses. Just look at that glorious bar fight scene, though. Netflix budget, here we go! Eve was definitely a perfect representation of the audiences' faces watching that scene.
Eve makes for quite the likable character, but the show's past makes her a suspect. There's something about her that isn't entirely right. She was so quick to fool Chloe and steal the necklace right under her nose, then lie to Lucifer about it. That innocent act must be just that, an act. (Huge kudos to Lavi for being so brilliant at portraying Eve being so innocent and not innocent at the same time.) Yet, it'll be interesting to see how her story and character progresses throughout the season. And, whatever her true allegiances are, with all the doubt lurking in Lucifer's mind after what happened with Chloe, Eve was just the ego boost he needed. He needed someone to look at his true face and accept him for who he is. He's the Devil. He's trying to be good, but he still carries the name and the stigma. (Not that he was necessarily ever bad - he is always quick to remind us that he didn't want to torture people, it was just his job forced upon him by God.) But will he take her acceptance too far?
4x5 - Expire Erect (Review by Zandarl)
In Expire Erect, Eve using the B word causing Lucifer to go into a spin and heading straight to the good Doctor Linda after it seems his Big Ben (no explanation should be needed, the clue is in the episode title) is underperforming. Lucifer being his usual self believes closure with the Detective, one final case together, will be the cure. This episode certainly wasn't the only one this season which started off a little strange and one could have been forgiven for thinking it was some strange dream sequence that only Freud would have the answers too.
Before you can go ‘Is that Eve kissing Ella while Lucifer is bleeding everywhere and what answer has Chloe found in her sandwich?', we are transported to 36 hours earlier where Lucifer has clearly been having fun exploring Eve's garden. However, when Eve mentions Lucifer is her boyfriend this has Lucifer running to Linda for advice. Being Lucifer, he turns what Linda says to how he interprets it and believes working one last case with Chloe will bring them closure not knowing she was going to talk to him but saw him with Eve. As usual, with Lucifer, the case isn't the main story just a subplot in the merry-go-round of their love affair that puts the years of suspense on Moonlighting to shame. This week's case though offered a surprising twist which ended up with Lucifer shot at LUX and gravely injured thanks to Chloe being next to him. The main suspect ends up holding them all hostage, wanting the police to track his ex-wife. What we think is about lost love is about stolen money from a heist they engineered and those killed were all involved while our guy took the fall. So, the scene from the beginning of the episode fits now we have Lucifer bleeding out, Dan sends the sandwich as a clue to where the SWAT will breach. Eve tries to calm Ella to defuse the bomb and what better way than to make out. They both were partying hard with some illegal substances earlier.
Dan finds the wife with Maze's help. The wife pleads to Dan to let her talk her husband down only to stab him and try to kill everyone herself. Chloe backs her into the area, SWAT is about to breach and thanks to Ella defusing the bomb they are all okay even an unconscious Lucifer who is jolted awake when Chloe dives over him to protect him when she thought the bomb would go off. This episode is sure to be a fan favorite this season as everything was laid bare in the belief Lucifer was going to die. However, after Chloe's sacrifice, he tells her they can continue to work together. Lucifer also tells Eve the B word and Eve learns the truth he is only vulnerable around Chloe. In this episode, we also learn Amenadiel learns of Eve's return and is worried she will return Lucifer to his old ways.
While rooting for Chloe and Lucifer, one can't help but adore Eve while her superpower at first seems to be making everyone feel good about themselves. Look closer and more becomes apparent next episode.
4x6 - Orgy Pants to Work (Review by Zandarl)
In Orgy Pants to Works, Eve is bored as Lucifer and Chloe try to find a connection between a murdered Auditor and a nudist colony in this latest episode of Lucifer which was filled with more than one laugh out loud moment. Amenadiel's sister, Remiel (Vinessa Vidotto), comes for a visit after sensing a new celestial being, a baby. She instantly thinks Lucifer is to blame the truth is more shocking.
In this episode, one wondered if Mr. Grey would be making an appearance. Maze is unimpressed she has missed the orgy and it seems it has been months since the previous episode. Linda is well along in her pregnancy. Maze has a present for the baby and has been hunting it all these months. No wonder Linda is a little skeptical to look in the metal box. Later we learn it's a baby blanket and Linda tells her she is a member of the family; something Maze has never had.
Lucifer seems to be in such a sex-filled haze and sharing way too many personal details at work that has Chloe changing her tune regarding Eve's influence. The final straw comes when they visit their latest crime scene and Lucifer has a wardrobe malfunction, and one must wonder why he didn't feel a breeze at the back! Assless chaps are not considered work attire. He promises to be all business which doesn't impress Eve who is left holding the chains and no one else to play with until Maze arrives. They meet and these two form an instant connection. Eve realizes she doesn't need to wait around for Lucifer. During a fight between Remiel and Amenadiel, when she learns it was her brother that fathered the celestial she could sense, she pleads with him to take the baby to the Silver City.
The victim's death leads to more reveals as he had a connection to a nudist colony. Ella and Lucifer are all too happy to go in undercover so to speak. Some strategically placed props provide the coverage as they chat among the colonist to find out the real suspect Julian (Erik Stocklin). However, the owner of the camp has a father with powerful connections and is not in custody for long despite the evidence.
They get more evidence against him and why he killed the Auditor that knew far too much about his shadier dealings. Lucifer fearing, he is becoming his dark self, lets him go but the consequences are disastrous and the young police officer he liked gets shot and killed by Julian. Later egged on by Eve, who seems to be all about him becoming his hellish self once more, Lucifer throws Julian around like a ragdoll and wonders if he killed him.
4x7 - Devil Is As Devil Does (Review by Aimee Hicks)
This episode was a turning point for Lucifer as he was confronted with the reality of what the return of his Devil face really meant. He spent the entire episode being torn in different directions not only by Chloe and Eve, who served as his proverbial angel and devil, but he also faced a fierce battle within himself. Through the powerful performance from Ellis, it was palpable that Lucifer was slowly coming undone. That allowed the final scene with Linda to play with an extra level of emotion and heartbreak. No one does wild-eyed frustration and fear like Ellis can. Through the gentle guidance of Chloe, Lucifer was able to beat his primal instinct to inflict deadly justice on Tiernan (Jere Burns). Yet even that wasn't enough and seeing his angel wings replaced with his Devil wings just about broke him. When the characters are separated and divided into different storylines it is easy to forget the bond some of them have. But it was a beautiful gesture on the part of the show to have it be Linda who was by Lucifer's side in a moment of immense need. Harris and Ellis continue to show why they have the purest dynamic on this show.
This was quite an intense and emotional episode with all the characters challenged on deep levels. Amenadiel fought for his family and against his family after his attempts to convince his sister of the good within humanity led them into a battle. It was clear it was the last thing he wanted, but above all else, he had to protect Linda and their unborn child. Then there was Maze who was desperate to be included in Linda's life so that she could be a part of the baby's life. There is a deeply intense need to be part of a family within Maze and it's written a bit quirky, but Brandt brings so much heart to it that it is easy to feel Maze's longing. And there was Ella who fought an internal battle of her own as her crisis of faith led her ultimately into the arms of Dan in a rather unexpected pairing that for some reason somehow just works and fits. Then, finally, there was Chloe and Eve whose every battle seemed to be centered around Lucifer. That was truest for Chloe who by the end of the episode was revealed to be dealing with her indiscretion earlier in the season when she teamed up with Father Kinley. But there was also Eve, who started off seeming like a horrible match for Lucifer only for it to be revealed, thanks to Trixie, that she was just as lost as everyone else. She played everything as wanting to be ditzy and out for nothing but dark revenge and then Trixie was in danger and her true nature came to the front. She put her life on the line for Trixie and it was a poignant character moment and it did help Chloe to see her in a different light as well as the audience. All around this was an intense and powerful episode with equal factors heart and heartbreak.
4x8 - Super Bad Boyfriend (Review by Aimee Hicks)
This was Amenadiel's episode and Woodside really embraced that and delivered what could easily be said to be his best performance on this show. He is an outstanding actor and has always been phenomenal at portraying Amenadiel, but there was just something so very raw and honest in his performance here that made it stand out. The writers tackled the devastatingly real topic of racial inequality in a profound and heartbreaking way. Caleb (Denny Love) came into Amenadiel's life and changed it forever. He saw so much potential in Caleb only to see his life prematurely ended. The scene when Amenadiel laid into Caleb's perceived murderer was visceral and heartbreaking. Amenadiel knows he will soon bring his own child into the human world and he too will be subject to these sorts of inequalities for nothing more than the color of his skin and clearly, that scared Amenadiel. While the story had a painful ending, it was a good insight into the sort of father Amenadiel will be and his son will certainly be lucky to call him his father.
Elsewhere in the episode, Dan spiraled out of control potentially ruining the very fragile bond he had formed with Ella. Lucifer did his best to get Eve to break up with him after he had the epiphany that they weren't right for each other. It was something the audience had seen for quite some time, but she is just so darn likable that it wasn't nearly as easy to wish for the end of the romance as it was with Chloe and Pierce last season. Then the show did something quite magical, they leaned into the chemistry that Brandt and Lavi clearly have shared since the very first scene they shared together. Their flirting in this episode really highlighted the chemistry between the characters and then it was easy to hope for Lucifer and Eve to break up because it was becoming clear, at least to the audience, who would be a good match for her. Then the episode ended on a big note as Lucifer once again declared to Linda his anger at himself. It is so nice to see these two share these scenes together because it takes them back to their roots and one of the first original core relationships on the show. Linda sees the worst in Lucifer all the time and still sticks by him as his friend and that's a powerful message in and of itself. There was nothing to fault in this episode as Lucifer started to wind down its strong comeback season.
4x9 - Save Lucifer (Review by Bex W.)
This is an episode of epiphanies, of making excuses to avoid dealing with things, and of grand gestures, and the audience gets a grand gesture themselves. The episode title, Save Lucifer, is a nod to the campaign that helped get Lucifer this Netflix pickup.
In Save Lucifer, Lucifer has had an honest-to-Devil epiphany. He hates himself. Now all his problems should just go away…. No sooner does he say that then his hand begins to transform into a Devil's hand, and the transformation doesn't stop there. Bit by bit his body begins to transform. Chloe stays by his side through it all, helping him hide his Devil bits as they solve the case. And while she may appear frightened by Lucifer in all his devilish glory, she doesn't run. She knows how she initially acted was wrong, how that wasn't her. These nine episodes allowed her to work through accepting Lucifer's devilish appearance. Although some may feel Chloe backslid this season, her reaction to proof of the Devil, Hell, God, and Heaven, was a very human one, and it's difficult to judge her earlier actions over such a huge reveal. The audience now sees a Chloe who has come out the other side of that revelation, who views the world differently now, and who won't leave Lucifer's side again.
Eve's breakup turns her into the sobbing jilted lover, reminding us how painfully human and naïve she really is. Eve never had any reason in the Silver City to be anything more than she ever was. She never needed to change and grow. Her motives may have been questionable at times in the season, but Eve is simply the clingy girl who's only ever been in one long-term relationship and now she's realizing how good the one who got away was. How different the bad boy was. When her first attempt to get Lucifer's attention, acting like the breakup was a good thing and changing her appearance, fails, Eve Single White Females into a demure version of herself inspired by Chloe. But this too fails. When Maze unknowingly gives Eve the way to seemingly solve her problem, suddenly Father Kinley's presence feels even more ominous than ever.
While watching Eve pine for Lucifer, Maze is honest about her feelings for Eve. And Maze's Wonderwall performance might be the most vulnerable we've ever seen the demon as she attempts to get Eve's attention.
Dan's journey through the aftermath of Charlotte's death continues to be devastating to watch. It's easy to forget how much Dan changed through Seasons 2 and 3. Here in Season 4, he's more like Season 1 Dan and it is heartbreaking because we understand Dan more now. But while Lucifer's had his so-called epiphany, it's Dan's that might be the biggest one here. He asks: Why does everybody always let me get away with so much bullshit? He knows he's being a douche; he knows he's backsliding, and he just wants someone to help him. He's finally ready to reach out and ask for that help that Ella pleads with him to get. In a session with Linda, Dan admits he's been angry, and stupid, and has misdirected his pain. He's working through it all when Linda goes into labor. Dan's journey to healing is just beginning.
Baby Charlie is born, but with Linda and Amenadiel not in agreement on where Charlie will be raised, the audience is left with the very real possibility of watching Linda go on without her child, a fear felt strongly in the final episode.
Save Lucifer is a strong penultimate episode, with huge steps forward for almost every character. Even Lucifer, who typically backslides, sees some massive forward momentum at the end of this episode – and with any luck that will continue into the next episode, for a change.
4x10 - King of Hell (Review by Aimee Hicks)
Traditionally Lucifer always does a big season finale, but this one may have been the best. After starting off with a brilliant musical number the episode quickly jumped into the action which centered around newborn Charlie. He is first seen making his big strong Uncle Lucifer nervous just prior to almost being kidnapped by his own father to be taken to Heaven. Thankfully for everyone Amenadiel came to his senses otherwise not even Heaven would have been able to protect him from Linda's wrath. Unfortunately, that left Charlie exposed and vulnerable to be kidnapped by a demonic henchman of the demon now possessing Kinley's body. From that point on the race was on to save Charlie and it was all-hands-on-deck. Even Dan and Ella played a part even though they are now in the minority of being in the dark of what is really going on. At some point, they need to clue Ella in because that may be the best way to help her with her crisis of faith. Surprisingly, even Eve showed up to try to undo the mess she got them all into in her misguided attempt to debunk the prophecy Kinley had been spewing about all season. True to the core nature of Eve, she can on occasion make some poor choices, but when it counts, she always rises to the occasion. She risked everything for Trixie earlier in the season then did the same in this episode with Charlie. Her maternal intuition is very strong.
The fight sequence in the episode was one of the best, if not the best, all season. To see this team come together and put everything on the line to save Charlie was a powerful image. This group really has become a complicated little family who would do anything for each other. It also allowed Chloe's season-long journey to fully accepting Lucifer for who he is to play out. This wasn't an easy journey for her, but that little smile after seeing Lucifer do his thing as the Devil spoke volumes. She was in awe, but no longer afraid of his Devil form. It was a beautiful journey she went on this season and Lauren German was outstanding throughout. This was hands down the best overall season for Chloe and it gave German some amazing material to work with that she really embraced.
While Charlie ultimately wasn't made into the new King of Hell it meant that the position was still vacant which meant Lucifer had to go back and reclaim his throne. Unfortunately, that meant leaving Chloe behind just as they each finally wholeheartedly confessed their true love for each other. By this point, Lucifer's angel wings were back showing that his season-long journey to accept himself was complete. Ultimately Chloe did save him and in exchange, he had to give her up in order to save them all by getting Hell back in control. That closing image was stunning and one that will easily become an iconic image.
With that, Season 4 came to an end and what may be called the best season of the series concluded. Now, to be fair, it wasn't a perfect season. The show still suffered from some of the same pitfalls it had fallen into in past seasons. Love triangles, for example, continue to plague the series except there was something different about the way it was handled this time around. Perhaps it was the shorter season or just the new blood involved, but it played better. It was tedious at first to think the show had just left a season with a love triangle that wasn't as well orchestrated as it could have been only to immediately jump into another one. But after that initial concern played out it became evident that the show was doing something different this time. Lavi joined the series this season and she had what Welling was lacking in the triangle dynamic, chemistry. Welling is a fabulous actor, but whether by design or just by human factors, the chemistry that was needed to really sell the triangle wasn't there. But Lavi came in and she displayed some sort of chemistry with every actor with whom she shared scenes. The Season 4 love triangle between Eve, Chloe, and Lucifer worked in its conception because of Lavi and the amazing chemistry she shared not only with Ellis but German as well. It was easy to see why Lucifer would be keen on her and why Chloe struggled to hate her for very long. But the true magic of the setup of Eve's story was with Maze. They had to find an actress that not only could play the complexities of one love triangle, but also manage the complexity of playing two separate love triangles at the same time. Brandt and Lavi had immeasurable chemistry from the time they first shared the screen and the writers, who love playing the long game with characters, seem to be doing the same with this dynamic and it works beautifully. So, what started off as the greatest apparent weakness of the season rapidly became one of its greatest strengths.
The season suffered from other usual pitfalls. Some uncertainty of what to do with certain characters is one area that they seem to at times struggle with. It is, however, a struggle that most ensemble shows struggle with. It is hard to figure out what to do with all the characters all the time. But there were drastic improvements this season regarding Dan and Ella with whom the writers have struggled with in the past. It wasn't a drastic improvement over past seasons in terms of character development, but it was definitely a step in the right direction. The shortened season was the right format for this series.
Those are the things they struggled with but still managed to sort through and come out the other side in fairly good standing. This love triangle didn't leave the same unsavory feeling of prior love triangles on this series. Characters the show has struggled with in the past the writers got a better grip of this season. Perhaps most importantly the story this season just flowed so well. There was a real steadfast focus that a series with twenty-two episodes a season just can't have by the nature of the length. Lucifer is a prime example of why season episode counts are best off in the lower range. This shorter season allowed for strong character development and powerful storytelling.
What happens next? Hopefully, very swiftly there will be a Season 5 renewal because at this point Netflix would be foolish to cancel a property that brought them so much positive press. So, what could happen in a potential Season 5? The series needs to dive more into the Dan and Ella dynamic because while they each got decent individual stories, they still suffer not being in the know about Lucifer. They need to bring Eve back because Lavi is too good as Eve to not bring her back. When that happens, they need to allow Maze and Eve to really explore their chemistry because there is most definitely something there between them. That final scene between them clearly wasn't a goodbye and they obviously care for each other. Hopefully, they'll also really explore the dynamic of what it is like to have a half-human half-angel infant around. Linda and Amenadiel are going to be great parents, but there is so much potential for comedy and heart to come out of that little family along with all his various aunts and uncles around. Most importantly they need to get Lucifer back from Hell someway so that he and Chloe can finally get a chance to be in love for once without something or someone coming between them. There are so many stories left in this series and it'll be exciting to see what comes next in Season 5.
Hit the comments with your thoughts. What did you think of Season 4? Did it live up to all your expectations? What were your favorite parts? Least favorite parts? What do you hope to see in Season 5?
