Lucifer season 5a review: Tom Ellis is double trouble in camp goodness | Metro News

Tom Ellis’s devilish fifth series is back with a bang (Picture: Netflix)

Lucifer is back in business and Tom Ellis is working double time as his leading man’s twin makes an unwelcome arrival in Los Angeles. 

Masquerading as his brother, Michael doesn’t take long to infiltrate his brother’s life… starting with Chloe Decker (Lauren German), and the LAPD gang. 

But while this is all going on, Lucifer is back to his day job as the ruler of the nether world, torturing souls on a day-to-day basis while just wanting to be back on Earth. 

Turns out that being the Lord of the Underworld is… well, hell. So naturally, he soon tries to find his excuses to make his big comeback – and there’s a lot for him to be catching up with, as everyone’s lives are moving on slowly but noticeably. 

Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) has become Chloe’s new right-hand lady, while Ella Lopez (Aimee Garcia) is still keeping bright besides feeling lonely that everyone around her is coupling up. 

Amenadiel (DB Woodside) has taken over Luxe and is trying/failing to help Detective Dan (Kevin Alejandro) clear the streets from all crime… no matter how small. 

There’s plenty of Deckerstar moments to keep stans satisfied (Picture: Netflix)

Dan is on his own spiritual path, reading all the self-help books Linda (Rachael Harris) has in her library as he tries to get over the death of Charlotte (Tricia Helfer). 

Then there’s Linda, who is adapting to being the mother to a half-angel, half-human baby as best she can… becoming the ultimate mum doomsday prepper, covering every part of the house in bubblewrap and making sure her kid’s a genius. 

As can be expected, Lucifer is pure, campy, fun, who knows how to make fun of itself and despite the murderous b-plots knows to never take itself too seriously.

Lesley-Ann Brandt is one of the biggest MVPs of the series (Picture: Netflix)

Tom Ellis, as expected, does a cracking job as the leading man, though his American accent as Michael takes some adjustment, sitting weird on the ears after so long as the quintessential English gentleman.

But it’s actually the side characters and plots that bring the most heart-tugging moments, with Lesley-Ann Brandt and Kevin Alejandro bringing their A-game and becoming the MVPs of the emotional heart of the show this time around.

These two left us choked on more than one occasion, both having their own crises of faith in different ways. For Maze, she’s still trying to find answers to who she is – for Dan, he seems to be trying to find his way back. 

Part of Lucifer’s charm is it’s always erred on the side of cheesy soap opera when it calls for it, but there are some real gut-punching, grounding moments this season, which makes an interesting balance against the usual fun OTT actions of Lucifer and his evil twin.

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But that doesn’t mean that Lucifer doesn’t give us loads to chew on, particularly with his ever present sexual tension with the Detective. 

Deckerstar fans… be prepared. There’s a lot in this series for you. 

With a serial killer causing complications, a debate over which one is the evil twin, and a couple of shocks to everyone’s system, it’s fair to say Lucifer is back in business. 

The team were really planning on going out all guns blazing this series, throwing every bit of ammo they had at the wall in order to shock and entertain, but it still remains very much Lucifer, with a little fan-pandering in the mix without going overboard.

Makes you wonder what on Earth they have in store going forward.

Welcome back, Lucifer – we’ve missed you. 

Memorable moments:

• It Never Ends Well For The Chicken (aka the Noir episode) is a really fun watch and, as predicted, a highlight of the season.
• Ella Lopez in episode eight is a straight up queen.
• Tom Ellis’s American accent is… strange to the ears to say the least, especially after all the years of ultra-Britishness.
• There’s a moment with Detective Dan that will absolutely break your heart.

Verdict:

Lucifer season 5a’s focus on the subplots around our leading Deckerstar pairing is a welcome extension to the universe, and we’re happy to see it.

These latest episodes are just as enticing as ever, with Tom Ellis remaining the charismatic leading man we can’t help but be charmed by – but it’s Lesley-Ann Brandt’s portrayal of Mazekeen that steals the show for us right now.

With little knowing nods to long-time fans that have kept this show on air, the series balances fan service with devotion to the story extremely well, and isn’t afraid to throw in a couple of surprises along the way.

We have total faith that season 5b is going to be some of the best episodes yet.

Lucifer season 5a is available on Netflix from August 21.

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