“Lady Parts” is a good episode of Lucifer in terms of what it sets up more than what it actually is. Because when it comes to what it is, the episode is a drop-off in terms of the top-to-bottom quality of the past couple of episodes. As Lucifer has been a roll lately when it comes to the humor and the supernatural family drama of it all, “Lady Parts” is more of a speed bump than a consistent climb for the second season. In a way, that’s understandable, as this is still a procedural on network television, and that means it has the added pressure of managing to not burn-out under those creative and episode constraints. So “Lady Parts” still moves the plot and characters along, making for a satisfactory set-up episode, but after the highs of the past couple of episodes, the episode somewhat pales in comparison.
And it’s not just because Tricia Helfer’s “Charlotte” only appears in one short but perfectly effective scene.
The highs of “Lady Parts” bring out decent to good laughs and even the promise of interesting concepts for future episodes, but the lows are just duds that don’t quite land. On the plus side, the case-of-the-week ends up meshing well with the interesting parts of the episode, which is always a good sign for Lucifer. In fact, the episode even stumbles into the fourth wall ever so slightly during girls’ night, as Chloe keeps trying to bring the procedural part of the show back into focus, all while being portrayed as a mess and a definite buzzkill.
At the same time, despite feeling like a speed bump, “Lady Parts” is actually kind of flat. The momentum is never really consistent, partially because the episode doesn’t get going until girls’ night but also because of an atypical weakness in the episodes’ act outs. The ends of each act in this episode bear a striking resemblance to Lucifer’s typical cheeky dialogue but somehow manage to miss the mark each time. Chloe’s exasperated “girls’ night out” is a failed button to an act that reaches such a high with the bar fight, but surprisingly, it‘s Lucifer’s “seems kitties do have claws” near the end of the case (which is even a callback of sorts) that can’t be saved by Tom Ellis’ usually unimpeachable line delivery. There’s still fun physicality and interactions throughout, but the one-liners simply aren’t quite there this week, which is a true disappointment. As it turns out, an intentionally distracted Lucifer doesn’t exactly make for the best version of Lucifer.
Though it’s certainly not the worst version, as the the episode’s opening scene—in which the designated body finder repeats the catchphrase, “dammit, Leroy”—is such a strong moment for the series’ often weird sense of humor. Overall, it’s a fun episode of Lucifer, even though it doesn’t achieve the potential that the episode’s premise creates. Because as soon as Maze is tasked with showing Chloe a good time, “Lady Parts” promises something special.
I’ve mentioned before how Dan works best when paired with any of angels & demons squad, and while Chloe’s default pairing is with Lucifer, her relationship with Maze is an even more entertaining pairing when the show along goes with it. The girls’ night out scenario makes it even better though, as it means Dr. Linda and Ella can join in the fun of this dysfunctional relationship. And they all fit together so well! The episode is especially smart in doing as much with the girls’ night as possible (like creating a new living situation) while leaving the boys’ work night out short and sweet. By the way, leave it to Lucifer to end up with the least objectifying sex club scenes ever.
As for the end of the episode, based on everything the show has told the audience about dear old God, it’s no surprise that He wouldn’t just accept Lucifer going back on his deal to return his mother to Hell. Because while living the life of a human may just be “Charlotte’s” own personal Hell, there’s been no evidence to suggest loopholes work on God. Because he’s God. So is Chloe’s accident really an act of God or is it just an every day accident? And did Lucifer really title an episode “Lady Parts” without even using it with the double-meaning that a serial killer would inspire? I can at least answer the latter: Yes. Because the show did its serial killer thing last week.
Stray observations
- This week’s Lucifer avoids the trope of the most famous guest star ending up as the killer, but it does so while also wasting Robert Picardo.
- Ella (deadpan): “I used to steal cars.” Earlier in the episode, Ella says “amazeballs,” but this line—and the fact that she introduces herself to Maze with her patented hug—erases that flop immediately. Girls’ night!
- Maze: “I wish I had my knives, we could’ve made a blood pact.”
Chloe: “Next time.”
Dr. Linda: “‘Next time.’ That’s progress.” - Lucifer: “Never fear! Fun brother’s here. I’m gonna show you the magic of distraction. No more girly drinks, alright?”
Amenadiel: “Cosmos are yummy.” So much of what makes this show work is delivery-based, but no matter how you imagine D.B. Woodside delivering this line, it’s always a winner. - In almost any other context, Lucifer’s “what did you say to her?” to Dan when Chloe storms off would work for the humorous beat, but it doesn’t here. Lucifer’s misunderstanding of things like good parenting make sense, but for all of his own human blindspots, I can’t believe he would think Chloe wouldn’t be upset with him basically paying Maze off to be her friend. Obviously he has no shame, but that doesn’t quite cover this.
- Chloe (beating the perp with a yoga mat): “THERE’S A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL FOR WOMEN WHO FAKE FRIENDSHIPS AS A WAY OF MANIPULATING OTHER WOMEN!”
Lucifer: “She’s right, you know.” Lucifer’s line is an obvious “classic Lucifer” line, but it’s also pretty useless here. Because Chloe says all that needs to be said… as she beats the perp with a yoga mat. And now she’ll be living with her best friend, Maze. Everything’s coming up Decker. - Lucifer (re: Chloe): “Dad forbid you manage to have sex with her before I do. Oh, actually—can I interest you in another wager?”
- By the way, distractions are the key to this episode, yet the only character who’s not really called out for his obvious deflection is the one who really needs to be: Amenadiel. It doesn’t take a Dr. Linda to see that Chloe is using work as a distraction from her rocky life and future (of “possible homelessness” and “many, many cats”), and Lucifer gets his wake-up call from Amenadiel at the end of the episode. Amenadiel is very clearly spiraling, and while Lucifer tries to figure out why, it’s only for a moment before he simply suggests his brother distract himself. Surely Lucifer should have immediately sprung into action mode when Amenadiel started to “cut a rug.”