Netflix and Lucifer showrunners Joe Henderson and Ildy Modrovich clearly had no intention of letting audiences wait too long to see the Devil back in action after Season 5's explosive cliffhanger ending that put Luci in the role of God. Mr. Morningstar returns to screens with the sixth and final season of the show to charm the fans like only actor Tom Ellis can.
Season 5 ended with a climactic battle between archangels led by Michael and Lucifer and his allies -- including Maze's demonic reinforcements. After briefly losing Chloe and flying into the Silver City to retrieve her soul, Lucifer proved himself worthy of taking his father's place.
It may have seemed as though the series crossed a huge turning point, but Lucifer has always been and continues to be a police procedural, and by God, it will stay that course -- even when the series' titular Devil and the detective aren't either of those things anymore. There are still mysteries to solve and sins to commit or inspire. Season 6 keeps itself from taking too large a step by throwing yet another fitting inner conflict onto Lucifer's path before his Godly ascension. First and foremost, the show has always been about Lucifer's self-exploration.
But, a focus on character doesn't mean there isn't any visually spectacular celestial action in Lucifer's final season. On the contrary, where earlier seasons were conservative in their special effects use and coy about bringing any of its premise' supernatural qualities to life, Season 6 goes all out whenever it can with Luci's family. Angels show their wings and superpowers frequently. When the action sequences call for flair, Lucifer Season 6 does not disappoint.
What does disappoint is the actual story, especially in Lucifer Season 6, Episode 1, which mars everything that follows to an extent. As mentioned, Season 6 throws another inner conflict in Lucifer's path before he can take any big steps, so for those thinking they would see the Devil use any newfound omnipotence to reshape the world around him to the chagrin of Chloe Decker, you're in for a bit of a let-down. If you bear with that lackluster beginning, however, you'll find that Lucifer still has a few solid twists up its fine silk sleeves.
This season introduces a mysterious new figure, one arguably more fascinating than any of the other non-central characters the show has introduced in the past, thrusting Lucifer and Chloe down a path neither one of them is prepared to take. It's the perfect new character to introduce in the final season and it helps to bring Lucifer's story to a fantastic close.
The story arcs in Lucifer Season 6 don't begin out of anywhere, as they did in seasons past. Instead, character arcs are a culmination of what each character has been through so far. For Lucifer, it's a grand decision that stems from issues relating to his father and his past as the Devil. For Maze, it's her newfound soul, her demonic past, and her relationship with Eve. For Amenadiel, it's his search for a suitable role as protector. The only exception, debatably, is Chloe, who hasn't really undergone any massive developments over the course of the series.
That being said, Lucifer Season 6 throws a massive change at the former detective, stemming from her possession of Amenadiel's necklace and the superhuman strength it grants her. It's the most exciting arc Chloe has seen and longtime fans will undoubtedly enjoy how it impacts her relationship with Luci. However, she's still very much the detective and not a crime-fighting superhero. It might sound like the super-strength is just a gimmick, but don't be fooled. It creates some fantastic character moments for Chloe that are, importantly, her own.
Amenadiel's arc in Season 6 allows Lucifer to explore grounded territory -- in terms of its themes and social commentary. The archangel's time as a beat cop brings in serious social issues, and the show approaches it well -- thanks in large part to Amenadiel's new partner, Officer Harris. It might clash with the rest of the show at times in its tone, but generally, Amenadiel's direction is a welcomed change from his seemingly aimless storylines in the past.
What made the series so special, especially after it left Fox, was its willingness to explore. Actor Tom Ellis wasn't just able to perform the occasional and brief singing performances, Season 5 allowed him to really show viewers what those lungs could do and how well he could physically perform the role. In Season 6, there are more musical performances, though they are fewer in number. There is at least one episode, "Yabba Dabba Do Me," that appears to focus on some random gimmick as if to keep things interesting. But keep watching. There's a solid, emotionally powerful reason behind it. Nothing in the latest series is done without reason, unlike some of the others with their abundance of filler episodes.
All in all, Lucifer Season 6 takes risks while keeping its imminent end in mind. Despite the flapping of angelic wings or the hellish groans of demons, it dares to tread away from the spectacular to end the story of the Devil with a somewhat more honest look at the human condition -- in all its ugliness and beauty. It combines everything these beloved characters have been through up until this point to end Lucifer on a high and poignant note.