It is based on DC Comics character Lucifer Morningstar. He is, or claims to be, nothing less than the devil of hell who has become bored with his life in the netherworld and has fled to Los Angeles where he runs a nightclub.
In and of itself that would be enough for a dandy of a show but Lucifer somehow becomes involved with a streetwise LA detective named Chloe Decker and he wheedels his way on to the force as a “Civilian Consultant.” They solve crimes together.
While most of the dialogue makes one wince Lucifer has made some observations that are theologically sound.
The first is his rebellion when people see him as the tempter who lures the innocent into doing evil deeds.
Lucifer is a believer in “original sin.” In his mind there are no innocents. He believes that humans are capable of doing greater evil to each other than even the devil could have imagined. He says, “My job is to punish not to tempt.” Somehow that makes sense to me.
What makes more sense is a question that Lucifer always asks people from whom he is trying to extract information: “What is it that you really want?” It is the perfect question for everybody! What do we really want? Figure that out and things fall into place.
What fascinates me most out in this characterization of Lucifer is his demeanor.
We think of Lucifer as a menacing figure with horns, a red suit, smelling of sulfur with a pitchfork in hand but Lucifer Morningstar is quite the opposite.
He is suave, debonair, and stunningly handsome. He wears tailor made suits and has a charming smile that he uses on men and women alike to woo them with his charms and ultimately into his bedroom.
Tom Ellis, who plays Lucifer, is from Wales and so has a lovely Welch accent that makes the character even more alluring.
Lucifer is new to the world of humans and so approaches it with all the gusto and silliness of a ten year old. He is a child without any inhibitions who says inappropriate things and exhibits socially unacceptable behaviors without seeming to care how others think. His attitude is “devil-may-care.”
Yet his personality is still appealing. He is the kind of guy people want to be around. He makes them feel at home, at ease, as if with him in charge everything is going to be all right. People are sucked in by his charm, his innocence, and the way he makes them feel.
This dichotomy struck me on the night he walked down the long corridor in the White House to announce his Supreme Court nomination, The Honorable Neil Gorsuch, who looks like he stepped out of central casting.
While Ellis’ Lucifer is always impeccably dressed Mr. Trump didn’t even have the minimal fashion sense to button his suit jacket.
“For the love of God!” I thought to myself. “Didn’t your beloved father have enough manners to tell you that when you are sitting down you unbutton your coat but when you stand you button it?” Not our president!
And his overcoat? Does he ever take that thing off? He looks like a flasher! People around him are wearing just their suits while he is wrapped up like he is about to face a nor’easter!
And when was the last time you saw Mr. Trump laugh. Not just a little laugh but a big belly laugh that clearly showed he was enjoying the moment. I can’t remember it, ever.
I believe that a person’s emotional health can be shown by their ability to laugh at themselves. If I am right about this it is not just Mr. Trump but every other politician I can think of seems to be joyless. Our Nation’s Capital must be a dismal place.
Most time he is scowling is such a severe manner that many grandmothers probably want to take him aside a ask, “Donald, why such a face?”
He looks like he is always suffering from a severe case of dyspepsia. “Quick! Somebody! Get the president some bismuth in a great big spoon”
If Mr. Trump acted in any way like Mr. Morningstar there would be even more to worry about.
Fortunately Mr. Trump has none of the qualities that would make him somebody we would wish to be around. His nastiness is right there on the surface for all to see. He couldn’t mount a “charm offensive” if the security of the nation depended on it.
Mr. Trump’s despicable nature is not hidden behind anything. It is hanging out there like one of his too long red ties.
The one thing I have to say about him is that he never pretends to be something he is not. With him it is all there - the anger, the name-calling, the rudeness, the over-compensation, the braggadocio.
In the end, however, let me ask you: Who would you really want to have dinner or drinks with Lucifer or the President of the United States?
As for me? Make that a table for two for Messrs. Morningstar and Nelson.
