Spoilers ahead for the first half of Lucifer Season 5 on Netflix.
Lucifer returned to Netflix with the first half of the super-sized Season 5 to introduce Lucifer's dastardly twin brother Michael, hook Lucifer and Chloe up, deliver a twist for Charlie, and turn Lucifer and Dan into bracelet bros within the span of eight episodes, but one of the biggest arcs centered on Mazikeen. Poor Maze was already dealing with a lot to start thanks to Eve leaving her and Lucifer returning to Hell without her, and things only got worse as the episodes passed. The end result was Maze siding with Michael, but Lucifer was arguably the one who betrayed her first.
Lesley-Ann Brandt, who plays Maze, explained the "unspoken rule" that Lucifer broke in his treatment of Maze in a chat with TVLine:
Well, like I said, he’s her oldest friend, they’ve been through so much together and she’s come to understand and made space for Chloe, you know? But there’s an unspoken rule about betrayals and truths, where you just don’t leave and go back home and not tell your friend. You just don’t leave her [on Earth] when her heart is literally split in half, if you care about her in the way that she needs you to. And that lie about her mother being around, it’s like you’ve kept something from me that I didn’t even know I needed, and I’ve literally had five seconds to digest all of this. So moving forward, there’s definitely tension, and it’s probably the biggest thing that they have to work through as friends.
Maze was furious with Lucifer for going home to Hell without her, and her efforts to deal with that betrayal on top of losing Eve weren't working too well. She was willing to help Lucifer, especially with Chloe, but her trust was shaken, and the situation wasn't helped when she learned that her mother had been on Earth for decades, and Lucifer knew but never told her. Throw in how dismissively Lucifer treated Maze's earnest desire for a soul, and I can't say that I blame her for losing some of her loyalty.
It undoubtedly didn't help that Lilith died shortly after Maze met her, and her one brief interaction with her mom didn't go well. Maze will never get closure, she might never get a soul of her own, and she might never get another chance with Eve. Siding with Michael over Lucifer may not have been a move that Lucifer fans will be too happy about, but Maze's switch was definitely provoked.
It also allowed for a pretty badass fight between Lucifer, Michael, Maze, and Amenadiel that could only be resolved by the timely arrival of God, so it's all for the best, right? In all seriousness, Maze was suffering on the side while her friends focused on their own problems, with even Linda not able to spend as much time with her as Maze hoped. That said, Linda had some helpful insight for Maze, and Maze's new outlook suggests that she'll approach things differently as the show continues. Lesley-Ann Brandt elaborated:
Yeah, because think about what Linda said. He’s a narcissist, he thinks about himself. He makes decisions without her being a consideration, and she’s literally tired of it. She’s bared her heart and soul to him in regards to their relationship, so now she’s basically like, 'I’m in it for me, and I’m sorry people are going to get hurt but I have to do what I have to do to get what I think I need.'
Well, I think it's safe to say that Maze will definitely be a consideration for Lucifer after she sided with Michael in the midseason finale, although a lot depends on what God has to say to his misbehaving sons and Maze. Lesley-Ann Brandt explained that Maze "absolutely" has some respect for God (24's Dennis Haysbert) and teased a "great scene" between Maze and God in the second half of Season 5 that will reveal her "demon face."
Despite Maze taking a stand for herself, Lucifer still might consider his relationship with Chloe to be the higher priority, especially when Michael still might be a celestial threat. Lucifer has consistently taken Maze for granted, and the two have also physically fought in the past, so I find myself wondering if he really understands how wronged she feels and that she might not just come around this time.
Unfortunately, viewers will have to wait for the second half of Season 5 on Netflix to learn how Maze will continue to handle Lucifer's betrayal and whether or not everybody's favorite demon will successfully get herself a soul. Netflix hasn't announced a premiere date for the next batch of episodes, but fans can at least count on Lucifer returning for a sixth season on top of what remains of the fifth.
For now, you can catch the first four and a half seasons streaming on Netflix, among the many other 2020 releases on the streaming giant. For some additional viewing options now and in the coming weeks, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule.
