Warning: SPOILERS for Lucifer season 5, part 2.
Lucifer season 5, part 2 ends with Lucifer (Tom Ellis) becoming God after an epic confrontation with his angel twin, Michael, and an ultimate act of love and sacrifice. The events that transpire in the Lucifer season 5, part 2 finale can be traced back to the arrival of God (Dennis Haysbert) on Earth in “Spoiler Alert”, and his decision to retire from his duties. As this creates a vacuum of power, it is up to God’s children to decide who among them is worthy enough to assume the heavenly mantle, which begets chaos in the process.
Whilst playing a nefarious game of manipulation, Michael triggers a chain of events that lead to God’s decision to retire, hence allowing him the opportunity to assume the role himself. Michael also manages to convince a sizeable majority of his siblings to cast a vote in his favor, a feat accomplished by instilling fear via Azrael’s Blade. While it is Lucifer who ultimately decides to challenge Michael’s claim to the throne, another angel can be deemed deserving of the throne - Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside).
In “A Little Harmless Stalking”, Amenadiel states that he is the natural successor to God, as he was, after all, His esteemed Right Hand. Although immensely anxious about the mammoth shoes he is required to fill, Amenadiel attempts to speak to a variety of religious humans to better understand the qualities of a benevolent God. While Lucifer has undergone a fair share of pain and personal growth since his rebellion, with his love for Chloe essentially redeeming him to a great extent, Amenadiel seems better suited for assuming this role. This is not only backed by the fact that he is more patient and emotionally mature than Lucifer but is also reflected in the Goddess’ proclamation that Amenadiel is her “kindest, wisest son.” As wisdom is traditionally considered an integral part of Godhood, Amenadiel’s sharp insight into human hearts brand him a worthy candidate for the heavenly throne.
Moreover, Lucifer’s decision to become God stems from a need to prove himself worthy of Chloe, which, while being touching, is hardly the right reason for assuming such a seminal role. Despite spending a considerable time on Earth among humans, Lucifer is often oblivious to the layered emotions harbored by those around him, despite displaying phenomenal growth in terms of self-actualization and empathy. On the other hand, Amenadiel is able to cultivate a similar level of growth despite spending most of his existence in the Silver City, even managing to experience the anxieties and ecstasies of fatherhood after the birth of Charlie. While Amenadiel’s character arc does not diminish Lucifer’s by any means, the former undoubtedly understands divine responsibility better than the Devil.
A prime example of why Amenadiel would be a better God than the Devil in Lucifer is best captured when he asks Ella Lopez whether she would change anything about God, and she states that she wouldn’t, as she does not deserve his unconditional love. Ella focuses on the darkness within her, but Amenadiel gently asks her to also acknowledge her inherent goodness, and place some of her faith in the divine on herself. This is not only an emotionally profound moment for Ella but also something the creator of the cosmos is expected to do - empathize and reassure his children during the darkest of times. Will Lucifer be able to do the same, now that he is God, or will he take a brand new approach altogether?