Finally, we can delve into Maze. I’ve been itching to look more closely at this wonderful character, and she finally opened the door. During the epic girls’ night out, Maze tells us she “was forged in the bowels of hell to torture the guilty for all of eternity.” First, that sounds like a crummy job to have, and she’s not happy to have that job for eternity. Maze has been struggling to find her place in the world, away from Lucifer, and her origin explains why.
The wording is very specific—that she was forged, like a piece of iron, like a tool to do a specific job, similar to the implements she brandished in front of Mum a couple of weeks back. The implication here is that she doesn’t have a soul and that, as a being, she’s struggling to understand a purpose beyond the one for which she was made. Her revelation doesn’t indicate who forged her, but she has been tied to Lucifer from the beginning so the Magic 8 Ball would likely tell us, “Signs point to yes.” Hopefully we’ll know more about this as the season progresses.
However, the episode diverges dramatically from the mythology behind Mazikeen, which is not an individual demon but a complete category of Jewish demon, more similar to the Arabian Djinn or mischievous elves than Christian demons. The Old Testament, in particular, is very sparse when it comes to demons, usually describing improper sacrifices to some being other than God. More information was circulated by the Rabbis with Midrash and the Talmud to suggest that demons are actually the offspring of Adam and his first wife (yes, first wife) Lilith.
The story of Lilith was to reconcile that there are two creations of humanity in Genesis, the first in Genesis 1:27, and then again in 2:7-22. The first simultaneously creates man and woman, while the second (and generally more popular) shows Adam created first, and then Eve created later from his rib.
The story as the rabbis tell it, later realized in a medieval text called the Alphabet of Ben Sira: Lilith and Adam fought about sex—which might explain Lucifer’s off-handed comment, “My first startup was a sex club, actually, little place called Eden, perhaps you’ve heard of it.” (Hopefully we’ll have the chance to delve more into this one in the future.) Lilith then yelled out God’s name, a big no-no, and was expelled from the garden. Afterwards, she was cursed and said to become a demon, presumably this would be the origin of all demons, including the mazikeen.
However, there’s no description of them or even understanding of what they do or where they come from in the Old Testament. The New Testament’s gospels, though, give us the most familiar concepts of demons. From the various encounters in the gospels, we know the following: Demons recognize Christ and obey his power. Demons have no physical form, as they are “unclean spirits” (Mark 5:2, 8). This spirit can possess people.
The episode goes in a completely different direction with Maze’s origin, and thus, the nature of demons. What’s interesting is that there is a tie to what she says, but it’s not to the Bible, it’s to Dante’s Inferno. Dante goes on a world tour of Hell’s circles, witnessing the punishments of its inhabitants. In most cases, demons inflict these punishments, which appear to be extensions of Hell itself. This is very much in line with what Maze says.
From previous episodes, we know that Maze is a torturer and that the idea of torturing Lucifer’s mother for another millennium “sounds like fun to [her].” Her forging might also explain why she doesn’t “do apologies.” An implement is made for a specific purpose and has no need to apologize—only the wielder must apologize.
This explanation of Maze being more object instead of free-willed spirit makes her journey of discovery very interesting, and it’s refreshing to see her developed so much in this episode. She takes great steps in establishing a tribe with the other girls. She and Chloe have taken a new turn in their relationship, as Maze doesn’t “want to kill [her] anymore,” and they will even become roommates. The final change is when Maze follows Linda’s advice and makes Lucifer get her a drink.
Other points of interest in the episode are Amenadiel still struggling with his “physical problem.” The distraction and drinking (at Linda’s suggestion) do nothing to get things “working the way they used to.” His frustration escalates, and it appears to be only a matter of time until he reveals his true condition to Lucifer. He does, however, finally convince Lucifer about the dangers of breaking the deal with Dad, enough to foreshadow the ending cliffhanger.
See also: Lucifer’s Punishments: The Mythology Behind Episode 2.03: “Sin Eater”
Andy Adams is an adjunct professor of English at various colleges in the Phoenix area. He has an affectation for fedoras as they complement his villainous goatee. He’s been known to poke his head onto Twitter @A3Writer, but he’s never been big into birds. He blogs at A3writer.comabout writing, teaching, and the conquest of fictional worlds—they’re more fun than the real world.
Read all posts by Andy Adams for Criminal Element.
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