A thing I really like from hazbin s2 is how it rewrites certain aspects of Lucifer and Alastor's characters that were established and accepted by the fandom before as absolute truth
With Lucifer, ofc, is the fact that he can't harm sinners. I know some people don't like it because they think that this means he's not violent towards sinners not because he chooses kindness but because he physically can't- but honestly that's part of why I like it
(Now, don't get me wrong, I don't particularly think Lucifer would be violent towards sinners anyway? I think he's more uninterested and desensitized to Hell's violent nature and he seems to be more written with the idea of "fallen angel" in mind rather than "the devil" -- but that's a different topic)
From what I've seen, the general fanon consensus on why tf Lucifer did not smite Alastor's annoying ass (said with all the love I have for Al) after Dad Beat Dad was because of Charlie. In fics, people even extend that to a post s1 finale space where Lucifer doesn't let Alastor die from Adam's injury because of Charlie as well, because she'd be sad or she wouldn't approve of it
(I'm absolutely not trying to tell anyone how to write their fanfics and also I don't think fics represent 100% the fandom opinion, but this trope is consistent and relevant enough that I had to mention it)
And what happens with this, in my opinion, is that it centers Lucifer's character a bit too much in Charlie for my liking. This is not necessarily a bad thing, Charlie is the MC after all, and Lucifer's character introduction was about how he had a rocky relationship with his daughter that he wanted to fix and make better. So it is fair to assume she'd be one of his main motivations to be a better person in this aspect as well
I just personally don't find it as interesting. Lucifer is a character that, as of now, hardly exists outside of Charlie. Biblical lore and implications are doing everything they can for him, but him and his relationships are yet to be explored (something that I assume would happen in s3 since we've been told multiple times that it's a very Morningstar family season)
So I like that this part of his character, a rather big and redefining part of his character, is not directly tied to her but to himself, to his past, to heaven, his mistakes and then his fall and punishment. It gives him more space to exist as his own person
(In angst terms I also like that he wasn't given a choice in the matter lol it feels ironic)
Now, with Alastor is about how "he wouldn't do anything he doesn't want to". He really carries himself with that energy in s1, like he has the power to do whatever he wants and, most importantly, to not do what he doesn't want to (with the exception of what he's been told to do by his, then, mysterious owner), or even if he has to do it, to gain something out of it (like the deal he made with Vaggi in s1e1)
And while I do love that energy, I find that I much prefer the current canon of "no, actually he would do something he hates in order to achieve his final goal" Like- he gives himself up as Vox's prisoner and goes through the torture and humiliation, which he obviously did not enjoy, with the final goal to break his deal
I think it's more interesting to see a character that's so driven by their ambitions that they would be willing to endure and put themselves through discomforts and worse in order to achieve said ambition, than to see a character that would force their way out of it and never be willing to give something up when the situation is bigger than them
Sometimes, that even being hurting the people he cares about (for as much as he likes to deny it). We saw with Niffty that when she was in dire situations he'd put a stop to it. But with Charlie, on the other hand, he's willing to set her up for humiliation as well and to be at least emotionally hurt, in order to break his deals
I don't think he ever thought she was in an actual danger when he taunted Vox into inviting her to his party, but the flatten ears during the scene give the impression than even then he wasn't just happy to set her up like that
That makes me think that he'd be willing to hurt people he cares about in order to achieve his goals even if he doesn't feel particularly great about it as well if they're not in a true danger
Except that we do have his bluff at the s2 finale lmao not even gonna expand on that, he was crazy for that /pos
Some people also like to point out that his ears were also flattened when he saw Lucifer being put in the Might of Lilith. As a RA shipper I have to add this, but since their relationship is A Mess I do consider it dubious info
(He did have like 0 fucks to give about Angel's situation, so that's a point for Lucifer ig ??? - not relevant sorry)
Even in seemingly romantic situations. While I don't personally ship RS (that much), I do 100% believe he was acting more flirtatious when proposing his deal to Vox in s2e4, because regardless of his feelings for Vox or the subject, he knows him well enough to know it'd destabilize him and work in benefit of his plans
He is also willing to do the act of perfect gentleman for Rosie, probably because that's what was expected for their dynamic from her, even though he was already upset for what he perceived as her unfulfilling their deal and for his own weakness
Even in life, it is likely he had to play a part for the position he wanted to have. Only doing what he really wanted with his- other hobbies (ofc this is Rosie telling Alastor's story instead of Al telling it himself but oh well)
And also when selling his soul. Yeah, he was acting way too confident during his deal with Rosie and did not bother to think twice before accepting the deal. But still, to think he was willing to sell his soul (even for what he probably assumed was a shorter period of time) and being on a demon's control (when we know how much he craves it), in order to have enough power to secure his place in hell and do as he pleases (ironic) it's truly something
Anyway, you might notice how I used a lot of "seemingly", "probably", "likely", etc etc and that's because Alastor is also a character we don't really know much about, in terms of his inner world
We know he's emotionally repressed, we know he seeks power and control, we know he has a hard time forming and accepting relationships. But his true feelings remain masked for himself and for the audience, so everything is even more of a guessing game with him and pray that you are correct lol
I really hope we get to see that damn mask shattered by the end of the show, but as of now, I'm content knowing that he really seems to be willing to do anything he has to for his goals, if they keep that in the next seasons it'd be interesting to see what he is not willing to give up for once, or maybe even blowing up in his face
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