Characters like Charlie are always really hard for me to like in general. They’re a little bit too bright, bubbly, and heart-eyed. But ever since Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation came around, I’ve given characters like her space to grow. And that’s what Charlie desperately needs after the events of Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 3 “Behind Closed Door.”
Because Charlie, she has no idea what she’s doing.
And when you have a go-getter character like Charlie realize that they actually have to deliver something after faking it until they make it for so long, people get hurt. This episode saw Angel Dust getting hurt. And that’s not going to be the last casualty on this journey of morality, redemption, and people trying their best. And yes, that includes Charlie, even if I’m annoyed with her right now.
MORE: Already watched the next episode? Read our review for Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 4!
How Does Redemption Even Work?
For so long Charlie has been adamant about this idea of redeeming souls based on wishes and unicorns, if I’m being honest. And there’s nothing wrong with having these big lofty dreams. Dreamers get things done. But Charlie never knew what it actually takes to get to heaven. She was just trying. And she lucked out because she’s bright, inviting, persistent, and surrounded by people she’s given a chance to and who give her grace to try in return.
But Charlie never really knew what it took to get to heaven. It was just a theory. And Emily confirming that the hotel worked, it’s shaken Charlie. That’s why she was okay with ignoring Angel Dust’s clear worry and upset about Vox being in Angel’s safe space aka the hotel. That’s also why she was okay with guilting Angel to do these tasks to get redeemed as if she knew. She’s panicking and desperately trying to speed run a redemption because she doesn’t know what the secret formula is. And she’s not ready to face that fact or the unraveling that can come from it.
This right here is a recipe for character development that could lead to Charlie having a killer storyline in Season 2. It could also lead to her crashing and burning and destroying everything around her more than Vox could ever do. My bet is on the latterer, especially because we know that she’s going to be having problems with Vaggie this season. What if they have opposing views on what to do with the hotel or how to actually get people to heaven once the cameras are gone, especially when one of them was born in Heaven and the other has only visited.
Whatever may come. Charlie is ignoring many things so she won’t come apart.
Angel Dust Deserved Better
Now that I gave Charlie a whole section where I was giving her the benefit of the doubt, this is where I defend Angel Dust wholeheartedly. Because I hate how many boundaries Charlie crossed when it came to Angel Dust, especially after the first episode of Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel made it clear that Angel Dust was in a better place and even doing some therapy sessions with Charlie.
Charlie bringing Vox into the hotel after witnessing what that company was okay doing to Angel Dust, was a betrayal of Angel’s trust. And it felt like he agreed to this whole gimmick of redemption in front of the cameras because Husk gave him the gentle push that he needed but also he didn’t want to let Charlie down. But Charlie was so obsessed with proving that the hotel worked, that she completely ignored that Angel Dust is her friend and what redemption could mean for Angel Dust.
In a way, Charlie feels like the rich girl who is slumming it with those not as fortunate as her without the understanding that if things get bad, she’ll be ok and they won’t. It’s giving privilege. And yes, I say privilege even if I understand some of the angst Charlie is going through. Plus, this is a defend Angel Dust space. Charlie was given the benefit of the doubt above.
MORE: Need a refresher of the first episode of Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel? Read our review.
Charlie has the options and won’t be hurt if the hotel fails. But the rest of the people in Hell, they don’t have options. Angel Dust is one of the most popular celebrities in Hell. But we saw in Season 1 what he was willing to do to survive in Hell. We witnessed that pain, the raw anger at being stuck under Valentino’s thumb, and their resistance to change. Because change hurts, especially when people let you down. And I think that Charlie let Angel Dust down because she has a privilege that she has not acknowledged and which clouds her actions.
What if Angel Dust doesn’t want to go to Heaven? What if Angel Dust likes drugs and sex but wants to be free to choose when they do that? All of these questions need to be asked, especially after we learned that Sir Pentious was in heaven. He was redeemed. But he wants to come back home to Hell to be with his friends. That bond with his people didn’t disappear because he went to Heaven. That shakes the very foundation of redemption and opens the door for someone like Angel Dust to maybe live a happy afterlife in Hell with their friends, doing the things that they like.
It should be Angel Dust’s choice. Not Charlie’s. Not Vox’s and not even Husk. It should be Angel’s choice.
The Most Romantic Song in Hazbin Hotel History
Season 1 of Hazbin Hotel played around with the thought of Sir Pentious having a crush on Cherri Bomb. And I thought that it was pretty surface level and wasn’t going to go anywhere. It also felt like we as a viewer weren’t given enough backstory to understand why Sir Pentious liked Cherri Bomb. So coming into Season 2, I didn’t expect to absolutely adore the power ballad “Piss (A Love Song)” featuring these two.
“They say time heals all wounds, but the wounds are what I miss.” is absolute poetry that continues to evolve this conversation about what redemption means. Because here these two people are, one in Heaven and the other in Hell after one redeemed themselves, and they miss each other. They desire each other. They desire the connection they had where they ran around Hell trying to destroy each other. And they miss the action and exhilaration of the unknown that came with each other. For them, redemption is what separated them, not saved them.
The lyrics for “Piss (A Love Song)” were also the kind of difficult emotion that songwriters try to capture but fail to do so because they’re more worried about sounding good instead of expressing genuine emotion. Because what Cherri Bomb and Sir Pentious are going through are the most complicated feelings. The kind of feelings where you misunderstood the feelings in front of you. And by the time you do, it’s too late. There’s tragedy in a pain like these two are experiencing.
There’s also room for hope.
Hazbin Hotel needs to use this beautiful potential they have between Cherri Bomb and Sir Pentious and continues to ramp up the tension with them. I for one love a good reunion scene. And I’m more willing to wait for that reunion if a show drops little breadcrumbs along the way that continue building on the importance of their relationship. And this right here is the start. “Piss (A Love Song)” also just so happened to raise the bar when it comes to love songs on Hazbin Hotel. Your turn, Charlie and Vaggie. Or Angel Dust and Husk.
Additional thoughts about Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 3:
- In Season 1 I was very much not into something between Angel Dust and Husk because Angel Dust was not in a space to be in a relationship. But I think my mind has changed in Season 2.
- You saw that moment at the end between Angel and Husk???
- HUSK HAS FEELINGS.
- And the fact that Husk has feelings scared him.
- But also scared Angel Dust.
- Also, is it just me or was Charlie cosplaying as Waluigi during the final train moment?
- I would also like to do a lengthy piece on Vox. But I’ve talked about him before and he’s just laying the cards and using Charlie for his own agenda.
- I want to know what the next steps are. Because Velvette will get left behind. And so will Valentino.
Rating the songs of “Behind Closed Doors”:
- I already gave my thoughts on “Piss (A Love Song).” So we’re covered there.
- “Speedrun to Redemption”… I might have to listen to it again because it kind of bored me. But I also was really annoyed with Charlie. So yeah…
Hazbin Hotel releases new episodes Wednesdays on Prime Video.
What did you think about Hazbin Hotel “Behind Closed Doors”? Let us know in the comments below!
Catch up on all our Hazbin Hotel Season 2 reviews below:
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 1 Review: “New Pentious”
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 2 Review: “Storyteller”
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 3 Review: “Behind Closed Doors”
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 4 Review: “It’s a Deal”
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 5 Review: “Silenced”
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 6 Review: “Scream Rain”
