Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 5 “Silenced” is proof that this show has had a detailed plan since day one. Unfortunately we’ve entered the growing pains stage of the story, where the lead is getting on our absolute last nerve. But it’s a journey, right? That’s what I keep telling myself over and over again as Charlie annoys the heck out of me and the realities of what this hotel actually means in the grand scheme of things.
MORE: Have you read our review for the previous episode? Read our review for Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 4!
Charlie Morningstar, You Really Got Some Nerve
Up to this point in Season 2 Episode 5, I feel like everyone has been very supportive of Charlie. Because they can tell that she splintering because she doesn’t want the hotel to fail. You have Vaggie taking on the full weight of the hotel and all the guests. And then you have Lucifer helping out at the request of Vaggie. You even had Angel in a previous episode putting aside their discomfort and pain at having Vox near him and in his safe space, for Charlie. Nevertheless, Charlie has some nerve to act the way that she did in this episode.
I’m glad that Vaggie told her that she’s been burying her head in the sand. Because I understand as a viewer that Charlie doesn’t know how Sir Pentious actually got to heaven. And that eats away her. It would eat away at anyone. But instead of being that determined and kind young woman we saw in Season 1 who leaned on her friends and expected her friends to lean on her, she’s away from the hotel playing Vox’s game like this is her first day in Hell. She grew up in Hell but somehow she is still ignorant of the reality of where she lives. And it’s 100% due to her privilege.
Charlie hasn’t suffered like the other sinners. She’s hellborn and royalty. She gets to live in this fancy hotel with all the amenities and doesn’t have to go through things like Angel has to go through or like Husk has been through. Even Vaggie. Charlie has not been through the things that Vaggie has gone through or understands what it means to be an angel who stays in Hell. And I love that Charlie is trying to save all of these souls and do something good. But it’s come to the point where I sometimes wonder if she’s really doing this for the good of the people of Hell or because she’s trying to get her Mom’s attention?
Lilith isn’t picking up. But you know who is? Your girlfriend, your friends, and your father. Vaggie didn’t deserve to be treated with such anger by someone who has had her back through everything. And it really grates my nerves that Lucifer himself faced demons but hid from his daughter because he was afraid of her reaction. That doesn’t say good things about you, Charlie. It says that people are tiptoeing around you and feel like they can’t tell you the truth. That’s why I’m glad Vaggie broke and finally said something.
This anger and disappointment that I feel for Charlie, it’s because I care for this character that Hazbin Hotel has built. And I think it speaks of the strength of the show that I can see the little bits that they are dropping that signal that Charlie is on a journey of growth. Right now she’s on the precipice of something bigger than the hotel. And I’m going to stick around as a viewer because I’ve seen this happen in shows before. I’ve seen the lead explode, alienate everybody around them, and then seek refuge from that one person that has been absent for years. For Charlie that’s going to be her mother when she returns.
And like every good TV show that I’ve watched with an arc like this, Lilith is going to return and not be a help to Charlie. She’s going to be a hindrance to what Charlie wants to do aka redeeming souls. And that’s when we will see Charlie rise up and be the queen of Hell that I think this show has been stacking her to be from the very beginning. What we’re going through right now in Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 5 are growing pains. Or I hope that they’re growing pains. Because I’m invested but also giving her a little bit of grace. But that only goes so far. And I hope she makes up with her girlfriend and family before things get infinitely worse.
No, Lucifer Morningstar Didn’t Get “Nerfed”
There’s a reason why Vox didn’t even flinch when Lucifer appeared in “Silenced.”
Me, I was absolutely delayed when Hell’s Bad Boy came down in style to show Vox who is King of Hell. But as soon as I saw Vox not even flinch at the appearance of Lucifer, I knew that the King of Hell was cooked. Vox watches. He does that more than anybody because he knows information is power. And he’s been watching Lucifer closer than anybody knows or realizes. So yes, I think he absolutely knew that Lucifer couldn’t hurt sinners. And he used that revelation to his advantage while also squarely putting Lucifer in angel territory aka the enemy of sinners.
Writing wise, the revelation that Lucifer cannot hurt or smite sinners, it makes sense. Lucifer was punished for his ideas and for being the supposed precipice of evil entering the human world. And if I were God and punishing someone like Lucifer, it wouldn’t be enough to throw him into Hell and surround him with the very sinners he inadvertently helped create. I would have made it that he would have to watch as they continued on with their depravity, while not being able to bring true order. That is a true punishment and what the show has tapped into in “Silenced.”
And the title speaks to Lucifer himself. Lucifer was silenced. He was thrown into Hell with Lilith by his side. No other family and continuously having to hide for a millennia that he couldn’t hurt or help these people. That would wither anyone. And I think that’s why Lucifer leans into the comfort items in his life aka that fluffy sweater that he had on in this episode and all the ducks. He’s leaning into small comforts so he doesn’t have to face the reality that he’s imprisoned just like everybody else in Hell. He’s stuck and alone, with no one to keep him company.
For a little bit Lucifer had his daughter. But she has put the weight of everything going wrong on his shoulders instead of the situation just sucking and Vox taking advantage of it. And don’t even get me started on Lilith. Because this episode made it seem like she was a great ruler for Hell. But she abandoned Hell and its people. She also abandoned Lucifer and their daughter. So again, who wouldn’t go a little stir crazy at having the woman that kept you solace and company suddenly disappear and then 7 years later your daughter starts on a plan that reminds you of yourself before Heaven punished you?
MORE: Yes, Lucifer was watching a duck soap opera. Read our review for Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 6!
Alastor is Biding His Time
After the events of “It’s a Deal,” I think I was spot on with what Alastor is doing. There is anger that led him to where he is right now. He feels like he’s not moving forward in his search for power and Rosie has her hands on his soul. There is also caring because Nifty and Husk were going to get hurt by The Vees. And there is also planning. Because Alastor invested in the hotel and Charlie’s journey. And he knows that bad things are coming around. So he gave himself up to Vox and his cronies. And it’s in “Silenced” that I understand why.
Alastor has planted the seed of doubt in one of The Vees and plans to watch them rot from the inside out. He really came out of nowhere as Vox was about to give the biggest rally of his afterlife and picked at Vox’s insecurities. And when Valentino came around, who considers himself an equal to Vox, he gently poked and prodded at both of their insecurities. And what you were left with is a Vox who asked Valentino and Velvette to wait backstage while he gets the spotlight and a Valentino who is starting to see that Vox isn’t going to share his power.
This is the kind of writing on Hazbin Hotel that makes me rub my hands together in anticipation like that meme of the guy in the yellow suit standing behind a tree and peeking out. That’s me right now. Because that builds up is delicious and helps me as a viewer hold on. Because right now the storm is finally starting to brew. And things are going to get bad. Like really really bad. But plans are being made in anticipation of what is to come. And I think Hazbin Hotel did a really great job of emphasizing in “Silenced” that the one with the loudest voice in the room isn’t listening to anyone besides himself. Everyone else’s voice doesn’t matter.
This is the beginning of something bigger for Vox. But it’s also the beginning of the end. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Additional thoughts about Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 5:
- No Alastors Allowed.
- The continued bickering between Lucifer and Alastor is so entertaining.
- I need a pink sweater with ducks.
- Sir Pentious is adorable with his cookies.
- I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!
- I see why Adam would hate his son. But I love how different he is from Adam in the first place.
- Lute is so done with her head hitting that table.
- But the fact that she’s still there, even if she’s quiet, means that she believes in Heaven and is still in the fight.
- Also love the small details in Lucifer’s room, especially what was on his bed.
- Alastor is a pot stirrer to the highest degree and we love him cackling and planning with his shadow.
- The Vees are about to collapse.
- Valentino is on the hook right now.
- Next is Velvette…
- Also, talking about Valentino. I don’t care if he wakes up and decides to go for redemption. He hurt Angel in unspeakable ways. He belongs in Hell.
Rating the songs of “Silenced”:
- “Bad with Us” was… kind of basic. I don’t have to like Vox to like his songs. And so far I’ve liked his songs. But this one seemed like a cookie cutter version of himself. Where’s that raw power and anger? I don’t see it and he doesn’t want the sinners of Hell to see it. That wouldn’t be good for his image.
- “Vox Populi” had so many moving elements that somehow worked together. First of all, Lucifer’s entrance. 10 out of 10. There is power there and if his wings weren’t clipped he would destroy them all. And Vox’s response was giving scheming showmanship to the max. It was perfect.
- “Vox Dei” was a woah song because of the visuals that accompanied it. The wings made out of screens as Vox’s demon fish thing floated around him, now that’s a visual that will be staying with me for a long time.
Hazbin Hotel releases new episodes Wednesdays on Prime Video.
What did you think about Hazbin Hotel “Silenced”? 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”
