What kind of trouble with the residents of Hazbin Hotel get into while Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen) and Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz) are visiting Heaven? “Welcome to Heaven” was written by Adam Stein and directed by series creator Vivienne Medrano.
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Although Charlie and Vaggie are only going to Heaven for a few hours, Charlie is overpacking. Vaggie tries to get out of visiting Heaven, but Charlie insists. She says they need to be prepared so as to convince Heaven that their cause is justified. Vaggie continues to reach for excuses. However, Charlie reaffirms that she needs the support of her partner and Vaggie gives in.
Meanwhile, Angel Dust (Blake Roman) stumbles into the Hazbin lobby. Niffty (Kimiko Glenn) asks him what’s wrong. Angel says his boss Valentino (Joel Perez) had him working a 16-hour day. An explosion knocks a hole in the lobby wall and reveals Cherri Bomb. Angel warmly greets her. Cherri says Angel has been texting her depressing messages. She’s here to cheer him up by tearing it down.
Arriving in the lobby, Charlie embraces the idea of a “responsible night on the town.” Cherri is reluctant. However, stacks of cash convince Cherri to take the Hazbin residents with her and “Angie.” The portal to Heaven opens and Charlie and Vaggie step through. Sir Pentious (Alex Brightman) arrives in the lobby and identifies Cherri as his nemesis. However, he’s struck dumb by the supposition that he and Cherri are going for a night on the down. The fact that the rest of the residents are joining them doesn’t seem to register.
“Welcome to Heaven”
Charlie and Vaggie arrive at the pearly gates. Saint Peter (Darren Criss) looks in his book but can’t find Charlie’s name. He suggests they might be in the wrong place. But he’s interrupted by the arrival of Sera (Patina Miller), the head Seraphim, and Emily, the other Seraphim. Emily in particular offers Charlie and Vaggie a warm welcome. Peter begins to sing an upbeat song. The lyrics recount the positive elements of Heaven, including the pedigree of the residents. However, Sera interjects a lyric that makes it clear Charlie can’t stay.
Passing the other way, Adam and Lute (Jessica Vosk) catch sight of Charlie and company. They’re surprised and enraged to see Charlie is in Heaven. Adam wants to start a fight immediately. He says this would be better than waiting for the extermination. However, Lute reminds Adam of the Seraphim’s one rule: don’t let the residents of Heaven learn of the extermination.
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Sera arrives and tells Adam to listen to his lieutenant. She tells them that she wouldn’t have agreed to the extermination if she thought it would bring danger to Heaven’s doorstep. Sera tells Adam to do what he needs to do to get the situation back under control.
In a hotel room, Vaggie is exhausted. However, Charlie is going to the zoo with Emily. As soon as she leaves, Adam and Lute arrive and confront Vaggie. Adam says he recognizes “one of his top girls” even though Vaggie’s out of uniform.
Vaggie’s Story
Adam reveals he named Vaggie after “the best thing ever” because of her prowess as an exterminator. In a flashback, Vaggie shows mercy to a young denizen of Hell. In retaliation, Lute corners her and cuts out her eye. However, Charlie located Vaggie and nursed her back to health, kindling their relationship. Adam wonders how Charlie will feel about Vaggie if she learns of her angelic history. He says Vaggie works for him again, and at the hearing, she’ll help him shut down the Hazbin Hotel for good. And if Vaggie doesn’t help out, Adam will reveal her secret to Charlie.
In court, Charlie is disappointed to see Adam. Sera states that they’re present to determine whether or not a soul can be rehabilitated into Heaven by means of the Hazbin Hotel. Charlie opens her speech with several lame dictionary definitions. Next Charlie cites Angel as an example of someone who is actively working toward redemption.
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Charlie asks Adam what it takes to get into Heaven. Adam writes a note. It says, “Act selfless, don’t steal, stick it to the man.” Adam says this got him into Heaven. Sera confirms this. Charlie says Angel is doing all those things. Adam suggests she prove it. A screen appears, showing Angel and company at the club (which is called “Consent”).
Niffty is trying to sweep up the floor. Pentious points out that she doesn’t have to do that, since they’re at a club, not the hotel. This seems to be news to Niffty. She drops the broom and scurries away. Pentious attempts to buy Cherri a drink. But then he ends up buying a drink for everyone at the bar.
Consent
At the bar between Cherri and Husk (Keith David), Angel laments the abuse he’s endured from Val. Cherri tells him to cut “the Val talk.” Since he’s off the clock, why let Val ruin his night? She offers him a pill and tells him it’ll make him forget all about Val. Husk says, “Here we go.” Cherri calls him out for judging them. Husk tells Angel he can fuck up all his progress if he wants. But Husk thought he was better than that.
Cherri insists they get fucked up. But Angel says he doesn’t want to go too wild. Husk is reasonably satisfied. But Cherri keeps pressing. Angel is almost convinced. But when Pentious buys everyone in the bar another round of drinks, Angel takes his shot and gives in to Cherri’s pressing. In Heaven, Adam asks what more they need to see. He states that Angel isn’t a soul worthy of being in Heaven.
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Charlie asks if Adam never has a drink with friends after a hard day. Adam counters that it’s Heaven, so they have no hard days. Then he asks Vaggie what she thinks. Vaggie excuses herself to use the bathroom. Charlie insists that Angel will make good decisions. She says they must keep watching. Sera is unsure, but Emily insists.
Back at Consent, the Hazbin residents are getting sloppy. Niffty is getting dizzy so Angel cuts her off. She immediately begins bothering another table of guests. Angel retrieves her and then pays off the angry customers. Then he chases Niffty over to the cleaning closet. Cherri questions his inability to cut loose.
The Sex Rooms
Angel asks Niffty why she’s such a mess. She begins sobbing. However, Angel placates her by allowing her to play with “the kitty” (Husk). A drunken Pentious crawls over to Cherri and invites her to the “Sex Room.” But just like trying to buy her a drink, this ends with Pentious offering sex to everyone in the bar.
Cherri asks Angel why he isn’t fun anymore. She blames the Hazbin Hotel. However, Husk defends the hotel, saying Angel’s problem is Val. But that’s when Angel realizes Val is present at Consent. Angel says they should get out of there. But of course, Niffty is creeping towards Val’s table, intrigued by the idea of a “bad boy.” Angel catches her, but right at Val’s feet. Val asks if Angel has brought Niffty as “fresh meat.” Angel unequivocally denies this. And Niffty tries to bite Val.
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Angel says he may have to put up with Val, but none of his friends will. Val reminds Angel that Angel is owned by Val. He summons a chain of smoke that binds Angels’ wrists. Val pulls Angel closer. However, Angel states that Val only owns Angel in the studio. Val knocks Angel aside. He tells him to enjoy his night, as he’ll be paying for it in the studio the next day.
Angel gets to his feet and says it was worth it. Val watches him go. But he’s pained by Niffty yanking a chunk out of his fur. Angel invites Cherri to join them at the Hotel. She declines but tells Angel he knows where to find her. Then she takes the first man she sees to a sex room. For better or worse, Pentious arrives on the scene too late for consideration.
Heavenly Verdict
Back at the trial, Charlie says Angel did everything he was supposed to. Adam looks nervous. He asks Charlie why Angel isn’t in Heaven if he’s worthy. Emily echoes the question. So does everyone else. Charlie realizes that no one knows what the qualifications are for getting into Heaven. Sera says the questions stop now. She says they know when a soul arrives and passes judgment. Then, they protect those souls.
However, Emily begins to sing. The lyrics point out that Angel has seen the light, and checked the boxes Sera said would constitute redemption. Charlie joins Emily’s song. This causes Adam and Lute to join together in a verse that underscores the permanence of their system. Adam loses control and reveals the exterminations to everyone at the trial.
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Emily realizes Sera has known about the exterminations all around. She turns on Sera, calling her out for being a hypocrite. Emily and Charlie join together for a climactic verse that highlights the injustice of the system. But Adam and Lute reveal that Vaggie is a fallen exterminator herself. Charlie is mortified by the revelation. Sera says she’s sorry, but the court finds that there’s no evidence that any souls in Hell can be saved.
Adam exalts in his victory. He tells Charlie and Vaggie that the upcoming extermination will start at the Hazbin. Then he snaps his fingers and returns them to Hell. Emily swears she’ll find a way to help. Sera scolds Adam for his behavior. Adam is begrudgingly apologetic. Emily and Sera argue over the exterminations. Sera asks how she can bring joy when she knows they’re bringing suffering to countless souls. Sera instructs Emily to let her worry about it.
The first six episodes of Hazbin Hotel are currently available for streaming on Prime Video. The final two new episodes will debut Friday, February 2, 2024.
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