Hazbin Hotel 2×03 and 2×04 Review: “Behind Closed Doors” and “It’s A Deal”

Charlie struggles to prove the Hazbin Hotel’s effectiveness while we learn more about the pasts of its residents in “Behind Closed Doors” and “It’s A Deal.”

After learning that Sir Pentious (Alex Brightman) has been redeemed in the season’s first two episodes, Charlie (Erika Henningsen) is eager to prove to the residents of Hell that the Hazbin Hotel works in “Behind Closed Doors” and “It’s A Deal.” Her insistence on jumping into her attempts without devising a well-thought-out plan or thinking about potential consequences is a disaster and frustrating to watch. Thankfully, the episodes are “redeemed” with some fun moments with the other residents and some interesting machinations on the part of Alastor (Amir Talai).

“Behind Closed Doors” picks up immediately at the end of “New Pentious,” with Charlie learning that Sir Pentious is in heaven and has been redeemed. Despite sharing Charlie’s excitement, Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz) makes valid points that Charlie doesn’t actually have tangible proof to win over the skeptics and that they don’t know exactly how Sir Pentious ended up being redeemed. Upon seeing that Voxtech has labeled her a dictator, Charlie is desperate to spread the word about the hotel’s effectiveness and invites Voxtech over without coming up with a concrete plan. Though Charlie’s optimism and hopefulness is joyful, her continuing to ignore Vaggie’s valid concerns is frustrating.

Vox (Christian Borle) and Velvette (Lilli Cooper) accept Charlie’s invitation, eager to use the opportunity to further tarnish Charlie’s image. Though Charlie should be very well aware of how manipulative Voxtech is after living her entire life in Hell, Charlie’s attempt to prove Sir Pentious’ redemption without actual proof goes as badly as expected.

Charlie then declares that she will provide proof by redeeming Angel Dust (Blake Roman) on camera. Unfortunately, she decides to do this by pressuring him on the spot and ignoring his valid concerns about Vox and Velvette’s association with his abusive boss Valentino (Joel Perez). With Charlie’s insistence and Husk’s (Keith David) encouragement, Angel Dust eventually agrees.

After several increasingly frustrating attempts of trying to recreate Sir Pentious’ redemption, including Angel Dust having to save Husk from a train with Vox-sabotaged brakes, Charlie finally comes to the obvious conclusion that the redemption must be tailored to the person trying to be redeemed. Vox reveals that Angel Dust murdered his implied-to-be-abusive father and is overjoyed that he and Velvette have all of the footage needed to further tarnish Charlie and the hotel’s image. Even more so, Angel Dust is rightfully angry that his trauma has been put on camera for everyone to see.

Meanwhile, Cherri Bomb (Krystina Alabado) struggles with her feelings for Sir Pentious and asks former associate Baxter (Kevin Del Aguila) for details about him. As she realizes her feelings, she and Sir Pentious share a fun split-screen duet. The episode ends on a more heartfelt note as Cherri Bomb consoles Angel Dust after his ordeal and declares her intention to stay at the hotel.

In the aftermath of Voxtech’s manipulated expose of Charlie and the hotel, Charlie tries to set the record straight by going on the news broadcast in “It’s A Deal.” She once again brushes off Vaggie’s concerns, convinced that being on live TV can prevent her words and actions from being manipulated. The plan goes equally poorly as newscaster Katie Killjoy (Brandon Rogers) attacks Charlie on air and continues to twist her words. Though Charlie’s hopefulness and belief in others make her an enjoyable character, her continuing to end up falling into Vox’s traps so easily remains frustrating.

The primary focus of the episode is Alastor, who attempts to quit the hotel. This leads to learning about Alastor’s backstory, in which human Alastor made a deal with Rosie (Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer) to gain power in the afterlife, was killed soon after due to being mistaken for a deer, and rejected a partnership with Vox. The interesting revelations provide even more intrigue around an already interesting character, though they raise questions of whether unremorseful serial killer Alastor could ever be redeemed.

After Rosie tells Alastor that he can’t abandon the hotel under her orders, Alastor takes on the Vees in a thrilling fight sequence with the help of Niffty (Kimiko Glenn) and Husk. Ultimately, he makes a deal with Vox to surrender himself in exchange for leaving Charlie alone. Vox is overjoyed by the prospect and shows off his victory to everyone in Hell. However, there’s no way that Alastor doesn’t have a plan in motion. It will be enjoyable to see him get the upper hand over Vox and the Vees.

Niffty is one of the best parts of the episode, as Charlie brings her along to the TV station. She gets a fun song where she expresses her excitement of getting to clean up the messes at the hotel and later pulls Husk into battle to assist Alastor in his fight with Vox and the Vees.

Though not quite as strong as the first two episodes, “Behind Closed Doors” and “It’s A Deal” provide some great character moments regardless. Despite Charlie’s frustrating methods in the past two chapters, hopefully, she will learn from her mistakes and ultimately triumph with the help of her loved ones and allies.

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Author: Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff is a graduate of Drexel University with a BS in Film/Video. She has a passion for entertainment and representation in entertainment. She currently resides outside of Washington, DC.

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