Mastermind

This is the article about the episode. For the song, see Mastermind (song).

"♫ I am the mastermind, and here I am the law. ♫"

―Satan, to Stolas

Mastermind
Series	Helluva Boss
Season	2
Episode	11
Air date	November 29, 2024
Writer	Vivienne Medrano
Director	Vivienne Medrano
Episode guide
Previous	"Ghostf**kers"
Next	"Sinsmas"

Mastermind is the eleventh episode of the second season of Helluva Boss and the nineteenth episode overall. It premiered on November 29, 2024, on Vivziepop's YouTube channel.

Synopsis

Blitz hires some interns and things sure do happen.

Plot

The episode opens on Andrealphus and Stella having a cup of tea in the former's mansion. Stella relishes in the news that Stolas has been dumped by Blitzo, whom she reveals that the latter had only frequented Stolas for his grimoire. Andrealphus is shocked by the news and gets angry at Stella for never sharing it until now, as it could've been used against Stolas to gain his power much sooner. Stella shuts him down, and Andrealphus leaves in a grump, presumably to begin work on a court case to bring Stolas down, somehow contacting Striker off-screen to give a false testimony.

Blitzo is then seen in the present with a group of interns in his office, trying to get recruited into I.M.P. Blitzo is ready to shoo them away, until they agree to work for experience, or for free, in Blitzo's eyes. They are however interrupted by Moxxie, who calls Blitzo to the windows. Several reapers are surrounding the building, yelling for them to come out to arrest them for the grimoire's illegal usage. Blitzo panics, and under his orders, The Crew try to destroy everything incriminating they have. They ultimately fail and try to escape, using the interns as decoys. They get into the van, only for Blitzo to accidentally crash it into a pole. Blitzo and his crew are then arrested.

Blitzo is then brought before Satan, who will act as this case's judge. Along with his crew, they are accused of stealing the grimoire to conduct illegal business on Earth. Blitzo refutes and assures the grimoire was given to him. Andrealphus intervenes on Stella's behalf and claims Blitzo had been forcing himself on Stolas to gain the upper hand and use the grimoire. Blitzo tries to speak back, but is telekinetically muffled, causing Moxxie to get angry and attempt to refute Andrealphus' testimony. This only serves to anger Satan, causing his aid, Yogirt to intervene to calm the deadly sin down, allowing the discussion to continue. As Andrealphus continues, he is interrupted by prince Vassago, who calls for Stolas to be present at a trial concerning his Grimoire. Andrealphus is annoyed by this and tells Vassago to shut up, subsequently claiming he didn't want to put Stolas through the trauma of facing Blitzo, and then further accuses the imp of trying to get Stolas assassinated.

Blitzo is outraged by the claim, but is only restrained further. Andrealphus then calls up the hitman in the assassination attempt(s), Striker, to the bar to give his testimony, in exchange for immunity. Striker, hypocritically in cahoots with the Goetic marquis, reinforces the claim, saying Blitzo paid him to kill Stolas to cover the grimoire's business. Moxxie starts to despair, and Blitzo yells he could have killed Stolas himself, as an assassin, which doesn't help his case. Beelzebub comes forward, saying she doesn't trust Blitzo would plot an assassination against Stolas, and Asmodeus supports her claim. Mammon jabs at them for meddling with and dating the lower classes, and the three argue for a moment. Satan cuts them out and suggests a vote to determine whether they should have a fair trial (described by him as "hours of testimony") or whether to just execute Blitzo so Satan and the others can go have lunch. However, only Asmodeus, Bee, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona vote in favor of a fair trial, while the overwhelming majority of the room votes against it. Satan decides to have Blitzo and his crew executed for Blitzo's crimes, and to broadcast their execution across all of hell to remind everyone who's in charge.

Verosika Mayday and Fizzarolli both see the imminent execution on TV, with the latter begging a powerless Asmodeus through texts to do something to stop the process. Blitzo implores Satan to not kill his crew, as he tells him that they simply followed his orders and that he was the 'rogue agent' in this case. Satan agrees to spare his crew, seeing no reason to "punish the dutiful", and eventually Blitzo gets ready to be beheaded (after mistakenly assuming Moxxie would be the only one executed). Stolas finally gets to see the court case on TV and quickly runs to the courtroom. Satan asks if Blitzo has any last words, and the imp proclaims he only tried to rise above his poor situation imposed by the leaders of society, and asks Moxxie and Millie to take care of Loona, before kneeling into position. The reaper-like executioner readies the axe, and before the axe reaches Blitzo, we cut to see surprised reactions from those watching the trial. In an unexpected turn of events, Stolas arrives just in time to block the axe with a barrier of cosmic magic, saving Blitzo, and offers to tell the truth about the case, in the form he knows best, a song (much to the approval of Vassago and disapproval of Blitzo).

During the song, Stolas refutes the possibility of Blitzo plotting anything and calls out to a mastermind, before revealing himself as the mastermind, the culprit who had given access to the grimoire. He also expresses his regrets towards Blitzo in his soliloquy, and Blitzo acknowledges his feelings in his soliloquy, albeit 'too late'. Satan remarks at how the monarchy has been betrayed by Stolas, and then concludes the song by claiming he is the true mastermind, originally ruling Hell before the golden angel's fall, earning him an eyeroll from Bee and Ozzie, who know he's lying as they look at Lucifer's abandoned throne, and tells Stolas that since he broke his rules, he will pay the price instead of Blitzo.

Satan then orders for Blitzo to be released and to be escorted out of the room. He is dragged away in tears, trying to run back to Stolas, hurting his wrist in his attempts to do so. Blitzo reunites with his crew, and all four share a heartfelt hug. Back inside the courtroom, Stolas gets himself ready to be executed, much to the confusion of Satan. Stolas is taken aback, assuming he would be executed for his heinous crimes. Satan merely laughs and states his life, being a royal, has value, unlike the imp 'pawn'. However, since he did commit a heinous crime, he would require a punishment fitting of his station. By Andrealphus' suggestion, Satan punishes Stolas by stripping him of all power, status and wealth, and banishing him to live among the lower classes for a century much to the annoyance of Andrealphus, who hoped it would be permanent. Octavia will remain with her mother who gains full custody, and Andrealphus will replace him for either the duration of his punishment or until Octavia is ready to take over her father's position. Stolas is then thrown out of the courtroom, catching up with Blitzo. He explains he no longer has a home or anything to his name, to which Blitzo replies for him to come with them.

Outside, Moxxie and Millie depart via taxi, and Blitzo, Stolas and Loona walk home. Imps are celebrating Blitzo's survival through the trial, while also throwing things at a devastated Stolas, with Blitzo asking them to stop. Once home, Blitzo and Loona hug as Stolas watches, having a mournful realization; he has abandoned Octavia despite his promises. The imp leads Stolas to the bathroom to clean him, with Loona providing one of her sweaters to replace Stolas' dirty prince outfit. Blitzo reads an article on I.M.P's survival after receiving a Sin-appointed death sentence, the first case in known history where a hellborn has survived, praising the four and bashing Stolas. Blitzo also receives dozens of texts congratulating him and asking for his services and if they can join his company, which pleases him, though he snaps back to reality when a dejected Stolas comes out and crashes on the couch. They thank each other, and Stolas falls asleep before Blitzo gets to say something. Blitzo blushes, and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He then looks out hopefully through the window at the fireworks.

Features

Characters

• Employees of I.M.P
  • Blitzo
  • Millie
  • Moxxie
  • Loona
• Seven Deadly Sins
  • Lucifer Morningstar (mentioned)
  • Asmodeus
  • Beelzebub
  • Mammon
  • Satan (debut)
  • Leviathan (debut; non-speaking cameo)
  • Belphegor (debut; non-speaking cameo)
• Goetia
  • Goetia Royal Family
    • Stella
    • Stolas
    • Octavia (non-speaking cameo)
  • Andrealphus
  • Vassago (debut)
• Yogirt (debut)
• Striker
• Bombproof (mentioned)
• Verosika's crew (non-speaking cameo)
  • Verosika Mayday
  • Vortex (indirectly mentioned)
  • Kiki
• Wally Wackford (non-speaking cameo)
• Fizzarolli (non-speaking cameo)
• Barbie Wire (pictured)
• Gigi (pictured)
• Reapers (debut)

Locations

• Hell
  • Pride Ring
    • Andrealphus' mansion
    • Imp City
      • I.M.P Headquarters
      • Blitzo's apartment (cameo)
    • Court of the Seven Sins (debut)
    • Stolas' mansion
  • Wrath Ring
  • Lust Ring (cameo)
    • Asmodeus' Tower
  • Unnamed club (cameo)

Objects

• Stolas' Grimoire (mentioned)
• One of Lucifer's rubber ducks (cameo)

Music

Songs

• Mastermind

Trivia

• As of this episode, Blitzo's illegal use of the royal grimoire has been made public to the higher-ups of Hell.
• Stolas is banished from the Ars Goetia, stripped of his authority, wealth, and power, and lost custody of Octavia, for the duration of a century. Due to Octavia being still too young to take over her father's position and legions, Andrealphus is the one to take over his duties and legions until his niece is of age.
  • Stolas being "stripped of his power" is currently assumed to be his spatial magics, such as portals and telekinesis, and likely his petrification gaze. However, it is unknown if he is still able to use his full demon form, or any spells he has memorized from the grimoire, such as the human disguise.
• This episode introduces a new race of Hellborn Demons, named Reapers in the subtitles, who physically resemble the Grim Reaper, and appear to be Hell's law enforcement. They appear to be more powerful than regular hellborn, as they are capable of teleporting by themselves, summoning restraints, and are strong enough to restrain Millie and Loona.
• As of this episode, all Seven Deadly Sins have been shown across either Helluva Boss or Hazbin Hotel.
• In the song, Mastermind, Satan claims that he originally reigned over Hell, or the "endless darkness", prior to Lucifer's exile from Heaven. However, in a tweet, Vivziepop revealed that because of Lucifer's prolonged absence, Satan can say anything he wants. She also confirmed that Lucifer has always been the first ruler of Hell, and Asmodeus and Beelzebub know Satan lied, acknowledging this with a look at Lucifer's vacant throne and rolling their eyes in response to Satan's proclamation.
  • Satan, however, is the judge to those that break Hell's laws, making him second to Lucifer and his daughter in the hierarchy of Hell, however, he essentially rules uncontested due to Lucifer's absence.
• During the court hearing, what is supposed to be Lucifer's seat above the other Sins has a rubber duck with a similar hat sitting on it with a sign that says "BRB 5 mins" covered in spiderwebs.
  • Lucifer's absence is due to him being part of Hazbin Hotel, making him able to appear in Helluva Boss difficult, as the rights for Hazbin Hotel are under A24, whereas Helluva Boss is independently made and owned by Vivienne Medrano.
  • Lucifer's absence may also be justified as he and his family are currently absent in Hell's affairs, as shown in Hazbin Hotel.
• On his phone, Blitzo reads a news article celebrating I.M.P for surviving their trial, stating they were the first Hellborns to ever survive a trial by the Deadly Sins after receiving a death penalty.
• The episode shows that demonic royalty invokes Lucifer's name when cursing or praying, such as Stolas' "Oh my Lucifer!" and Satan's "What in Lucifer's Hell is this?", in direct contrast to how lower demons like imps invoke Satan's name instead.
• According to Vivziepop, this episode was written in 2021, three years prior to its release.
• The conflict between Satan against Blitzo and Stolas is first foreshadowed in Emberlynn Pinkle's fanfiction featuring her self-insert OC shipped with Blitzo, as shown in the Helluva Shorts episode titled "Mission: Weeaboo-boo".
• Near the beginning of the episode, Andrealphus refers to Stolas as Stella's ex-husband, which may imply that the divorce between the two has been finalized. However, later in the court, Andrealphus refers to Stolas as "her husband", which may instead imply that Andrealphus only refers to them as exes whilst in private but they are still legally married.
• The scene where Andrealphus becomes enraged at Stella for waiting to tell him about how Stolas was letting Blitzo illegally use his grimoire somewhat parallels Vox becoming enraged at Valentino for not telling him about how Alastor returned before telling him about Angel Dust staying at the Hazbin Hotel with Charlie in "Radio Killed the Video Star".

Cultural references

• Yogirt is dressed like an angel to represent the shoulder angel, a plot device that is meant to embody the conscience, being normally accompanied with a shoulder devil that embodies temptation.
• Loona is briefly seen playing poker on her desktop computer with other hellhound players, a reference to Cassius Marcellus Coolidge's famous series of paintings, Dogs Playing Poker.
• The close-up of Satan's face looming through the smoke and flames during his song is reminiscent of the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence from Disney's Fantasia.
• The Wacky Charms Fizzarolli was seen eating and its commercial on Stolas' TV is a reference to the Lucky Charms cereal brand.
• Andrealphus' final taunt toward Stolas alludes to the internet meme "Go To Horny Jail".
• One of the Goetic demons seen seated near Andrealphus resembles a Skeksis from the 1982 film The Dark Crystal.

Continuity

• Stella mentions to Andrealphus about the "break-up" between Stolas and Blitzo that happened in "The Full Moon" and reveals to him the deal that the two had about the use of Stolas' grimoire that was made in "Murder Family".
• When the Reapers attempt to arrest I.M.P, four images of Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona, are shown from the previous episodes:
  • Loona's photo has her in her party outfit from "Queen Bee".
  • Blitzo and Moxxie's mugshots in the Greed Ring prison, referencing Moxxie's flashback from "Exes and Oohs".
  • Millie in her assassin outfit from her flashback in "Ghostf**kers", seemingly on a sepia wanted poster.
• When facing four potential interns, Blitzo mentions he doesn't have the funds for more employees, referring to the fact his company is recovering from near-bankruptcy caused by him in "Ghostf**kers".
• Millie flushes in the toilet the clothes used as human disguises in "C.H.E.R.U.B" along with Blitzo's sniper rifle from "Murder Family".
• Striker now has a scar on the left side of his face from the explosion set off by Blitzo in "Oops".
• When Beelzebub tried to convince Satan to give Blitzo a chance to defend himself from the charges, she mentions the time she met Blitzo in "Queen Bee".
• Asmodeus challenging Mammon after the latter criticizes the former and Beelzebub regarding how they mingle with low-class demons is a reference to the standoff between them in "MAMMON'S MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL MID-SEASON SPECIAL (ft Fizzarolli)", as well as Beelzebub's relationship with Vortex, as Mammon indirectly refers to the latter as "[Beelzebub's] mutt".
• Stolas now has a scar on his left shoulder that he received from Striker's torture in "Western Energy".

Errors

• When Andrealphus emphasizes his rage against Stella for withholding valuable information, for a split second, Stella's right eyelash is colored similar to her tiara.
• Striker's scar is on the left side of his face even though the blast he received in "Oops" hit his right side.
• The direction of the hair on Leviathan's right head frequently switches throughout the episode. Also, when Mammon flirts with Leviathan, her right head's hair is layered behind the left one, making it appear as if it is hanging over her left head.
• When Satan appears through the flames in his part of the song, the pointed edge of the cliff re-appears despite it crumbling away moments ago.
• During one scene of the song, the spikes on Blitzo's back are missing.
• At some point when the scene briefly cuts back to Fizzarolli, his cheek marks are colored a pinkish-red than the usual black.
• When Satan yells at Moxxie, the back of Loona's swept hair is missing, as the back of her head is completely bald.

Transcript

View the episode's transcript here.

Gallery

• Mastermind/Gallery

Video

HELLUVA BOSS - MASTERMIND -- S2- Episode 11