Locke & Key season 2
Netflix’s Locke & Key returns for its second season this Friday, October 22, but I already had the opportunity to watch season 2. The show is based on the IDW comic book series of the same name created by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez. It focuses on the Locke family, who moves to their patriarch’s family home after he is murdered by a student. There, siblings Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode find magical keys with mysterious abilities.
Created by: Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill & Aron Eli Coleite
Written by: Meredith Averill, Carlton Cuse, Liz Phang, Mackenzie Dohr, Vanessa Rojas, Kimi Howl Lee, Michael D. Fuller & Jordan Riggs
Directed by: Mark Tonderai, Mairzee Almas, Carlton Cuse & Millicent Shelton
Starring: Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Petrice Jones, Griffin Gluck, Aaron Ashmore, Hallea Jones & Brendan Hines
Full disclosure here: back when I watched season 1 for the first time, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the show. However, when I decided to review season 2, I rewatched season 1 in order to prepare for the new season. And it was a great surprise. I did not expect to enjoy the show so much more this time around. With that in mind, let’s talk about season 2.
My thoughts on season 2
Coming into season 2 of Locke & Key, I was once again positively surprised. I was afraid that season 2 would focus way too much on the teen drama that took way too much time from the first half of season 1. Thankfully, though, I was wrong. Season 2 is an improvement in every possible way. It’s very clear that showrunners learned from their mistakes, and because of that, the season works much better than the previous one.
The set design continues to be one of the best things about the show. The amount of details on Key House is fantastic. This year, with the addition of the Small World Key, and the dollhouse that comes with it, the set designers continue to impress.
Another important aspect of the series that continues to thrive is the acting. The actors continue to give their all and it shows. Season 1 standout Jackson Robert Scott continues to shine as Bode but takes a back seat, as Emilia Jones and Connor Jessup get a lot of dramatic material to work with. And both of them do an amazing job with that material. Connor, specifically, goes through a very interesting journey in the last few episodes of season 2 that really allows him to showcase his acting talents.
The biggest standouts of the season, however, are Darby Stanchfield, Griffin Gluck and Hallea Jones. Stanchfield continues to amaze as Nina Locke, and does an amazing job portraying a grieving woman learning to move on in season 2. Gluck and Jones, on the other hand, seem to be having a fantastic time playing villains, and are very entertaining in those roles.
The one aspect of the show that still bothers me, however, is the pacing. The show seems to be way too slow sometimes, and both halves of season 2 feel like they could’ve been shorter, for different reasons. I personally feel like the show would benefit from having a bit less episodes per season (8 instead of 10, perhaps?).
In conclusion
All in all, showrunners Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averill delivered an amazing season 2. I was hooked from episode 1 and am definitely looking forward to what is next on season 3.
Locke & Key season 2 will premiere on October 22, on Netflix.
Stay tuned for an interview with series stars Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Griffin Gluck & Hallea Jones, and executive producers Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill, Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez coming in the next few days.