When I started watching this series, I thought it would be a very dark and serious horror show. But to be honest, it turned out to be such an awkward mix of fantasy, a bit of teenage drama, and strange magic that if you put your brain aside, you will fully enjoy it. There is definitely a lack of logic in the show, and in many places the characters do things that may make you want to hold your head, but the concept of magic keys and the fear of Dodge keep you tied to the screen.
My honest review on each of episode:
Episode 1: "Welcome to Matheson"
When the show starts with this episode, a great atmosphere is created. After the father's murder, a broken family moves to an old mansion, and the little kid Bode hears the voices of the keys first. The script feels a bit slow here, but the arrival of the 'Anywhere Key' and the well woman (Well Lady) suddenly sparks curiosity. After watching the first episode, you feel that okay, something new will be seen.
Episode 2: "Trapper / Keeper"
Here in ep2 comes the 'Head Key', which according to me was the most unique concept of the whole show. Getting inside your own brain and seeing memories was really interesting. The pacing of the script feels a bit loose here and the older brother and sister make some strange decisions, but the concept was so fresh that you cannot ignore the episode. Despite being an awkward fantasy, boredom was not felt at all.
Episode 3: "Head Games"
In this episode, Kinsey pulls 'fear' out of her head and throws it away. From here, some cheap teenage high school drama starts, which distracts from the main plot. But Tyler and Kinsey exploring their father's memories adds an emotional touch. The show did not try much to hide its writing weaknesses, but the fun of the keys remained intact.
Episode 4: "The Keepers of the Keys"
Friendship and school fights ruin the script a bit in this episode, but finding out the truth about the old keepers and the secret of the drown cave makes it fun. Dodge coming among normal people and setting her trap gives the episode a good suspense. This was not a masterpiece, but as a viewer your time is not wasted.
Episode 5: "Family Tree"
In this episode, the 'Music Box Key' comes forward, which controls others. Tyler and Kinsey use it to teach a lesson to school bullies, which looks quite childish, but honestly, it is very fun to watch. The disappearance of Duncan's memories creates a new suspense about what actually happened to their father and friends in the past.
Episode 6: "The Black Door"
The suspense of the Black Door is the life of this episode. Sam Lesser escaping from prison and Dodge manipulating him brings the story to a slightly serious and dark turn. The pacing gets a bit fast and it feels like things are really going to get dangerous now. Characters still make some foolish mistakes, but their fear was worth watching.
Episode 7: "Dissection"
This was the most tense and fast paced episode of the entire season. Sam Lesser enters the mansion with a gun and takes the family hostage. The level of drama and action was good here. The confrontation that took place at a single location washed away all the previous sluggishness of the script and also generated some sympathy for Sam's character.
Episode 8: "Ray of Fucking Sunshine"
Nina's (the mother) character irritates a bit here because adults do not remember magic and she is struggling with her drinking habit. But Tyler getting closer to his father's truth and the mention of the 'Omega Key' keeps the story on track. The drama was a bit heavy, but the signs of the coming storm were clearly visible.
Episode 9: "Echoes"
Ellie finally spills all the truth about what happened to their group years ago and what mistake they made by opening the Black Door. All the screw ups and the reveal of the past were quite satisfying. From this episode, the base for the finale was completely set and Dodge's planning started making sense.
Episode 10: "Crown of Shadows"
The finale was quite weak in terms of script and the characters made such foolish mistakes that it felt like they were deliberately helping the villains. But the twist at the end, who they actually threw across the door instead of Dodge changed the whole game. Gabe's true identity coming out was a huge shock. The logic was completely zero, but the entertainment was full value for money and left a craving for the next season.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for deep logic or very high-level cinema in this show, it will definitely disappoint you. But if you want to watch a fantasy series with magic, strange keys, and fast drama that can simply be enjoyed while eating popcorn, Locke & Key Season 1 is a great watch for passing time.
This Review is Originally written in Urdu and Translated with Google Translator
