"Locke & Key" Season 2 Review: A Darker Season Awaits The Locke Family

As "Locke and Key' opens, the Locke family is struggling with the aftermath of their father's (Rendell) murder. He was killed during a home invasion by one of his students (Sam). Mother Nina decides to move the family from Seattle to a sprawling family estate in Matheson, Massachusetts. The three kids (Bode, Riley and Tyler) must adjust to life at a new school and the mysterious Keyhouse. The kids eventually discover a number of magical keys. They include: the Anywhere Key, Echo Key, Ghost Key, Head Key, Shadow Key, Mending Cabinet Key, Music Box Key, Matchstick Key, Identity Key, Mirror Key, Plant Key, and Omega Key.

The siblings think they are safe from the events of season 1. The demon Dodge (the woman in the well) has been vanquished. What they don't realize is that Dodge is not gone at all. She is currently inhabiting their friend Gabe's body. And Gabe has a sidekick. Its fellow high school student Eden. Watching the transformation from teenage girl into demon was a fun one. Great work by actress Hallea Jones.

Besides the usual demon fighting, this season focuses more on the themes of growing up and forgetting about the past. Once the kids turn 18 they wont remember anything about the keys. Tyler's girlfriend Jackie is already beginning to forget and it's painful to watch. This safety mechanism is in place so adults wont do horrible things with the keys (such as start wars).

Uncle Duncan also has no memory of what had happened previously. His memory was wiped by Rendell and friends after making a key for them. Erin Voss is the only member of their group left. She feels very guilty about what they did to Duncan.

New this season is Josh Bennett (a history teacher). His ancestors were responsible for opening the door that originally let the demons out.

In the end Dodge/Gabe, Eden and their army of demons is defeated by Kensey and company. But then a new baddie appears. It's Captain Frederick Gideon. Remember he offed Peter Locke back in the 1700s, He pushes Eden into the well when she tries to control him. Meanwhile Tyler heads out. He will be 18 soon and wants to forget all about Keyhouse. In a touching scene, Bode shares the memory key with his mom so she can remember the good times from her past.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). This season is darker and has more horror elements (which I appreciated). I have not read the source material but apparently this season deviates from it. Major themes this time around include loss, mourning and growing up. The finale seems a bit rushed. I would like to have seen an extended final battle with Dodge/Gabe. All in all, I still enjoyed the season though.

Season 3 of "Locke & Key" is scheduled to drop on NetFlix on August 10. I'm interested to see how they wrap up this story.