Netflix recently debuted a new science fiction/horror series called “Lockwood & Co”. It appears to be based in some kind of dystopian British society—the timeline is unclear if it is in modern day or not. It appears modern, but seeing as the use of cell phones and other technology is down-played, this aspect is ambiguous.
The series is interesting because it starts out as if the viewer already knows what “The Problem” is. It does not give the back-story for its dystopian culture until some episodes later, when it is finally revealed that some years ago there was a rift between our world and the world of the dead and now ghosts and evil spirits are everywhere and can badly affect live human beings and even kill them. What’s more, is that the next generations are often born with certain gifts—being a listener, an empath or having the gift of sight—where they can actually track the ghosts and fight them. So much so that there are actual ghost-training facilities and organizations dedicated to fighting “the problem”.
However, the show centers around a young girl, who is first used by her mother, betrayed by a former teacher and then loses one of her best friends to being “ghost-locked”. This young girl has incredible talents and gifts when it comes to being a listener. She flees her home town and although she wants to join the top rated agency at first, she ends up stumbling onto a very small agency called Lockwood & Co that is run by two young men. Although they are small, they are very talented and quirky in their approach and willing to take on almost any risk.
The storyline doesn’t sound super appealing, but there is something about the chemistry of these characters, the many unsolved mysteries , and a deeper plot-line that makes the show highly addicting. Even as we learn new details, the audience can tell that there is so much more going on. There seems to be conspiracy within conspiracy. As Lockwood & Co solves one mystery case, it leads to another. And even after that very intense and dangerous case is solved, we learn that it is just the tip of the iceberg to something much bigger. Although the actors who play the main characters are relatively unknown, they do an amazing job in the roles they are cast in. They are interesting and realistic, and fraught with both bravery, courage and brokenness. All of them possessing wounds from their past but banding together to try and heal. I’m definitely very curious in seeing the next Season and where the series is headed!
