Summary
Locke & Key Season 1, Episode 10, “Crown of Shadows” is a finale confirming that the Netflix series could have easily been three chapters shorter. This was not worth the binge.
This recap of Netflix Series Locke & Key Season 1, Episode 10, “Crown of Shadows” contains significant spoilers.
- Read the Season 1 review.
- Read the recap of the previous episode (9).
- Access the archive of all the episode recaps.
This didn’t even feel like a finale. It felt like a final chapter that wedged in a predictable twist and a lot of pointless rejoicing.
It opens up with Dodge approaching Kinsey, Bode, and Tyler at the Matheson house. She places the Crown of Shadows on her head and shadows lurk towards the house. The shadows can physically move things. The siblings panic and barricade the door but the shadows still manage to enter the house. One of the shadows empties the urn and then grabs Tyler, wanting to know where the Omega Key is. Kinsey, Bode, and Tyler figure out that putting on lights defeats the shadows.
So this becomes a gimmick for at least 5 minutes, with the siblings finding any light they can find to stop the shadows. Kinsey has a certain struggle with a group of shadows but manages to evade them and turn on most of the lights in the house so they are safe. Bode has a cool moment where he stabs Dodge’s shadow with his multi-colored light sword.
Dodge lays on the ground downstairs, out cold. Kinsey suggests using the Omega key to open the black door and send Dodge back to where she came from. Bode wants to help Rufus instead in case he’s in danger.
Scot, Jackie, Eden, and Gabe come by to help carry Dodge to the sea cave. They reach the black door in the cave. Kinsey changes her mind on the door while Dodge starts stirring. Tyler convinces Kinsey to stay on track, claiming they should carry out the mission for their father. Before opening the door, Kinsey warns everyone of the glowing bullets. Kinsey and co open the black door and glowing bullets begin firing out. They throw Dodge through the door who tries to bring Tyler with her. Dodge tries her hardest not to fall through the door but they successfully get rid of her.
Meanwhile, Bode finds Rufus on the floor. Detective Daniel says that Rufus will be okay and in the ambulance, Rufus tells Bode that he is not sure where his mother Ellie is.
After a brief victory, Bode explains to his brother and sister that Ellie is still missing. Bode wants to make sure they 100% got rid of Dodge. The next morning at breakfast, Nina says no-one has heard from Nina. Nina admits they made a mistake moving here and she intends to sell so they can move back to Seattle. Kinsey, Bode, and Tyler explain that they like their new place and would like to stay and they rejoice.
The rest of the chapter is a lot of rejoicing until the predictable twist comes along.
Locke & Key Season 1, Episode 10, “Crown of Shadows” closes replaying the scene when Gabe speaks to Kinsey about the door and the cave in an earlier episode. He explains how he enjoyed the mission and how much he enjoys Kinsey’s company. In the present day, Gabe is riding his bike through town smiling. Gabe is Dodge. Flashbacks reveal that he changed Ellie to look like Dodge and then knocks her unconscious, placing her on the floor in the Matheson house where the siblings plan to get rid of her. They actually threw Ellie through the black door in the sea cave. Eden was also hit by one of the glowing bullets and Gabe smiles.
In the present day, Gabe asks Eden how she is feeling and she says, “So hungry”. We have a new demon, but I doubt audiences care. I don’t think Season 2 is required. Locke & Key Season 1 is a failed attempt.
Additional Notes:
- Detective Daniel goes for a coffee with Nina. They discuss sobriety.
- Scot and Kinsey agree to be friends after the cave skirmish.
- Bode is writing letters to Rufus who has moved temporarily while Ellie is missing.
