Lockwood & Co.

I am quickly binging just about everything on netflix lately and this popped up after finishing Wednesday. Wow, I might like it more then Wednesday. It was so disappointing when all the episodes were over that I re-watched the whole season. Sharp writing, amazing sets and strong performances all around. The fight scenes are intricate and the camera does not cut away to fake movement but stays directly on the actors. Hopefully, this show will have enough views to get a second season because nothing production wise was spared. It would be a shame if viewership weren't high enough to warrant the cost of another season.

Because this show was fab! Fun, witty, entertaining and addictive to watch! I was excited for the adventures to continue in season 2. And yet, Netflix just announced no renewal for season 2. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on you Netflix. Every time you make a great show like this; you cancel it and renew something that takes less than 10 functioning brain cells to watch. I mean seriously. Why is it that every great sci-fi or fantasy show you come out with, that gets great viewer reviews, you cancel? I don't understand it. At all. And now I'm just typing to get the amount of words needed to make this review postable. Sorry it's more of a rant at Netflix than a review. Do watch the show. It's worth it. Even if there is a disappointment in the knowledge it won't be continuing. Just like so many other great shows that had soo much binge worthy potential.

The first thing you need to know is that this is a Netflix "YA" (Young Adult) release, and that is not a bad thing at all. In fact, the Brits seem to be able to handle "ensemble" YA action series better than most, and have been doing them for decades. Secondly, even though the backstory (a parallel world where evil ghosts roam freely, but can only be dealt with by youngsters) seems at first like something from a Japanese Manga, it is in fact based on a very popular YA novel series. Third, the show was created by Joe Cornish, a producer with an excellent track record that includes, among others, the cult favorite ATTACK THE BLOCK 2011 -- coincidentally, another story where a group of idiosyncratic young people have to save the world. In other words, not his first rodeo. Recommended. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

No disappointments in this series. Each episode has a full story, while the series has several larger mysteries and continuing drama, binge or take your time-both work. I avoided it initially because the name suggested a Netflix spinoff of Locke &Key (another YA supernatural series). Netflix is the only common element. L&K is more like " The Waltons meets Gandolf". This is fresh: take place in 2023 London, except about 50 years ago the world was subjected to a new shift/phenomena. The human death rate increased noticeably but modestly. Cause was unknown, not disease, not a toxin, not violence. The governments around the world acknowledged that not only were ghosts now a reality, and some could injure or kill humans. Because activity of ghosts are more present at night, governments' passed curfew laws to protect citizens. These distractions leave that world with fewer technological advances: seems to be circa late 1990's based on phones etc. Some materials hurt ghosts, namely salt, iron, silver. It sounds like there are about a dozen classifications of ghosts, varying in lethality. Individual ghosts though are tied to a physical object, like a doll, ring etc. Find it, contain the ghost. The other major nuance is that only children and young adults can see them. So teens are actively recruited by private security companies. Lockwood is a small security firm run by a driven, highly intelligent teen along with two others who couldn't fit in with conventional teams. The script/story is tight. I couldn't pickup on any plot hole which usually accompany an-alternative-world theme. There's plenty of villains, corruption, well-meaning buffoons, and good guys and those in-between. Has realistic and entertaining action. The writers dialed down the YA "coming of age angst" which is a relief; and departed from the common teen love themes producers have exploited to death. So this feels like a truly fresh and entertaining drama with action and mystery. Don't skip it just because it YA. You should know after episode 2 if it's for you.

Having no knowledge of the source novels, I enjoyed that the world building was steadily paced and not spoon fed like so many adaptations. The.directing is inspired. This ghostly alternate London is moody and eerie, full of human and ex-human intrigue. The principal cast perhaps build up to chemistry rather than instantly fizz, yet you still get the sense of their personalities amongst the whiplash adventures. I disagree with claims that this is kids' drama. They may be young, but their abilities weigh them down with harsh responsibilities. I hope this show gets backing to develop over a number of seasons so we can really get to know these characters and the world they inhabit.