Lockwood & Co

[Drunk Monk]

Lockwood and Co. January 27

Ghostbusters: Afterlife but with swords. And in London. 

Most like Ghostbusters meets Harry Potter … with rapiers. I watched ep1 because my Netflix rolled over to this after finishing Vikings Valhalla and I figured why not?

I’m not exactly sure of the time period - the lead protag Lucy uses an old cassette recorder so maybe the 80s? But it’s an alternative universe where some apocalyptic event triggered a mass manifestation of ghosts - deadly ghosts that kill you if they touch you. There’s a curfew because no one wants to be out at night anyway with all those pesky deadly ghosts. Kids are more sensitive so companies spread across England to deal with the ghosts. The kids have different powers - Lucy can hear them and can get readings off objects. She gets in some issues with her first company and heads to London to get a fresh start. She finds Lockwood who runs and agency with another dude. The the trouble starts.

I liked how quickly the rules of this world were established without resorting to some laundry list. It introduces concepts efficiently enough with the promise of more details later. The ghosts aren’t that scary or gruesome. I liked the three kids in L&C - none of whom I recognized. I was taken in by ep - and continued to ep 2 hoping for closure but this goes on so maybe it’s one of those story arcs that crossed the whole season instead of eps that could stand alone.

Most of the sword scenes are flourishing it exaggeratedly at ghosts but there is a man v man sword fight in the library. It wasn’t outstanding as fight choreo goes, but I did like the coup de grace.

Not going to D00M recommend this until I see more. I do plan to watch more.

8 eps around 50 min each.

[Greg]

I caught Ep01 and Ep02 last night as well. I enjoyed them but not overwhelmed. There is a lot of tension in the episodes almost scary. There are a lot of questions floating around like DM said. I, too, am curious about the period especially when Lockwood pulled out that 1980s cordless phone complete with an antenna that needed to be extended.

My slight caveat is they all speak softly or without a lot of diction. I could turn on CC, I guess. But I'm not giving in to that crutch, yet, goddammit.

I will watch more.

[Drunk Monk]

Binged 4 more eps so only 2 more to go. The first murder mystery gets solved but it leads to the larger story arc. This isn’t independently episodic. It’s one tale with several related subtales.

I’m enjoying the slow reveal of what happened to the world that caused all these ghost issues. I admire how the writing made you accept this world at the beginning and is filling out the details as it goes.

I like how this world functions and that all the agencies carry rapiers and court swords. However there’s very little sword play, mostly just brandishing when spooky stuff happens. But I like the sword stand at the office home entrance, akin to an umbrella holder. That’s a terrible way to treat swords but it works here. There’s a fencing angle, even in how the rival agency’s uniform looks like a plastron. 

I enjoy the chemistry of the threesome especially as George’s talent has emerged. I’ve been hoping they’d avoid a romance between Lockwood & Lucy, but it’s heading that way.  

Still not a great series but entertaining It moves at a diverting pace so I’ll finish it. 

Not particularly D00M recommended, nor am I panning it.

[Greg]

Watched Ep03 & 04. I'd kind of like to know the rules of this world. When they say 'Find the source', what does that mean. I guess if you stab the ghost with sword it goes away for a while. I guess you can blow them up. But why does that work. Lockwood at this point is just a jerk.

I'm not fully on board. I do like the scare attempts. I am glad they wrapped up the first mystery, but the overall mysteries about why this world is the way it is remain.

[Drunk Monk]

I don't know that I'm fully on board either, but I'm not off board (over board?) I do like the idea that they carry swords about for no particular reason except to brandish them occasionally. And I did like that 'you're going to need a ladder' bit. 

The 'source' is kinda like a Harry Potter horcrux. In this world, ghosts attach themselves to some material object like the ring. Those are conduits, like cursed items. I thought they explained that early on, but they do delve into it more as it goes.

[Drunk Monk]

Seen. There is another swordfight in e7 so all the sword toting was good for something after all. It was a mediocre sword fight. Things wrap up more or less but the door is literally open for s2. Don’t know if I’ll bother with that. Depends if there’s anything else on at the time.

Not going to give this a D00M rec. it was ok at best but far from acclaim worthiness. I just liked all the swords.

[Greg]

Ep 05 Lockwood continues to be a jerk. The Queen opined that George should be a Eugene since he displayed a lot of typical Eugene characteristics. I did like the collectors house. I thought for sure George was going to have some get busy time. They all need to work on carrying their swords better.

I like the atmosphere and the world of the show, I'm just not particularly drawn to any of the main characters.

[Drunk Monk]

George would be a welcomed Eugene (not to spoil it)

[The Queen]

Why does he keep pronouncing Co. as CO and not company?

[Drunk Monk]

Too many syllables…

[Greg]

We plowed through the last three episodes. In the end, the show wasn't very good. It seemed like there wasn't a very coherent story going on or they didn't present the story they were trying to tell very well. And every five minutes, Lockwood would be a dick and then five minutes later he's apologizing and promising to be better. Repeat. I must say I did like the skull in the jar. I think they never did a very good job of world building or maybe this was made for people who read the books and could really get it.

[Drunk Monk]

May 12, 2023 11:04am PT
‘Lockwood & Co.’ Canceled at Netflix After One Season

By K.J. Yossman

[color=var(--color-brand-secondary-50)]
[color=var(--color-brand-secondary-50)]Courtesy of Parisa Taghizadeh/Netflix[/color][/color]

“Lockwood & Co.” has been canceled at Netflix after one season.
The supernatural detective series, which is based on Jonathan Stroud’s young adult novels of the same name, was developed by Joe Cornish under his Complete Fiction banner and debuted on Netflix in January of this year.
It starred Ruby Stokes as Lucy Carlyle, a teenage ghost hunter with a tragic past, who teams up with Anthony Lockwood (played by Cameron Chapman) and George Karim (Ali Hadji-Heshmati) to form a ghost-busting agency that specializes in dealing with deadly ghouls.
Variety understands that while Netflix was very pleased with the show, and especially the work that had gone into it, viewing numbers didn’t meet the threshold to greenlight a second season.
But Complete Fiction, which was founded by Cornish together with Edgar Wright, Nira Park and Rachael Prior, will continue to work with Netflix. The companies already have a number of projects in development.
In a statement, Complete Fiction said making the show had been “one of the most rewarding experiences of our careers” and thanked Netflix, Stroud and the show’s cast, crew and fans – whom they namechecked as the Lock Nation – for helping them bring the books to life and embracing the series.
In January, it was also confirmed Netflix would not be proceeding with a planned adaptation of Stuart Turton’s “The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.”
Read Complete Fiction’s full statement below:
“With heavy hearts, we announce that ‘Lockwood & Co.’ will not be returning for a second series. Making this show was one of the most rewarding experiences of our careers and we will forever treasure it. Being trusted by the supremely talented Jonathan Stroud to adapt his outstanding series of books was an honour and a privilege. Working with him as closely as we did across the development, production and release of Lockwood & Co has made him a friend, and part of the Complete Fiction family, for life.
We are particularly proud of the gifted young actors who brought Jonathan’s beloved fictional characters to the screen with such warmth, charm and vulnerability. Ruby, Cameron and Ali were our perfect Lucy, Lockwood and George. We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated or talented trio. All three are superstars and we can’t wait to see them shine in the dazzling bright future that undoubtedly awaits them. We want to thank our breathtakingly talented cast and crew for the dedication and top-level craft they brought to this production. The love and the care they took is in every frame. We also want to thank our brilliant team at Netflix U.K., who shared and supported our passion and vision for the show from start to finish. We are all very proud of it.
To the fans – to Lock Nation – you really have been the greatest. We cannot thank you enough for how much you have embraced, celebrated and loved the show. You are the kindest, most creative group of people online and it has been so gratifying to see how your passion for these characters and this world has brought you all together. This might be the end of the line for the TV show, but the books live on, as do the friendships made. We encourage you to embrace both.
So many people have watched and enjoyed the show globally, and that, at the end of the day, is why we do what we do. So keep watching great TV. Keep going to the movies. Keep taking chances on new things. Stay ‘just reckless enough.'”

We were just scorned immigrants to the Lock Nation...

[King Bob]

I enjoyed the show, but had forgotten about it until I saw the last post, so I guess it won't bother me too much.

[Drunk Monk]

I feel ya. 

Honestly, it's mixed up with all the other YA fantasy series now. When I think of it, I keep getting images of the thief gang from Shadow & Bone.