‘Locke & Key’ Recap: ‘The Head and the Heart’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Locke & Key’.

One of the best parts of falling in love with a new television show, is watching it grow right before your eyes. Because there really is something quite special about seeing the show find its stride and grow its confidence storytelling wise and truly, this particular joy is something that applies to the Netflix series, Locke & Key. Simply because season two of this already phenomenal show, really is pushing the envelope with the concepts it is exploring in year two and it is indeed finding its groove and learning how to balance out everything it wants to accomplish with the story and for proof… look no further than its next episode.

For ‘The Head and the Heart’ is a story that examines some deep concepts, all while advancing the plot forward, which is no easy task for certain. But this story does it in a smooth and beautiful fashion and the first real storyline of note when it comes to this tale, is its examination of how we can use support to heal when we’re struggling with grief. A journey that came about by way of Nina. Since she met the new history professor in a manner so awkward, that he was forced to apologize and be humble around her. Which in turn allowed for Nina to get to know Josh Bennett better and learn he too has suffered loss and that alone, gave Nina peace and connection and reminded the audience, that we are not alone and can find solace and what we need through others that share our pain. 

Of course, there’s a twist to that since this is Locke & Key, but before we get to that… we need to talk about Kinsey and Tyler’s journey in this tale. Since they were working hard to figure out how to preserve Jackie and Tyler’s memories with the big one-eight approaching for both of them and well… that led Kinsey and Tyler, into Erin Voss’ mind. For the people that hung with their father knew how to keep magic close to their heart and Erin likely knew the secret to keeping it alive for adults. But it will be a moment before we learn more about that… simply because Erin has to adjust to life in the real world again, since Kinsey and Tyler released her from her mental prison. But what made this storyline worth noting, was its underlying commentary about growing up. Since it served remind all of us, of how hard it is to hang onto the best parts of our childhood and how quickly we have to give it all up.

But while those examinations and moments were lovely in their own right, there was mention of the fact that this episode also made a point of advancing the plot, and that was accomplished by way of that aforementioned twist and Gabe. The twist in question, came courtesy of Josh since he knows about Keyhouse and has an interest in it, leaving one to wonder his true intentions, and of course… Dodge/Gabe played Bode like a fiddle in this story. Since she pretended to be interested in just playing with the keys, when in fact… she wanted information on how to properly build a key that didn’t melt people into dinnertime slop for the monster that Kinsey created, and she got what she needed. Making it clear that more trouble is brewing behind the scenes since she will use what she learned to create whatever nightmare key she has in mind.

But while we wait to see exactly what she has planned for the future; we can revel in one complete and delightful tale. One that genuinely offered up a balanced story for certain. The kind that offered the audience so much and it was just a treat to see the show find its groove in this manner and feel the confidence oozing from the writer’s room. But what matters most, is that this story was engaging and entertaining and breezed by, thanks to its jam-packed plotting, and now that this particular journey has come to a close… we can in fact turn our attention to the troublesome tomorrow that Dodge is planning and what Erin Voss will bring to the table, now that she has mentally returned to the everyday world. Until next time.

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