Locke & Key Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

4. All The Stupid Character Decisions

Arguably an even larger dramatic roadblock than the tonal issues is the simple fact that the vast majority of the show's characters frequently act like absolute idiots.

Whether it's the Locke children recklessly spreading word about their ability-granting keys to anyone in the vicinity, or a spectacularly stupid excursion into an extremely dangerous cave at the season's mid-point, the characters routinely act without the faintest scrap of common sense.

Yes, the focal trio are youngsters, for sure, but even so, their lack of self-preservation instinct, and their bizarre inability to actually use the most powerful and effective keys to help fend off the villainous Dodge (Laysla De Oliveira) quickly becomes infuriating.

But it's not just the kids who are affected: even the adults constantly act counter to their own interests, being purposefully vague and refusing to simply say what they mean, only for the sake of keeping the show's conflict going.

As a result even the most likeable characters in the series have their trying moments, because there's just not much psychological plausibility to their actions.