Locke & Key season 2 ended with a cliffhanger that left a lot of questions unanswered. Based on the comics by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, Locke & Key is a chilling supernatural adventure in which a family move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, only to discover they have inherited a vital role - they are the Keepers of the Keys, protectors of magical keys who must ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands.
The first season of Locke & Key was evidently a hit, and as a result Netflix took the unusual step of renewing the show for seasons 2 and 3 at the same time. This allowed showrunner Carlton Cuse to establish an overarching narrative that would run between seasons 2 and 3, and consequently Locke & Key season 2, episode 10 - appropriately called "Cliffhanger" - ended by raising the stakes for the Locke family. The demonically possessed Eden used the Echo Key to summon a threat from the 1770s, who will clearly have plans of his own for the keys. Meanwhile, Locke & Key season 2's ending dramatically changed the status quo for the entire Locke family, meaning the dynamic in season 3 will be very different.
Given the cliffhanger nature of Locke & Key season 2, episode 10, there are a lot of unanswered questions ahead of the third season - which has already finished filming, and (assuming similar production-to-release timescales to season 2) could stream around spring 2022.
What Will Captain Gideon Do In The Present Day?
In 1775, British soldier Captain Gideon - already a proud and bloodthirsty tyrant - was the one who discovered the portal to the demon world in the sea cave. He was possessed by a demon, and became one of the most dangerous figures in the American War of Independence, responsible for countless deaths before his capture and execution. But in Locke & Key season 2, episode 10, Eden used the Echo Key to bring him back. She recognized the demon within Captain Gideon as one of the most senior of her kind, but still unwisely believed she could control him - and was dumped head-first down the well in the well-house for this foolish notion. Captain Gideon has already acquired the Anywhere Key, although he has yet to learn how it works; he'll no doubt swiftly figure out there could be other keys, and return to Keyhouse.
Is Dodge Really Dead?
Dodge was the main villain of Locke & Key seasons 1 and 2, the demon who was unwittingly allowed into this world by the original Keepers of the Keys and summoned as an Echo in the present day by Ellie - before being freed when she manipulated Bode into giving her the Anywhere Key. Locke & Key season 2, episode 10 saw Tyler use the Alpha Key on Dodge, separating the demon from its host and thereby freeing Lucas; although the process of liberating a demon-possessed host is fatal to ordinary humans, Lucas was just an Echo, and therefore survived the experience. This presumably means Dodge has been destroyed, but it's important to remember Dodge is an echo as well; demons may not normally be able to survive in this world without hosts, but that may not still hold true for Dodge.
Is Eden Really Dead?
Eden was dumped head-first down the well in the well-house by Captain Gideon. Although demon-hosts are more durable than ordinary human beings, they are not invincible, and - given Eden landed on her head - it's highly likely she's dead. Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to see her return in Locke & Key season 3 all the same; the dynamic between Eden and Kinsey in particular is an entertaining one, and Locke & Key is based on comics, where the basic rule is that nobody should be considered dead until the body has been found.
Will the Lockes Find the Echo Key?
Captain Gideon took the Anywhere Key from Eden, but he left behind the Echo Key - which, in truth, he didn't even know exists. Eden had used the Echo Key to enter the well-house and summon him, but now it has been unlocked, and anyone can enter it and create an echo by simply saying the name of someone who has died. Still, hopefully the Echo Key will whisper to the Lockes and lead them to discover it down at the bottom of the well; if it does, they could potentially summon an Echo of Eden to find out what she's done.
How Will Nina Cope With the Knowledge of Magic?
Adults are not ordinarily able to recall magic, with their minds erasing all memories of it, but there is a way around this magical phenomenon (known in Locke & Key comics as the "Riffel Rule"). Unfortunately Nina Locke's life has been touched by so much magic that she has been struggling to make any sense of it; there were too many mysteries, too many unanswered questions. In the end, Bode decided to reveal magic to his mother and use the Memory Key to allow her to retain these memories. While Nina's focus in Locke & Key season 2, episode 10 is on the more beautiful side of magic - she has just been shown the Head Key, which allowed her to relive one of her most precious memories - she will surely put the pieces together pretty quickly and realize magic can also be very dangerous indeed.
Will Tyler Be Able To Forget Magic?
Tyler, meanwhile, has chosen to live without magic precisely because he is aware of how painful and dangerous it can be. Grieving for his girlfriend Jackie, who died when he used the Alpha Key in an attempt to free her from demon possession, Tyler decides not to use the Memory Key on himself. Locke & Key season 2's ending sees Tyler leave the Keyhouse to go traveling, and he intends to return after his eighteenth birthday, when he will have forgotten all about magic. But it remains to be seen whether or not Tyler will be able to do this; like Nina, he has experienced too much magic, and there will be holes in his memories that make no sense. What's more, Captain Gideon's presence may put Tyler at real risk, leaving the other Lockes no choice but to ignore his wishes and use the Memory Key on him. Certainly actor Connor Jessup is confirmed to return, so Tyler's story is far from over.
How Will Kinsey & Scot's Relationship Work Out?
Kinsey's personal life is taking another turn too, because Scot is headed to England to pursue his dream of becoming a film-maker. A long-distance relationship would be a lot easier if Kinsey still possessed the Anywhere Key, but that one is currently in the hands of Captain Gideon, meaning it can't be used by the Lockes. Kinsey's concept of relationships has sometimes been rather strange - she briefly suggested she date both Scot and Gabe, although to be fair she'd taken her fear out of her head at that time. It remains to be seen whether Kinsey and Scot can still make things work.
What Other Keys are in the Keyhouse?
Locke & Key season 2 introduced several new keys, and it's safe to assume more will be discovered by the Lockes in season 3. Looking to the comics, the most likely key to be uncovered is the Timeshift Key, which - when used in Keyhouse's grandfather clock - allows its users to see visions of the past. This could be very useful indeed in Locke & Key season 3, helping the family figure out the true nature of Captain Gideon.