"This Will Be Us" is the premiere episode of Netflix's Lockwood & Co. and the first episode of the first season. It, like the other episodes of the first season, was released on Netflix on 27 January, 2023.
Synopsis[]
After an abrupt end to her ghost-hunting training, Lucy Carlyle flees to London -- where she meets two teens who run a paranormal investigative agency.
Plot[]
A ghost with purpose[]
A teenage boy and girl emerge from a cab, carrying bags of kit. The boy tells the girl that he's going to test her on the plans in random order. Addressing the girl as Lucy, he asks her about Plan C. She responds by rattling off the specifics of a series of lettered plans. He awards her a ten out of ten, saying he'll have to think of four more when she points out there were only six. They arrive at the doorway of a house, 62 Sheen Road, the home of Mrs Hope. The boy knocks but they get no answer. The woman approaches from behind. The boy introduces himself as Anthony Lockwood. The woman tells him she won't set foot inside after how her husband passed. They assure her that they'll secure the house. She asks where their adult Supervisor is, but Lockwood tells her they don't need one. "Adults are pretty useless anyway," says Lucy. Seeing the woman's non-plussed reaction, she explains that they get in the way, due to lack of sensitivity. The woman hands Lockwood a form, saying she has to go, that it's almost Curfew. She walks off, saying that she feels sorry for their generation.
Lucy and Lockwood enter the house. They immediately sense signs of ghostly activity, including Lucy hearing a faint knocking sound. Lockwood describes a death-glow, very bright. Lucy hears the sound of the man falling and Lockwood suggests tea. They examine the survey that Mrs. Hope gave them, wondering if perhaps Mrs Hope pushed her husband. They agree that based on the survey, the ghost is likely a Type Two, one with purpose. They head up to investigate.
They head upstairs, feeling the temperature rapidly dropping. Lucy asks Lockwood to turn off his torch so she can tune in. They pick a door and discover an office that has been converted from a bedroom. Lucy declares it to be the Source. He tells her to get the bags and make a circle. She asks if he wants filings or chains and he is forced to admit that he didn't bring any chains, saying that "George" took them to oil them. He insists filings will be fine.
Lucy heads down to get the filings and comes back up, only to find herself face-to-face with the ghost. She calls quietly for Lockwood. He tells her he's found another death-glow and suggests that there might have been two violent deaths in the house. Lucy pulls a rapier, telling Lockwood that it's urgent as the ghost takes a stronger form. He continues talking while approaching Lucy before turning and seeing the ghost. He asks if she's gotten anything and she tells him she's been too busy trying to make contact with the living. He pulls his rapier, suggesting she have a go. She closes her eyes and concentrates, telling Lockwood that she's in pain, but that something's different. "Let go of me!" shouts the ghost, extending an arm. She shouts the phrase, then surges forward. Lucy finds herself backed up at the edge of a railing, hanging for her life.
The past[]
It is now three years in the past. A man speaks with a Mrs Carlyle, asking her to tell him about her daughter. She is inside the Jacobs & Co. Psychical Investigators agency and her daughter is Lucy, who is there with her. She tells the man that Lucy has Talent, that she showed signs of it even as a baby and when she was six, she saw a visitor on the marshes and her Talent, and heard it well before, or she would be dead. The man, Mr Jacobs, tells her that she's in luck, that they have a vacancy. Mrs Carlyle then speaks with a Mrs Clarke, who outlines the terms of Lucy's contract, with Lucy's payment to go to her account. Afterwards, Lucy tells her that she doesn't want to do it, that it scares her. Her mother, however, tells her that she will do it, that her father left them with nothing. She says she if she doesn't, she'll show her what being scared really feels like.
Left with no choice, Lucy goes to Jacobs & Co. the next day. Jacobs assigns a girl named Norrie to show her the ropes. She shows Lucy the basics, including things such as salt-bombs and how to construct an effective barrier. She also slips in sly comments, saying among other things that Jacobs carries a silver flask because it's the only way he'll ever capture any spirits. Soon, Lucy is on her first case, at a place called the Swan Hotel, where nobody will take any rooms due to ghostly activity. Lucy hears a spirit and though other members of the team are doubtful, Norrie convinces them to listen, telling them Lucy is the real deal. She quickly impresses the group.
Lucy continues training, learning how to fight using a rapier. Lucy and Norrie continue to go on missions, forming a tight bond with each other. After two years, Lucy has achieved her third grade and is presented with a rapier of her own, as well as a copy of the Fittes Manual. Jacobs declares her a true asset to the agency. She and Norrie consider the manual, and the prestige achieved by Marissa Fittes, the deceased founder of the Fittes Agency. Norrie suggests that they go to London and get interviews, making something of themselves while they can. Lucy, however, tells her that they have to do it properly, that she has to get her fourth grade. Norrie suggests they fake their letters, that it's the Talent that counts. Lucy tells her it will just be the next year, that there'll be a bidding war to sign them up and they'll be the most famous agents in the country. "This will be us!" inscribes Norrie in the manual below Marissa's picture, the two of them making a promise.
The incident[]
The team arrives at the Moorgate Mill, the site of the latest case. Jacobs explains that a logging company wants to clear the land before selling it to a developer. Norrie asks him if he once met Marissa Fittes, asking him what she was like. He calls her magnificent, saying it was chaos before her and Rotwell, and that she was the only one to ever communicate with a Type Three. One of the boys on the team calls it a conspiracy, saying they don't know the real origins of the Problem.
They enter the mill, Jacobs telling them to locate and contain the Source, that he doesn't want to be there all night. They enter and it soon becomes clear that the area has heavy ghostly activity. Lucy concentrates and says she hears what sounds like a child. She warns the group that something is wrong, that they're not dealing with just a Type One and should get more equipment. They ask her to go inform Jacobs. She tells Norrie to be careful and heads out to warn Jacobs. She says he should get everyone else, but when she tells him she only has a feeling, he is dismissive. She suggests he come in, but he tells her to just do her job. She goes back in to find chaos. She draws her rapier, but there is little she can do. Norrie is ghost-locked and the others shout for them to save themselves. Jacobs appears at the door and closes them in.
There is an inquiry. Jacobs testifies that there wasn't enough to act on based on Lucy's evidence, saying she should have been more forthright. The judge asks if he heard any cries for help and he claims that he didn't. Lucy stands, protesting that this isn't true, but the judge tells her she will spoke only when spoken to. She declares that in the cases of the fatal ghost-touch of Alfie Morgan, Joy Young, Paul Bell and Abraham Kosta, she rules death by misadventure, with their parents to receive relief from the Fittes Fund for Bereaved Families. Norrie is recommended for subsidy for her persistent ghost lock. She is placed in ward, her parents told that she will be kept comfortable.
London[]
Lucy's mother tells her that she will not have her moping about, and that she is to go back to Mr. Jacobs to apologize and beg for her job back. She asks if Lucy understands and Lucy tells her she understands she doesn't care about her, Norrie, or the truth. Her mother says it's enough, but Lucy tells her she's treated her like she was nothing until she could make her money. She tells her she is incapable of love, deader than dead. Her mother slaps her, telling her that Jacobs is expecting them at 9. That morning, Lucy climbs out the house's attic window and runs away.
Lucy takes a train to London. Upon arrival, she navigates the crowded streets, ignoring a woman who suggests a safe space at one of her centers. She visits various ghost-hunting agencies such as Tendy & Sons and the Fittes Agency, but each time is turned away, told that she lacks the necessary qualifications because she lacks parental permission as well as her grade four certificate. Despite her pleas, they tell her that she's wasted her time by not bringing her parents or having the necessary paperwork. In a café, she crosses off agency after agency in a notebook. She pools some change, then considers an ad: "Lockwood & Co.: The prestigious Psychical Investigations agency requires a new Junior Field Operative. Duties will include on-site analysis of reported hauntings and the containment of some. The successful applicant will be SENSITIVE to supernatural phenomena, well dressed, preferably female, and NOT above sixteen years in age. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS will include time-wasters, fraudsters and persons with criminal records. Apply in writing to :35 Portland Row, London." She gets up and heads off.
Lucy arrives at the building in question, the plaque outside reading "A. J. Lockwood & Co. Investigators." She rings the bell and is greeted by a tousle-haired boy with glasses. He asks if she is Arif's new girl, saying that he was expecting someone with a donut delivery. She asks if he's Mr. Lockwood and he tells her that he isn't. She asks if she can see him and he says he doesn't see why not, that the "last one" won't be long.
The interview[]
Lucy enters. Inside, a woman shouts at Lockwood to get something away from her, then bolts out the door. George suggests Lucy follow him. He tells Lockwood there was one more. Lockwood says he's wrong, that he checked the list, and George introduces Lucy. Lockwood introduces himself as Anthony Lockwood and Lucy explains why she's there, presenting her CV. Lockwood asks if George has offered her tea. George says they've had enough time-wasters, but Lockwood suggests giving her the benefit of the doubt. He apologizes for George, saying he's tetchy when hungry. He invites Lucy to sit, reviewing her CV. They discuss her Talent, and he tells her that Sight is his thing, such as death-glows. He notes she has no references and she tells him her last employment ended abruptly.
George returns with the tea and Lockwood suggests they get on with the tests. He tells her that he doesn't set store by references or referrals anyway, that he prefers to see Talent. He offers Lucy a biscuit, then begins presenting her a series of objects. He shows her a Skull in a jar, asking what she thinks about it. She identifies it as a silver-glass jar. She tapes on it and a ghostly form appears. She says that it's a ghost-jar, with the Skull the source. He tells her it's well-done, but George says she was shaken. She asks where they got it, and he tells her time for questions later.
Lockwood tests her on two more objects, both of from which she identifies powerful psychical echoes. She identifies their nature correctly, though is deeply disturbed by the second, a watch from Lockwood's first successful case. He next hands her a ceramic mug. She takes it and concentrates, but feels nothing at all, despite Lockwood and George's urgings. She reports as much and Lockwood tells her that he should help she felt nothing that it's George's toothbrush cup. She tells him she didn't come to be made fun of and gets up to leave. She tells him she doesn't know what kind of agency it is, but it's not prestigious, just two schoolboys playing. George whistles, calling her feisty. "Step over her, and I will show you how feisty I am," she tells him.
The new agent[]
Lucy and George spar verbally for a bit and Lockwood laughs as Lucy bites into a biscuit. He apologizes, telling her it was a serious test, saying that so many applicants have made up stories about the cup, that it'd be the most haunted in London if they were true. George tells him to tell her about the biscuit rule and Lockwood explains that they each only take one biscuit in turn in rotation, that it keeps it fair. "Each member of the agency?" asks Lucy and he asks if she's still interested. She agrees she is, so he gives her a tour of the house.
Lockwood tells Lucy that the agency is accredited with DEPRAC but not on their payroll, that they like it that way. She asks about supervisors, but he tells her there are none. She agrees this sounds alright, and he shows her the various rooms, warning to avoid George's unless she wants to get an "unusual view." He also warns her away from a room he calls private, showing her the kitchen and the thinking Cloth. He explains they jot down everything from notes to rude doodles on it. He takes her down to the basement, showing her that there they have offices and case files, that George is obsessed with the history of the Problem. He shows her they also have training equipment down there, as well as a high-security storeroom. "It's unlocked," Lucy points out. "Note to self," he comments. "Heighten security on the high security storeroom." He shows the inside, which contains their supplies such as magnesium flares and iron chains.
Lucy asks again about the Skull and he tells her that it's George's that he likes to experiment on it. She points out this isn't an answer and he tells her that George stole it. He continues the tour, taking her to her old bedroom, saying she can use it unless she has other accommodations. She agrees she doesn't. He tells her it has its own bathroom and offers to allow her to unpack and settle in. She asks about the clippings on the house wall and he agrees they aren't modest. She asks just who he is and he tells her there's plenty of time for it, if she'll take the job. She agrees she will. "Welcome to Lockwood & Co." he tells her.
The mysterious Mr Lockwood[]
Lucy starts unpacking and settles in. She opens her copy of the Fittes Manual, looking at the inscription she wrote with her friend - "THIS WILL BE US!" She heads downstairs and stares at the door Lockwood told her was forbidden. George appears, telling her as much. "Oh, the door?" she asks innocently, claiming she just wanted water. She asks why Lockwood keeps it shut, and he tells her he has no idea. She asks how long he's been living there and he tells her about a year. She asks about Lockwood's history, if the house belonged to his parents. He tells her to ask him herself.
Lucy goes to find Lockwood in the drawing room, reading a magazine. She asks if she's interrupting, but he offers her a chair. She asks him about the magazine and he shows her the magazine, London, saying he likes to keep up with what's going on around town, parties and such. He tells her one would think there'd be less of them with the Problem, but it's the opposite for the rich, that they like to thrill with horror at the visitors outside. He tells her that DEPRAC held one, that anyone who was anyone was there. She asks if he was there and he admits he wasn't.
Lucy states that his ad about the agency being prestigious was a bit of a fib, that he's only been working three months. He calls it a mild exaggeration, saying that he called DEPRAC and knows that she hasn't passed her fourth grade. She apologizes, telling him she's good enough, but things with her last agency ended badly. He tells her the past is the past, that he knows she's good enough. He promises one day they will be one of the most successful agencies in London. She tells him there's one other thing, that she may be good enough for him, but how does she know he's good enough for her?
Let go of me[]
Lucy and Lockwood are now back in the haunted house. The ghost shouts "Let go at me!" thrusting towards Lucy and sending her clutching for dear life. The ghost screams and Lockwood thrusts it away. Lucy shouts she's going to fall and Lockwood drives a salt-bomb at the ghost, but it fails to dematerialize. Lucy warns him she's slipping. He drives away the ghost and takes her hand, asking if it touched her. She tells him she'd be dead and he suggests she go home if she doesn't feel steady. She tells him she's fine, that it's just that something was different when she connected with the ghost. She tells him she saw what she used to be and felt what she was feeling, that it was nothing like what she's ever felt before. He tells her the parameters have changed, that she's almost certainly the ghost of a murder victim. Lucy, however, insists he show her where she went.
Lockwood leads Lucy to a wall, telling her this was where the ghost headed. They head inside, forming a circle of iron filings. They crack at a wall, Lucy telling Lockwood off for breaking the circle. Lucy hears whispering voices. "She's back," she warns Lockwood, telling him that she's angry. They break through the wall, but the ghost surges forward. Lucy tosses a flare, driving the ghost back. The flare, however, sets paper and books on fire. "This is not good," comments Lockwood. He tells her he'll drive the ghost off while she places a silver net over the body. Lucy heads for the body, having a vision of the ghost. As the ghost surges forward, she places a silver net over the body. The ghost instantly dematerializes.
Lockwood shouts at Lucy to hurry. She, however, pulls back the silver net and claims a ring from one of the corpse's fingers. They then head outside, smoke billowing from the window behind them. Lucy asks if he's okay and he tells her that he's fine, apart from their client's house burning to the ground. There is an explosion behind them. He asks what took her so long and she tells him again that something was different, not right. He asks what wasn't right. "We secured the source, didn't we?" he asks. She tells him it's not the right time to be having the conversation. He tells her they have to jump. "We'll break our necks!" she shouts, but he counts to three. They both jump.
Notes[]
- This is the first of three episodes of the first season of Lockwood & Co. adapting events from the first novel of the book series, The Screaming Staircase.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Ruby Stokes as Lucy Carlyle
- Cameron Chapman as Anthony Lockwood
- Ali Hadji-Heshmati as George Casper Karim
Other Cast In Order of Appearance[]
- Sharon Morgan as Mrs Hope
- Sandra Huggett as Mrs Carlyle
- Andrew Woodall as Mr Jacobs
- Vanessa White-Smith as Mrs Clarke
- Bobby Brown as Paul
- Twana Omer as Abraham
- Lily Newmark as Norrie White
- Shalini Peiris as Coroner
- Nicola Wright as Woman at King's Cross
- Toby Constad as Fittes HQ Officer
- Foluké Anglin as Rotwell HQ Officer
- Claire Hackett as Woman at Tendy & Sons
Ghost Performers[]
- Ishtar Apsara Currie-Wilson as Annabel Ward Facial Capture
- Jemma Moore as Annabel Ward Vocal Performer
- Aidan Greenberg as Mill Boy