The Worst Thing Nina From Locke And Key Has Done

Joe Hill's graphic novel series "Locke and Key," illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez, spans seven books and details the trauma of the Locke family. In the adaptation from page to screen for Netflix, there were some big changes, with the streamer essentially turning the horrifying and devastating series into a realm of fantasy. However, many of the Locke family's biggest conflicts remain the same.

After the murder of patriarch Rendell Locke (Bill Heck), his remaining family members move to the Locke family home in Massachusetts. The three siblings, Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), quickly encounter many mysteries in the house, including magical keys that unlock more than just doors. These keys have their own power and are able to create whatever the key was fashioned for. 

While this is all very similar to the source material, one of the biggest changes in the transition to television is the characterization of Nina (Darby Stanchfield), the Locke children's mother. In appearance, as well as personality, Nina feels quite different. Even so, one thing that stays the same is the fact that she's a flawed person, and she's made quite a few mistakes in her life. But what's the worst thing Nina does in "Locke and Key"?

The one thing that the members of the Locke family have in common is their unhealthy coping mechanisms. Rendell's death is a traumatic event for everyone, and they all deal with it in different ways. Kinsey becomes so consumed with the grief that she uses a key so she doesn't have to feel pain anymore. Tyler feels responsible for the loss, as he's the one who tells Sam (Thomas Mitchell Barnet) — Rendell's murderer — that he wants his father dead. 

However, Nina is the head of the family, the only parent her children have left, and so she should be in control and responsible for them. Unfortunately, her grief becomes so powerful that she soon neglects her children and relapses into drinking. She becomes obsessed with her husband's murder, and she even tries to resurrect him by using a magical cabinet.

While her grief is just as valid as anyone else's, her neglect of her children is unforgivable. Not only do they lose their father to a senseless murder, but it is as though they lose their mother as well. Nina doesn't keep a close eye on the children, allowing them to get into dangerous situations, and at times, she cares more about alcohol than her own family. Now that Nina can remember the magic of the keys, hopefully she will be more reliable in "Locke & Key" Season 3.