"Mesmerised" is the seventh episode of the first season of Netflix's Lockwood & Co. It, like the other episodes of the first season, was released on Netflix on 27 January, 2023.
Synopsis[]
With George and Flo on standby, Lucy and Lockwood infiltrate a black market auction where members of the underworld will bid on a priceless artifact.
Plot[]
Left behind[]
George Karim stands briefly under a ghost-lamp, then continues on his way. Meanwhile, Anthony Lockwood and Lucy Carlyle, having escaped the Fittes Agency, ride in a night cab. Lockwood asks if anyone is following and Lucy assures him that they aren't, but that she wouldn't put it past either Kipps or the maniac they met in the Black Library. She asks if he thinks Penelope Fittes saw them and he agrees it's likely they'll be off her Christmas card list. Lucy tells him that the box the Golden Blade gave Penelope had the same symbol that George found on John Fairfax's goggles. Lockwood says that they got the book they were after and now they need to find the Bone Glass and finish things.
George is out walking along the banks of the river when she is accosted by a woman who covers his mouth. He struggles, but the woman is Flo Bones. She tells him that it's best he stays out of sight and not get spotted. He asks what they're doing there, that the auction is miles away, and she explains that any closer and Julius Winkman's goons will spot them. They are joined by Lockwood and Lucy running up, Flo commenting that with the smile on Lockwood's face, things won't end well. George chides them for being late, asking if they at least got the book, and they agree they did. George tells them that they're screwed, that Winkman is locking everything down, but Flo tells him to have faith, that London isn't just the streets. She tells everyone to stay close and not talk.
The three follow and find themselves upon a noisy boat on the Thames. Lockwood says he doesn't know why he didn't think of it and she tells him it's what he pays him for. They embark at what appears to be a deserted building, Flo telling them that the gangway will take them to the back of Fothergill's, that there's a hatch into the basement she's made sure is unlocked. She tells them to give her a warning when they're coming back, to radio her. They start to take off, but she tells them she needs one of them to stay, that they'll be coming out hot and she needs somebody to help her. Lucy suggests they draw straws, but George resignedly tells them not to be kind, that it's clearly him. Lockwood asks if he doesn't mind and he says he does, but they have to get Bickerstaff's Bone Glass. He tells them not to mess it up. As they leave, Flo warns Lucy to be careful, that what they're dealing with is a lot worse than ghosts.
The undercover agent[]
Lockwood and Lucy head in and start putting together their defences. Almost immediately, however, they discover that the hatch that Flo told them was unlocked is, in fact, locked. They hear some people coming and hide. As they do, one of them comments that the hatch is unlocked - it turns out that there was another that they missed. They lock it and say that they're going off to get "the other one," one of them remaining behind. He reveals himself, telling Lockwood and Lucy that there are 30 people on the other side of the door who will kill them, explaining how he detected them. He tells them they have three seconds to come out.
They do and he is stunned they are children. Lockwood tells him they're DEPRAC agents, undercover, and he assumes he is too. Lucy asks how many other agents are there and he tells them he's the only one, and that they're leaving too. Lockwood tells him they can help each other, but the man tells him he's not messing up his mission. Lockwood tells him they can help each other, but the man says he has a wife and daughter and it's his job. He asks if he has any clue what these people do to their enemies. Lucy asks him what's in the drums in the warehouse and he tells her they don't want to know. He tells her that he doesn't have a key for the padlock. Lockwood tells him they're not leaving without the mirror, but he orders him to get out. He tells them to make a run for it, saying that if things go wrong, they're on their own.
Lucy is ready to leave, but sees Lockwood just standing there. She tells him he's not doing this, but he says he has to get the mirror. She says they're not trained for this and the agent has taken a risk for them. He tells her to go, that he has to stay, but she rejoins him and they head off. Lucy asks why he's doing this and he says she didn't have to stay. She tells him there's no way she was just going to go. He radios George, saying they'll need another exit, but gets no response. The radio is on the fritz.
A truly lethal item[]
Lucy tells him that he's incredible, being able to lie to himself, that the job has gotten out of control and he only cares about winning. He tells her that he has to care, that he doesn't have anyone else to pick up the pieces. She calls him out, telling him that he made her believe the three of them could be a family. She says it can't be because he's at the center. He asks if she's saying that he has a cold, dead heart of stone and she tells him the truth is he doesn't actually show anyone. He tells her nothing good comes from letting people in, that everyone leaves and he doesn't intend to leave anyone behind. She tells him if that's so, then he never should have let her or George. He tells her that it's crunch time and whatever else she has to say will have to wait.
On the river, a thick mist has rolled in and Flo says that it's lucky, that Winkman's boys won't spot them. George is quiet and she asks if he's alright. He asks if she's keeping track of where they are and she promises she's keeping tracked. She asks how long Lockwood and Lucy will be, saying that she's double-booked and has something going down on Greenwich Way. She asks if they might not pop over, but he says they must be there when they come out. He asks just what it is she's after and they hear something. George says there's no way it could be a ghost with the river, but she tells him the world's bigger than the Problem. He draws his rapier and she asks just where he is. "I'm on a boat with a nutter," he replies, and she asks again just where he is. He tells her he doesn't know and she says he's with her and safe. She tells him to put his rapier down. He does.
Back at the warehouse, Lockwood and Lucy have donned thick robes. They ride a cargo elevator, Lockwood telling Lucy to hold it together as they walk out and onward. She tells him to hold it together. As the auction begins, Adelaide Winkman welcomes them as stragglers, handing Lockwood a numbered placard and telling them to have fun. Inside, Julius Winkman starts introducing the evening's items, but the crowd shouts him down, saying that they're only interested in the mirror. Adelaide comes up, telling them that it's there. Julius brings it up and removes a cover. The sound of buzzing flies permeates the room as Julius calls it a truly lethal item, saying that it exudes a terrible mesmeric attraction and the surface has been covered for their protection.
An auction gone wrong[]
Lucy suggests to Lockwood that they just stay quiet and see who buys it. He, however, hands her some flares, telling her he needs a distraction and will give her a signal. Julius continues the mirror is the most powerful object he's ever encountered, asking for the bidders' "canaries" to approach. A group of very young children are sent forward and the buzzing reaches a crescendo as one of them screams. Julius says it's a most emphatic endorsement of authenticity, suggesting they start the bidding at £50,000. At least half of the crowd raises their placards and the total starts rising quickly from there.
On the boat, Flo pours some drinks, George complaining that he thinks they're drifting. She, however, doesn't seem worried. She gives him a drink, telling him it will keep him warm. He asks if it doesn't get lonely, the life she leads, but she tells him her boat looks after her and she likes the solitary life and the running water because of less ghosts. She says it's also good for work. "You mean lethal sources," he says, but she tells him it's not just this, but treasured things once loved and thrown away, putting on a hairband. He says it's lovely and she tells him she found it around the neck of a drowned Dalmatian. "Who wore it best?" she asks and he agrees she did. They hear a bird calling. "No way," says Flo, telling George it's a heron and that they're the most beautiful, wild things you'll see. He asks if she really wants to abandon the mission to go bird-watching, telling her they have to stay for the mirror. She tells him she knows, but that they have drifted and she needs to get them back into position. She starts the engine.
At the auction, the price is up to £120,000 and rising. Suddenly, the voice of the man that attacked Lockwood and Lucy cuts through the room, offering £500,000. Everyone gasps as he raises his placard, #66. Julius repeats the bid, asking if he can get 520. When there is no immediate response, he starts to call it, but then Lockwood raises his placard, Lucy whispering to herself, wondering what he's doing. He and the man start going back and forth, the man calling 650. Adelaide whispers to Julius, who asks they approach and provide proof of means, Adelaide saying it's just a formality. Lucy readies her flares as Lockwood reveals his rapier and Adelaide shouts that he's an agent. Lucy struggles to light the flares as they prepare to take Lockwood into custody. Julius removes his hood, recognizing him. Adelaide asks where the other one is and they start searching the crowd, but Lucy finally manages the flare and tosses it. As the crowd panics, Lockwood claims the Bone Glass. He starts releasing some of the other sources as a distraction and he and Lucy take off, Julius shouting for his people to stop them, and being cowards for running from the ghosts. Lockwood and Lucy arrive at a padlocked door, finding themselves cornered.
Our own destiny[]
Lucy draws her rapier. "Easy now," Julius tells her and Lockwood tells her it's okay and to give him the rapier. She does and Julius tells him that if he gives him the Bone Glass he'll make it quick. Lockwood stares at the man next to him, the undercover agent from before. Julius asks if he knows him. He says that he doesn't and Julius tells him to convince him. He steps forward and breaks the padlock. Lockwood and Lucy flee and Julius shouts at the man, calling him a snake. The man shouts at him to stay back, that he's a DEPRAC officer and the place is surrounded. Julius tells him he will find his family and shouts at his men to get him.
Lockwood watches in horror as they pummel the man. Lucy grabs him, shouting that they have to go. As they ride the elevator, Lucy tries the radio again, but still gets only static. The lift stops at 4 and Lucy shouts that they're onto them, that they need to get out now. She pulls Lockwood forward, asking where the other sources are. She tosses one into the elevator, releasing a ghost. They race up a stairway as men yell behind him. Lockwood asks what the man died for. Lucy says it's because they're bastards, but he says it's because he is. She tells him he can't do this right now as a man shouts they're up there. She tells him the mirror is too important and he needs to get them through this. "You're next!" says Julius, appearing, and she tosses a source at him, releasing another ghost. He shouts for everyone to get back.
On the boat, George hears the sound of flies buzzing. He opens a fortune cookie, revealing a fortune that reads "We write our own destiny. We become what we do." Flo sits down across from him, asking him if either of his colleagues have told him he looks really unwell and that he seems obsessed with the mirror. She tells him he seems desperate and that something is eating him alive. He tells her that he at least hasn't given up, that she's the walking checklist of ghost trauma. She tells him he doesn't know her story and she isn't going to tell him, that she's seen more kids messed up by ghosts than he'll meet in his life.
Cornered[]
She tells him that she sees him. He asks where she's taken them. He goes to the controls, but she jangles the keys. He demands she take them to the wharf, but she tells him that she won't, that he's mesmerised and she needed to get him away. He shouts that she sabotaged him and she says it's because she likes him. The sound of the flies buzzing again, he draws his rapier, shouting at her to get them to the wharf. She just stares at him as the heron calls. The buzzing fades and he drops the rapier. He apologizes, saying she was only trying to help and he could have hurt her. "Nah," smiles Flo, telling him he would have been dead before he hit the water even with the rapier. Lucy's voice comes over the radio, shouting for George. He tries to call for her, but can't get through. Flo says they should go and get them. He asks what about what she just said and she tells him that she'll be with him, that he's an agent and he has this.
Lockwood and Lucy arrive at an upper room of the building, Lucy still calling furiously for George. "It's carnage down there," the voice of the man from the Library and who bid against Lockwood at the auction tells them. He tells them it's two parties they've ruined tonight, saying they must be Lockwood & Co. "You're that tosser with the Golden Blade," replies Lucy and he tells her that he quite likes that. Lockwood asks how he knows about them. "It's the least of what I know about you, Anthony," he tells him, drawing his rapier and demanding the Bone Glass. The battle begins, the Blade at one point grabbing Lucy and telling her she has ambition, but she's not up to the big leagues. Dual-wielding, the Blade tells her that it sets her apart from the bottom-feeders, like the DEPRAC agent.
"That's enough about him!" shouts Lockwood, rejoining the battle. The Blade tells him to get over it, that he'd already told Julius Winkman who he was and that they were planning to kill him live on stage as a finale. Lockwood asked how he knew, who he is. "I'm the iron in your sword, I'm the flame that keeps the furnaces burning," the Blade tells him and Lockwood tells him to shut up, attacking, now dual-wielding himself. The Blade compliments him on his enthusiasm and technique and he tells him it's enough to put him in the ground, dropping one of the blades. They fight to a standstill and then Lucy rejoins the fray, taking the Blade out. They race up to the roof and Lockwood suggests they descend a drainpipe, only to find that it only goes down a brief ways. George radios for Lucy and she tells him there's no way they're getting down to the pontoon. Lockwood tells him they're going to have to throw down the Bone Glass. "Catch it and get it to DEPRAC,' he tells him.
Not strong enough[]
George and Flo ready a net as the Golden Blade again approaches Lockwood and Lucy. He and Lockwood scuffle as Lucy tosses the Bone Glass to Geroge. He and Flo haul into the barge and George tells her to take them away. The Golden Blade draws his rapier, shouting that the Bone Glass was his and Lockwood tells him to just give up, that it's over. The Blade tells him he doesn't understand the game at all. He and Lucy leap from the roof into the river. George and Flo arrive at the offices of DEPRAC. Flo gives George the package with the Bone Glass. He asks if she isn't coming in and she tells him that she's not sure they'd let her out again, that he's strong enough and literally at the door.
Flo tells George she had another idea, that they forget about this and take the Bone Glass to the Medway, dropping it in where it's so deep nobody will ever find it. She suggests they check out a little island filled with herons afterward. He says that the plan was to turn it over to DEPRAC. She takes off on her bike, saying she'll see him. He heads inside, but then runs back out, calling after her. "Let's do it," he tells her, his voice fading, as she's already gone.
Lockwood and Lucy emerge on the banks of the river. They lay down, getting their breath. They get up and Lucy pushes Lockwood away, stalking off. George sits on the stairs of DEPRAC, the flies buzzing in his ears. He walks away and to a nearby telephone booth. He puts in a coin and dials a number. "Hello?" he asks, telling the person on the other end of the line "I've got it."
Notes[]
- This is the fourth of five episodes of the first season of Lockwood & Co. adapting events from the second novel of the book series, The Whispering Skull.
- The fortune cookie fortune that George reads, "We write our own destiny. We become what we do," is a quotation attributed to Soong Mei-ling, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the First Lady of the Republic of China, known for speaking on behalf of the Nationalists' war effort during World War II.
- The song played after Lockwood and Lucy leap into the river and after they emerge is "Cruel World" by Phantogram.
- According to a behind-the-scene video, for the scene in which Lockwood and Lucy emerge from the Thames, it was their stunt-doubles who actually went into and emerged from the river. The two of them were, however, doused in water at 1 A.M. in the cold of winter to perform the close-up shots.[1]
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[]
- Hayley Konadu as Flo Bones
- Paul Thornley as Cutter
- Nick Julian as Winkman's Heavy
- Alice Lowe as Adelaide Winkman
- Ben Crompton as Julius Winkman
- Alexa Goodall, Erin Ainsworth, Ben Chivers, Ottilie Keel, Maximillian Cherry as Canaries
- Luke Treadaway as Golden Blade