Dodge's True Form

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The source initially misidentifies Dodge as the "well lady" of Keyhouse, but the well lady is actually the ghost of Eleanor Whedon, a separate entity that Dodge impersonates in Season 1. This demonic entity appears throughout all three seasons, taking the forms of Gabe and Lucas Caravaggio in Seasons 2 and 3. The demon utilizes the guise of Gabe, played by Griffin Gluck, posing as a student at Matheson Academy during Seasons 2 and 3, not Season 1. Dodge also inhabits the body of Lucas "Dodge" Caravaggio, portrayed by Felix Mallard in Seasons 1, 2, and 3, who was originally Rendell Locke's best friend from high school and a member of the Keepers, though the title 'Keeper of the Keys' is not used for him. By possessing these hosts, the entity gains access to the family home and the magical keys hidden within. The source notes that Frederick Gideon, a captain in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War, is depicted in the show's canon as the first known person to discover the portal behind the Black Door and become possessed by a demon; no earlier possession is established in the series.

In Their Own Story

The narrative begins after Rendell Locke is murdered by his former student Sam Lesser. His wife Nina moves their three children—Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode—from Seattle to Matheson, Massachusetts, to live in Keyhouse. The children discover mysterious keys that unlock doors in magical ways while becoming aware of a demonic entity searching for them. Dodge, initially appearing as the well lady, assumes the persona of Lucas Caravaggio, Rendell's high school friend, to manipulate events from within the family circle. Later, the entity takes on the male form of Gabe, played by Griffin Gluck, to continue its hunt at Matheson Academy. This shapeshifting allows the demon to remain undetected while pursuing the keys needed for its malevolent purposes, creating a constant threat to the Locke siblings as they try to secure their home.

Reader's Guide

To understand Dodge's role, one must recognize the entity's ability to shift between hosts. Laysla De Oliveira plays the core demonic presence in Season 1, recurring through seasons 2 and 3. The demon also manifests as Gabe (Griffin Gluck) across seasons 1 and 2 with a guest spot in season 3. Additionally, Felix Mallard appears as Lucas "Dodge" Caravaggio in Season 1, serving as the original host who was Rendell's best friend. These characters are all linked by the single demonic force seeking to unlock the keys for its own ends. The setting of Matheson, Massachusetts, replaces the comic's Lovecraft town at the suggestion of author Joe Hill to honor Richard Matheson instead. The conflict centers on the Black Door portal discovered centuries ago by Frederick Gideon, who was possessed and became the first to fall to such an entity.

Did You Know?

• Laysla De Oliveira portrays Dodge in Season 1, while Griffin Gluck plays Gabe, Dodge's male persona, in Seasons 2 and 3.
• Felix Mallard appears as Lucas "Dodge" Caravaggio in Seasons 1, 2, and 3, who was originally Rendell Locke's high school friend and a member of the Keepers, though not a 'Keeper of the Keys'.
• The town setting was changed from Lovecraft to Matheson at Joe Hill's request to honor author Richard Matheson instead of H. P. Lovecraft.
• Frederick Gideon, a British Army captain from the American Revolutionary War, is the first known person to discover the portal behind the Black Door and become possessed, as depicted in the show's canon.
• The series concluded after three seasons as originally planned, with the final season premiering on August 10, 2022.

The Demonic Entity's Shapeshifting Nature

Laysla De Oliveira portrays Dodge, a malevolent demonic entity serving as the primary antagonist across the series. Introduced in Season 1 as the "well lady" of Keyhouse, this character is revealed to be a shapeshifter capable of inhabiting human hosts. The demon assumes the persona of Lucas Caravaggio, played by Felix Mallard, who was Rendell Locke's high school friend and a former Keeper of the Keys. By possessing this host in Season 1, Dodge infiltrates the family circle while hunting for keys to unlock the Black Door. In subsequent seasons, the entity recurs as Gabe, played by Griffin Gluck, posing as a student at Matheson Academy. This ability allows Dodge to stay ahead of the Locke children and their allies, constantly adapting strategies to secure the keys before they can be used.

The Origins of Keyhouse and the Black Door

The story starts with Rendell Locke's murder by former student Sam Lesser, forcing his family to move from Seattle to Matheson, Massachusetts. At Keyhouse, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode discover mysterious keys that unlock doors magically. These artifacts are central to an ancient conflict involving a demonic entity seeking the Black Door portal. Frederick Gideon, a British Army captain during the American Revolutionary War, was the first to find this portal and become possessed by a demon. The Locke children must master these keys to protect their home from Dodge's malevolent goal of accessing the other side.

The Evolution of Production and Development

The series premiered on Netflix on February 7, 2020, developed by Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill, and Aron Eli Coleite based on Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez's comic. Originally developed for Fox in 2010–11 with Josh Friedman writing the pilot, it failed to get a series order. A feature-film trilogy was announced in 2014 by Universal Pictures. IDW Entertainment revived the project in 2016, with Hulu ordering a pilot in April 2017 that was later passed on. Netflix redeveloped the property, discarding the Hulu pilot and giving a series order for ten episodes on July 25, 2018. The show ran for three seasons, concluding as originally planned.

The Planned Conclusion of the Saga

In December 2020, ahead of the second-season premiere on October 22, 2021, Netflix renewed the series for a third season. In April 2022, it was announced that the third season would be its last, as originally planned by the creators. Season 3 premiered on August 10, 2022. This decision ensured the story remained true to the scope envisioned by showrunners Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averill, providing a definitive end to the conflict between the Locke family and Dodge without indefinite extension.