HIS DARK MATERIALS (S1E2) “The Idea of North”: The Subtle Change & The Not-So-Subtle Fight

As an avid reader, I’ve seen a lot of my favorite books get adapted into films. Some have been faithful, a beautiful and perfect realization of what I’d always envisioned while reading. Others have gone off the rails, only sharing the title in common with the source material, leaving me feeling sour and burned. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve started to appreciate separating the adaptation from the original book. They’re different things, and if I lose a character or scene in the process, it’s okay by me. Some changes in the Harry Potter films that used to send me into a ranting frenzy are now some of my favorite scenes.

So my hopes for His Dark Materials were always high, because with my newfound peace with adaptations, how could I lose? They’d tell their version of the story, and I’d still have the trilogy that I love to go back to if I wasn’t feeling it. A perfect failsafe. The first episode, which you can read my review of here, was a pretty standard adaptation of the beginning of the novel. We were introduced to Lyra, and we saw the alethieometer. Check and check, all the notes they needed to hit were hit. But something happened in this episode that means even for those of us who’ve read the books might not know what’s coming in future episodes. So let’s talk about what that moment meant, and why it’s exciting.

The Recap

Episode two shows us Lyra (Dafnee Keen) adjusting to her new life in London, where she lives with Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wislon) in a lavish hotel. Determined to find Roger, Lyra persistently asks Mrs. Coulter if there are any updates to which Mrs. Coulter responds with growing apathy. Mrs. Coulter reveals to Lyra that Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) is really her father, and not her uncle as she was previously told. Elsewhere, the Gyptians continue their search for Billy Costa, one of their own who has been captured by the “gobblers”. Billy and Roger meet in their confinement, and we learn that Mrs. Coulter is head of the General Oblation Board, (G.O.B.=gobblers, it’s all falling into place!) a sect of the Magisterium that seeks to round up children for nefarious but unknown reasons. Oh and Lord Boreal (Ariyon Bakare) crosses over from Lyra’s world to ours.

Yeah, things are heating UP! My friends and I have made a tradition (if it happens more than once, it’s tradition) to watch this show together on Mondays. We paused twice, just before Mrs. Coulter’s dæmon lunged at Pan, and just before Boreal stepped through the tear into the other world. We had brownies in the oven we had to check on, okay? But with both unpauses, we were met with shock. This episode has no dull moments. It was constant intrigue and excitement that I hope the show can sustain for six more episodes.

One Giant Step For Men (With Snakes In Their Sleeve)

We’re introduced to the idea of new worlds in the beginning of the first episode of the show. In fact, the first words we see in an episode of the show read “This story starts in another world”. This sentence means two things: a) there are multiple worlds and b) this is only the one we start in, not necessarily the one we end in. Lord Boreal walking through that shimmering tear in the universe is very important in book two of the series, The Subtle Knife. It’s not something we’re worried about in book 1 because we’re so focused on Lyra, but it makes perfect sense to show it.

His Dark Materials has set an exciting president, letting its fans know that this is not necessarily going to be told in the same order of events as the books. The Subtle Knife is very clear that Boreal has been walking through worlds for a while when we first learn of it, so why not show us early? It does nothing but add to the air of mystery surround the show. And why shouldn’t the show reveal that knowledge to us? It just makes me more excited to watch this show, because it means I don’t know what’s coming. Sure I know the plot, but who knows? They could introduce some characters and places early. I’m going in blind, just like the non-readers watching this show, and that’s a rewarding feeling. Book nerds, our knowledge is only gonna get us so far on this one.

Mrs. Coulter Loses It

Ruth Wilson destroyed in this episode. Whether it was her looking off into the middle distance, mouth slack after washing Lyra, or giving Lyra a hard stare that sent chills down my spine, she was putting everything into this episode. She plays Mrs. Coulter with this unpredictable power, like you’re not sure if she’s about to slap or hug Lyra. She’s a cobra, luring you in with hypnotic swaying and the design on its hood, and then striking when you get too comfortable. With tensions rising in the episode, I was horrified but not surprised at the scene when her dæmon lunged at Pan. My horror was a testament to Wilson’s acting, and the incredible direction of the scene, and I need to break it down, so bear with me on this.

The scene starts in the hallway. Lyra has interrupted Mrs. Coulter’s meeting with other members of the Magisterium, and has decided to keep the alethiometer in her purse at all times due to her growing mistrust of Mrs. Coulter. After several steady shots in the hallway, we walk into the living room, and the camera switches from steady to shaking, like the camera man is struggling to keep up with the events, and the tone shifts from manageable to unpredictable.

From there, the chess game begins. Lyra speaks, then Mrs. Coulter does. Pan scuttles to Lyra’s side. Mrs. Coulter’s monkey dæmon leaps onto the couch. Mrs. Coulter speaks, insinuating that Lyra is hiding something in her purse. Pan steps in front of Lyra. Mrs. Coulter’s dæmon shifts. Mrs. Coulter turns away and then turns back, snarling at Lyra. Then all hell breaks loose. The scene is directed in chaos, as Pan switches forms, desperately trying with all of his might to defeat the monkey. Cat. Weasel. Pine marten. None of his forms are enough, and suddenly he and Lyra are pinned to the floor, both of them gasping for air.

Good. Lord. That. Scene. Ruled. It’s directed with heart and excitement, a great action sequence set up but tension so thick you’d need an axe to cut through it. If we get scenes that are even as close to being as good as this one, we’re in for a great season. Bravo to everyone behind the scenes at His Dark Materials that made that scene happen. Let’s see some more of that next week.

What’d you think of this episode? Did you like it more or less than last week’s? Will you be returning next week? Let me know in the comments below! As always, I’ll see you next week!

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