HIS DARK MATERIALS (S1E6) “The Dæmon-Cages”: Small Victories

His Dark Materials does not care about our arms. How do I know that? Because this is the second week in a row that the show has left us with cliffhangers. But hold on, we’ve only got two episodes left. We can make it, I believe in you. It’s hard to believe that only five episodes ago, we were in the quaint college, wondering if we’d ever get to see the frozen North. But we’ve come a long way.

His Dark Materials seems to be working with some “save the best for last” blueprints, because lately, the show’s been better than ever. We’ve been getting some of our best performances, most intense dialogue, and action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. I have no doubt that the show can keep this momentum going, so lets keep our momentum going and dig into the most recent installment of Lyra Belacqua’s journey North.

Refresher

This week on His Dark Materials, we got to see the aftermath of Lyra getting kidnapped by the General Oblation Board at Bolvangar. She observed children being separated from their dæmons by a strange machine, and was reunited with her beloved Roger at long last. Mrs. Coulter appeared on the scene, and nearly watched Lyra become severed from Pan before she realized her daughter was in the machine. After speaking with Mrs. Coulter, Lyra ran from her mother’s room and freed the children from their’s too.

Not wanting to miss out on the action, the Gyptians appeared just in time. We got to see Iorek go full polar bear on some bad guys, Lee Scoresby show off his gunslinging prowess, and Ma Costa snap a man’s neck in the name of her son. You go Ma Costa. Oh, and Serafina Pekkala was basically The Flash, darting from baddie to baddie before they knew what was happening. The episode ended with a Gyptian victory, and Lyra, Roger, Lee and Iorek continuing North to find Lyra’s father. On the balloon, they were attacked by cliff-ghasts, which are basically Gollum with wings, just the worst. The episode ended with Lyra falling out of Lee’s balloon. Cut to black. It also ended with me screaming, “COME ON” but in a fun way. Good one HBO, you know I’ll be back.

A Much Needed Win

HBO dramas tend to have a look. Whether it’s Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies or Watchmen, the Home Box Office prefers a dark, naturally lit show. They also seem to prefer darker and grittier worlds to go along with there lighting. You’re not going to see primary colors anytime soon, nor do I predict Iorek Byrnison slipping on a banana peel in the coming episodes. So for that reason, it was nice to have a win for the good guys this week. His Dark Materials takes place in a tyrannical world run by people who are kidnapping children. While the show is running on the high of revolution and hope, sometimes those aren’t enough to keep us motivated in watching the show.

After all, most people want to enjoy the shows that they’re watching. With this win, we can go forward knowing that there’s a chance of victory on the wind. The magisterium can be beaten, even if it has to happen one battle at a time. This episode thrived on its ability to make us cheer as though we were watching a football game. I remember punching the air when I saw Lyra cornered by two guards, because there was a sudden roar as a large figure swept the guards aside, announcing the presence of Iorek Byrnison. The episode radiated with the aura of a show that is proud of its characters. Like it was excited to introduce each fighter, one at a time.

It’s Not All Action

While I’m down to watch Iorek bite bad guys in half til the cliff-ghasts come home, this episode wasn’t all kicks and punches. After her absence in episode five, Ruth Wilson graced us with her presence once more. At the time of writing this, the Golden Globe nominations have been out for two days, with Ruth Wilson left out of the Best Actress in a Drama Series category. As I watched her pound against the door, screaming herself hoarse with Lyra on the other side, I decided I didn’t need her to have a Golden Globe. She has one from me. I know the truth. I know she’s giving the best performance on television right now.

Not to be outdone, Dafne Keen brought it this week, screaming in terror as she was locked inside a small metal box, as we all would. She hugs Roger tightly, and looks lovingly at him, with the eyes of someone who has finally been reunited with her best friend. And she positively eats up the scenery as she lies to Mrs. Coulter’s face, only to set up her miraculous escape from her mother. Keen is slipping just right into Lyra’s complex personality, and it’s a joy to see. It made her fall at the episode’s end that much more terrifying. We care about this character now, so don’t drop her, Lee.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Do you think Lyra will survive her fall? Was Ruth Wilson snubbed of a Globe nomination? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll see you next week for episode seven!