HIS DARK MATERIALS (S1E7) “The Fight To The Death”: The Return Of The King

One. Episode. Left.

And things are ramping up in the world of His Dark Materials. Threads are beginning to connect, and yet, they also seem to be more muddled than ever, keeping us happily anxious in our seats. So far, this show has done a perfect job at translating Pullman’s ambiguity within his characters. No one is what they seem in Lyra’s world, nor they as one-dimensional as simply good or evil.

Mrs. Coulter can kidnap children from around the world, but she also seems to truly care for her daughter, Lyra. Lord Asriel is fleeing from the Magisterium, who we believe to be the enemy, yet he seems hellbent on avoiding Lyra as well. Lyra, like the viewers of the show, is slowly learning the complexities of the world. The show has spent a bit of time noting the difference between children and adults, and Pullman has often stated that the trilogy is about growing up and learning about the world.

And this mission translates into tantalizing storytelling. With the people in Lyra’s life having murkier and murkier morals, it creates a unpredictability in their character. It opens up endless possibilities. The villain of this story isn’t Sauron, a demonic character hiding in a dark tower, it’s Boromir, who must wrestle with his own morality and either succeed or fail.

What You Missed

On this week’s episode of His Dark Materials, we learned that Lyra survived her fall from Lee Scorseby’s balloon (thank god!) She was then captured by bears and taken to the prison of Iofur Raknison, Iorek’s enemy who took the throne from our favorite armored bear. Iorek Fights Iofur, ultimately slaying his foe and reclaiming his throne. In the other world, Boreal sends his men to infiltrate the home of the Parrys. Will stops one of the intruders, causing one of the men to fall from the second floor to the first, and Will runs from his home with his father’s letters in hand. In the end, Lyra finally meets up with her father, Lord Asriel, and the episode ends with him eyeing Roger with a disturbingly hungry expression.

The Merging of Books Continues

I really loved the infusion of Will’s character in this episode. He was shown in the midsts of Iorek and Iofur’s fight, which wonderfully cut the tension of the battle, and delightfully toyed with our emotions, showing the tonal control of the show. Introducing Will’s story, as I’ve said in previous recaps, is an interesting choice by the show, as he doesn’t appear until book 2 of the series, The Subtle Knife.

In this episode, one of the intruders fell over the banister to the second floor, and is ostensibly killed in the process. This scene opens book 2 of the series. It all happens in a flash, and has us sweating only a few pages in. The event is important to Will’s character, and will stay with him as his his story progresses.

The Throne of Iorek

Iorek taking his throne back from Iofur is one of the pivotal moments in The Golden Compass (or The Northern Lights, depending on where you’re reading). It’s a true victory for one of the series’ most beloved characters, and shows the absolute power and might of Iorek, who Lyra often looks to as a source of bravery and comfort. But this moment also shows Lyra doing some of her best yarn-spinning, as she weaves Iofur a story about becoming Iorek’s demon. We get to watch Keen have fun with this part of Lyra’s character, as she pretends to admire Iofur on a reverential level.

And then there’s the fight. When I was watching this episode with my friends, I remarked, “I can’t believe they got real polar bears to do this part!” That’s how good the VFX in this episode were. The fight is shot with wild cameras and constantly cuts to Lyra running away to avoid being hit. We see the bears chomp down on each others’ necks, and we cringe as they drag each other across the floor.

And most importantly, Lyra doesn’t see the final blow. We see the finale framed by her face. The final blows are out of focus, and give an exciting amount of ambiguity, as we’re not sure which bear emerges victorious from the throws of battle. It’s as if Iorek wants to preserve her youth. Like the story knows that Lyra isn’t ready to see one of her friends viciously kill another bear. Lyra is growing up before our eyes, but she’s not ready to see such a horrific death. Not yet.

Next week, the show will wrap up an exhilarating first season. Are you ready for the end? Can’t wait for season 2? I might travel with my time off. See the world between the seasons. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and I’ll see you next week!