His Dark Materials

[AllGoodDogs]

New BBC adaptation, looks so good, can't wait trailer here -

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10162256439035553&id=683285552&sfnsn=mo

I loved it tonight. I always imagined Lee a bit older, sort of Indiana Jones-ish, and slightly paternal (but not settled enough to go that way of lifestyle). Old enough to be reflective. But I like him, and they've got a great rapport between Lee and Lyra straight away. And the Lee/ Hester rapport too.

Iorek is perfect

Maybe some people develop deeper connections with their dæmons and others are more superficial. How mundane/ sophisticated a dæmon is when it settles tells you about the person. A poodle, alsatian and sheepdog would all share some kind of obedience trait, but express different attributes too. Maybe some dæmons are less animated and converse less when a person has limited interests and curiosity. People would still feel through them, but they would be more pet-like companions, rather than regularly sharing detailed thoughts.

The DCs have really got into it now. DS1 has twigged that they might not be sending the children to a whaling station after all

Love love love Iorek!

They really got it with Iorek - I'll forgive much else for that.

Yes indeed magimedi.

Excellent Hester too, although Lee Scoresby is going to take a lot of getting used to.

I had a hissy fit when Lee Scoresby appeared, but by the end of the episode I was quite happy with him.

I'm really happy with Lee and Hester, and Iorek as well.
More deamons though. Just a few more moggies... or I dunno, hens scratching about, in crowd scenes

Lin-Manuel Miranda was a huge fan of the books so very excited to be involved. I think it shows.

He had top billing in the credits.

I'm sure I saw a daemon on a lead at the very end! A white alsatian type dog walking alongside a person, with a lead!

I've read the books but years ago. I can't remember small details. I'm enjoying and so are DC (age 7 and 10).

Who plays the voice of that last bear? The one in the metal armour

Joi joinsson or some such.

Wikipedia says Joi Joinsson AND Peter Serafinowicz

I think that was the best episode yet in terms of tone, drama and characterisation. Lyra is much more recognisable now she's taking the lead. Iorek is bloody awesome! However I've always pictured Lee Scoresby as a weathered Donald Sutherland type so I'm trying to get used to that.

Mrs Coulter gives off a metallic smell when she is angry.

Yes, what was that about? Reminded me of Margaret Thatcher.

Mrs C knocked it out of the park with her fashion this week. The red skirt suit, and then she went full 60s Bond Girl on the zeppelin. Love it.

Lee and Hester were great and had a lovely scene with Lyra stealing their bacon. Well Lee's bacon as I don't suppose Hester would eat it.

I'm sure I saw a daemon on a lead at the very end! A white alsatian type dog walking alongside a person, with a lead!

I'm so pleased you've mentioned this. I thought I was seeing things.

Enjoyed last night’s a lot. Love Lin Manuel Miranda. I never quite “got” Lee in the books so didn’t have an image of him.

Iorek! And the other bear. V well done.

Agree about Mrs Coulter’s outfits, fab!

I'm sure I saw a daemon on a lead at the very end! A white alsatian type dog walking alongside a person, with a lead!

I saw that! I guess they wanted to blend in a few real dogs as daemons to lessen the CGI budget, but you'd think they'd use sufficiently well trained ones to walk to heel.

I never quite “got” Lee in the books so didn’t have an image of him.

Same. I didn't have any interest in him as a character in the books, so this is a major improvement already.

Agree that Lyra was behaving like Lyra in this episode! Chatty, impulsive, misbehaving, but totally under her own direction. TBH, I found her a bit irritating in the books at times (especially with all the adults expressing endless admiration for her), but Dafne pulled off the charm of it too.

Lee and Hester were my favourite character in the books.

Mrs C outfits awesome...liking the power suit in red. Hint of cardinal red? Scarlet woman? She was owning the guys. And lord B menacing the priest with threats of exposing his (unbecoming?) predilections....

The magisterium architecture also playing a starring role

The magisterium architecture also playing a starring role

Agreed - we've been to a few Scandi and former communist countries recently, and it's a beautiful blend of stark communism and minimalist cleanliness!

Going against the grain it seems but I wasn't keen on Lin MM's Lee and Hester. I found them both too chirpy and "Disney". They changed the atmosphere of the series so far from dark and intriguing to silly slapstick- eg his pub fight, the background plinky plonky music, their 'banter' etc. In my head Lee was more rough round the edges. A faded Woody Harrelson perhaps.

@Bimbleberries Lyra has a greater role. Have you read the books? Mrs C is trying to find confirmation of the greater role that is Lyra's destiny

Didn't like the actor playing Lee Scoresby - was much better cast in the film. I guess they wanted a US star to sell it there (not that I've ever seen this guy before!). His scenes were too silly, trying to be funny but it doesn't fit. Also would Lyra walk around in public using the alethiometer (and would the Gyptian let her)?

Erm ... Goodness me but LMM is pretty. (I don’t have a TV and am not a fan of musicals so he’s only ever been on the periphery of my vision. Big mistake.)

Yes, this episode was quite enjoyable - though I agree it veered close to Disney. One might wish the daemons were all a little more care-worn.

I didn’t see the SuperTopMan’s daemon at the Magisterium but the other two speakers were accompanied by theirs - rat and lizard.

Iorek was much as I imagined him.

Good effort all round.

I assumed the dog on a lead was just a dog, rather than a daemon...