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

[onedayallthiswillbeyours]

I haven't read the books but enjoyed that a lot. Struggled with the sound as my hearing is poor at the best of times, had to turn it up very loud to hear the dialogue but then the music was overpowering. Subtitles for me next week I think.

I don't have a clue what all the dust business is about but was able to follow the rest of the storyline ok and am really looking forward to the next instalment. Thought James McAvoy was excellent, such a good actor, and the little boy (Lyra's friend cant remember his name ) also fabulous.

[daisypond]

I liked it. It had the right feel and look to me. I couldn’t make out some of the dialogue either until I put the subtitles on. A million times better than the film version so far.

[Pantalaimon88]

I liked it but I think we need to give it a few more episodes to get going. That was very much a “setting everything up” episode.

I was worried the retiring room scene with all the scholars talking about Dust would be quite dry on screen, but it was very engaging. The set was beautiful. The golden monkey’s face was horrifying 😱

I agree that Lyra was too nicely spoken and too “nice” in general. She’s supposed to be a feral little brat with no manners at all.

I felt more attention could be given to daemons of the minor characters and background characters/extras. Pan was visible in every shot but I struggled to see the daemons of others. I always imagined public or busy places in Lyra’s world would look like a menagerie.

[Happyelfjokeday]

I agree I liked the look & feel, although the Gyptians seemed a bit more ‘modern’ in the way they dressed that I found a bit weird, maybe too bright & colourful?

[ImportantWater]

I did like James McAvoy, his mingled tenderness and exasperation with Lyra, his face when she asked if the airship was like the one her parents died on.

[MrsGrindah]

DH didn’t have a clue what was happening or why I’ve raved about the books

[Happyelfjokeday]

Also ‘everyone’s special’, I liked that line

[WaterSheep]

the Gyptians seemed a bit more ‘modern’ in the way they dressed

As daft as it sounds, I felt the same about Mrs Coulter's coat.

[IrenetheQuaint]

It looked pretty but didn't really grab me... and the talking daemons just didn't work at all.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

In my mind Lyra should be more urchin-y and wilful. Why is there a helicopter at the start but twelve years later technology has seemingly gone backwards and people are travelling in airships? I thought in La Belle Sauvage Lyra had been delivered to the nuns, not straight to the college? There were hardly any daemons milling about -by right they should have been everywhere, especially in crowd scenes.
I think taking odd liberties with a story that people absolutely love will always be risky. None of the characters are how they are in my head, for a start (I realise that's virtually impossible but it sets out a disconnect from the beginning.)
If they get Serafina Pekkala wrong I will be raging!

[UrsulaPandress]

I put subtitles on.

I understand dust.

I think.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

My take on dust is that you are supposed to view it as humankind being tainted by original Sin.
So until children mature, they are 'pure' but as soon as they have knowledge of sex/when their daemons settle then they start to attract dust.

[UrsulaPandress]

Malcolm took her away in the flood and Asriel found them and took her to Jordan College. In his gyropter.

[MrsGrindah]

YY to the point about daemons should be everywhere

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

Clearly I need to reread LBS!

[LetMeLayAmongTheStars]

Haven’t read any of the books but enjoyed tonight’s episode.
Was thinking of buying the books to read with Dc who’s almost 11, are they all age appropriate?

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

I thought the monkey looked a bit thuggish!

Although it doesn't help that I didn't realise "golden monkey" was a species, rather than just a description, so I've always pictured him more like this.

[Manicpixiedreambitch]

I liked it. I think the next episode will be even better as the ground work has been laid.

[clare8allthepies]

Those of you who have read the books, what age would you say they were suitable for? From the description they look like something my 9 year old would love, her reading is amazing but would they be too scary for that age?

[FriendofDorothy]

I rather enjoyed it although it is making me think I need to go and re-read the novel.

I do want my own daemon though.

[wigglybeezer]

The Daemons have to be central, not an added extra, the characters have to be unable to imagine life without them, and that the story wouldn't make sense without them. I get the feeling the writer or director didn't quite get them, I hope I'm proved wrong in later episodes.

[Trewser]

Dd17 enjoyed it. Dh thought it was nonsense. I have to say I thought the books became ridiculous as they went on and I was noticing bits in the show that were just a bit silly.

If it didnt have the daemons it would be quite boring.

[MrsGrindah]

Yes and it needs to be clear that they can feel their humans emotions too especially fear and pain

[Fizzypoo]

I didn't get into it properly until there was 20 minutes left.

I'm going to hold out hope for episode 2. Dp got bored and went to sleep. I'm going to make him start reading the books tomorrow.

[newdawntoday]

I loved it. Haven't been so gripped by a first episode of something for ages. DH hadn't read books and understood it.