His Dark Materials Season 2

[SimonJT]

(I didn’t see another thread)

Is anyone else watching?

That was so good tonight !

In these episodes, it seems like Marisa has never been to this world, as she was tentative about stepping through the window, didn't know much about how things worked here, etc. And yet someone mentioned a story about her in her younger years that I looked up to find out more about her, and it said that she'd been to this world before, had had a lover in her earlier days etc., which doesn't quite fit with this. But then maybe that part wasn't thought of yet in the Subtle Knife book; I don't know how planned out all the prequels and sequels and add-on books were. (I've not read anything beyond the original trilogy, and that a long time ago).

It seemed almost like she was implying she was a witch with the daemon thing, but I don't think she was - just that she had great self control, as it then showed her daemon in a lot of pain being separated from her. So I assume she just controls the pain and carries on anyway.

I wonder why Mary Malone doesn't get attacked by spectres. I know the voice/dust/angels said that she wouldn't be, but not really why.

How did Mary know where the window was when she hadn't known before?

Was there always a workman’s tent and guard over the door? It’s hardly very secret!

The first clue waZ hornbeam...an unusual tree and the avenue in Oxford had them

And this is kind of cool...

ah yes, I'd forgotten the clue about Hornbeam.

I wonder why Mary Malone doesn't get attacked by spectres. I know the voice/dust/angels said that she wouldn't be, but not really why.

The Spectres seem to move about the world round Cittagazze so they don't immediately get any adult that goes to the city. They didn't attack Mrs Coulter and Lord Boreal either.

Hornbeams are members of the birch family, they are found all over the northern temperate regions.

@GrishainDisguise

Very good catch. I wonder why that would be necessary, but it is not for this thread to discuss. DS said that Mrs Coulter's daemon never talked on TV (I did not notice). They definitely talked to each other in the book.

I loved some of The Secret Commonwealth and hope to read book 2 when it comes out.

The producers said they made Mrs coulter's daemon silent to represent how she has repressed parts of herself. We really saw that last night with how she reacted to Mary asking her about publishing etc

I think once you have separated from your daemon you can do it again any time without pain, but it probably affects your relationship. We see in the secret commonwealth that malcom can separate from his daemon because of what happened in the belle sauvage. It doesn't cause pain every time. I think Mrs coulter was exploiting boreal's fear about separating (that everyone has) to make herself appear more intimidating to him

It definitely implied this was her first visit to our world. I actually really felt for her - seeing the mother working with her baby, when she meets Mary Malone and is told she’s Dr Malone, then when she talks about getting the highest marks but not being awarded her doctorate. And the moment when she’s talking about her affair and Boreal asks why they’re talking about Asriel, and she says ‘We were talking about me!’ - it really showed how constrained she is in her life.

The moment with the monkey in the car seat , and her reaction to the pair of jeans, really made me laugh. She’s such a good actress.

I hadn't made that connection with her watching the woman working with her baby, but you're right, it's another example of her seeing how women were treated in our world as opposed to hers. At the time, I was just thinking she was watching the strangeness of people generally, computers, crowds, no daemons, etc., and although I noticed the focus on the woman with baby, it hadn't sunk in why.

It's all making me have a bit of sympathy for Mrs Coulter, which I probably shouldn't have!! (both this week's and last week's)

Did Mrs Coulter want to keep Lyra? I can't remember the story. I know that asriel was threatened with imprisonment (?) and her husband fought him instead (??) and asriel killed him but was she forced to give Lyra up for her own safety?

I loved the extra exposition with MC’s sadness over how she missed out on education and respect due to being a woman. Perhaps if she’d been born into this world and afforded all the opportunities women are here, she would have been a lot happier, and less cruel and ruthless?

I’m trying to remember why the spectres don’t attack Mary in the book, there are other characters further in that they don’t attack either and I think it’s something to do with them being on a religious mission? Everything in the books comes back to religion, either the downfall of it or the rigorous upholding of it, so I think it’s something to do with that.

It's something to do with the Angels. Don't want to give spoilers though (and I can't remember the last book well enough anyway)

I loved the monkey daemon in the car seat, it really tickled me.

Mary has been cast very well, I've loved her scenes.

Daemon with a seatbelt was the funniest thing for ages.
I think the separation is to physically show how she is able to cut herself off from her feelings and conscience when she needs to, although she seems to struggle with it more this series.
I really liked the feminist stuff about her talent and the discrimination she had faced.

My God! How often does one spontaneously applaud a TV episode? That was magnificent!

And yes, the working woman with baby and "what was your doctorate in?" passages were just beautiful.

Excellent, excellent fighting, finally.

Also, as someone noted above, they're portraying the daemons much more effectively this season; the beetle (?) and spider at the Magisterium meeting were mesmerising.

Fabulous.

I cannot wait to see the wheely elephanty things in the third world. And the trees and roads there. Agree this is a superlative tv version of a superb series.

Have just watched this. A fantastic episode, but agree, too short!

I did find the bit where Lyra makes Pan attack her mother's deamon quite difficult. Does that happen in the book?

We caught up tonight, a really fantastic episode, as much as Mrs Coulter isn’t a nice woman I enjoyed getting to see her vulnerable side when she realised what she was missing out on.

Doesn’t Mary Malone have amazing eyes, they’re so big and round they’re almost Gollum like but in a good way.

I think we probably shouldn't discuss too many plot points from The Book of Dust trilogy since The Secret Commonwealth was only published last year and there are a few here who haven't read the books so don't know what's coming.

"Keys."

Question: presumably she meant the door keys - she surely wouldn't be able to drive. And if leaving the house on foot, how was she travelling to the college? Did he order her a taxi? There's no way she traipsed to the bus stop in those perilous heels!

I do love the detail of Mary's clothes. Modern, functional, but you just know her sister or someone would have dragged her round a shopping mall and she'd have been all "Right, this'll do," with her mind on her work. Nothing fits so as to be flattering, everything's a bit crumpled. Wonderful contrast with Mrs Coulter!

Was that Hague Blue on Latrom's walls?

I can't remember whether Lyra's daemon attacks her mother's in the book.

@CountFosco - had got to the point of thinking I cant trust coming on this thread.

I know a lot happened this episode but it didn't seem that dramatic - but am still enjoying it.

And as someone who hasn't read the books never thought that there would be a reverse journey ie Mary Malone thinking on her feet and getting through the "portal".

Still not sure why I am enjoying this series more than the first but I am!

And like it being spaced out week by week as it gives me time to mull it over.

And like it being spaced out week by week as it gives me time to mull it over.

Watching it week by week in real time and discussing it is such a pleasure. Doctor Who is the same.

I don't remember Lyra's demon attacking her mother's demon in the book, no. Its a while since I read it but I don't recall it from the book. I think there was quite a lot about that scene that was 'TV adaptation' but it was done well.