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His Dark Materials Season 2

259 replies

SimonJT · 08/11/2020 20:14

(I didn’t see another thread)

Is anyone else watching?

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 14/12/2020 10:23

Why is Mrs C not touched by the spectres? I can’t remember.

I actually think Lyra looks quite young compared to what I imagined her to be in book 3.

Wtfdidwedo · 14/12/2020 10:58

She sort of explained the spectre thing to Boreal didn't she, when she said that she hides her humanity? I think it's to do with her and her daemon's relationship.

Honeyroar · 14/12/2020 13:33

Thanks I must have missed that bit.

GoodQueenAlysanne · 14/12/2020 15:21

In the books, I always imagined Lyra to look more like Ella Schrey- Yeats (who plays Paolo).

GrishainDisguise · 14/12/2020 17:15

TBH they are all a bit too old for their roles already.
When Mary hugged the girls they were both taller than her.

PoulePouletteEternellement · 14/12/2020 17:24

That was funny!

CountFosco · 14/12/2020 20:05

When Mary hugged the girls they were both taller than her.

TBF my 12 year old's friends are all taller than me!

CalmConfident · 14/12/2020 20:12

Angelina was totally bad ass in Game of Thrones!

Honeyroar · 14/12/2020 20:15

She was brilliant in GOT, she’s a bit of a similar character in this really.

Wtfdidwedo · 14/12/2020 20:32

@GoodQueenAlysanne

In the books, I always imagined Lyra to look more like Ella Schrey- Yeats (who plays Paolo).
Yes this was the same for me too!
PoulePouletteEternellement · 14/12/2020 20:43

I honestly do not remember this much idle loitering in Cittegazza in the book. Bit discombobulating. And, as pp have said - slow. It did feel as if things were being held up for next week.

GrishainDisguise · 15/12/2020 20:44

@CountFosco

When Mary hugged the girls they were both taller than her.

TBF my 12 year old's friends are all taller than me!

Grin My 12-year-old is taller than me, too.
IsolaPribby · 15/12/2020 21:16

I've just caught up. I'm not sure that I should admit it, but I am beginning to really admire Mrs C!

PoulePouletteEternellement · 15/12/2020 21:37

Wot - after all the severing of children from their demons?

Xmas Shock
IsolaPribby · 16/12/2020 06:31

@PoulePouletteEternellement

Wot - after all the severing of children from their demons?

Xmas Shock

Well, yes, there is that, but she is just so kick-ass! She knows exactly who she is and what she is capable of. And she is far superior to any of the men!
Sliceofrice · 16/12/2020 06:52

I've never read the books, but we noticed a sort of angel wash over Mary at thevstart of the last episode as she starts to explore the city near the tower. Did anyone else see this?
The blonde girl was stood on her tip toes to hug Mary too.

Igneococcus · 16/12/2020 08:17

Yes, there were some angels above Mary when she came to Cittagaze.

Lord Boreal didn't think a woman could be a man's equal or better and he didn't think a woman would ever even think of herself as better than a man, not until the very end at least.

Toriathebadger · 16/12/2020 12:45

@AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore

We were confused by the Serafina meeting Lyra for the first time in tonight too: I must say I've not been bothered by the changes from the book to date: I feel like all the changes (esp the daemon fight scene, although I agree I hated watching it) have very much revealed things about the characters and felt 'coherent' - which is unlike me as I'm usually a stickler for accuracy to the book. The daemon dying did have a puff of smoke: it was maybe too subtle though. I did love the clues to the protection of Mary from the spectres ( I do struggle not to call them dementors!) and think Ruth Wilson is putting in the most brilliant performance as Mrs Coulter: we love her! Have Phillip Pullman been involved in the adaptation: does anyone know?
Philip Pullman is an executive producer, I spotted it in the credits and just googled to confirm
stumbledin · 16/12/2020 23:58

I was disappointed with this series. Too many adults!

But sad to find out only one more episode - or is this just saying there will be another series?

PoulePouletteEternellement · 17/12/2020 00:12

Too many adults!

How d'you mean? They're all in the book. (I know there's a bit more Lord Boreal on screen but it makes sense.) Or do you feel there's an imbalance with the amount of time spent on Lyra and Will? (There was more focus on other children in the first book/season, of course. I've always preferred the second book.)

There does rather have to be a third series. It would be ridiculous to tell only two thirds of a story.

stumbledin · 17/12/2020 00:42

Sorry - was referring back to an earlier comment I made as someone who hasn't read the book.

The episodes where it is mainly the younger characters I have found much more interesting / engaging.

And not forgetting I dont have any of the background info about the adult characters, some of them come over as a bit of a charicature.

And yes as someone who hasn't read the books, that's why I asked about another series. ie is there a third book so would there be a third series.

I appreciate we are sharing a thread with different levels of knowledge.

Sometimes it seems we need 3/4 threads for any series.
One for those who have read the book(s)
One for those who haven't
And then these broked down into those binge watching and those watching week by week!

PoulePouletteEternellement · 17/12/2020 04:22

Oh I definitely disagree there! It seems more satisfying to have the diverse perspectives of those new and not-new to the story combined on a single thread. One group can provide (spoiler free!) clarity on the narrative and any significant points that might be lost on screen; the other has a clearer view of the merits of the TV production as a thing in itself.

AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore · 17/12/2020 09:16

@Toriathebadger: thanks for doing the googling so I didn't have to!

That's reassuring - it feels to me to have captured the spirit of characters, even where the narrative is different. So for example, it felt 'right' to me that Mary hugged the girls - she is so human, and so empathetic: Lyra and Will can't reach them, but Mary can. It reminded you too that despite their fury at L&W, they are just lost, lonely children with no-one to guide them - hence the loss of their brother being such a blow.

For those who haven't read the books: the third book covers an enormous amount of ground: for me at least the Subtle Knife is really about setting up that final book. It will be hard to do justice to it, and some of the settings/characters, but I'm hopeful so far...

It's really interesting that the adults feel lacking depth to you, @stumbledin having not read the book: which ones in particular out of interest?

stumbledin · 17/12/2020 15:04

I think this says as much about me as the makers of the series.

But was bored with the two men in the balloon. Blush Just wasn't interested in them and would have been quite happy for them to arrive at whichever significant point they do in the story without having any info about their journey!

But that maybe because as just a viewer of the series I dont get them / where they fit in. And in the instance of these two, very hammy.

Have found all the young people very convincing.

Maybe, despite all the amazing sets, a tv portrayal just doesn't convey the societies that the books have more time to elaborate on.

And, I know this isn't the general view but am finding Ruth Wilson a bit hammy. Have always found her a really interesting actress, lots of subtlety. I wonder if adult actors think that when they do a series aimed at young viewers they go for a more pantomime performance, sort of assuming young people want get it, if they dont over do it. A bit like in the past, people used to think Shakespeare was all loud declaration and grand gestures!

scissy · 17/12/2020 17:23

I'll be honest as a TV viewer only I also don't see the point of the two in the balloon. Unless he does something soon I honestly don't get what he adds to the story. I guess that's a difference between books and TV though as the books have more time to get your invested in all the characters.