His Dark Materials is a TV series that is adapted from a trilogy of novels by Sir Philip Pullman. The novels consist of The Golden Compass (1995), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). The first novel was previously adapted into a feature film in 2007, but it failed to receive a good response, leading to the cancellation of its sequels.
The whole story of His Dark Materials takes place in a parallel world that is linked to our world. In one of the alternate realities, which is one of the main settings, every human soul manifests into an animal companion called a daemon. They become friends and protect each other.
The story follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua, who lives with scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. Unlike most humans, Lyra lives in a parallel world where all norms are regulated by a religious and political body called the Magisterium. Lyra has a daemon named Pantalaimon “Pan” and befriends a boy her age, Roger Parslow. Lyra is also fond of her uncle, Lord Asriel, a polar explorer who studies a mysterious substance called Dust and the parallel world.
However, Asriel’s research is always considered heretical by the Magisterium. One day, Lord Asriel returns to Oxford to bring his discovery of Dust and the head of Dr. Stanislaus Grumman, another explorer who found a parallel world portal in Alaska in his world.
The scholars at Oxford are amazed by what Asriel brings and deny all his ideas. Later, the Master of Jordan College learns of a prophecy about Lyra’s future truth through a golden compass-like device called an alethiometer. He then tries to kill Asriel by poisoning his drink, but his efforts are thwarted by Lyra and Pan. Asriel then leaves Jordan College to continue his expedition to the North Pole.
Another explorer, Mrs. Marisa Coulter, then arrives at Jordan College to guide Lyra on her adventure to the North Pole to see Lord Asriel. Marisa also promises to help her find Roger, who has been kidnapped by a group of kidnappers called the Gobblers.
Just before Lyra leaves, the Master of Jordan College gives her an alethiometer as a tool she can use to find the truth. However, Lyra is still unable to use it properly.
Mrs. Coulter then takes Lyra to London, while the Gyptian group goes to the city to find the Gobblers who have stolen their children.
In Oxford, the Master of Jordan College meets with Lord Boreal, a Magisterium nobleman and artifact thief. They discuss Dust and the discovery of Dr. Grumman’s head found by Asriel.
Boreal then travels through the portal to another alternate world in Oxford. He hires Thomas, a mercenary soldier, to find the whereabouts of the real Grumman, whether he is still alive or not.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Pan finally learn that Mrs. Coulter is the one behind the Gobblers and intends to separate all children from their daemons.
The story of His Dark Materials is full of dynamic and complex storylines. The first season follows several very interesting stories, from Lyra’s efforts to save her friend Roger from the Magisterium’s grasp, Mrs. Coulter’s search for Lyra, Lord Asriel’s experiment in the polar regions, to Lord Borel’s exploration of parallel worlds.
All of these intrigues are skillfully highlighted by the series to ensure that we can follow each storyline without any confusion. Because in the end, the journey they take will unify them all, and everything will be connected in the final episode.
With its approach, His Dark Materials season 1 provides an exciting and enjoyable storyline. Moreover, the duration of each episode, which is about an hour, satisfies viewers throughout the eight episodes.
This series can be said to be much better than its film adaptation, The Golden Compass (2007), starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. The first season of His Dark Materials is very well executed, captivating, and presents an impressive fantasy story in a parallel world.
The parallel world concept is attractive and adds a unique appeal to the story, which is likely to remain evergreen in the future.
