His Dark Materials – Lyra’s Jordan

By: Ellie Dolan-Yates

It’s explained to us that in another world, not much unlike our own, a human soul takes the physical form of an animal known as a Daemon. The relationship between human and Deamon is sacred. This world we are about to see has been controlled for centuries by the Magisterium. Although, in the North there is talk of a prophecy of a child with a great destiny. This child was brought to Oxford during the “great floods.”

Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) is wading through the floods protecting a baby, a snow leopard by his side. With the water waist deep he pounds on a wooden door and explains to the Master (Clarke Peters) that Lyra needs “Scholastic Sanctuary.” The Master of Jordan College says that the place isn’t suitable for a child, but Lord Asriel says he has no choice as she needs to be safe.

Twelve years later Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her Daemon, Pantalaimon “Pan” (voiced by Kit Connor), are causing mischief throughout Jordan College with Lyra’s friend Roger (Lewin Lloyd) and his Daemon, Scalcilia (voiced by Eloise Little). Grabbing a bottle of wine on the way Lyra leads Roger to the depths of the college where there are many tombs. As they talk about Daemons it transpires that at the moment theirs are changing form but eventually will settle. Lyra drinks from the bottle but spits it out in disgust.

Lord Asriel and his Daemon, Stelmaria (voiced by Helen McCrory), are up a mountain in the middle of a snow storm returning to what looks like a workshop. Lord Asriel shows Thorold (Gary Lewis) his findings and says they’ll head south in the morning to put on a show for the scholars. He pulls out what appears to be a block of ice and says they’re taking a friend who will help convince the scholars.

Lyra is receiving tutoring from librarian Charles (Ian Gelder) when Pan gets her attention. He’s seen Lyra’s uncle, Lord Asriel, outside. Lyra escapes out of the window and runs across the rooftops after her uncle. As she hides outside the Retiring Room, waiting for the coast to clear, she notices the Master pour something suspicious into the wine he is going to offer Lord Asriel. As The Master leaves Lord Asriel enters. He’s hesitant to try the wine at first, but when he’s about to take a sip Lyra jumps through the window and hits him from behind, warning him that the wine is poisoned. Lord Asriel finds evidence that Lyra is right and smashes the bottle. He tells Lyra to hide and spy on the Master during the meeting and take note of what happens – especially when “dust” is mentioned.

The Master tells the room that whatever is discussed will remain private, especially from the Magisterium. Lord Asriel presents his findings from The North. He shows them his proof that dust is exclusively attracted to adults. He also shows them a picture of the Northern Lights. When seen through his special emulsion, there is a city in the sky! The room is in uproar at the revelation and The Master orders for the room to be cleared. However, Lord Asriel shows them Grumman’s head in the ice to prove that he was killed over his findings. He argues that The Magisterium did it in order to keep them oblivious to what is really out there. He asks the college for funding to keep on with his expedition. No one stands against him.

The Gyptians are celebrating Tony’s (Daniel Frogson) Daemon, Lyuba, settling as a hawk. Benjamin De Ruyter (Simon Manyonda) declares that he will help guide them. Ma Costa (Anne Marie-Duffy) hugs Tony and says she’s losing both of her little boys. Tony says that his brother Billy (Tyler Howitt) has been pestering him all day. Billy appears lost when his Daemon notices a fox-like Daemon. As Tony shouts for his brother we see Billy being dragged away with a hand over his mouth as he tries to shout for help.

Stelmaria reminds Lord Asriel about Lyra who has fallen asleep. He carries her to her room where he notices her drawings of The North on her wall. Lyra asks him what dust is and he says it’s nothing to do with her as she’s better off not understanding just yet. Lyra begs for him to take her North with him.

The Master and Charles are discussing the fact that the Master was going to kill Lord Asriel. He says that the alethiomiter warns of appalling consequences should the research be continued. Lyra has a major part to play in all of “this” without realizing she’s doing it. They have to let her go and make a journey. Things will get terrible upon her betrayal.  All they can be is scared for and of her.

Roger takes Lyra breakfast and he tells her about Billy going missing and that it has to be The Gobblers. Lyra laughs and says The Gobblers are a myth. He also tells her Lord Asriel is leaving in his airship. Lyra runs to the airship shouting for him. She begs him to let her go with him, but he shouts that he doesn’t have time for her right now. As Lyra runs off distraught, Roger shouts to him that Lyra is special. Lord Asriel replies back to him that everyone is special.

Back in the Gyptian community (which is displayed as almost apocalyptic), the search is continuing for Billy. Farder Coram (James Cosmo) tells Benjamin and Tony that The Gobblers have most likely taken Billy and that they’ve taken children from six other Gyptian communities. They think they are taking them to London and they must head there to look for them. John Faa (Lucian Msamati) tells them that they will continue their search in Oxford for the day, but if they aren’t successful they’re heading to London.

After seeing Lyra tell Roger she’s going to go North herself, we’re let into the mysterious Magisterium where Lord Asriel’s findings are being discussed. Lord Carlo Boreal (Ariyon Bakare) reveals to Father MacPhail (Will Keen) that Jordan College have funded Lord Asriel’s expedition. Father MacPhail tells Boreal to find out what he can at any cost, without word to any of their mutual friends – including “her.”

Cue dramatic music as Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson) makes her way through Jordan College. Members of the college are reciting a Latin prayer as she makes her way to the head table. Imagine the setting as Hogwarts at feeding time. The Master introduces Lyra to Mrs. Coulter. Lyra is uninterested when Roger offers her water as she is captivated by Mrs. Coulter. Mrs. Coulter explains she’s a member of St. Sophia’s College. As they leave the dining room Mrs. Coulter tells Lyra that she and Lord Asriel often bump into each other at the Arctic Institute. After tapping into Lyra’s imagination, Mrs. Coulter asks Lyra to be her assistant. If she is in agreement then she’ll take her to London tomorrow. Lyra asks if Roger can go too and Mrs. Coulter eventually agrees. Lyra hugs her, which surprises Mrs. Coulter.

Roger is moving boxes in the corridors of the college when a fox walks across the doorway behind him. The next morning Charles wakes Lyra as she’s needed urgently. The Master gives her the alethiometer in order to help protect her. It will show her the truth. She has to keep it private though. Lyra searches the college for Roger, but he’s nowhere to be found. Lyra is worried about leaving for London without him, but Mrs. Coulter assures her that she will find him. Lyra tries asking the alethiometer where Roger is but gets no result. As Lyra and Mrs. Coulter leave in a posh airship to London, Lyra notices the Gyptians below, their boats in formation, heading down the river to London.

We end with a caged Roger, shouting for someone to let him out!