I’m really not Loving His Dark Materials…Why Doesn’t It Feel like the Book?

First off, I adored Golden Compass and the rest of the trilogy, with its beloved daemons and fascinating metaphor for growing up (also for killing God, but we’ll get to that another time). I enjoyed the 2007 movie quite a lot and was surprised they stopped with one. But, three episodes into His Dark Materials, it’s not really grabbing me. The question is why. To answer, there are a few lackluster factors beyond the dark look and admittedly Game-of-Thrones-ish credits.

Lyra: She’s generic, mildly likable, mildly defiant, as she wonders how to become an explorer and seeks her lost friend. Episode 2 emphasized her lying skill as she made up whoppers Mrs. Coulter refused to swallow. But in the scene, her lies had no particular purpose. Mrs. Coulter dismissed them as kiddie babble and seemed right to do so. They were also a bit puzzling as she didn’t show off this hobby in episode one, or three for that matter. Lying is her superpower, and it really isn’t getting much attention. She cares for Roger and Uncle Asriel enough to be obsessed with being around them, and dreams of being an explorer, but we could see more quirks.

Mrs. Coulter: She’s just not evil enough. She’s become a kind benefactor for Lyra, bringing her to a magnificent home and offering her a career, pretty clothes, etc. She also…