‘His Dark Materials’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘The Lost Boy’ Review: Ghost Of The North

I swear, His Dark Materials just keeps getting better and better. The visuals this week, in particular, are just astoundingly beautiful. And the highlight of it all is the landscape shots. Every single time one of them comes up, it feels like I’m watching some kind of nature channel because it’s just majestic. And then, you have a talking bear with a little girl on his back galloping across the expanse making it all the grander. Oddly enough though, these shots strongly remind me of Game of Thrones. It might be the snow and the furs but, it’s giving me strong vibes of the North.

On the other hand, this is His Dark Materials’ most poignant and emotional episode yet. The show is finally touching the darker side of Pullman’s books. However, some things were changed up. For those who’ve read the books and are expecting to see Tony Makarios, I’m telling you now that he won’t be here. In addition to that, ‘The Lost Boy’ also serves to be the introduction of another vital character in His Dark Materials, Will Parry (Amir Wilson). And so far, he’s as likable as Lyra (Dafne Keen) was for her part. We’ve got a lot to cover so, here’s what happened in this week’s episode of His Dark Materials.

The Alethiometer Warns of a Ghost

On the journey to Bolvangar, John Faa (Lucian Msamati) asks Lyra to consult the alethiometer to know what they’re really up against. As Lyra interprets the answer, it becomes painfully obvious that they’re headed into a bloody war of Gyptians against Tartars armed with wolves and big guns. Aside from that, Lyra also picks up something else. The alethiometer tells her to go into the town the next valley from Bolvangar to seek out a ghost.

BBC

Although its relevance to their cause isn’t clear to her yet, Lyra believes it might hold a vital clue. So, she brings it up with Farder Coram (James Cosmo) and asks permission to go there on her own. Unfortunately, the old Gyptian thinks headed straight to Bolvangar is more important and couldn’t afford any side trips. Because of this, Lyra brings it up with Ma Costa (Anne-Marie Duff) instead. With her, Lyra admits that the alethiometer might be leading her to a clue about Roger (Lewin Lloyd) and Billy (Tyler Howitt). Although skeptical, Ma Costa tells Lyra she’ll think about it.

Will Parry

Meanwhile, in the other world, Lord Boreal (Ariyon Bakare) continues to spy on Grumman’s/ John Parry’s family. Here, we get our first glimpse of Will Parry and his mother Elaine Parry (Nina Sosanya). One time, Boreal intercepts Elaine as she heads out while pretending to be one of Grumann’s old research buddies. Seeing him and hearing Boreal’s questions about her husband certainly unsettles Elaine. And all she tells Boreal is that Grumman “died” 13 years ago. After their quick conversation, Elaine rushes to Will’s school.

BBC

Elaine catches Will in his boxing practice almost frantic. And after enduring some taunts from his sparring partner about his mother’s mental condition, Will goes after her. Outside, Elaine tells Will about her encounter with Boreal which sets her in a panic. But, Will seems to think that it’s just another one of his mother’s bad days. Later on, as they both settle down for dinner, Elaine suddenly notices something amiss in their home. She knows someone’s been snooping around. Frantic, she heads to her room and digs out a bag full of letters from a secret compartment in her dresser. Seeing that they’re safe, Elaine calms down. But, seeing the concern on Will’s face, she admits that they’re letters from his father. However, she thinks he’s not ready to read them just yet.

Later that night, Elaine catches her son in front of her dresser contemplating whether to read the letters or not. Instead of being mad about it, she gives him permission to read them. But, Will declines and decides that it’s up for his mother to share.

BBC

Meanwhile, Boreal meets up again with Thomas (Robert Emms) for more information about John Parry. As it turns out, John set up an account for his family. Every month, a meager amount is put into it without fail. And as Thomas realizes, John might’ve done it on purpose because he knew he would be gone for a while and wanted to make sure his family would be supported. As Thomas tells Boreal, a paper trail would definitely help them find where John is crossing.

Serafina Pekkala

Back in Lyra’s world, Kaisa (David Suchet) tells Lyra that her father is being held prisoner by Svalbard bears at the Magisterium’s behest. However, their king, Iofur Raknison is also allowing Lord Asriel to continue his research about dust under house arrest. As it may, Asriel plans to use dust to create a bridge between their world and the world in the Aurora.

Meanwhile, while out in his walk, Farder Coram is greeted by someone special from his past. At this point, we get a glimpse of not just one new character but two in His Dark Materials. Out of the dark skies, the witch queen Serafina Pekkala (Ruta Gedmintas) herself comes to meet the old Gyptian. The meeting is terse at first, but soon, the two settle in discussing their present circumstances.

BBC

When Farder Coram mentions Asriel’s plan, Serafina corrects him for calling it madness. She reveals that the other worlds are real. Witches have known about it for thousands of years. And they’re just living side by side. But, these worlds never touch and never hear each other except in the Northern Lights. The charged particles in the Aurora makes the matter of Lyra’s world thin. And as Serafina says, “It is a time when anything can happen.” Hearing this, Farder Coram’s tough resolve visibly breaks as he repeats “Anything?” Before his ideas can run any wilder, Serafina tells him that this doesn’t include bringing their son back.

As she turns to leave, Farder Coram calls out “Will I see you again?” In response, Serafina kisses him and assures him that Kaisa will continue to lead them. Then, she flies back into the night as Farder Coram lets out his tears of longing.

The Ghost

The next day, John Faa finally allows Lyra to seek her ghost as long as Iorek goes with her. And in that short journey, the pair grow closer. Iorek (Joe Tandberg) entertains Lyra’s curiosity and tells her his story. From being a prince, Iorek was stripped of his title and exiled because he killed another bear. And in their court, this is one of the worst crimes a bear could commit. Now, Iofur has taken Iorek’s rightful place.

BBC

When Lyra mentions that the Svalbard bears have Lord Asriel, Iorek guarantees that he wouldn’t be able to escape. Even as Lyra insists that her father is going to trick the bears, Iorek explains that bears can’t be tricked. They see tricks as plain as arms and legs in a way that humans have forgotten. With a huff of indignation, Lyra reveals that she thinks otherwise.

By nightfall, they arrive at the little village in the valley. And with a single glance, they already know something’s terribly wrong with the place. Plucking up every bit of courage she has, Lyra steps up to the particular shed the alethiometer showed her and pushes open the door. Inside, she discovers the most horrific sight of all – a child with no daemon. And it’s not just any child. It’s Billy Costa.

The Cruelest of All Deeds in His Dark Materials

Lyra picks up Billy Costa and takes him back to the Gyptians. But, in reality, he’s not Billy anymore. He’s as good as soulless. Without his daemon, the child is just a ghost of himself. In the books, however, it wasn’t Billy that Lyra found. It was another child that had no connection to her whatsoever. What made that part a lot heavier is the simplicity of the cruelty that Lyra saw firsthand. Severing a daemon from his or her human is equivalent to wrenching out that human’s soul. To do that to a child is beyond cruel.

BBC

Lyra saw the horror of something that should never be done. And while the adults of the village were cowering in fear of something so unnatural, Lyra showed so much compassion and kindness even though it affected her to her very core. Understandably, His Dark Materials might’ve made this decision so as to present a clearer and tighter version to those unfamiliar with the books.

A Child With No Soul

As Ma Costa gathers what remains of her son in her arms, the Gyptians gather around in horror. As Lyra tries to follow, Lee Scoresby (Lin-Manuel Miranda) holds her back and tells her to let them grieve. Stricken, Lyra tells him what she saw. And Lee solemnly explains that it must be about the Gobbler’s taking control. As he says, “If you can remove someone’s soul, you can do anything.”

BBC

Ma Costa and Tony hold on to Billy the entire night. But, it’s clear he’s not going to last long. Ma Costa sings him one last lullaby. Then, she lets him go. As if just waiting for that permission, Billy takes his last breath. Upon his death, the Gyptians build a pyre for him. And after Lyra takes one last glimpse of the boy, Ma Costa lights it up and burns the body of her very own son.

Later that night, a gang of men stealthily attack the Gyptian’s camp. In the midst of it, Pantalaimon wakes up to a little noise. When he and Lyra emerge to check out the source, the men knock them out and abduct them. When Lyra comes to, she’s deposited in some kind of facility with doctors and nurses. And quickly using her wit, she introduces herself under a false name, gives false reasons, and acts dumb for the adults around her. Soon enough, they usher her into a room for some kind of medical exam. And by the dresser in the corner of the room, Lyra sees rows of the exact same clothes that Billy was wearing. Then, she realizes they’re in Bolvangar.

His Dark Materials continue Monday, December 8th, with “The Daemon Cages” at 9/8c on BBC.