His Dark Materials: Season 2, Episode 2 "The Cave" - REVIEW

Episode 2 sees the first of the new writers for this series penning the script - alongside Jack Thorne, Francesca Gardiner shines in this episode in terms of writing. Set primarily in Will's Oxford, this episode follows Will and Lyra as both search for answers for their respective dilemmas. Despite getting our first glimpse of the Spectres, this had no effect on the plot as the episode opened with Will unharmed and taking Lyra to Oxford. I understand we needed to have the spectre reveal, but it unfortunately came across as anti-climactic - Episode One should've ended with Will sensing something behind him, turning and seeing nothing. That would have made the transition into this episode much smoother,

The contrast of Will's hesitant and Lyra's impulsive personalities are nicely dealt with - albeit through a scene from the book that sees Lyra nearly getting run over after sprinting through the window, I was still surprised Will let her wander Oxford alone after said incident. However, after they set a time and place to meet - the pair set off on their own. The pair continue to have subtle character moments where Will gradually learns to trust while Lyra tries to let her guard down - this was mainly shown as Will tended to Lyra’s injured knee and later when they reconcile after an argument.

I appreciated that this episode took the time to explore a plot point that I honestly can't remember being addressed in the book - it's been years since I last read it, so apologises to my fellow readers - but what happened to Elaine Parry? This question is answered with the return of Nina Sosanya as Will's mother being cared for by the good-natured boxing coach (played by Ray Fearon, also known as Hot Misogynist from Fleabag - as a fan of that show as well, I have no complaints four of its cast members are confirmed to appear in this season). It was nice to see that, for now, this storyline is put to bed and Will has been reassured his mother is safe without him.

Continuing with Will (a scene I can remember from the book), he attends a meeting with his family lawyer about the trust fund being given to Elaine in full, but learns his grandparents have control over any withdrawals outside the agreement set by his father. Said grandparents (played by Jane How and Brain Protheroe) are a brilliant addition, as this really fleshes out Will's backstory more. Similar to introducing him in Season One, I think the writers have done well at developing both Will and Lyra. Amir Wilson does a great job at portraying the silent moments - from the stunned realisation he had relatives mere streets away, the awkward estrangement and the betrayed hurt when he realises they can't be trusted.

Travelling across Oxford, Lyra is initially taken aback and bewildered by this alternative Oxford, uncertain of her surroundings. She heads to Pitt-Rivers Museum to consult the alethiometer and finds out that, to find out more about Dust, she must find a specific scholar. It is here that she meets Boreal, but as she does not recognise him and he in turn uses this to try and manipulate her - Lyra is naturally wary and both give false names in this encounter, but she makes a quick exit. This scene gave some serious stranger-danger vibes and had the right amount of sinister undertones.

And now, the moment I have been waiting for since His Dark Materials was announced - the introduction to the one and only Mary Malone. While being one of my favourite literary characters, I loved the casting - and Mary was Irish! Something I’d always imagined when reading her scenes - and how they built the dynamics with her and Lyra. Simone Kirby embodies Mary's character perfectly and I honestly would struggle to imagine someone else in the role now. Fantastic casting!

Lyra and Mary agree to answer each other's questions and Mary tells her about the Cave and her discovery about dark matter and its properties. In return, Lyra shows Mary her alethiometer and correctly answers a question that she couldn't know: what Mary did before being a physicist (she was a nun). As Lyra was advised to be truthful and Pan scoffed at this prospect, this is an interesting character moment that shows real vulnerability from her since Season One.

We also get our first introduction to the Cave - visually, the set and equipment had a good balance of modern technology while portraying a serious undertone. There were also appropriate uses of flashbacks that give subtext to Mary's research into Dark Matter. Lyra has a go at using the Cave and manages to make intricate patterns appear on there which tell her that the dark matter is her Dust and that Mary has something important to do (with the I Ching) and hastily leaves yo meet Will at the Botanic Gardens. Mar later recounts this to her colleague, but the lack of funds hang over their heads and she is reminded that despite the progress, the research could be cancelled.

The introduction of Mary was nicely handled and I am looking forward to seeing Kirby's interpretation of the character further down the line.

To conclude the Our Oxford plot. Will and Lyra meet and after he scolds her for risking them getting caught and the pair talk openly in the Botanic Gardens. Lyra assures him that she can trust him and he in turn learns his father is alive and he has to leave his mother to protect her. This final scene also had heart-breaking foreshadowing - readers of the books, you'll know what I mean and show watchers... you'll have to wait and see!

Meanwhile, in Lyra's Oxford - war is brewing between the Magisterium and the witches. While Serafina Pekkala confronts Ruta Skadi about her decision to kill Sturrock and she says that he was a terrible man. Serafina tells her that she has sent Martin Lanselius to them to try and clear the mess up but Ruta insists that she was protecting the prophecy. I do wish we had more screen time with these characters as I feel the writers have set up an intriguing conflict, but we have not seen much of it yet. It is only the second episode though.

The peace-making with the Magisterium went as well as can be expected - still reeling from Sturrock's death, both Fathers MacPhail and Graves have their eyes set on the leadership role. Father Graves proves to be more vocal than his competition, revealing his fear, hatred and intimidation of witches - of women who know more and are stronger than them. This shakes MacPhail, but he still delivers a devastating sentence to Lanselius for his association and relation to the witch clan.

During the sentencing, Marisa and Boreal have a tense discussion, his smugness about inquiring about Lyra unsettling her. However, she uses MacPhali's own insecurities against him to manipulate him into inciting an attack on sacred witch land. This incites the Magisterium to vote him as Cardinal. Despite his status, he is shaken to learn that Marisa planned this all along - she is neither threatened or scared of him, because she reminds him that his role is "a blessing and a curse. Upon her declaration he will let her leave to do as she pleases, Marisa tells him that she is going in search of her daughter.

This was a much stronger ending to the episode, as we got to see Marisa playing chess with everyone in the room and coming on top as the one with the actual power.