Martin Carr reviews the fourth episode of His Dark Materials…
There is something off about episode four which detracts from the considerable success this adaptation has enjoyed so far. Verbal exposition has taken away some of the majesty which the BBC and Jack Thorne have conjured, leaving events conspicuously condensed. Consistent production design still ensures there is much to feast on in every frame but rich narrative strands feel glossed over, brushed off or worse still mentioned as mere afterthought.
Where there is success however is in the form of fleeting cameos and more established character introductions. Lin Manuel Miranda who embodies aeronaut Lee Scoresby is flamboyant, engaging and comes across like a steam punk version of an American flyboy. His full length fur lined trench coat, waist coat and Stetson give him the essence of recklessness without the arrogance in tow. Award winning composer, actor and lyricist Miranda injects a relaxed charisma into every scene whilst remaining self-effacing and affable. Elsewhere our promised introduction to a character colossus delivers in some places and not in others.
In the early trailer campaigns Lorek Byrnison voiced by Joe Tandberg was used to great effect. This armour plated polar bear with a brooding demeanour is a fan favourite and it is here that Armour falls short. Not through acting, animation or anything character related but more so in the concise narrative approach. From initial meeting through to end credits you get the feeling that things are being rushed. Interactions between Keen, Cosmo and Tandberg are to the point rather than allowing for elaboration. Battles are short lived and lack teeth while resolutions are offered too readily and progression takes precedence over detail.
Elsewhere a specific cameo offered up by comedian, writer and actor Omid Djali proves more effective than other expanded roles. Those brief moments between himself and Keen’s Lyra are both engaging and subtle. Other stand outs continue to be Ruth Wilson’s Mrs Coulter and Ariyon Bakare’s Lord Boreal who represent both state authority and blatant self-interest simultaneously. Once again the alethiometer plays a part but both Jack Thorne and Pullman have avoided an over reliance on it, which in turn maintains suspense and never offers an easy out.
As we continue our journey this party of companions are sure to encounter more trials, face larger tests of courage and overcome greater establishment based obstacles. What has become abundantly clear however despite the faithful approach is that certain elements have had to be jettisoned. In future episodes you can only hope that those sacrifices don’t impact on anything else.
Martin Carr
