How unfair is it we don’t live in a world where our soul is in an animal form.
The last time I read The Golden Compass I was in middle school, but it’s still a story I enjoyed and looked forward not only to the movie adaptation but this one as well.
Unlike my last review on Looking for Alaska, I won’t be comparing this to the book much, only because I don’t remember everything, but this review will basically be the decider if I, and if my opinion matters to anyone reading this, you, continue to follow the show.
Premise & Opening
The opening of the episode is text explaining key points about the world, which is very much like our own.
1.) Daemons are human souls in animal form.
2.) The Magisterium controls everything.
3.) Lyra is part of a prophecy.
I didn’t mind this at all. It’s quick, establishes what’s going on in the world so we don’t get forced exposition from characters, and only reminded me how much I want my own daemon.
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As a baby, Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon (aka Pan) is dropped off at Jordan College in Oxford by her Uncle, Lord Asriel, to be protected from the world. As she grows, she becomes more curious and wants to travel with her uncle to the North.
In the North, Asriel is on an expedition to uncover the truth about a phenomenon called Dust, which he photographs and takes back to the college for proof and funding to continue his research.
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Lyra is on a mission to get to the North, whether her uncle takes her or not when children around the area start to go missing and a woman by the name of Mrs. Coulter gives Lyra an offer to travel with her.
Prophecies and World-Building
For starters, I always liked the world-building in this series. It’s able to mix science, magic, and religion (which is why it’s on the banned books list as it was called “anti-Christian.”) There are parts of the world yet to be revealed but it already blends everything well.
And this is based on a children’s book, so there are talks of prophecies and destiny that some people can tire of. Lyra is a “chosen one” and isn’t aware she’s on a path with betrayal in the future.
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However, I think anyone could watch and enjoy this show. There are “darker” elements, one not talked about yet is how painful it is to be separated from your daemon.
Overall
The first episode is a great introduction to the rest of the season. The story is easy to follow and there’s a lot of mystery surrounding different elements such as Dust or the alithiometer Lyra is given, which can detect the truth.
And if you did read the book, from what I remember, it does a good job of following the book up to the end of the episode.
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The best way for me to sum up my feelings is: if all the episodes were released, I would’ve spent the entire day binging the season. It got me excited enough for the next episode.
My Rating
If that’s not enough, this series also has armored polar bears and witches…just saying.
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Quibbles and Scribbles 
I’m excited to give this a watch! I always need a fix of fantasy goodness in my life ✨
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I totally agree! I feel like I haven’t had a show to really get into in a while (or a show that I can watch weekly rather than come out at once like on Netflix.) I feel like it’s going to be a great season 🙂
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I loved the books so much, I’ve been really excited to see the TV adaptation. Looking forward to having time to watch it, and your review only made me more keen!
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That’s awesome! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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I didn’t even know this was made into a show! Honestly, when I started reading the book, I just couldn’t get through it. Then suddenly I picked up the pace of reading and couldn’t put it down. I loved it the whole world and the concept of a daemon is so fascinating. I’d love to watch this show – where did you watch it?
PS I can’t like your posts? I’m not sure why..
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It’s on HBO. I hope you get the chance to watch it! And I’m not sure either? I’ll have to message someone about that, but thanks for telling me!
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If you don’t mind, could you let me know if you still can’t see the like button? Like if it’s not showing up at all? I’m just making sure nothing’s wrong with my blog 🙂
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hey! I tried again and it’s the same. Like the button is there, I click on it and then a pop up window shows up then disappears.
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Thank you for letting me know! I messaged support and they wanted me to ask you what it was doing 🙂
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So basically I click on ‘like’ and a pop up window shows up, then nothing!
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I’ve only watched the Golden Compass film so when I heard HBO was going to make a series I got excited right away. Now I want to read the books and I think the author’s intention was to make them targeted to everyone, not just children. A good start to the series so far with this episode. I am doing weekly reviews of them now. The second I will put up on my blog next week.
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I was surprised at the movie at how graphic the bear fighting scene was and there’s a lot more in the book, so definitely not just for kids. It’s been a long time since I read them so I am kind of excited to again. I don’t remember a lot.
And I’ll have to remember to check out your weekly reviews! I’ll be honest and say I’m a bit behind and need to catch up 🙂
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I agree! I thought the pilot was strong. I also read the trilogy when I was in middle school.
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