His Dark Materials (2×06) Malice Review

For our review of the last episode of His Dark Materials, click here.

Synopsis: Lyra and Will search for Will’s father. Mrs. Coulter meets a formidable foe. (HBO)

After all the action of the last few episodes, this new episode slows things down as it brings all the characters together to the central location of the Gateway city for what looks to be the season’s final showdown. That being said, Malice wasn’t without its moments, perhaps none bigger than Mrs. Coulter finally showing us a little of what she was hiding underneath her cold exterior.

The episode started as Serafina Pekkala (Ruta Gedmintas) and the witches have arrived but they were not alone as the angels also made a rare appearance (as they foreshadowed to Malone who arrived at the end of the last episode). Suffice it to say that this new world made them uneasy.

Will was feeling worse post-dismembering as the episode brought him and Lyra closer (a potential issue in the future) than he may have liked as Angelica (Bella Ramsey) and her gang of kids were out for revenge. Leave it to the witches to show up and save them but this just gave Will more people to not trust (at least right away). Despite their plan, the witches ultimately fell in line but made sure Will knew what was at stake. He and Lyra had each other and he was finally at ease with that, confiding in Lyra (we haven’t had nearly enough of those moments). Will also fended off some spectres by just flailing the subtle knife around as the group trekked through the forest. They were heading back to their world for help with Will’s wound but whether or not they actually make it there remains to be seen.

Malone was just minding her business, trying to figure out her role in everything, which caught the attention of Angelica and the neighborhood kids (she was protected after all). Her caring and oblivious soul then kicked in and it was so cute to see.

Boreal and Coulter went the same way Malone did. The former was worried about the spectres but little did he know, SHE CAN CONTROL THEM. From that point on, he was no longer part of her plan and she disposed of him (revenge).

The Magisterium caught wind of Coulter’s plan and Lyra’s role in their downfall which has to do with her true name. Meanwhile, Scoresby and John Parry flew into the portal and were soon picked up by the alethiometer. They joined the fight in the other world, intercepting Scoresby’s balloon, but they had no chance against Parry’s magic.

Ultimately, a shot to their balloon’s gas tank sent them plummeting and the episode cut away just before they hit the ground because of course. It would not be a surprise if they landed right where Lyra and Will were.

With one more episode to go this season, these characters are going to find each other and Lyra will have to face Mrs. Coulter. Ruth Wilson has been an absolute delight as Mrs. Coulter and the chemistry between Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson and Lyra and Will continues to be a standout. While they faced a slow start, one can’t help but want the series to tap into that a little more. Either way, it’s going to be an exciting season finale.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.