His Dark Materials (2×07) Æsahættr Review

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

Synopsis: As all paths converge on Cittàgazze, Will and Lyra’s lives are changed forever. (HBO)

Don’t you just love season finales that overpromise but then underdeliver? With the recent announcements of thee renewal of His Dark Materials for a third and final season, it became clear that there was still plenty of story to go and that Lyra would finally fulfill her destiny later. While it wasn’t without its moments, this season 2 finale essentially kicked the can further down the road in terms of its story and characters. It seemed more concerned about the future than the present which meant some unsatisfying arcs at least for now (assuming they will play a role later on) which is still kind of disappointing after investing so much in it through its first 6 episodes.

Æsahættr saw Ruta Skadi witness Lord Asriel’s army gearing up for his war against the authority. However, we was still missing one piece known as the Æsahættr.

Will showed some vulnerability, being afraid of what has happened and what may be to come but he would need to learn to cast that aside. Considering how close he finally was to his father, he took charge. The witches held them back from their search. He and Lyra made each other stronger by being together (she was becoming increasing aware of his impact on her).

With Scorsby’s balloon destroyed, he and Parry began their trek through the forest with the Magisterium not far behind. They went their separate ways with Scoresby staying behind to hold off the Magisterium army at great cost to him and Hester (Cristela Alonzo). He called out to Serifina Pekkala but it appeared to be too late. Meanwhile, Mrs. Coulter resumed her search for Lyra alone. A surveying witch fell in her lap so using her ways, she learned that Lyra was Eve (she’s the mother of everything). She was energized from there (and her daemon was not getting in the way of her new mission).

Calling out to his son, Will wanders his way though the valley to him as Mrs. Coulter did the same, looking for Lyra. The two eventually found who they were looking for. The former was an emotional reunion for Will and his father. Will didn’t get much in the way of answers as this meeting was essentially so his father can give him a pep talk for what he needed to do which was to go to Asriel. His father vowed they’d finally go home after but he would not get the chance after sacrificing himself. The latter was emotional for the opposite reasons. Mrs, Coulter took Lyra and Pan somewhere else, somewhere safer.

Malone continued her search for answers though this subplot kind of got left dangling (but she’s not there for nothing and we’ll just have to wait for her true role to be revealed).

Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) himself made an appearance in the form of a passionate speech to explain his grand mission against the authority in all worlds to what appeared to be thin air. The angels were listening and were on his side.

So the final battle is going to have to wait until some time in Season 3. Though that fact is a little disappointing, there are definitely more possibilities for the end as the writers have put more on their plate come next season. Meanwhile, John Parry and Lee Scoresby will be big loses considering the time the former had with his son and of course assuming the latter doesn’t survive (it’s not clear either way). Suffice it to say that the bar is high so hopefully it all find a way to come together. The season 3 renewal announcement should have been made after the finale has aired here (the series airs a week earlier in the UK but still).

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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.