It's clear that they've chosen a linear timeline rather than how the books were presented, and I understand why they'd make that choice pragmatically but it sure does have the potential to deflate a lot of the more shocking, Ned Stark-esque ways this season could've ended.


So far, the show seems more interested in Mrs. Coulter than Lyra, with the Lyra here being a way more generic YA protagonist than I expected. In the novels, Pan is the one pushing back on her wild impulses, where here Pan is constantly guiding her in and out of trouble. It's an odd swap that makes her a far less charming character to root for aside from the shoe making it clear we should.


I'll give the first couple episodes a solid B; it's fine entertainment and conjuring up a lot of fuzzy feelings for the books, but even if I hadn't read the novels a few times as a teen I feel like this show just has weird pacing issues that make everything a little less mysterious and wondrous than they should feel.


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"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
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