The Abyss

Mrs. Coulter heads to Lord Asriel's facility and she believes Lyra is dead. Out of the blue, Ruta dies since her daemon is sucked into the new formed abyss. Asriel travels to look for Lyra and stumbles upon the angry Iorek Byrnison that tells him that Lyra has survived and the knife is fixed. Meanwhile, in the Purgatory, Lyra convinces the Harpies to help everybody to leave the Purgatory to reach Heaven. In exchange, people will tell their own stories. Will meets his father before leaving the place through the hole he made.

"The Abyss" is another reasonable episode of "His Dark Materials". The dead people now are going to Heaven (or Hell) and Lyra fulfils the first prophecy. Good also to see that there are only two more episodes of this series. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "The Abyss"

"The Abyss," the sixth episode of the third season of His Dark Materials, directed by Amit Gupta, emerges as a pivotal and emotionally charged installment that masterfully navigates themes of loss, redemption, and cosmic upheaval, solidifying its place as a standout in the series. The episode interlaces the desperate attempts of Lyra and Will to escape the Land of the Dead with the moral and political reckonings unfolding in the Magisterium's declining influence. It balances profound introspection with the mounting intensity of an impending war, delivering performances, cinematography, and narrative depth that resonate deeply.

The episode opens amid the chaos wrought by Metatron's decision to sever Dust from the worlds, a cataclysmic act destabilizing reality across dimensions. This spectral unraveling sets the stakes for the various characters as they confront fragmented worlds and fractured loyalties. Lyra and Will's struggle to lead lost souls to safety is marked by tension and heartbreaking choices, vividly capturing the weight of sacrifice and the resilience necessary to navigate the in-between realms. Dafne Keen powerfully embodies Lyra's fragile yet unyielding spirit during her near-isolation from Pan and haunted encounters with souls lost to despair. Amir Wilson's Will complements this with grounded determination, his journey intensifying as he accepts his ever-growing responsibilities.

The narrative concurrently follows Mrs. Coulter's descent into grief and fury following the apparent loss of her daughter, Lyra. Ruth Wilson delivers one of her finest performances as Coulter's icy demeanor slowly fractures, revealing a deeply human core grappling with remorse and rage. The episode's depiction of Coulter's ruptured connection with her dæmon, a rare and harrowing occurrence among witches, becomes a symbolic manifestation of her inner turmoil and estrangement. This motif weaves through the episode's visual and emotional fabric, highlighting themes of disconnection and longing.

Visually, "The Abyss" drapes itself in a moody, haunting atmosphere, emphasizing shadows and muted hues that underscore the episode's sense of spiritual and physical turmoil. The ethereal rendering of the Land of the Dead, combined with the stark institutional interiors of the Magisterium, creates a visceral contrast that reinforces the division between hope and despair, freedom and entrapment. Director Amit Gupta's pacing deftly balances breathless action sequences with quieter, reflective moments that allow the performances to resonate. Cinematic techniques-such as lingering close-ups and sweeping landscape shots-draw viewers into the emotional and metaphysical stakes of the narrative.

Musically, Lorne Balfe's score contributes an evocative soundscape that mirrors the episode's emotional oscillations, weaving somber melodies with soaring crescendos that underline the thematic weight of sacrifice and impending doom. The sound design assimilates naturalistic elements with supernatural overtones, particularly enhancing moments of tension and release, and amplifying the immersive quality of the storytelling.

Thematically, the episode is a profound meditation on the nature of love, death, and the redemptive power of hope. Lyra's journey towards liberation is not only a physical quest but also a symbolic passage through grief and acceptance. The intertwining of cosmic and personal struggles highlights the inescapable connection between individual loss and universal transformation. The dissolution of dust and rising abyss serve as metaphors for the collapse of complacency and the urgency of awakening-both literal and existential. The episode probes the delicate balance between destruction and creation, evoking spiritual and philosophical questions that elevate the narrative beyond genre conventions.

Performance-wise, Dafne Keen and Ruth Wilson anchor the episode with emotionally nuanced portrayals that convey the complexity of their characters' psychological journeys. Amir Wilson's portrayal continues to mature, offering a steadying presence amid chaos. Supporting cast members, including the voices of lost souls and appearances by key players like Serafina Pekkala and Lord Asriel, enrich the depth and gravitas of the unfolding conflict.

While universally praised for its emotional depth and thematic ambition, some criticisms emerge regarding the episode's pacing and the density of the mystical exposition, which may challenge viewers less acclimated to Pullman's intricate mythology. Nonetheless, the narrative's reflective quality and visual artistry generally overshadow these concerns, providing a rich, immersive experience.

In the broader cultural and cinematic framework, "The Abyss" exemplifies His Dark Materials' fusion of epic fantasy and philosophical reflection. Its willingness to confront death and transformation with nuance and compassion aligns it with a growing body of genre works that transcend escapism to offer profound human insight. The episode's intricate character development and lush cinematography place it alongside modern fantasy's most evocative storytelling achievements.

In conclusion, "The Abyss" functions as an emotionally gripping and thematically dense episode that pushes His Dark Materials into bold new territories of narrative and aesthetic sophistication. It deeply explores the intersections of grief, hope, and change, captured through compelling performances, a haunting visual palette, and a stirring score. The episode invites viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of loss and renewal, preparing the ground for the nearing resolution of this deeply affecting saga.

The Abyss sheds a light to many of the main characters.

Lord Asriel is cold, distant, aloof and a fanatic in another form. He hardly flinches when he hears about Lyra's possible demise.

He is too busy with his plans to take in the Authority in what might be the final battle.

It is Mrs Coulter who feels Lyra's loss. It is Mrs Coulter who comes across as human. Sometimes complex, deceitful, evil. Yet she is the one who feels the pain of her daughter's death and then the joy when she learns that Lyra could still be living.

In the Land of the Dead. Lyra and Will want to lead the dead out of purgatory. True stories might be the answer, a deal concocted by Lyra with the Harpy.

I wonder if the truth differentiates Lyra with lies and delusions of her parents. It is a fascinating set up as the series heads towards the finishing line.

This season is killing the series. It's becoming boring by the episode. Slow, no real drama, but the highlight is what the queen witch said about Eve/Lyra that she was brave to experience (sin) as per the writers ingenious rhetoric! What do you expect he is an atheist and can say whatever his imagination take him to without any remorse, or feeling the guilt of morality. Well, screenwriter or author, Eve disobeyed God, that's is not courage it is disobedience in every meaning of the word. The message of the author/screenwriter is to beguile the audience with bling bling word like courage but in reality he is digressing from the truth of the matter just like injecting honey in a soup of poison. Truth can never be altered nor will deception sugar coat the wisdom of God. So, to all luciferians out there who are working hard to deceive nations, soon you will eat dust and perish.

That's my emotional response and connection to the parallel trajectory (going to the hell, the deadlands, to the bottom of despair) of the character Mrs Coulter and her daemon, with Lyra and her daemon. Ruth Wilson is stunning in her performance throughout the series she's my new favourite actress. Not to mention the other cast. And Lewin Lloyd as Roger, welcome back into the fold of the arc of the story because brudda you have a depth to your character expression that made it hard for you not to steal entire scenes and plot sequence being it is so compelling to view your performance. Simone Kirby, thankyou to whoever cast you bc you are brilliant. Everyone else is. Jane Tranter exec prod thank you X LUUUUUVED this episode SOOOO MUCH X.