His Dark Materials Review: The Scholar (Season 2 Episode 5)
Ruth Wilson is an undeniably formidable actress, and on His Dark Materials Season 2 Episode 5, “The Scholar,” there’s a sense of longing and frustration that works through Mrs. Coulter’s scenes that give a window into the character’s soul.
There’s no better snapshot than Coulter’s encounter with Mary at the office, where she can see the accomplishment and freedom that comes with this world. Though the intricacies of equality are muddled still, the sense of purpose that she notes when talking with Mary is palpable.
The world Marisa knows is one of hardship and being torn down by the Authority and the Magisterium, where she considers herself an equal to their cause but to them, she will always be another woman. They even say as much to Cardinal MacPhail during their counsel, tearing from Coulter her rather large contribution.
The realization for her is that this world exists alongside their own and could have awarded her every opportunity she has fought for, but with the praise and acknowledgement she craves, to boot.
Her time in this new world essentially becomes both painful in that regard, but also a stark reminder of the shortcomings she will continue to face when she returns. The way she views her daemon holds those same feelings, as though she has disdain for the reminder of where she comes from.
Boreal’s collecting is nothing more than a nuisance to her, a hobby when so much more could be done instead. Coulter sees opportunity, and it’s an ironic stance when Boreal comments at the start of the episode that the whole world has turned to consumerism, something he has done himself.
But the most telling moment of the episode, and the one where Ruth Wilson stands tall, is the final confrontation in the basement. The leg work has been done from Mrs. Coulter’s conversation with Lee on His Dark Materials Season 2 Episode 3, “Theft,” where they speak of abuse and fighting through pain.
Marisa rises through the blinding pain that Lyra is causing her daemon, as it’s something she has likely done her whole life up to this point. It’s this moment where you realize that she is stronger than anyone else can possibly imagine, and may be the most frightening villain the show has to offer.
Because on the other side of that pain, Mrs. Coulter is trying to use kindness to get what she wants. We don’t know if Lyra can trust her, but it’s a disarming moment, as Ruth Wilson portrays Marisa as someone who has the capability of caring, but that control is perhaps a little higher on that list.
It’s still uncertain if that caring will outweigh her need for power, but for now, this episode is by far the best snapshot into Marisa Coulter than any other.
For the rest of the episode, Mary’s growing presence and need to become “the serpent” is an exciting turn. At first her appearances felt like a way to move Lyra forward, but the fact that she’s becoming important in her own right is a solid turn of events, especially as Simone Kirby is a refreshing voice for the show.
For Lyra and Will, a lot of their story revolves around preparation and the confrontation. Both Boreal and Coulter use manipulation to try and win over their respective mental duels, one using cruelty and the other using kindness. Both fail their ruses, but it’s an intriguing moment for Will.
Will knows he can cut through anything, but chooses not to hurt Boreal. The guilt of Angelica’s brother and the other accidental death is still fresh in his mind and he doesn’t want to hurt someone again; besides, Ariyon Bakare is too great on the show to lose just yet.
Lyra’s struggle with Marisa is this growing pressure, where instinct tells her not to but the allure of her mother is a tough thing to fight off, something she’s wanted for so long.
That she turns to violence with her daemon is both triumphant (in terms of revenge for the events of the first season) and dangerous, as it’s something Mrs. Coulter knows all too well, and something Lyra hasn’t tapped into before.
Violence is a language a lot of these characters speak well in, but it’s a dark path for Lyra to turn down. It’s a path her mother has taken and cultivated, and continues that spiral of history repeating itself, violence being the answer to more violence.
That’s the great message of the episode, by the end: the morality of its characters. Every one of them has done something they regret, and this episode threatens that morality by pushing them to their edges again. Will’s voice of reason wakes Lyra from her violence, saving her from herself, in a way.
Mrs. Coulter’s own morality may be at its end, or it may still be in need of redemption. She’s done things this season that could be read as helpful to Lyra, especially with helping Lee escape, but then this episode sends the message that she still has nefarious plans ahead.
That’s what makes her so interesting: you don’t know what is real and what is false. With the world between worlds gaining a new visitor through Mary, and Boreal and Mrs. Coulter likely to head there as the specters loom, the next two episodes are going to be full of danger.
But with the amount of care and thoughtfulness being put into His Dark Materials, like this episode shows, it will be a fantastic ride.
What did you think of this episode of His Dark Materials? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
His Dark Materials airs Mondays at 9/8c on HBO.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.