TV Review: “His Dark Materials: The Cave” (S2, Ep. 2)

The action continues to escalate in the second episode of the second season of His Dark Materials, with Lyra and Will journeying into Will’s Oxford to seek out a person who will help Lyra come to a more advanced understanding of Dust and what, exactly, it is. That person turns out to be Mary Malone, a physicist working on the nature of dark matter. Meanwhile, Marisa Coulter manipulates Father MacPhail into declaring all-out war against the witches, as well as claiming the position of cardinal, in the process managing to deepen her control over him.

One of this series’ most prominent and reliable strengths has been the cast, and Simone Kirby is perfect as Mary Malone. With her lilting Irish accent and her earnest demeanor, there’s something endearing about her portrayal. One can well imagine her having been a nun at one point in her life, and she has that unmistakable passion for knowledge that will be key to her development as a character as she finds herself drawn further and further into her pursuit of knowledge.

And, of course, there’s the Magisterium. Now that the previous cardinal has perished of his wounds (courtesy of Marisa Coulter, with the knowing connivance of Father MacPhail), it’s time for him to ascend to the position that he has clearly yearned for. Both Will Keen and Ruth Wilson continue to astound with how well…