10 things His Dark Materials season 2 needs to get right

Photo: James McAvoy in His Dark Materials: Season 1. Image Courtesy of HBO

Lord Asriel’s Mission

Lord Asriel isn’t a likable character by any means, but he’s a complicated one — and that’s why it’s so disappointing how little the books actually focus on him. He’s only present at the beginning and end of the first installment, and although The Subtle Knife offers some insight into what he’s attempting and why, it never actually shows us.

While most of the items on this list are here in the hopes that the show adapts them correctly, this is one of the rare instances where the show should absolutely go beyond the pages of the book. It seems a waste to cast an actor like James McAvoy in such a critical role only to have him casually referenced and never seen in season 2 — but perhaps the HBO series will give us some original scenes, ones that provide a closer look at Asriel’s character and his headspace.

There’s certainly plenty they could do. Asriel works with angels throughout the events of The Subtle Knife, and those angels even appear at the end of the book. Wouldn’t it be interesting if the show actually that partnership. Perhaps the upcoming episodes will improve upon the story in that way.