His Dark Materials (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Daemon Cages - full transcript

I want to offer you a position
as my assistant.

A Gyptian boy, Billy Costa,
is missing.

Roger?

Roger! I know the Gobblers are just
children's stories, but... Shhh.

Well, in every child's nightmare,
there's an element of truth.

Children, you have a visitor.

We're about to go on a trip
all the way to the North

to a place called the Station.

The Station?

Is that a human and his daemon, Pan?

Lyra? She's a Gobbler.
The head of the Gobblers.



She won't stop until she finds you.

Why am I so important to her?

She's your mother, Lyra.

LYRA CRIES OUT

SCREECHING

A spy fly. We go North. Now.

I want to know more
about Bolvangar.

It's trying to warn me of something,
some sort of ghost, I think.

He's got no daemon.

It was like he wasn't there.
MA WAILS

It's about control, because if you
can remove someone's soul,

you can do anything.

We are walking into a battle
poorly manned and prepared for.

But you will fight them anyway.



Lyra, I heard something outside.

Where is everybody?

DOG BARKS

Do you have a name?

Lizzie.

She looks on the verge of change.

It's like the one Billy was wearing.

This is it, Pan.

This is Bolvangar.

SHOUTING IN TARTAR

WHISPERING: Sal!

How did you get here?

Are you two safe?

Good questions for later.

But, for now, we pretend
we don't know each other.

It's very good to see him again.

He said the same about you.

But he's different, Lyra.

And so's Salcilia.

They've hurt him?

No. But, clearly,
he's been through a lot.

Well, he's alive and that's
all that matters.

After we found Billy, I thought
that maybe Roger...

I thought that, too.

DOOR BANGS OPEN

DOOR SHUTS

Bridget McGinn.

Could you come with me,
please, Bridget?

I haven't had my dinner yet.

Come on, don't make a fuss.

Quick, quick.

DOOR SHUTS

Straight ahead.

DOOR OPENS

Come on.

Reactor is activated.

Intercision primed.

SCREECHING AND GRINDING

DOOR OPENS

Right.

We want to take some measurements.

But I was measured when I got here.

Ah, those were just your vitals.

These are slightly more
sophisticated.

Could you stand on
the metal plate there?

MACHINE HUMS

And stare at the green light.

All right, now turn yourself
to the left.

And now to the right.

What are you looking for?

We'll take those pictures again,
just to be safe.

What are you taking pictures of?

You're measuring Dust, aren't you?

Can you see dust in these pictures?

Who told you about dust?

One of the other girls.

No, they didn't. Where are you from?

And, you see, Doctor, the thing
is that I wash regularly.

You won't find any dust on me.

Well, it's perhaps a little more
complicated than you might think.

What happens to the children
that leave this place?

Where do they go?

To a place for more grown-up
children, of course.

So, they don't die?

You don't cut their daemons away?

Lizzie, this is a philosophical
establishment,

not a child chop-house.

Now, may I take my picture?

Good.

Now keep perfectly still.

ALARM BLARES

Oh, for crying out loud!
Can we not fix this?

Please, make your way to
the first available fire exit.

Don't forget your shoes, Lizzie.

ALARM CONTINUES

This always happens after
someone's been taken.

Form an orderly queue. Come along.

DOOR SHUTS

Follow the others. Out you go.
No running.

Lawrence Kirby? Here, Miss.

Annie Padian? Here, Miss.

Roger Parslow?

Here, Miss.

Esther Landon? Here, Miss.

Berkeley Carter? Here, Miss.

Martha Fairwell? Here, Miss.

Tommy Lindsay? Here, Miss.

Lizzie Brooks? Here, Miss.

Lizzie?

Joseph Blakely?

When I saw you, I couldn't
believe it. I just...

Billy Costa was here and then

they took him
and he hasn't been back.

There's help coming, Roger. Help?

The Gyptians are coming.

The Gyptians will be destroyed.

They'll never make it.

They need our help.
We need to find a way out.

We need an escape route.

Lyra, this requires careful thought.

Those that get caught breaking
the rules, they don't last long.

We can't stick out.

Shane Walter? Here, Miss.

Beth Reed? Here, Miss.

Jimbo Lee? Here, Miss. Lyra, don't.

Imogen Gould? Here, Miss.

Oops.

You never could listen.

Sticking out is the
only way we're getting out

and I am not staying here.

Otis Lavette? Agh!

Children!

Order. Who did that?

Or there will be consequences.

Children, please, we're... Oh!

THEY GIGGLE
Who did that?

Order. Order!
THEY SCREAM AND SHOUT

SHOUTING IN TARTAR

Which is the way out?

There's an area they
don't allow us to go.

If I was a guessing person,

I'd guess that's the closest thing
this place has to an exit.

Wait. Someone's coming.

FAINT PATTERING

What's that sound?

PATTERING CONTINUES

There's something inside.

These are daemons without humans.

David.

Shay.

Bridget.

DULL THUDDING

These daemons belong to the children

who've been taken
and not come back.

MUFFLED THUDS

That's Billy.

His daemon is gone.

That means...

I'm sorry, Roger. You knew?

I found him.

Before he died.

He got out of here somehow.

I helped him find his ma.

Lyra...

..if the daemons are alive,
where are the children?

Seven, eight, nine, ten...

One, two, three...

Was Billy like this?

Yes.

We can't end up here.

The alarm's stopped.

We have to get back.

Lyra!

WIND HOWLS

NURSE GIVES ORDERS

Pass the word around...

..about what's happening here.

They've got to be ready to escape
when we give them the signal.

And they've got to keep it
a deadly secret. Do you understand?

The fire alarm.

Next time it sounds, it'll be me.

Get everyone ready to leave.

Are we drinking?

DRINK POURS

Here's to freedom
and the conclusion of our work here.

Rumour is she's on her way.

When? Her airship was seen in
Trollesund last week.

Ever since the breakout
of that idiot Gyptian child,

she's been itching to get back here.

Well, we've the new severing
equipment to show her,

if we were to focus on that.

We are on the edge of
magnificent discovery -

that is the line
we need to reinforce.

She mustn't be allowed
to focus on the mistakes.

Do you think we are...

..on the edge of discovery?

You doubt it?

There are times when I worry...

..well, when I'm concerned, perhaps.

This is just pain we're causing.

How many more children have to die
before we get it right?

We are doing what is necessary.

We get this right and we will truly

free generations
from tyranny of sin

and the Magisterium will
recognise and celebrate us

for the job we've done here.

And if we don't?

We can and must succeed.

FAINT SOBBING

SOBBING CONTINUES

ON LAPTOP: ..John Parry. What will
you be taking with you from home?

JOHN: Oh, if I could,
I'd take everything from home

just pick it all up and put it
in the back of the backpack.

But I can't do that, so,
some photos,

a small plastic jar of Marmite -
a little of that goes a long way -

and a toy car of my son's.

I haven't actually told him that
yet, so I'm sorry, Will.

Have you been able to explain to
him what you're about to do?

Well, yeah. Actually, yeah, it's
been easy to explain it

to him and Elaine, my wife.

I think helping scientists drill for
ice sounds kind of cool to a kid.

It's not easy to be able to write,

but a bit of writing, keep him
updated, shackled to the soil.

JOHN LAUGHS

I'm going to write
some truly epic letters,

keep it, you know, kind of romantic.

Well, that sounds ever so sweet,
John Parry.

DRUMS FINGERS

Why aren't you going in?

She knows we're watching,
that's enough for now.

I'll find an opportunity
soon enough.

AIRSHIP THRUMS

DISTANT THRUMMING

Is it her?

It's her! I can see
the golden monkey.

Rose, check all the beds.

The next child she takes is going to
be from the boys' dormitory

and we go in to be sure of it.

We cannot stick out.

Martha, listen by the door.
Tell us when she's close.

You've been making advances?

Mm-hm, yes.

Since you were last here,
five have survived,

mostly due to the new separator.

It's much more sophisticated
than the previous model

and so has a much better
survival rate.

Now the patient can be conscious
during treatment.

And they remain conscious
after. It's quite something.

And are they responsive
after treatment?

We can't make a judgment
on that at present,

but initial indications do
suggest...

They're getting more responsive.

An exciting development.

May I see it in action?

Let's set something up. Wonderful.

Hmm.

I need your help. With what?

She can't find me here.

You know her, don't you?

I have come here to save you.

When I leave, you're coming, too -
all of you.

This place is guarded
by wolves and Tartars,

you get past them, you've just
got a wasteland of ice.

There's people coming
to save us - the Gyptians.

They will help us. Trust me.
I trust nobody in this place.

She's my mother.

MUFFLED GASPS

And I know what she's doing.

She's severing kids
from their daemons.

Severing - that's what happens?

Yes.

If she finds me here, Annie,
I don't know what she'll do.

I need you hide me, please.

Under the bed.
When I say so, pull yourself up

and you don't let go.
You understand?

She's on the corridor.

She's coming now. Positions!

SHE GRUNTS

Hello, girls.

What did I miss?

Empty bed?

Bridget and Lesley were
sent for testing.

They haven't come back yet.

Hmm.

You know, I do care for you,
so very much.

It lifts my heart to find
you in such good spirits.

Seeing your bright, shiny faces
makes me a very happy woman.

Well, girls, you've kept
yourselves perfectly,

not that I expected anything less.

LYRA GROANS

THEY GASP

Well done.

DOOR SLAMS

Steady! We've got to hurry!

All right.

Let's move it!

Steady! Mind the...ropes!

MEN SHOUT INSTRUCTIONS

All right, steady. Steady!

THEY HEAVE
ALL: Two and three!

THEY SHOUT

Come on!

Hang on!

We break out of here.

There's miles and miles
of ice out there.

We'll freeze.

It's either that or staying here
and being severed from your daemon.

When the time comes,
I will sound the fire alarm.

Get everyone together
in their snowsuits and be ready.

For what?

To fight.

DOORS BANG OPEN

Lizzie Brooks.

Lizzie Brooks, can you come with me?

Get her daemon!

PAN SQUEALS

LYRA CRIES OUT

No, you don't.

Thank you.

I'm only doing what's necessary,
right?

Pick her up.

Please, no! Pan!

Lizzie, Lizzie!

Calm down.
LYRA SHOUTS

Get her inside.

It doesn't hurt. You don't
know who I am!

It just feel like a loss.
Let go of me!

Come on. Let go of me!

LYRA SCREAMS

No! Lizzie, calm down. Calm down.

SCREAMING: Let me out!

Reactor is activated. Let me out!

Let me out! Let me out!

Intercision primed.

Let go of me, let go of me!

Mrs Coulter won't want this!

MACHINE THRUMS

Do something, Lyra!

Let go of me!

Get that door shut.

We don't want to fritz the
anbaro-magnetic system now, do we?

I am the daughter of Mrs Coulter
and she won't want this!

You're doing something great.

You're part of something great,
try to focus on that.

How did she know Mrs Coulter's name?
Shouldn't we listen to her?

She knows her!

Mrs Coulter! Mrs Coulter!

I thought you had this
under control. Mrs Coulter!

Mrs Coulter! Mother!

Mother!

WHISPERS: Lyra.

Mother!

Lyra!

Free them.

Drink this.

Can't say it'll cure anything,

but it will certainly
make you feel better.

Infusion of camomile -

that's what my mother fed me
when I'd been upset.

And it worked, most of the time.

I was quite the emotional child,
by all accounts.

It was a surprise to me,
what you said in there.

Who told you what I was to you?

Well, you know now.

And I can answer all your questions
if you have any questions... I do.

Here.

If I was trying to drug you,

there are many other means
to do so other than a drink.

The camomile will
make you feel better.

Good.

I can guess the first question.

And the answer is that I...

..I didn't keep you...

..because it wouldn't have
been good for either of us.

And Asriel had ideas about
what was best

so I let him pursue those ideas,

but it wasn't because
I didn't care.

I just wasn't equipped at the time.

Lyra...

..I never meant to harm you. You
must have been able to see that.

No harm?

Then what are you doing here?

Nothing to you.

No-one's going to harm you, Lyra,
no-one's ever going to hurt you.

You have my word on that.

They were about to cut Pan from me.

Out of me. Because they didn't
know who you are.

And I saved you.

It's dust.

You're after dust. Shh.

Dust is not a good thing.

Grown-ups are infected so deeply
that it's too late for them.

Condemned to a life of sin,
guilt and regret.

This is for a better future,
a better life.

A life without Pan would not
be a better life.

Your daemons are wonderful
companions and friends

to you when you're young,

but at the age that
we call puberty...

..an age you'll come into
very soon, darling,

daemons bring all sorts of
troublesome thoughts and feelings.

And that's what lets dust in.

A little operation before that

and you're never troubled again.

If it was so good,
you should have let them do it.

You should have been glad.

SHE SIGHS

Every boundary in experimental
theology requires the sacrifice

of the few for the many.

Once we've ironed out
the teething problems,

this will change the world.

Until then, that equipment
is not suitable for you.

But others? Billy Costa?

Roger? If they're friends
of yours, I guarantee you

they will not get hurt.

Billy Costa is dead.

Well, that is unfortunate.

Well, I will find those people
responsible.

That's you! Lyra, I need you to
understand that I have taken on

this extraordinarily hard job
for the benefit of all.

This is what I can give.
This is my calling.

And I am sorry if me being who I am

has done you damage.

One day, you'll see all I've done
to right this world for you.

I'm sorry.

I never meant to do you harm.

What shall we do now?

Well, I could take you back
to your dorm.

You could stay here.

I'd like that.

You would?

Lyra...

..I can't tell you how happy
I am to have found you again.

And I can't tell you how happy I am
to be found.

Lyra, dear, I believe
the Master of Jordan College

gave you something
before you left his care.

Isn't that right?

Alethiometer?

The trouble is, I believe

the only reason he gave it to you

was because he wanted it

to fall into Lord Asriel's hands.

And if there's one thing
that man doesn't need,

it's more toys to do damage with.

I know he told you not
to tell me about it.

And I know you're not the sort
to break your word.

But now is the time
to choose a side.

Now is the time to choose
who you belong to...

..once and for all.

You saved me.

He didn't.

And you're my mother.

I am your mother.

I kept it safe.

What a funny old tin.

You have been careful, haven't you?

It's soldered.

SHE SCREAMS

IT SCREECHES

SHE GRUNTS

SHE SCREAMS

BOTH SCREAM

Lyra! That's enough.

SHE SCREAMS

ALARM BLARES

What's that now?

Another of your bloody tests?

Nothing was planned by me,
not while she's here.

That's my signal!

You're safe.

Those kids we saw, Roger,
you need to free them.

What if they don't want to come?

They don't seem like...
You can persuade them.

What will you do?

What I'm best at - cause some chaos.

ALARM CONTINUES

Faster, Lyra. We haven't the time!

We get to that intercision room
and we destroy that machine.

Come on!

DOOR OPENS

Take those off, Lizzie.

You don't need those.

We're getting out of here.
You should, too.

No, no. You will soon be back
in your room,

which is good because this is the
best place you could possibly be.

What's his name, the daemon
she cut from you?

Nicholas.

I loved him so much.

Now do you see what she's done
to you? To all of us?

Nicholas.

CHILDREN: Eight, nine, ten...

One, two, three, four, five...

I need you all to come with me.

We're getting out of here.

Why aren't you coming?

I know they've separated you
all from your daemons,

but you've still got a choice.

Do something...

..or do nothing.

Do something and we can make them
pay for what they did to you.

Do nothing and all your
daemons will know

is that hurt of that final moment.

Is that really what you want?

We've got to stop this
happening again.

The doctor said if you leave
the doors open,

the system gets fritzed, right?

So let's fritz it.

What are you doing?

I'm pressing every button I can
until something happens.

MACHINE THRUMS

CRACKING

That thing sounds like
it's going to blow.

Come on, Lyra, we have to go!

ZAPPING

GRINDING

RUMBLING

DISTANT SHOUTING

THUD

Round up the children.

Wait for me and make sure you have
them all, you understand?

ALL SHOUT

CHILDREN: Come on! Let us out!

Stop! All right, children,
let's not get excited now.

Let's not get silly.

Let's just do as we're told,
shall we?

THEY GRUNT

HE GRUNTS

Tell me, do you remember
Billy Costa?

It wasn't my fault.

It was just obeying orders.

He was only a boy!

THUD

We've come to rescue you.
ALL SQUEAL

SHOUTING

GUNSHOT

Come on, girls. We aren't here
to hurt you. You're safe.

LYRA SCREAMS

HE SHOUTS IN TARTAR

HE YELLS

HE SHOUTS IN TARTAR

GROWLING

What took you so long?

It's good to see you too, Lyra.

We need to get the other
children out of here.

Let's go.

You're welcome.

HE ROARS

WOLVES GROWL

GRUNTING

Is that all you've got?

GROWLING

THEY SHOUT IN TARTAR

YELLING AND SCREAMING

Take that child.

She's the one with value!

We just need the children alive.

Kill everyone else!

COMMOTION STOPS

It was Billy who showed us
we could all get out...

..get free from this place.

Go. But there's so much to do.

Go.

You didn't come to the North
just for this, Lyra.

My father.

I need to free him.

Go well.

Is this the balloon driver?

I'm an aeronaut, kid. Lee Scoresby.

And this is...? This is Iorek.

This is Iorek. Hmm. Yeah.

He just doesn't look like
how I imagined him.

You were hoping for better looking?
Weren't we all?

We need to take to the skies.

You all right with heights, Roger?

Not really. You'll learn to be.

Balloon driver.

Let's go!

I thought you might need a tow.

Well, thank you, Miss Pekkala.

Always good to see you
in the skies, Mr Scoresby.

Your daemon is examining me.

Well, it's been a while
since we've seen you.

That was quite a performance
earlier. Thank you.

Question - what can
we expect going forward

in the sense of mayhem and chaos?

There may be fighting, but you've
fought before. And gladly.

But as the situation
grows more complicated,

so MY situation grows
more complicated.

The child is destined
to be important -

to create and resolve conflict.

So this is about her.

She matters more than
she can ever know.

The fate of more than
this world depends on her.

Well, I had a contract
with the Gyptians

over what was accomplished
in Bolvangar.

This...this seems
like a whole new thing,

which requires, if I'm honest,
new contracts and new payments...

She will need you, Lee.

You know, a man should have a choice
whether to take up arms or not.

And you need her.

That's not how I expected
this conversation to go.

Is it not? No, I was hoping
you would find a way

of chucking me some danger money.

Instead, you blindsided me with...

..with love.

Good.

The polar star will guide
you to Asriel.

The wind is strong.
You're a capable navigator.

So it's me. She's responsible
for the fate of everything,

and I'm responsible...

..for her?

The world is in your hands,
Mr Scoresby...

..and I am delighted it is.

Impressive. Yep.

And they want you on their team?!

Shut up, Hester.

Poor little things.
Can't even speak any more.

That's it. This way.

Cages loaded. Ready to go.

Move out.

I can't help worrying about
what happens when we get them home.

What do you mean?

We'll return them to their parents.

And if they don't take them?

Even those that love them
may be frightened

to see them so...different.

Those that they don't take back
will come join us as Gyptians.

You did well.

Well?

We all fought them, at least.

We did better than fight them.
We defeated them.

Billy won't be the
last child they hurt,

but we made it much harder for 'em.

I thought we'd be bringing him
home, Maggie.

He'd be so proud of us.

The way we helped
the other children.

Helped Lyra.

She's a fighter, that one.

Reminds me of someone I know.

THUNDER RUMBLES

DISTANT CRASHING

CLICKING

CLICKING INTENSIFIES

DISTANT SNARLING

SNARLING

SNARLING

CREATURE CLICKS

CLICKING INTENSIFIES

CREATURE SCREAMS

IOREK ROARS

Cliff-ghasts!

CLIFF-GHAST SCREAMS

GUNSHOTS

CLIFF-GHASTS YELP

Cliff-ghasts.

I hate cliff-ghasts.

Hold tight. Little turbulence.

Iorek, see any more out there?
No. It's clear.

Your shooting must have improved,
Lee.

CLIFF-GHAST SCREECHES

DISTANT YOWLING

CLIFF-GHAST CLICKS

CLICKING INTENSIFIES

SHRIEKING

LYRA SCREAMS

THEY YELL

LYRA SCREAMS
ROGER: Lyra!

Lee!

LYRA SCREAMS

Lyra, hold on!
I'm coming to get you!

Lee! Get her, Lee!

Hold on! Help! Lyra, take my hand!

LYRA GRUNTS

LYRA SCREAMS

Lyra!

Did you see which way Lyra went?

I don't know a Lyra.

SHE GRUNTS

What on earth is going on?
They're sending everyone North.

Your project lies in ruins.

All your experiments
have yielded nothing.

You've failed.

Please, don't deny the
Magisterium my help.

Your father, I think he was involved
in...something dangerous.

Dangerous?

My husband left me with nothing.

I have nothing for you.

That's not true.

I know you have a son.

I lost Lyra. You fought for her,

and now her fate is
in another's hands.

She's alive?

SNARLING

ROARING