His Dark Materials (2019–…): Season 2, Episode 4 - Tower of the Angels - full transcript

There's a knife in a tower,
surrounded by angels.

That's what Grumman discovered.

His son will lead you to it.

It must be Dust.

You have something important to do.

To the mind that is still,

the whole universe surrenders.

GUNSHOTS

Dr Grumman is an enemy
of the Magisterium,

and so are you!

The Magisterium are making hell
for the witches.



But all Serafina cares about is
finding the girl.

She followed Asriel through.

She's safe with me.

The woman who turns children
into ghosts? I don't think so.

SCREECHING

There's a prophecy about Lyra.

It means people will be looking
for her and not all of them good.

You stole them from the guard.

What do we do?
We get ourselves a boat.

We should be on the water by dawn.

Who's that in the tower?

There's no way in and no way out.

What is it that you want?

I'm aware you've found a doorway.



The man that made that doorway
has a knife.

Bring the knife to me
and I'll give you what you want.

We'll get your knife.

It won't be long before
the Spectres are after you.

I'm not scared. That's because
you've never seen them at work.

300 years ago,
a guild of philosophers

became curious about the bond
between the smallest of atoms.

They forged an instrument, a knife,

that in the hands of
the right person

could cut the very fabric
that joins worlds.

They christened that person
The Bearer.

And the knife they called
The Subtle Knife.

The Guild built a tower in
the city of Cittagazze.

A monument to the knife
which they hid within it.

They kept its powers secret,
but had a choice.

Use this knife for the benefit
of all existence

or just for the benefit
of their own.

They chose badly, stealing trinkets
to fatten their own pockets.

A strange, evil force crept out
from the shadows.

Spectres.

GROWLS, SCREAMING

And then came Asriel's great tear
in the sky.

And with it came a mass flood
of Spectres.

A pestilence.

Those that survived fled.

The Subtle Knife was born of hope
but used with greed.

And yet,

in the right hands,

it could still save us all.

How do we get up?

Well, we definitely can't climb
up there.

Come on, let's go
and take a closer look.

We must have missed something.

Lee, we're low on water.

Grumman has to be around here.

You know what they say -
a dead end is a new beginning.

FLIES BUZZ

There's something strange here.
Do you feel it too?

Not so much, Hester.

I never wanted to see the sky
so bad in my entire life!

We'll find him soon.

Filthy blood suckers!
Rub some jimson-weed ointment on it!

I'm three inches thick
in jimson-weed.

I want to get out of this swamp.
I want to see the sky.

BIRD CALLS

Lee Scoresby, we thought you'd be
more hare than tortoise.

Hey!

Who is we? Are you a witch's daemon?

You'll see soon enough.
Now try and keep up!

I really hope you have
what I'm looking for!

Nothing's straightforward here.

Well, if he can get in, so can we.

It's like the Jordan crypt
down here.

What can you see?

It looks like
someone's been living here

but I...I can't see an entrance.

Then we have to think wider.

Maybe there's something over here?

This is where we isolate and observe
Shadow Particles or Dark Matter.

We call it The Cave.

So far, my colleague, Dr Malone,
has evidence of low level activity,

but the hope is to record signs of -
dare I say it - conscious behaviour.

If we succeed, we will have
the power to understand

what makes up the very fabric
of the known universe.

Maybe multiple universes.

Yes, it's a little incomprehensible
at first.

And you only have a few days
before they shut you down?

Yes.

Although I'm hoping that you might
be able to help us with that.

On the phone you mentioned
"private interest"?

Please, do come in.

Mary, another all-nighter?
Didn't you get my text?

Sorry, you're... Charles Latrom.

I take it you're Dr Malone?

Er, yeah, sorry.

No, no, no, don't you worry.
I can see you've had a long night.

I've always admired women
with a good work ethic.

Erm, shall we sit down?

I understand from Dr Payne
that you've been making

some fascinating discoveries
in the field of Shadow Matter.

I know you haven't been published,

but I'm here because I'm interested
in funding your work.

You're not serious?

I am very serious.

Sorry, er...

What organisation did you say
you worked for?

You're on the verge of something
ground-breaking...

..something that could take the
theory of Dark Matter's potential

consciousness a great deal further,

and even attract defence funding,

which, as you may know,
is still plentiful

and certainly not subject to those
wearisome application processes.

I think this conversation is over.

Oh, well, I...I think
there's more to discuss.

No, I'd like you to leave, please.

I'll see myself out.

Defence funding?! Seriously,
Oliver, what were you thinking?

I know! We haven't exactly been
inundated with offers.

We need to be realistic. That money
will allow us to continue our work.

We...we have to stop and think.

If you could see what Lyra did,

The Cave was genuinely communicating
with her.

She's special, Oliver.

Where is she then?
You don't have any evidence, Mary.

I'm telling you that
what we're dealing with here is

powerful beyond our comprehension.

We can't let that fall
into the wrong hands.

No, Mary, what we're dealing
with here

is the fact that
you haven't slept in weeks.

It's like a maze down here!

Maybe we're looking for a tunnel
if it's underground?

Lyra.

An angel.

Will!

Will!

What have you found?

It's this door. Look,
it matches the angels on the tower.

Come on.

Care to tell me where we're headed?

I hope there's a bacon sandwich
at the other end!

HIGH-PITCHED CALL
Oh!

Good.

You're here.

Who are you?

They call me Jopari.

But I've had a few names in my time.

Well, I'm looking
for a Doctor Stanislaus Grumman -
is that one of them?

It is, yes.

But call me Jopari for now.

Mr Jopari, my name's Lee Scoresby.

I'm from the country of Texas.

You're a long way from home,
Mr Scoresby.

Well, there are strange winds
blowing through the world now, sir.

Do you like soup?

Maybe a bacon sandwich?

Mr Jopari, I've come here humbly
to ask for your help.

I have reason to believe you're
in possession of an item that

confers protection on anyone
who holds it...

You're wrong, Mr Scoresby,
you didn't come to me.

I summoned you.

Yeah, I beg your pardon.
I've risked life and limb

and my perfect complexion through
swamps and snow to get here.

You didn't summon me! Here.

This was my mother's.

It brought you here.

I...I haven't seen this
for 20 years. I don't understand.

You've travelled a long way.
You must be hungry.

Who the hell do you think you are?

Sit down, Mr Scoresby,
and I'll tell you.

Who do you think owns this place?

They're a group called The Guild.

Angelica told me about them.

Stay close, Pan.

You're not scared, are you?

Pan! OK!

I'll go first. No. I'll go first...

..seeing as all this is my fault.

Seeing as it's your fault,
you've got to do as I say.

Centuries ago, some pig-headed
philosophers invented a tool...

..for their own undoing.

A Subtle Knife,
also known as Esahaettr.

This knife could cut not just flesh,
but spirit.

It could slice between worlds,
it could kill immortals.

You have this knife, do you?

No.

But I want to find
the person who does.

I believe a new bearer
of the Subtle Knife is

soon to take up the mantle.

We need to find them and take them
to Lord Asriel.

Asriel.

You know him?

I don't like Asriel. Like him?

Who does? This is much, much bigger
than that.

Don't confuse the man
with the mission.

Mr Scoresby, there are two forces
that have always been at war

with each other -
those who repress, who command,

who don't want us to be conscious,
enquiring beings,

and those who want us to know more,

to be stronger and wiser,
to explore.

And those two forces are lining up
to battle as we speak.

And if the right side has any chance
of success,

Asriel will need the knife.

That may well be,

but I come here for one reason
and that's a girl named Lyra,

not to help her father.

She's the best person I know
and she's in danger.

If you don't have the knife and you
can't help her, I'll be on my way.

You love this girl?

Yes, more than Asriel.

He just left her
to fend for herself.

Imagine, leaving your kid like that.

I never had a daughter.
I haven't been that lucky.

But if I did, I hope she'd be
half as strong and brave and good.

I did.

You did what?

I left my boy.

My son.

MUFFLED GRUNTS

He's hurt!

Who are you?

My name is Giacomo Paradisi.
I am The Bearer.

The Bearer? There's a boy
hiding in this tower.

He stole the knife from me!

Quick, help me with these.

The knife.

Who are you? Why are you here?
What do you want?

Look, we need that knife.
Careful, Lyra.

It's OK. Just, just calm down.

No, it's mine! Get out!

Will!

Lyra, help him!

GRUNTING

SHOUTS

I've got the knife!

Don't touch him!

BLADE SCRAPES

Fight! Fight boy! Fight!

PUNCHES LAND

You! You get out of here
while you still can!

Your fingers.

Will?

Will? I think he's waking up.

You're back!

Where am I?

We're in Giacomo's quarters.

Drink it all.

What is it?

Plum brandy.

It'll help with the shock.

I know neither of you
are of this world.

I have encountered daemons before.

We don't have long.

I need you to concentrate now.

Concentrate on what?

The knife knows
when to leave one hand

and settle on another.

It's the cleanest cut
in all the universes.

I fought and lost the same fingers.

I don't know who you are,
or where you're from but...

..Will, you are The Bearer
of the Subtle Knife.

I stepped out of my world
many years ago and left them behind.

My wife.

My son.

I thought my work was
more important.

Such a fool.

For years I tried to get back
to them,

but the way I came had disappeared.

Then I became a scholar
and a shaman to find a way,

but it seems my world is
closed from me.

But there were other doorways,
other discoveries to be made.

Imagine my astonishment to learn
that part of my nature is female.

Bird-formed.

Beautiful.

So you've given up?

Not given up.
Just made peace with my limitations.

If I want to be a father
that's good, proper now,

I need to leave a world
behind me for him,

where he's able to think
for himself.

Where he's free.

That's why I need to help Asriel.

You make a very good argument,
Mr Jopari.

How about we make a deal?

You swear to put Lyra under the
protection of that Subtle Knife...

..I'll take you
wherever you need to go.

I swear, by the love you have
for your boy.

I'll gladly do that.

You have my word.

Lyra will be under
the protection of the knife.

But you must know, Mr Scoresby,

The Bearer of the knife
will have their own task

and that could put Lyra
in even greater danger.

I can only be guided to them.

I cannot speak for
The Bearer's character.

There are two sides
to the Subtle Knife.

This edge will cut through
any material in the world.

It will even ward off
and kill Spectres.

I've seen that colour before.

It looks like the one at Bolvangar.

Like the blade that tried to
cut me and Pan apart!

The other edge is more subtle still.

With it, you can cut an opening
out of this world altogether.

This is a great burden
for one so young,

but the knife, the Esahaettr,
has chosen you.

Now, it's not only the knife that
has to cut, it's your own mind.

So put your mind
at the very tip of the knife.

Concentrate, boy.

You're looking for a small gap.

It's almost invisible,

but the knife tip will find it
if you put your mind there.

Stand steady until you see
the smallest gap appear.

WILL BREATHES SHAKILY

You're not clearing your mind.

I'm sorry, I can't.

Will, you can do this.

Pan!

Did I do something wrong?

No. No.

In my world you're not supposed to
touch someone else's daemon,

but you didn't do something wrong.

It was me, Will, I wanted to.

He wanted to help.

I was trying to read
the Alethiometer

when I was frightened once.

And I couldn't shut the fear out,

just like you can't shut
the pain out.

So I had to accept it.

That's what you've got to do,
you've got to say,

"I know it hurts...

"..but right now the most important
thing is the knife."

OK.

Right.

Let's do this.

Good. Now look at me and focus.

Ruta, I'm so sorry. Your lands.
Lake Lubana?

They destroyed everything.

We summoned the rains to put
the fire out, but it was too late.

Hundreds of witches are dead,

and it is on my conscience.

Don't allow this to consume you.

It is done.

And my anger now is for them.

And I will need
Queen Ruta Skadi for what's next.

Kaisa spoke with the Bear King.

Lyra is indistinct because she
followed Asriel through the Anomaly.

Lyra is in this other world.

Will you join us
through the Anomaly?

I will go with you gladly,
but it is heavily guarded.

I am ready to fight.

The Magisterium are weak. Pathetic.

They hide behind gunships and bombs.

We do not.

Once we are through,
I'm going to get Asriel.

He needs to return
and finish what he started.

The Magisterium will pay
for what they did to us.

GRUNTING

Relax.
You're gripping it too tight.

I saw something! Like thin strings
that were almost invisible.

I felt them connect with the knife.

Yes! Good.

This time,
don't lose sight of those strings.

For each string is an opening
into another unique world.

Slide the knife into them and down.

Make a cut.

You will feel a powerful resistance.

OK.

Ha!

Wow! You did it, Will!

Now you must learn to close.

Sheath the knife.

For this you need to put your soul
into your fingertips.

Touch very delicately
until you feel the edge.

Then pinch it together.

It's gone.

That was easy.

You're a fast learner,
much faster than I was.

Now listen, there are four things
you need to know.

First, never open a window
without closing it.

The windows left open have done
great damage.

Second, never let anyone else
use the knife.

Third, don't use it
for base purposes -

don't show it off,
don't let it inflate your ego.

And lastly, keep it secret.

It mustn't fall into
the wrong hands.

You have come here
for a purpose, boy.

Maybe you don't know what that is,
but you're brave.

And your friend here
with the daemon is wise.

The knife will protect you.

But promise me
that you will protect it, too.

I promise.

I sense you'll be a better bearer
than I was. Now go.

But without the knife
the Spectres will get you.

Come with us, you'll be safe.

No, Will, I have fulfilled my duty.

The knife has been passed on.
You must find your own path now.

I'd like to meet my destiny
in private.

Will.

Let him go.

Come on, we need to go.

Good evening, Miss. MRS Coulter.

Yes, your friend is
waiting for you. Thank you.

Marisa. Carlo.

You look well.

The north has always
agreed with you.

Cheers.

Such a mysterious summons, Carlo.

What have you done?

Thank you.

It's Lyra.

I've found her.

She's in Oxford.

Just not this Oxford.

Asriel, always so insistent
he be the first to do everything.

Busting his way through
multiple worlds.

Some of us have found simpler,
less dramatic doors.

Go on.

I've found a window,
into another Oxford.

And to my surprise, Lyra was there.

I have her trapped, her and some boy
that she was travelling with.

Good.

But you do realise that Lyra has
a tendency to escape traps.

I made a bargain - that she and
the boy acquire something for me.

Something that's beyond my reach.

They're fetching it now.

And when they return it to me,
she's yours.

Oh, so, in fact,
you don't have her at all?

I have something that's
vital of hers. Something vital?

She'll return.

Then she's mine.

Yes.

A gift.

From me...

..to you.

Very well, Carlo.

Take me to another world.

What is it?

Will, we need to go, come on.

Come on, Will, we need to go.

We need to go now, Will. Come on.

SHE GASPS

Stay with me and move quickly.

DISTANT WHOOSHING

Come on, Paola. It's time for bed.

Angelica!

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Don't worry. I'm not looking.
Coming up backwards.

I'm just bringing towels.

I'm so sorry, Will. I'm so sorry.

I have to tell you something.

Before I lost the Alethiometer,
it told me you were important -

that you were connected to
this place.

I think it meant The Knife.

Like Mr Paradisi said,
you were chosen, Will,

and that's because of
the person you are.

So what do you want to do now?

We've got to get the Alethiometer
back...

..so we'll have to steal it.

Latrom's dangerous.

We'll do it.

Together.

Goodnight, Will Parry...

..Bearer of The Knife.

Goodnight, Lyra Silvertongue.

There she is!

She may not look like much.

Wait till you see her fly.

We'd better get a move on.

I'm sort of a wanted man
around these parts.

The Magisterium is after me
and they know I'm an aeronaut.

Anyway, I probably should've
told you all that before.

Anyway, let's hope for good wind.

Just leave the winds to me.

Looks like our Shaman's all hat
and no cattle.

We're going nowhere fast.

WHOOSHING

Woohoo!

Shaman, remind me to add "aeronaut"
to your list of accomplishments.

Lyra Silvertongue, we're on our way!

Let's try this again.

CHIMING

Focus all attention
on attention itself.

Don't project. Just...observe.

Right, OK.

Show me.

WHIRRING

Ask a question.

OK.

OK.

Are you Shadows?

Yes.

Are Shadows the same as Lyra's Dust?

Yes.

And is dust Dark Matter?

Yes.

So Dark Matter is conscious?

Evidently.

The mind that's answering
these questions -

it isn't human, is it?

No.

But humans have always known us.

There's more than one of you?

Uncountable billions.

But what are you?

Angels.

Angels? Yes.

Angels are creatures made up
of Shadow-matter, of Dust?

Yes.

And Shadow-matter is
what we call spirit?

From what we are, spirit.

From what we do, matter.

Matter and spirit are one.

You've always been there?

Making.

Stimulating.

Guiding.

So does that mean Angels have
intervened in human evolution?

Yes.

But why?

Vengeance.

BEEPING

There's something out there.

Two, three, four
incoming flying objects.

BARKING

Witches! Fire! Fire!

Man the guns!

INDISTINCT SHOUTING