His Dark Materials: LIAR

 1) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

Daemons, witches, magic and parallel worlds.

2) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 

Lyra = Hero

Will = Helper/Hero

Mrs Coulter = Villain

Lee Scoresby = Helper

3) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Enigma: What is Dust? Why is Lyra important?

Action: Chases, fights and adventures.

Close-ups show emotions and music creates tension.

4) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 

Good vs Evil

Children vs Adult

Freedom vs Control

These create conflict and drama.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

Lyra is brave and independent.

Mrs Coulter is powerful but manipulative.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

Will is caring and responsible.

Lee Scoresby is brave and loyal.

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

Young people are shown as intelligent and capable.

Adults are often controlling.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Diverse cast with few stereotypes.

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.

A fantasy world with magic and parallel universes.

Audience

1) What audience do you think His Dark Materials is aimed at and why? Think about demographic and psychographic groups. You can revise Pyschographics here.

Teenagers and young adults who enjoy fantasy.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: Relate to Lyra and Will.

Personal Relationships: Enjoy friendships and family links.

Diversion (Escapism): Escape into a fantasy world

3) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to His Dark Materials? Refer to specific scenes or moments in the episode to explain your answer. 

Visceral: Exciting action.

Vicarious: Experience adventures through characters.

Voyeuristic: Watch characters’ lives and secrets. 

4) How did fans react to Season 2 of His Dark Materials? What about critic reviews? You can find some possible answers for this in this BBC website article on the critical reception for His Dark Materialsand watch the fan reaction video above.

Mostly positive; praised acting and visuals.

5) What might be some of the preferred and oppositional readings for His Dark Materials? Why did some fans love it? Why have other people criticised it? 

Preferred: Exciting fantasy adventure.

Oppositional: Some found it confusing.

Industries

1) Which companies produced this His Dark Materials series?

Bad Wolf

BBC

HBO

2) What were the UK viewing figures for A City of Magpies? How did this compare to season 1 of His Dark Materials?

Around 5 million viewers, lower than Season 1.

3) What was American network HBO's role in making His Dark Materials and why is this important? Look at the notes above for more on this.

Funded and distributed the show internationally.

4) What famous stars are in His Dark Materials and why do you think they were selected for the show? Watch the Comic Con panel video in the notes above to see the stars talking about the show.

Dafne Keen

Ruth Wilson

Lin-Manuel Miranda

5) Who are Bad Wolf and what do they produce?

TV production company that made His Dark Materials.