His dark materials

I'm not a fan of fantasy fiction, but did enjoy The Golden Compass. I thought I'd give this a go, but it did remind me of Harry Potter....

Probably won't watch future episodes.

Not for me, switched off half way through. Not an ideal Sunday evening programme.

This isn't really my type of thing, not being into fantasy but I gave it a go. I was reading the paper at the same time so not giving it the attention it really deserved, I guess.
I'll put the next episode on next week and see if I can get into it better but I feel it'll wash over me.
Fantasy/science fiction is either your thing or it isn't and it's not really my cup of tea.

I just like simple easy viewing on a Sunday evening this kind of programme gives me a headache so many similar programmes at the minute.

His Dark Materials is about a frail but rebellious and courageous girl pitted against the forces of evil. In this first episode we begin to understand evil is when children are separated from their freedom as human beings.

Freedom to be oneself is portrayed by daemons. We are told these vanish when the person dies.

Pullman's ethic is people's need to be free of ideologies that enslave and corrupt. The child |Lyra is becoming an adult whose business in life is appearing to be defying such established forces of destruction and enslavement of the free human.

Loved it! (But I do watch with the subtitles on - find this much easier, for following the plot!)

Americanpie
The story does have strong but veiled references to religion

The books were recommended years ago by a friend's son who was then about 15, so I wasn't sure but read and loved them.

I watched last night's and thought it excellent. As for the cost to the BBC, it's a relief to see them spending proper money on a proper series. No doubt they can sell it abroad and on dvd's/on line and repeat it several times, so it will pay for itself.

Bring on more good tv.

I was bored watching it. The references to a special child and it being left during flood waters did remind me a certain other stories that appear in the bible. Helicopters, airships and then ancient kitchens and the old fashioned laundry made me want to laugh and yawn at the same time. Still my husband loved it and so I shall keep quiet and continue watching. I just wish the BBC hasn't spent so much on it.

I watched last night, new to Philip Pullman. I thought it was very dark. I also watched Stranger Things for the first time, which is also very hyped. Ok, it's me but I do have a concern that children are targeted with these dark and disturbing tales which both feature child abduction. I have only watched the first episode of ST. I wonder about the impact on impressionable minds. But it's probably just me.

Better adaptation than the film already.

I love these books; I have read them, re-read them and destroyed 3 copies of each in the process. If the dramatisation is as good as the books be prepared to cry!

Have recorded it to see what all the fuss is about as DS and DD loved the books. Will watch it on a quiet TV night.

I watched 'Britain's Greatest Warship' instead, which was excellent.

I enjoy Philip Pullman's books and so enjoyed last night's programme very much.
I couldn't agree more ninathenana and GrandmaKT, it seems it is becoming common practice. We said exactly the the same thing when we saw the trailer for next week's Dublin Murders and the recently ended Sandition. Most channels are doing it, another bugbear is the BBC advertising their television programmes on the radio.

Haven't read the books but love this type of fantasy fiction.
I couldn't agree more about the long trailer GrandmaKT I said to DH no need to watch next weeks now but then wondered if the trailer was for the whole series not just the next episode.

Somthing has gone wrong here.

The dramatisation, so far, is true to the books. I have enjoyed all the Lyra books and have just finished the second book of the Book of Dust trilogy. I wonder which member of my family has taken possession of my HDM books!
The BBC4 programme that followed the first episode was informative about the author and his work; his reference to Paradise Lost as an influence certainly hadn't occurred to me.
Whereas the first trilogy (HDM) was intended for a young readership, the second trilogy is darker - perhaps the original readers have grown up - or older.

I haven't read the books but we thought we'd give it a try even though I'm not into fantasy either, unless it's to do with Greek legends or something similar. We were interrupted by a phone call part way through so I'm not sure what's going on.

I was left with the thought that this has been totally mistimed. It is aimed at children and I would have thought that 8pm on a Sunday evening is not the best time to air it.
Surely it would have been better at a earlier time on Saturday evenings?

Really don't like fantasy stuff, so unlikely to watch this, although DH is a Ruth Wilson fan so we might try it. But £50 million? That's a lot to spend on something that by its very nature isn't going to appeal to everyone.

I would say it's "fantasy" fiction - not really my sort of thing. I can't bear Harry Potter but I did manage to get through half of one of Philip Pullman's books a few years ago - I think it was The Amber Spyglass. It contained some interesting ideas and was well written but I don't really like this genre of fiction. I think his books can be read by children and adults but perhaps the symbolism would be more accessible to adults.

I've recorded it in case either of my grandchildren are interested.

One of my sons preferred HDM trilogy to the Harry Potters, I thought about reading them but didn't get round to it. Wasn't blown away tonight but will stick with it.

Don’t like Philip Pullman at all so won’t be watching.

I enjoyed it. I have read all the books so far. Much better than that awful film The Golden Compass. This is far more like the book.

MawB thank you for flagging the BBC4 programme. It is always good to hear other people's unravelling of something so layered.

I read the books some time ago and I enjoyed it.