Opening scenes

A quick collage of scenes is presented.

We see Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter together. They seem intimate with each other. Lord Asriel is speculating about how they could work together to destroy the existing universe and re-invent one how they would like it. Mrs Coulter seems shocked and pulls away from him.

We see Roger dying in Lyra’s arms.

Serafina addresses the witches. They discuss how the child is amongst them but no-one yet knows her name.

We see Lyra and Will meeting for the first time.

We see Mrs Coulter asking the President for permission to find her daughter. He agrees but stresses he must be told as soon as she is found.

There is a struggle in the tower where Will loses his fingers but captures the subtle knife and we are reminded of Jopari’s prophecy that Lyra must take the knife on a long and perilous journey.

We are reminded of Ruta Skadi’s ancient grudge with Jopari, which arose out of his rejection of her love. She tells Serafina she will do all she can to help but if she sees Jopari she will have to kill him.