Lyra and Her Death

I tried reading the books twice and gave up halfway through just as many times. Now watching the third series I see why. The whole thing is getting way too convoluted, new characters keep being added, the religious overtones become more prominent and I am losing interest once again. The worst thing is that I no longer understand the characters' motivations. Everything seems to be either random or faux-deep. This is annoying, because I loved the first two series. But in episodes three and four of series nothing seems to be moving. Everybody is stuck in some place. Mrs Coulter benefits from people falling for her duplicity again and again. And why? Because of her lascivious pout? It is a shame, really. I can see myself not liking the last episodes.