Season 2 of Apple TV’s Dark Matter Takes Sci-Fi Thrills to New Heights

Confusion is a common side effect of mystery box shows, which often layer on secrets with the promise of a satisfying payoff. However, Dark Matter takes this to another level. Its multiversal concept, featuring a man who kidnaps a version of himself from an alternate reality, can be quite challenging to grasp. As the first season progressed, the plot only became more convoluted. With the arrival of season 2, there’s both good and bad news: the drama and excitement have ramped up, but so has the complexity.

Spoilers ahead for the first season of Dark Matter.

To recap where we left off, Dark Matter, based on the novel of the same name, follows Jason Dessen, a physics professor in Chicago, who enjoys a seemingly normal life with his artist wife, Daniela, and their teenage son, Charlie. In a parallel universe, another version of Jason chose to abandon his family life to pursue his dream of creating a massive box that allows travel between parallel universes. However, this alternate Jason ultimately felt unfulfilled and used the box to enter a world where he and Daniela were together. He then kidnapped his alternate self, left him stranded in another reality, and took over his life.

Things didn’t go as planned for this alternate Jason. Daniela eventually sensed something was off, while the original Jason fought through multiple worlds to return home. By the season’s end, an army of Jason variants had converged on the same Chicago, all hoping to reunite with Daniela. The finale concluded with the original Jason, Daniela, and Charlie stepping into the box, seeking a new world where they could live peacefully.

Still with me? Good, because the plot thickens. Dark Matter is a high-concept sci-fi thriller, and season 2 dives deeper into its premise, exploring the wild possibilities of its multiverse. Jason and his family become multiversal nomads, hopping between worlds in search of a new home. This setup allows the show to delve into the mechanics of the box and the rules governing inter-world travel. It’s not an exact science; your destination hinges on your mindset when you open the door. So, if you’re anxious or stressed, prepare for a post-apocalyptic version of Chicago.

This premise leads to some standout moments. The Dessens face a unique situation that strains their family dynamics. However, the show shines brightest when it deviates from the main narrative. One episode focuses on a random Jason variant trying to carve out a life in a quiet world, reminiscent of the poignant storytelling in other series. It doesn’t rush the plot or bombard viewers with revelations; instead, it highlights the human consequences of this technology. Another episode introduces a waystation frequented by multiverse travelers, while another features Charlie searching for a long-lost family member in a different world.

However, reaching these moments requires a willingness to embrace confusion, as season 2 significantly increases complexity by introducing numerous new characters, many of whom are variants of existing ones. This means a plethora of Jasons, Danielas, and Charlies, with the original alternate Jason playing a key role. Friends and colleagues like chemist Ryan, psychologist Amanda, and wealthy Leighton also appear in multiple versions across different worlds, all contributing to the overarching story. Keeping track of all these characters can be challenging, and the show doesn’t always clarify which variant is which. At one point, the main Jason and Daniela even get tattoos to help identify each other. Additionally, season 2 frequently jumps through time, further complicating the narrative threads.

Such intricate storytelling is perhaps inevitable with a premise as complex as Dark Matter’s. Yet, season 2 demonstrates that the series can excel when it takes a moment to explore more human stories rather than racing toward the next big action sequence. The second season strives to balance both storytelling styles, culminating in what feels like a Christopher Nolan-inspired climax. To fully enjoy the show, viewers may need to accept that not everything will be clear.

Dark Matter season 2 is available for streaming on Apple TV starting August 28th.