To be trustworthy, I by no means anticipated “Dark Matter” to get a second season. Upon launch, the Apple TV sequence tailored from Blake Crouch’s novel of the identical title, by the writer himself, didn’t earn a lot reward from critics or consideration from awards voters. Rankings are a query mark, since Season 1 didn’t chart on Nielsen and Apple is stingy with viewership knowledge, however the 9 episodes appeared to return and go with out a lot fanfare.
Much more pertinent: Season 1 coated the occasions within the e-book, leaving a possible Season 2 with out a clear path ahead (regardless of a free finish right here or there). Crouch’s science-fiction examine of the highway not taken, through which a physics professor at a group faculty is tossed into one other dimension the place he turned a well-known scientist (however by no means obtained married or had children), appeared to achieve a pure endpoint. Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) comes nose to nose with the life he didn’t dwell. He doesn’t prefer it. He misses his outdated one. So, having realized to understand what he beforehand took as a right, he makes his method again to the household he loves, and bingo bango, it’s the tip of the highway. Story’s over. In the event you want extra on the topic, there’s all the time “Sliding Doorways,” “It’s a Fantastic Life,” or “The Household Man.”
But right here we’re, again for extra “Darkish Matter.” And wouldn’t you already know it? Season 2 doesn’t have a lot to say — in regards to the unhappy dad nonetheless anchoring the story, in regards to the ethical accountability of scientific discovery, or in regards to the metropolis of Chicago’s awe-inspiring magnificence. (OK, I suppose it does have extra to say on that final level, given how giddy I obtained recognizing stunning brickwork in my outdated neighborhood.)
As a substitute, “Darkish Matter” runs in circles, regurgitating former private dilemmas which have already been solved and buzzing the tower of topical speaking factors (just like the rise of A.I.) with out participating within the dogfight. Making use of film sequel logic to a TV season that always felt like an extended film, Season 2 is extra of the identical however greater, and just like the overwhelming majority of serialized TV exhibits that function like movies, it doesn’t work.
It’s additionally a large number. An enormous mess. It’s such a large number, that it’s sort of helpful for example of TV’s shifting tides. “Darkish Matter” Season 2 is probably not price watching, but it surely nonetheless has one thing to inform us (and hopefully Apple) about the best way to make higher tv — particularly contemplating how invested the tech big’s streaming division is within the science-fiction style.
Let’s see if I can join the dots with out stepping into spoilers. Consider it or not, Season 2 does not start with Episode 3, “Every part Lovely, Every part Horrible.” Loopy, proper? All seasons ought to begin with the third episode, not the primary episode, but it surely’s notably bizarre that “Darkish Matter” Season 2 doesn’t. Episode 3 opens with a scene indifferent from the continued narrative, through which one of many many Jasons drops in on his outdated physics professors’ common pleased hours to pose a query: If one thing might be achieved, ought to or not it’s achieved?
What Jason is admittedly asking is whether or not his invention — a “field” that permits folks to maneuver between dimensions — is moral; whether or not he’s proper to construct it, to make use of it, and to introduce it to humanity at giant. His fellow scientists are neither comforting nor discouraging. They cite former developments (ships that may cross oceans, the atom bomb, the web) as proof that Jason’s invention “would deliver forth all the things stunning and all the things horrible” without delay.
“If it may be achieved, it will likely be achieved,” they are saying. “People, we simply can’t assist ourselves. … There’s no stopping development as a result of there’s no stopping the human ego. Mix that with the curiosity and want to discover, and we’re unstoppable. If we are able to think about it, we are going to create it, and the implications of our creation will likely be a mirrored image of humanity itself.”
If that’s not the sequence’ thesis assertion, then “Darkish Matter” doesn’t have one. Crouch, who co-writes each episode together with his associate, Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, lays it on the market with sufficient gravitas to resonate as the remainder of the labyrinthian season unfolds and Jason bears witness to the beauties and horrors of his ambitions and skills. Is it a broad thesis? Positive. Is it compelled exposition? You guess. Nevertheless it’s useful, and Season 2 might use extra structural assist prefer it.
Did I point out this scene, which might be dropped in at actually any time through the season, doesn’t roll out till Episode 3? That’s as a result of “Darkish Matter” pads its first two hours with plot threads that by no means repay. It’s sort of table-setting, which sci-shows typically want, but it surely’s largely expendable, and once you lastly see how sure set-ups play out, it’s irritating. Poor Jennifer Connelly is as soon as once more trapped in supportive spouse mode, regardless of Daniela getting an arc that actually separates her from her household so as to work on her personal points. (Stated points simply occur to narrate to PTSD inflicted by her husband’s screw-up, and thus by no means really feel authentically hers, a lot as they’re penalties of his actions.)
Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) and Amanda (Alice Braga) are equally futzing round, working a meaningless mission associated to a different Ryan till their core arc can begin in Episode 4. Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) and Blair (Amanda Brugel) get extra display time in Season 2, however they’re not eliminated sufficient from Jason’s perspective to perform independently. (Very like the should-be-opening pleased hour, at any time when the scientists get collectively to speak, their dialogue turns into interchangeable.) And I’m all the time thrilled to see Chris “This Guy Fucks!” Diamantopoulos, however I’m much less thrilled to see his multidimensional cop wasted in holding sample after holding sample, handled like a idiot, and solely trotted out at any time when somebody must nudge a foremost character into one other dimension.
Even when “Darkish Matter” had began with a correct framework to understand the season’s big-picture designs, there’s not sufficient precise leisure to make the return journey worthwhile. The sequence stays perpetually glum, refusing to undertaking any mild behind a conceit begging for a number of laughs. Positive, it’s diverting to see all of the totally different worlds the field can take folks to, together with a Chicago overrun by A.I. chatbots, a Chicago about to be engulfed by tornados, and a Chicago upended by the sudden lack of gravity.
However why not let Jason open the door to a Chicago overrun by cats, or reject a world as a result of there’s not sufficient daylight (as a joke in regards to the present’s dim palette), or meet an Australian model of Jason (performed by precise Aussie Joel Edgerton)? Seeing the disastrous iterations of Chicago begs for the absurd interpretations, however “Darkish Matter” has no real interest in something absurd, as a result of it’s all the time so rattling critical. (To be truthful, when the Dessens find yourself in a dimension with out computer systems, which is handled like a good factor, on an Apple present — I practically fell out of my chair.)
Some levity may assist ease the constant frustration of not understanding who’s who. With a number of variations of virtually each character, it’s typically tough to recall one Jason’s backstory because it applies to his present dialog with one other Jason. Multiply that by 5 sequence regulars, and also you’re juggling 10-15 character histories whereas gazing faces that might correspond to any one in every of them.
Poor structuring, redundant plotting, zero enjoyable, and ample bewilderment add as much as fairly the mess, and that’s the way it felt for me: a critic who’s paid to maintain up with what’s happening. And readers, I actually tried: I rewatched the previous couple of episodes of Season 1, learn by way of all of my notes on the primary season, and reread my authentic evaluation earlier than watching and taking notes on each episode of Season 2. Even with all that effort, “Darkish Matter” is complicated, and audiences can not — and mustn’t — be anticipated to place in the identical degree of effort.
And but effort is required when tales this elaborate are instructed with such lengthy breaks. It’s been greater than two years for the reason that first season of “Darkish Matter” ended and the second season premiered. In that point, Apple has launched ~29 new sequence — that’s 29 new sequence; I’m not counting new seasons from sequence that debuted earlier than Might 2024. So even when subscribers are so loyal they solely watch Apple exhibits (a pipe dream, to be clear), that’s a whole lot of hours of different tales rattling round in viewers’ brains earlier than the story they already began (“Darkish Matter” Season 1) resumes its multidimensional story (in Season 2).
You simply can’t do this with science-fiction this dense and disorganized. The present’s stakes are already fuzzy once you begin Season 2 — “What are the principles of the field?” “Which Amanda is that?” “How lengthy have they been on this dimension?” — after which it picks up within the incorrect place and introduces extra chaos? At greatest, the dramatic build-up isn’t felt as acutely as it will be underneath higher circumstances. At worst, potential followers will merely quit. There are different exhibits on the market, they usually’re simpler to get pleasure from.
This isn’t the primary time off-camera manufacturing schedules have develop into an onscreen downside, and it gained’t be the final. “Severance” caught plenty of flack for taking practically three years to ship its second season, and though it didn’t damage viewership — “Severance” was briefly the most-watched Apple sequence ever, earlier than “Pluribus” stole its crown a number of months later — it stays a nagging situation. Director, government producer, {and professional} Knicks fan Ben Stiller obtained as many questions about the ending as he did when Season 3 would be ready, and regardless of assurances to the contrary, the sequence is already on tempo to return effectively after the two-year mark. (Filming started on the finish of July, so following earlier seasons’ schedules, Season 3 might be again as quickly as… October 2027, or 31 months after the final episode aired.)
This isn’t a problem distinctive to Apple — “Stranger Issues” (Netflix) additionally took three years between seasons, and “Home of the Dragon” (HBO) is intentionally launched each two years — however it’s a constant downside at Apple. Of the eight science-fiction dramas (together with the pleasant “Murderbot,” which is formally designated a comedy), a minimum of 5 them take 18-24 months between seasons. Solely “For All Mankind” persistently releases new episodes in a tighter timeframe, and even it took greater than two years between Seasons 4 and 5. That’s what occurs with VFX-heavy exhibits. They want (roughly) seven months to shoot and (roughly) seven extra months in post-production.
“Darkish Matter” just isn’t the very best of Apple’s sci-fi exhibits. (It could even be the worst, though I can’t make that declare with out watching “Invasion,” which I’m not ready to do.) However its rollout illustrates a broader situation for Apple and its obsession with science-fiction. Positive, high-minded sequence about radical innovations and house exploration match the model of a smooth, cool, tech firm shilling status TV. And sure, huge swings on huge concepts might result in a breakout hit (ideally with I.P. wholly owned by Apple, like “Severance”). Blockbuster TV reportedly drives subscriptions, too. For a way lengthy? Who’s to say? Possibly Apple will discover the subsequent huge factor — the subsequent “Recreation of Thrones.”
Besides the subsequent huge factor seems to be reviving an outdated confirmed factor: basic TV storytelling. At the very least for now, “The Pitt” is the secret, racking up massive ratings whereas churning out 15-episode seasons that premiere yearly like clockwork. Pair that with studios’ tightening their belts and shoppers settling for engrossing TV over nice TV, and it positive looks as if extra conventional network-style procedurals are within the offing. It’s what the trade desires, it’s what followers need, and it’s the precise reverse of what Apple is constructing.
Within the third episode of Season 2 — the one that ought to’ve been the premiere — the group of thirsty professors reply Jason’s moral dilemma merely: They inform him “to grasp the long run, we solely must look to the previous. We all know what’s going to occur as a result of we’ve achieved all this earlier than.”
In different phrases, historical past repeats itself, and traditionally, nice TV is constructed on characters, consistency, and the connection that ensues from each. That’s the stuff that drives obsessive followers, and people obsessions must be fed, often and effectively. “Darkish Matter” is constructed on concepts. It’s inconsistent in type and performance. That doesn’t imply it may possibly’t be good for Apple — who is aware of what metrics matter to an organization with limitless coffers — but it surely’s definitely not good for us. And I’d wish to assume that also issues.
“Darkish Matter” Season 2 premieres Friday, August 28 on Apple TV.
