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Dark Matter
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Waking up on a spaceship with no memory and a bunch of people after you? Sign me up for this show - it's all about the story, not the fancy sets.
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm not one to write reviews about TV shows, but Dark Matter caught my attention with its engaging storyline and impressive cast. As a fan of sci-fi, I was excited to dive into this series, but I have to admit that it's not my typical cup of tea. Despite that, I found myself hooked from the very first episode and couldn't wait to see what happened next. With its unique blend of mystery, suspense, and action, Dark Matter is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good space opera. The show's use of special effects is impressive and adds to the overall experience. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, making it easy to become invested in their stories. But be warned, the series has a lot of twists and turns, so buckle up and get ready for a wild ride! I loved how the show explores some really interesting themes and ideas, like the consequences of advanced technology and the importance of human connection in a vast, interconnected universe.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
HikayeKalitesi8/10
AktarimKalitesi9/10
KarakterGelistirme7/10
Review of Dark Matter
I'm not one to write reviews about movies and TV shows. I watch them, but this time was different. I usually pick something that my husband and I can watch together, which is great since our tastes align most of the time. I don't really watch anything on my own, unless it's music videos of my favorite artists. Early on in my blogging journey, I did share a couple of movie reviews, but to be honest, this topic just doesn't interest me for a few reasons. Plus, it's rare for me to feel the urge to write about something I've watched recently. Sometimes I get the urge, but I end up forgetting about it. And I'm definitely not one to rush out and watch the latest new releases.
When I watched 'Dark Matter,' I decided I'd write a review this time. Although I doubt anyone will read it, and even fewer will watch it. The series, in a sense, is just not my thing. Oh well.
A bit about how I ended up choosing this series.
I stumbled upon this series in a list of 'top sci-fi shows.' I was actively looking for something in this genre because my husband and I had already watched a couple of space-themed shows and enjoyed them. I'm not a huge fan of traditional sci-fi, though - you know, the kind with five-minute action sequences, cheesy effects, and aliens with tails instead of eyes. I'm not against the genre, but a series that's too reliant on that kind of thing might not have held my interest. The trailer promised intrigue, action, and a cosmic backdrop, which seemed fine to me.
At the time of writing this review, we'd finished the second season out of three. I'd had my jaw drop a few times due to the plot twists, and I'd had to pick it back up.
A bit of background info:
The series is called 'Dark Matter.' It's a space opera.
Year of release: 2015. The final season was in 2017.
Country of origin: Canada.
Total number of episodes: 39-40 minutes each.
Plot summary:
Six strangers emerge from stasis and wake up almost simultaneously on a spaceship with life support at 15%. The ship's breached and badly damaged. Four men and two women have no memory of themselves, their names, or their mission. Despite their amnesia, they start to uncover each other's hidden skills – one of them shows natural leadership, another's a whiz with the ship's systems, medicine, and handling the cold hardware. Someone's a skilled pilot, and another's a master of the spaceship's equipment. When they manage to find info about themselves on the computer, the crew discovers that they're all wanted fugitives.
I'm not a fan of breaking down each character and giving them a personal review. It feels like I'm being primed to think of them in a certain way. I'm not impressed by special effects or budgets, and that's exactly what some people are criticizing this project for. To me, it's all about grabbing the reader's attention, and when that fails, they resort to sex.
Here's my two cents. If the story's a bit wonky, it's saved by the insane special effects on every single thing. In 'Dark Matter,' the story's not just holding its own, it's standing tall on both feet. For me, I love it when everything's built around intrigue, dynamics, unexpected twists, and constant movement. And honestly, I don't really care about the special effects – I don't have time to look at them.
So, since I'm not going to give away any spoilers or character details, let's talk about the series as a whole.
What I can tell you about this show by the numbers.
Characters.
I think they're all well-written and brought to life by the actors. Even after the first few episodes, you start to feel like you understand what's really going on – you get to know each character, and you start to piece together their psychological profiles... Keep in mind that the story's got these heroes who wake up with no idea who they are or what they're capable of, but they soon figure out they're mercenaries. And then what? Well, as they say, what do you do with all this? One character in particular has me questioning whether he's who he says he is.
I don't know any of the actors – it's a Canadian show, so they're all Canadian actors. I won't be naming any names, but let me just say that their performances are spot-on! Even the secondary characters have me thinking, 'Wow, what a great, despicable, charismatic actress!'
We've got a crew of six on this ship. There's a teenage girl, a female leader, and four guys. I want to mention upfront, there's no tokenism going on here. No forced diversity for the sake of it. I mean, the cast does reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, but it's not like they're checking off boxes. It's just a normal, diverse group of people. And hey, if you're not into that, that's okay too.
The acting is top-notch, too. These characters are fully fleshed out and feel like real people. I recently watched an episode where my husband paused it and said, 'This is weird. If you consider the character's personality, it's clear this was done on purpose.' He was onto something, and I have to admit, I didn't see it coming.
The Story
I'm that no-frills viewer who doesn't care about costumes, special effects, and the background noise. I mean, if nothing exciting's happening, I'll glance at the scenery, but I prefer something more substantial. The plot in 'Dark Matter' is my cup of tea: intrigue and action. Something's always happening, and I'm constantly on edge, anticipating the next twist. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger, leaving me eager to find out what's next. It's like they're saying, 'Don't change the channel!'
The last two episodes of the first season had me glued to the screen, wondering: Who are they? What's their story? Show me their faces! I was on the edge of my seat, thinking, 'Come on, reveal something!' I had a theory, but it got debunked, and we were left scratching our heads.
The premise is clear: these highly skilled mercenaries are in high demand, but they have no memory of their past. They're pawns in a much larger game, and there's a traitor among them who's been manipulating their memories. Each episode is like a puzzle, and I love trying to piece together the clues.
It's become second nature for me to expect a twist in every episode. Even when things seem too good to be true, I know something's about to go down. It's exhilarating, and I'm hooked.
I'm a fan of stories with a healthy dose of intrigue, action, and adventure. 'Dark Matter' delivers on all fronts, and I'm eager to see what's next.
But if you're a fan of big-budget productions, then...
Special effects, costumes, and sets – and that's about it.
I only realized how few bright shots there were when I started making screenshots for this review – it's all pretty dim. I'm not one of those people who gets hung up on 'picture quality,' unless I'm in a museum or something. I barely glance at photos in Amazon reviews, and honestly, I think some of those pictures are just unnecessary. So, in film projects, I usually don't pay much attention to special effects – sometimes I even get bored with them. Remember how I felt watching 'Avatar'? There were moments when I thought I was about to fall asleep, watching the heroes soar through those gorgeous forests and whatnot. I get that it was a big deal when the movie first came out, but now I just think, 'Okay, got the message, let's move on with the plot – this is just unnecessary filler.'
In short, I'm not one of those people who needs a 'visually stunning' experience. Hope that clears things up.
Back to the series.
I was expecting a visually stunning sci-fi show set in space, but what I got was a relatively low-budget production. The views of space were few and far between, and when they did appear, they were often shot in a somewhat drab, dimly lit style. The interior scenes of the spaceship and the space station were the norm, and they looked like they could have been filmed on a rented warehouse. Don't expect any epic space battles like those in 'Star Wars' either.
The costumes were pretty standard issue, and the characters' lives seemed pretty normal. We did see glimpses of a future where humanity has colonized other planets and developed advanced technologies, but it was all pretty low-key. People still had the same problems and behaviors as we do today.
Gunfights are definitely present, and the shooting's there too, but it's all pretty grounded in our time. I mean, nobody's running around with quantum rifles, taking out 140 enemies with a single shot from 1500 meters like it's no big deal. Nope. But they do show off some futuristic tech, that's for sure. You've got regular guns, and then you've got some really advanced stuff that's basically a game-changer – and I don't just mean the lab-created viruses. I'm not going to give away too many spoilers, but let's just say there are some big reveals ahead.
I think it's safe to say that the show's science fiction is pretty socially aware... Sometimes I'll be watching and think, 'People are just people.' Even 500 years from now, people are still pretty much the same. It's just their world is different – that's all.
This is me saying that, based on the reviews, some people are docking points for the show's budget and lack of special effects. Not me, though – I'm not particularly impressed by those things. I've never re-watched a movie just because it looks pretty. So, if you're the type of person who only cares about flashy visuals, then maybe you should look elsewhere.
I've got to say, the atmosphere in 'Dark Matter' is a bit retro. The dim lighting, the muted color palette, it's all quite...understated. It's like we're seeing a future that's been around for a while. A long while. And when the characters say they're going to travel to the nearest habitable planet on a faster-than-light drive, it feels like they're talking about a train ride to Tula with a bunch of stops along the way.
We catch a glimpse of Earth, and it's a real showstopper. A planet that's super advanced and all about tech. But the colonies and space stations? They're more like our 20th century. I mean, it's like a village in Bryansk Oblast. Sometimes I find myself wondering what's normal in this world, where an android is just as mundane as a tablet is to us.
Anyway, if you're looking for fancy visuals and expensive costumes, there are plenty of other shows out there. But if you want an engaging storyline, this is the place to be.
Is there any humor in the project? There's a bit of it scattered throughout, but it's mostly character-driven and based on the relationships between the characters. It's not laugh-out-loud stuff, but there are some nice moments that'll put a smile on your face.
I'll just say that I'm sorry to see the project got cut short and wasn't completed as originally planned. But, as they say, you get what you pay for. The creators made their decision, and that's that.
I'm giving 'Dark Matter' a solid five stars, and I hope I've explained why.
Thanks for reading!
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the show's premise and how does it follow the characters?
Dark Matter follows six individuals who wake up on a spaceship with no memory of who they are or how they got there. As they try to piece together their pasts and figure out what's going on, they realize that they're being hunted by a mysterious organization. The show follows their journey as they try to stay one step ahead of their pursuers and uncover the truth about their identities and the mysterious forces at work.
Is the show suitable for all ages?
No, Dark Matter contains some mature themes, violence, and language that may not be suitable for all audiences. It's rated TV-14, so it's best for viewers 14 and older.
How many seasons are there and is it worth watching?
There are three seasons of Dark Matter, and while it's not a perfect show, it's definitely worth watching if you're a fan of sci-fi and space operas. The show has a lot of heart and explores some really interesting themes and ideas, making it a compelling watch.
What's the show's relationship to the comic book series?
Dark Matter is based on the comic book series of the same name, created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. The show takes some creative liberties with the source material, but it stays true to the spirit of the comics.
Is the show available to stream or purchase?
Yes, Dark Matter is available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime, and you can also purchase individual episodes or seasons on Amazon Video or iTunes.
What's the show's setting and how does it relate to the sci-fi genre?
The show is set in a dystopian future where humanity has colonized other planets and formed a complex intergalactic society. The show explores some really interesting themes and ideas related to space travel, alien civilizations, and the consequences of advanced technology.
How does the show handle its diverse cast and representation?
Dark Matter does a great job of representing a diverse cast of characters, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The show also explores some really interesting themes and ideas related to identity, community, and social justice.
What's the show's relationship to other sci-fi shows and movies?
Dark Matter draws inspiration from a variety of sci-fi shows and movies, including Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Firefly. The show also explores some really interesting themes and ideas related to time travel, artificial intelligence, and the consequences of advanced technology.
check_circlePros
- •The cast is incredibly talented and brings the characters to life with ease
- •The storyline is full of surprises and keeps you on the edge of your seat
- •The show's use of special effects is impressive and adds to the overall experience
- •The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, making it easy to become invested in their stories
- •The pacing is well-balanced, with a good mix of action, suspense, and drama
- •The show explores some really interesting themes and ideas, making it feel thought-provoking and engaging
- •The show does a great job of representing a diverse cast of characters, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals
- •The show's setting is richly detailed and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the world of Dark Matter
cancelCons
- •The show can be a bit confusing at times, especially if you're not paying close attention
- •Some of the characters feel a bit underdeveloped, which can make it hard to connect with them
- •The show's reliance on convenient plot devices can be frustrating at times
- •The show's use of time travel can be confusing and feels a bit contrived
- •The show's tone can be a bit inconsistent, veering wildly from intense action scenes to cheesy drama
- •The show's ending feels a bit rushed and unsatisfying, leaving some plot threads unresolved
- •The show can be a bit too reliant on action and suspense, sometimes at the expense of character development
- •The show's villain is a bit one-dimensional and feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character
