Like those Jason Dessens from across the multiverse, Apple TV+’s hit Dark Matter is doing the same.
Yes. The critically acclaimed science fiction novel was recently renewed.
Now, there’s just one big problem. The first season is entirely based on Blake Crouch’s 2016 book.
Dark Matter tells the story of Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a physicist, professor, and family man who is quickly kidnapped and held captive in the multiverse .
He spends the rest of the season experiencing the life he could have had while trying to return to his home world and his family.
So that means the new season will have to be created out of thin air, whenever it finally appears on the streaming schedule.
As modern television viewers are acutely aware, this venture away from written source material can be a fortuitous proposition.
Sometimes, it works (see The Wire, The Illusionist, The Handmaid’s Tale, Midnight Watch).
Then again, sometimes it’s not (see Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Big Little Lies, 13 Reasons Why).
Dark Matter has a huge advantage when it comes to developing its next season. In addition to being the writer of the source material, Crouch is also the showrunner on Dark Matter.
Crouch was not so associated with Wayward Pines, a series based on a series of books he wrote that quickly fizzled out without his guidance.
Even more tellingly, Crouch has been toying with the idea of continuing Dark Matter since the novel was published.
So he’s certainly better equipped to create a second season than a random writers’ room.
We can use the first season to imagine where Crouch might go. There are still some issues that need to be resolved.
In Dark Matter (2024) Season 1 Episode 9, the original Jason (referred to as Jason for simplicity) is finally reunited with his family.
However, they find themselves on the run, not only from Jason 2 (who originally kidnapped Jason in order to make him a family man), but also from what Jason’s multiverse travels have created. Hundreds of Jasons, all driven by the same quest to find their family.
Feeling guilty for what he had done, Jason 2 arranged for Jason’s family to leave their world via the box, although Jason died in the process.
To the uninitiated, this brief review highlights the biggest problem with dark matter. It can be complicated.
Once all these extra Jasons land in Jason’s dimension, it’s hard to tell who’s who.
Of course, that’s the nature (and fun) of the multiverse. But in this case, the frustration outweighed the fun.
Leaving Jason’s home world should clear the board of all those stray Jasons running around. should.
Jason’s family was released in the hallway. What Jason learned on his travels should allow them to envision the perfect dimension for themselves, right?
But it can’t be that easy, can it?
In season one, Crouch also had a number of allies and enemies scattered across the multiverse.
There’s an Amanda, a Blair, a Ryan and a few Laytons out there, but who knows which ones are still alive?
Of course, the reunited Dessen family will encounter some of these as they search for a new home.
Another theme should be Daniela and Charlie adjusting to the rules of the hallway. Fortunately, Jason is their guide.
Still, there’s quite a bit that’s redundant compared to the first season. So what can Crouch come up with?
That’s the most important hurdle that Dark Matter season 2 has to overcome – convincing viewers that there’s more to the story, and that it’s not just an afterthought tacked on because of a surprise renewal.
Crouch needed to eliminate duplication in character and narrative in order for the series to thrive.
Whether he can do that remains to be seen.
