Spoilers are ahead for Dark Matter (2024) season 1.
Summary
TheDark Matterfinale leaves its best Jason Dessen mystery pretty open-ended — and I hope it remains ambiguous. Based on a novel of the same name, Apple TV+‘sDark Matter significantly changes Blake Crouch’s book, though the basic premise remains the same. In the nine-episode series,Joel Edgerton plays multiple versions of Jason Dessen across many realities. The first Jason we meet is a (mostly) happily married college professor; his wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), gave up on her career as a painter — much in the same way Jason abandoned his groundbreaking scientific research.
Soon enough, Jason is abducted by a version of himself from another world. This character, dubbed Jason2, chose a different path in life. Although Jason2 has an incredible career, he gave up his chance to be with Daniela or have his son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley).Dark Matterposits that the grass is always greener on the other side:Jason2 wants to take over Jason’s life, allowing him to have both the career and the familyhe dreamed of. As the primary Jason struggles to find home, Jason2 becomes more enmeshed in his variant’s life, culminating inDark Matter’s surprising ending.
Dark Matter’s Finale Leaves 1 Question About Jason & Daniela Open-Ended
The Jason That Daniela Ends Up With May Not Be The Same Jason From Episode 1
According toDark Matter’sshowrunner, the original Jason ends up with Daniela. However, the actual series doesn’t really give a clear on-screen confirmation. Toward the end of the show, Jason ends up taking his family into the Box. As various versions of Jason appear to search for his family, it becomes less obvious who’s who. It’s clear one version of the original Jason ends up with his family, buttheDark Matterfinale doesn’t technically confirm if it’s the Jason we’ve been followingsince the pilot episode. It’s possible Daniela chose right, but there’s plenty of ambiguity too.
Jason wonders if there’s some trait that links all the versions of himself or if they’re truly fundamentally different.
Author and showrunner Blake Crouch reiterated that the end of the series isn’t meant to be an ambiguous Inception-style finale. For him, the intention was always to follow the same Jason Dessen. Still, given the philosophical questionsDark Matterraises, and all the show’s eerie twists and turns,it does feel more appropriate for the ending to be ambiguouswhen it comes to Jason and Daniela. Throughout the show, Jason wonders if there’s some trait that links all the versions of himself or if they’re truly fundamentally different. The ambiguousDark Matterendingplays right into this theme.
Dark Matter’s Multiverse Compared To Other Movies & TV Shows
Elements of Dark Matter reflect other multiverse stories told on TV and in movies, but the Apple TV+ adaptation also makes its own mark on the trope.
I Hope Dark Matter Doesn’t Solve This Jason Mystery (Even If Season 2 Happens)
Dark Matter Probably Shouldn’t Have A Second Season Anyway
It’s not yet clear if Apple TV+ will pursueDark Matterseason 2. I’m of the mind that some shows should remain one-off outings. Instead of stretching shows out — à la HBO’sBig Little Liesseason 2 — networks should know when to deem something a limited series. AlthoughDark Matterproved to be a popular show,Jason Dessen’s story feels complete. The many worlds and the Box may remain intriguing, but that doesn’t mean they should be re-examined in another season. Even if the show does get a second installment,Dark Mattershouldn’t address the mystery surrounding Jason’s true identity.
I’m Not Sure How Dark Matter Season 2 Will Work Without Repeating The Same Story
As much as I’d love to see Dark Matter season 2 happen, I’m not sure how Apple TV+ can continue the story without retreading the same ground.
Why Dark Matter’s Ending Is Better Off Ambiguous
Dark Matter Retains Its Eerie Atmosphere By Avoiding Definite Answers
Dark Matteris all about infinite possibilities, so, in my mind, an ambiguous finale is all-the-more fitting. Sometimes, leaving things up to the audience’s interpretation is better. In this case, not really knowing which Jason winds up with Daniela raises interesting questions and retains the show’s air of eerie mystery. Moreover, the ambiguity underscores so many ofDark Matter’s big questions and themes. Viewers can take a more cynical viewpoint on the matter or project a happier form of closure onDark Matter’s ending. Regardless, the possibilities would remain appropriately infinite.
Dark Matterseason 1 is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Dark Matter
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
