Warning: This article contains spoilers from Dark Matter season 1, episode 9.
Summary
Dark Matterauthor and showrunner Blake Crouch hints at how Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) knew to approach Amanda (Alice Braga) in the season finale. Despite both being important characters, this version of Ryan and this version of Amanda were from different universes and had never met before. This version of Ryan was left stranded in the multiverse byJason2 (Joel Edgerton), and this version of Amanda had traveled through the multiverse with Jason1 until she decided to stay in a seemingly utopian world.
On Reddit,Crouchteased how Ryan knew to find Amanda in his search to return to his own universe, which could have major ramifications for a potential season 2. Read Crouch’s explanation below:
Crouch confirms that Ryan doesn’t know this Amanda, nor did he know the Amanda from his own universe. He only reveals that Ryan knew how to look for Amanda because she came out of the Box after him. Nothing further can be revealed now, as there may still be aDark Matterseason 2.
Dark Matter Season 1 Ending Explained: Which Parallel World Is That?
While perfectly concluding some of its primary story arcs, Dark Matter season 1’s ending also intentionally leaves some major questions unanswered.
Should There Be A Dark Matter Season 2?
There Are Potential Storylines, But No Existing Source Material Is A Concern
The unresolved Ryan and Amanda story makes the possibility ofDark Matterseason 2 more intriguing. The story of Jason1, Daniela Dessen (Jennifer Connelly), and Charlie Dessen (Oakes Fegley) has seemingly come to a happy and satisfying conclusion, but there is more to explore with both Ryan and Amanda, along with the other characters scattered across the multiverse. Both Simpson and Braga are excellent actors, but Simpson in particular didn’t get enough of an opportunity to demonstrate his tremendous acting range, nor was there an in-depth exploration of the various versions of Ryan.
Jimmi Simpson received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and an Emmy Award nomination for his performance in HBO’sWestworld.
With Crouch teasing what Ryan has figured out aboutthe Box andDark Matter’s multiverseso far, there is significant story potential. That being said, there is a concern that even the established setup for Ryan and Amanda isn’t enough to sustain a second season, especially since their roles were more in support of the Dessen family’s story than anything else. There is also the concern of not having any source material to draw from for season 2, whereas season 1 had an entire novel.
Crouch’s involvement means that any continuation would likely be faithful and wouldn’t undermine the story that has already been told, but it also doesn’t mean it has to happen. HBO’sBig Little Lieshad a flawless first season that adapted its source material, and even though season 2 was based on an unpublished novella by original author Liane Moriarty, it still failed to live up to season 1.Dark Mattertakes the same risk by potentially forcing a season 2 that doesn’t already have existing source material, and that will fall short of season 1.
Dark Matter
Cast
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.
