This week Syfy will present a double dose of Dark Matter. These episodes are separate entities, so I’m going to preview them individually. So, sit back, and enjoy this insight into the intense two-hour marathon coming on Friday.
2x11 Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had The Chance
This is an episode that has so much heart that viewers won’t be able to help but smile and if you’re the sentimental type I wouldn’t put it past this episode to invoke a few tears too. It is also an action-heavy episode, which makes it the perfect combination of all the things that make
Dark Matter a special show. Anthony Lemke and Jodelle Ferland shine throughout it allowing the unusual friendship between their characters to drive the story. They are truly a powerhouse duo who do great justice to the brilliant script they were presented with.
Three distinct storylines weave throughout this episode in an organic way that allows it to have a seamless flow. The transitions between each storyline work flawlessly and the overall tone of the story perfect. Everything kicks into gear when Three and Five get into trouble with some backwoods trouble makers. We know that Three’s origins began on an Earth-like mining planet, allowing him to be at ease when trekking through the forest and that certainly serves him well here. As is the usual lately, their lives are repeatedly put in danger causing some high-stakes situations to manifest. When their situation takes an extremely serious turn, Three will say some truly awful things, but keep in mind that with Three things aren't always as clear-cut as they seem. Lemke and Ferland work together so perfectly that viewers will be left wondering why it took so long for these two to get sent off on an adventure alone together.
While those two are fighting for their lives, Two, Four, and Nyx are left to face their own bid for safety. When circumstances put them face-to-face with the Galactic Authority they will have to get creative to avoid capture and even with Nyx on their side they still get into some precarious situations. At least before all the action begins these three do get to spend some time together having fun. It gives Four a chance to really show his personality in a no stress situation and believe it or not, Four does know how to have fun. Two and Nyx being able to have some time chilling and just having fun was a nice change of pace for them too. Granted, their fun doesn’t last long, but better something than nothing and it's a fun way for them to start off the episode.
With everything else going on, Six is left to contemplate his place within the Raza crew. He’s not oblivious to the fact that Two is the only reason he’s been allowed to stay, and even she is still keeping him on a short leash, starting with him being left behind on the Raza with the Android babysitting him while everyone else gets time off the ship. Being left behind allows him and the Android some quality time to finally talk and discuss the things he has done. He may not like all she has to say, but I think the audience will be glad someone is finally confronting him about these topics and forcing him to talk about them. With his friends in trouble, he once again proves why Two chose to let him stay.
By the end of the episode, one character will make a startling request that is likely to have major consequences going forward. Thankfully the wait for the follow-up will only be mere seconds. Continue with the next part of this preview to see what the second hour of Friday’s doubleheader holds for the crew of the Raza.
This heartfelt adventure was written by Co-Creator/Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and directed by Mairzee Almas.
Here are some quotes to tide you over until Friday:
“I’ve decided not to worry about things I can’t change.”
“Kid, I need you to help me!”
“I don’t think you can make it.”
“Think about it, at least if they’re in custody we’d know where they were.”
“The status quo is headed for one hell of a shake-up.”
2x12 - Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get To Choose
This is an episode that is hard to preview because it builds on things setup in the final seconds of the previous hour, because of that this will be a short and vague preview. Firstly, I must warn that this is probably the bloodiest episode of the series, and I’m even taking into account Rebecca’s bloody escape from Dwarf Star Technologies. It is an intense and violent adventure that is likely to leave viewers watching the story unfold with their mouths wide open in shock. Things don’t unfold the way anyone expects and I think the audience will be just as shocked as the crew.
Throughout this episode, there are some major revelations unleashed on the characters, and at least one of them relates directly to the Android. What is revealed about her finally starts to explain one of the big mysteries that has been lingering since the series began. A lot of new information is revealed while wisely still leaving some unanswered questions. The revelation about the Android isn't the only moment of reflection regarding the past, viewers that have been hoping to see Five and Six have a heart-to-heart will finally get their wish granted as they discuss the journey they've all been on. Their scene together is one of the quieter moments, but it is still important because it shows how much Six has grown and changed since this time last season. While their scene provides a short reprieve from the action, one of the most intense moments occurs when the betrayal Milo hinted at finally occurs in an epic way. What leads up to the betrayal and how it plays out isn’t even remotely what I was expecting, which leads me to wonder if it is actually the hinted at betrayal. It certainly seems like it is, but I wouldn't rule out something even bigger happening in the season finale. By the time the episode fades to black friendships will be forever changed, relationships will be altered, lives will be lost, and an order will be given that will forever change the crew of the Raza. What they experience can’t be forgotten and can’t be undone.
Make no mistakes about it; this is Four’s episode and Alex Mallari Jr. shines. A lot is asked of him in it and he rises to the challenge in every single scene. The work he does in this episode perfectly conveys Four's predicament. Mallari takes Four on an incredible journey, but I think a lot of people will have a very different opinion of Four by the time this episode ends. All season, really the entire length of the series, he’s been chasing one goal, and to reach his goal he will have to take some pretty big risks. The big question is what price is he willing to pay? Who is he willing to sacrifice? One thing is obvious, no matter what he does, his friends will always come to his aid, even risking their own lives to try and save him when he gets himself caught up in some family drama back on Zairon.
This bloody action-packed episode was written by Co-Creators/Co-Executive Producers Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie and directed by William Waring.
Here are some quotes to tide you over until Friday:
“I need you to know that my feelings for you haven’t changed.”
“I’m concerned I may have made another mistake.”
“You know me now. You didn’t know me then.”
“You hold a strength drawn from confidence and compassion.”
“You’re about to put your life on the line. I won’t let you do it alone.”
Doubleheader Summary:
These two are extreme episodes that I'm not confident will play well paired together. To some viewers I think watching them back-to-back will be an intense sensory overload. I had the benefit of watching them separately because of the way the screeners were released and watching them that way was perfect. Of all the episodes that
Syfy could have paired together this season, I’m not sure these two were the best pairing. As individual episodes each are incredible, but together, forced upon viewers all at once, I think they have the potential to be very overwhelming to even seasoned
Dark Matter fans. I think it was an odd choice to pair them up and I don’t think they were crafted to be aired like this. Don’t get me wrong, I really like each episode, but I want viewers to be prepared because they are extremely intense and throw a ton of information at the audience. The pairing of these two episodes will either be a genius move by
Syfy or an epic catastrophe. I'm hoping for the former for the sake of
Dark Matter and all the hard work that was obviously put into these episodes. They are beautifully shot and the acting is off the charts, but be prepared because you may not be able to breathe for the entire two hours. I suggest using the commercial breaks wisely to take in enough oxygen in order to make it to the next break. Buckle-up because with these episodes
Dark Matter hits the supercharge button as they race towards next week’s season finale.
Tune in this
Friday, September 9th for this intense two-hour journey
starting at 10/9C on Syfy in the US and Space Channel in Canada.
Hit the comments with your hopes for these episodes. What are you most looking forward to? What makes you the most nervous? Are you excited to finally see Four’s story dealt with? Are you looking forward to the Android revelation?
About the Author - Aimee Hicks
Aimee works for a newspaper in North Carolina and has a BA in Broadcasting and Cinema. She has been a TV lover since before she really understood what TV was and has a passion for analyzing performances and theorizing what may happen on her favorite shows. Her interest in television covers just about every genre, but her first love is the sci-fi/fantasy genre. For the 2016/2017 season she will be reviewing Chesapeake Shores, Dark Matter, Frequency, Gilmore Girls, Jessica Jones, Lucifer, and Orphan Black. She will also be handling the Best Scene Polls for Supergirl and previewing several new and returning shows. She also oversees the popular SpoilerTV feature, Performers of the Month (#POTM) which highlights the most outstanding actor and actress from each month. You can email her at aimee@spoilertv.com.
