Mikes Film Talk

Dark Matter gives us, in its first episode, “The Cat in the Box” courtesy of Erwin Schrödinger. Jason Desson (Joel Edgerton) uses the paradoxical theory to teach his physics students. This is, perhaps, the key to understanding this mind numbing adventure about multiple timelines and multiple lives. Creator Blake Crouch takes us down another rabbit hole; somewhat akin to Wayward Pines and that story’s multiple lives plot.

Synopsis

Jason Desson teaches physics. He is married to Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) and they have a son named Charlie (Oakes Fegley) Dessen’s life is pretty satisfactory. Then, after drinks at a bar with his friend Ryan Holder (Jimmi Simpson) he is accosted in an alley by a masked man. He is taken to a warehouse, Jason fights briefly with his assailant and loses. After getting an injection, he changes clothes.

As Jason starts to pass out, the masked man says he is doing this “for both of us.” When Jason regains consciousness he finds he has lost everything. He has a new partner; Amanda Lucas (Alice Braga) and there is no Charlie. Jason is off balance and confused. His struggle to find out what is going, on has just started.

Thoughts

Watching the first two episodes I had a feeling this theme of trading places was familiar. Checking with IMDb I found that Blake Crouch was not just the creator of Dark Matter, he also created Wayward Pines. The latter mentioned series was a favorite of mine for many reasons. Not least of which was the presence of Toby Jones.

Jones is missing in this Crouch offering but there are a number of heavy hitters. All the actors give us characters we believe in.

But getting back to the multiple timelines and multiple lives theme, at first glance, in the first episode it seems that the kidnapper Jason just wants to shag Daniela. Jason the victim, is in some sort of relationship with Amanda and he is the recipient of a prestigious award. Both Jason’s are in a different world but with changes that take getting use to.

However, because his life is different in this parallel world, most of the folks that he knows in his previous world, have no idea who he is. He does still teach though.

Just like Jason, the one we first met, we are all slightly disoriented.

A Little Addictive

Dark Matter has me more than a little intrigued. This despite the fact that I am not a huge Edgerton fan. It has nothing to do with his acting chops, the man has chops for days. He just has a look that rubs me the wrong way.

The first two episodes had me literally hooked from the moment the masked man took Jason away from his world. Again, the Wayward Pines vibe that I sensed made this one a “keeper.” You know a show is good when, coming to the last episode, there is a feeling of annoyance about having to wait for more.

Trailer

This is gripping television. Although it does feel like one of those blink and you will miss a crucial point. Thank goodness for streaming. Check out the trailer below and see what you think. So far we give this on a 4.5 stars out of 5.