What I’m Watching: Dark Matter (Season Finale)

Dark Matter: Season 2, Episode 13 “But First, We Save the Galaxy” (B+)

I was going to write that this wasn’t as explosive a finale as I had expected, but I think that would definitely be the wrong choice of words. There was actually plenty that happened, and I think it’s more that things are in such an uncertain state. We learned a surprising lesson from the season premiere which was that the characters are expendable, even those who are part of the original six. Nyx getting killed by Misaki is lamentable, to be sure, but she was never really one of the crew and was doomed to be exiled by them or someone else eventually. Her death, which will inevitably be revealed to the villainous emperor once known as Four, is going to help humanize him, since he obviously still possesses some ties to his better self, informing the android about his plan so that she could warn the crew and try to help them get off the station before everything blew up. It was fun to see the crew in fancy civilian garb, and Five made particular progress as a member of Commander Truffault’s entourage. That she was able to convince an enhanced android that he needed to airlock himself so that he wouldn’t kill scores of people was impressive, and given that she and Six were the only ones conscious at the time of major explosions, it’s hopeful that they made it out okay. I can’t imagine that Two or Three would be cut loose since they truly are the series’ stars, but it’s hard to know with this show. I’m glad it will be back for season three since I think it is a great addition to the TV landscape, and I’ve enjoyed a season that feels like it’s flown by.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Zoie Palmer as the Android