For the most part, Dark Matter showrunner Blake Crouch adapted his 2016 sci-fi novel very faithfully to create season 1 of the Apple TV series. Although there were a handful of new characters and expanded storylines, the first run of episodes had a pretty clear philosophy of tasteful additions over radical changes. However, season 1 broke away from the formula in its final moments, with Crouch taking Dark Matter drastically off course.
It wasn't an entirely unwelcome change. It even made sense in the bigger picture. It opened up several exciting avenues heading into an unexpected season 2. That said, it has taken seven episodes of the current run for the big season 1 finale twist to actually pay off. Until now, it had felt like wasted potential. As Dark Matter progresses, I can certainly see that potential being put to good use.
FULL SPOILERS for Dark Matter season 2, Episode 7, "The Pyramid."
Blake Crouch's massive Jason2 book change in the Apple TV series, explained
In many ways, Jason2 (Joel Edgerton) is Dark Matter's most important character. He's the version of Jason who sets the entire story in motion. Although Dark Matter's "main" Jason, AKA Jason1, is often treated as the multiverse epic's central figure, that wouldn't be possible without Jason2's twisted scheme to kidnap his counterpart and steal his life. Jason2's plan remains the same in both the source material and the adaptation, but Edgerton's Jason2 has been given far more to do since season 1.
There's a very good reason for that: Jason2 is all but confirmed to die in the book. When Jason1 is on the run with Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) and Charlie (Oakes Fegley) after their reunion toward the end of the source material, the Dessen family patriarch is forced to kill Jason2. There's no sign that the story's villain will stop coming for him otherwise, despite Daniela and Charlie being terrified in the wake of discovering who Jason2 really is.
"I slap the gun out of his hand, grab the knife off the floor, and bury it in his stomach, the blade sliding in with no resistance. Standing, I jerk the knife out, and as Jason2 falls into me, grasping my shoulders, I stick him again with the blade. Over and over and over. So much blood pouring through his shirt and onto my hands, the rusted smell of it filling the room."Excerpt from Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Apple TV's Jason2 shows up at roughly the same time as his book counterpart during this scene in season 1, but rather than continuing to serve as a threat to the Dessens, the slow-burning subplot of his regret surrounding his actions wins out. He helps them escape the horde of other jealous Jasons and makes it out alive. By the end of season 1, he's still not dead. This alteration was huge, as it allowed Jason2's continued involvement as Apple TV took the show beyond the final page of the book in season 2.
Jason2's Dark Matter season 1 survival is only now starting to pay off
Stranded in Jason1's universe at the end of season 1, hiding himself away from the other Jasons whose lives he ruined, Jason2's fate in season 2 was one of the biggest things I was looking forward to learning. When he finally showed up, Dark Matter seemed unsure of how he should be handled. His redemption in season 1 was too little, too late, but he did at least deserve more than death-by-doppelganger. However, Apple TV's continuation of the story initially refused to do anything all that bold with him. All he wanted was a new world to live in, which he got.
Thankfully, season 2's "The Pyramid," this run's seventh episode, brought back Jason2 in a big way. Reunited with his version of Leighton Vance (Day Okeniyi) and Blair Caplan (Amanda Brugel), the trio behind building the Box, Jason2 looks to be furthering his research into his life's work. Furthermore, he's doing it in the same universe where Jason1 has been forced to live after the events of season 1. Their coming back together at the end of "The Pyramid" is sure to make the rest of Dark Matter season 2 especially spicy, and I can't wait to see where it leads.
Dark Matter season 2 is streaming now on Apple TV.
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