Dark Matter season 1 adapted the 2016 Blake Crouch sci-fi book of the same name, making season 2 a journey into previously unexplored territory. Thankfully, the source material's multiversal premise has offered up plenty of storytelling opportunities that don't feel forced or desperate. In other words, Apple TV had been more than justified in its decision to go beyond the novel.
That being said, although there is still plenty of room for expansion as season 2 nears its end, the penultimate episode makes it feel like the story will come to a finite conclusion very soon. In fact, I get the distinct impression that the finale, which airs next week, will be the last we ever see from the Dark Matter universe. Whether or not that's a waste of potential is another matter.
Why Dark Matter season 2's finale could end the series
Firstly, it's important to bear in mind that Apple TV hasn't yet renewed Dark Matter for season 3. That doesn't mean much on its own, but it's something to consider. There are more convincing pieces of evidence to support my claim, though, in season 2's penultimate episode: "How to Build the Box."
For example, at the core of season 2 has been Jason's (Joel Edgerton) obsession with the Box. He's spent a lot of time figuring out exactly how it works, and how it could be destroyed or deactivated. Neither option has felt possible until this week's episode. The Box has been established to just spawn in any universe it travels to, and if it's moved or destroyed, a new one appears in its place.
One universe has just been discovered to be immune to this phenomenon: the universe where Jason2 and company built the Box in the first place. Because it's the original version of the Box, Jason and his new team have theorized that taking it offline for good will mean severing the connection across the multiverse, ridding all other worlds of their Boxes and ending the ability to travel between worlds.
It seems like a very specific plan to mention if it isn't going to be put into action. If and when it is, Dark Matter will be left without the very thing that defines its storyline. Plus, with Detective MacNamara (Chris Diamantopoulos) now out of the way for good, and Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) quietly realizing his plan to map the multiverse is causing more harm than good, the stage certainly seems to be set for Dark Matter to end.
The only real issue is that Jason is currently unaware that Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) and Charlie (Oakes Fegley) are in different worlds, each for different reasons. So, if the original Box is taken offline, everyone could be forever stranded in the universe they are in at that time. This possibility could create some great last-minute tension, and possibly a heartbreaking ending.
Should Dark Matter season 2 be the end for the Apple TV series?
As I mentioned earlier, Dark Matter has barely scratched the surface of its near-limitless potential. The show could keep creating and exploring new realities for basically as long as it wants. That might not be the best idea, though. Dark Matter isn't like other multiverse stories. It's incredibly grounded and built around only a handful of characters.
As a result, the story being told ends up being intimate and deeply character-driven. The multiverse isn't used as a gimmick, but as a powerful vehicle to explore deep-seated emotions like regret and longing. If Dark Matter season 2 offers a suitable endpoint for the main storyline, then making Dark Matter season 3 could feel cheap and unnecessary.
Furthermore, it made perfect sense for Dark Matter season 2 to happen. The book left loose ends that, while intentional, begged to be picked up again one day. Apple TV has given Blake Crouch the chance to do just that, but there's no need to keep things going just for the sake of it.
If Jason and company can end multiverse travel, then the show can conclude as a complete arc that chronicles the invention of the Box and the prevention of its inherent downsides from taking hold forever. On the other hand, I would be more than willing to tune back in for another run if Apple TV gives Dark Matter season 3 the green light.
Dark Matter season 2 is streaming now on Apple TV.
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