Spoilers Dark Matter - Season 2

[Wouter]

Some interesting things from the "fun facts" for this episode (with thanks to Marc for pointing this out):
"The names of the Corporations are Traugott, Ferrous, Mikkei, Volkov-Rusi, Electus, Vanguard, Pendragon, Vermogen, Samantha, Gexin and Inkosi. And they all hate each other."

And under spoiler code:

Spoiler: About Misaki/Nyx and a minor spoiler for S3

"An early version of the script had Misaki Han catching Nyx off-guard and running her through with her sword from behind but, because of Nyx's predicative gift, it was deemed unlikely that she would've been taken by surprise. And so the decision was made to poison her instead."
I see I had misread Marc's post: the "fact" wasn't talking about the scene on Zairon, but it was this instead.

"Creator Joseph Mallozzi approaches each season like a separate installment in a book series. The first season dealt with the search for identity, opening with the reveal that the crew of the Raza are wanted criminals and ending with their capture by the Galactic Authority. The second season dealt with the burgeoning corporate rivalries, starting with the prospect of a corporate war and ending with the event that will presumably trigger the conflict. The show's third season will focus on the crew and their role in the corporate war."

One way to save everyone, that we hadn't yet considered, would be a time travel episode, but while Mallozzi has promised one in S3 I doubt he will do a complete reset after such a finale.

 

[Christopher]

The rest of the argument is mainly a response to specific points, like you pointing out her physical prowess is only a disadvantage compared to Two. I just think that the "only" is discounting the specific strengths of fighters like Ryo.

But that's not what I meant. I was responding to Star Wolf's comment about "the weakness of the Nyx character since we found out she wasn't enhanced in the similar manner to Two." So I meant that the specific fact that she doesn't have the same enhancements as Two is only a weakness compared to Two, because nobody else has those enhancements either (except that one guy Rook sicced on her). Comparing her to another character's unique ability strikes me as a rather arbitrary and unfair way to assess her strength or weakness. "Yes, she has a superpower, but it's not the exact same superpower as this other character, and that makes her weak." Huh?

 

[Star Wolf]

But that's not what I meant. I was responding to Star Wolf's comment about "the weakness of the Nyx character since we found out she wasn't enhanced in the similar manner to Two." So I meant that the specific fact that she doesn't have the same enhancements as Two is only a weakness compared to Two, because nobody else has those enhancements either (except that one guy Rook sicced on her).

Unlike you I don't see it as a major advantage. The average linebacker can run through her no matter how many seconds of head start her predictions give her the average boxer can hit her before her brain can say bob, duck and slip.

 

[Christopher]

Unlike you I don't see it as a major advantage. The average linebacker can run through her no matter how many seconds of head start her predictions give her the average boxer can hit her before her brain can say bob, duck and slip.

Again, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that it's arbitrary to judge her specifically against Two. Obviously any two different characters are going to have different abilities, so why make Two the unique comparison? Just because they're both women?

Besides, why are you limiting this strictly to matters of combat? Yes, Nyx's predictive ability has been shown to be useful to her in combat, but it's also useful in other ways, as we saw in the guessing game in the third-to-last episode. It's an intellectual and perceptual ability, and that means it could be useful in many contexts. A character who can read people well enough to anticipate their fight moves can read them in other ways too, anticipate their plans and strategems, catch them in deceptions, manipulate and influence them by reading and playing toward their reactions. There are all sorts of possibilities.

 

[Star Wolf]

Again, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that it's arbitrary to judge her specifically against Two. Obviously any two different characters are going to have different abilities, so why make Two the unique comparison? Just because they're both women?

Besides, why are you limiting this strictly to matters of combat? Yes, Nyx's predictive ability has been shown to be useful to her in combat, but it's also useful in other ways, as we saw in the guessing game in the third-to-last episode. It's an intellectual and perceptual ability, and that means it could be useful in many contexts. A character who can read people well enough to anticipate their fight moves can read them in other ways too, anticipate their plans and strategems, catch them in deceptions, manipulate and influence them by reading and playing toward their reactions. There are all sorts of possibilities.

Maybe because we have only seen her as a combatant. Her introduction was fighting a known enhanced Two to a standstill and then sparing with a samurai as foreplay

 

[Christopher]

But what we've seen a character do in the past doesn't limit their future potential. Characters are supposed to grow.

 

[Wouter]

I found an interesting interview with Mallozzi which dates from early 2012: after the release of the comic, but well before the TV series was greenlighted: http://www.themortonreport.com/books/interviews/stargates-joseph-mallozzi-unveils-dark-matter/

 

[Christopher]

Looks like the comic only ran for four issues, which would correspond to the opening 2-parter of the show, from what the interview says. Which means the comic wouldn't help answer any questions about their original plans for season 2 or beyond, vis-a-vis One or Devon or Nyx.

 

[Wouter]

Looks like the comic only ran for four issues, which would correspond to the opening 2-parter of the show, from what the interview says. Which means the comic wouldn't help answer any questions about their original plans for season 2 or beyond, vis-a-vis One or Devon or Nyx.

Yes, the comic covers the pilot. But what Mallozzi told about the way he wanted to approach the TV series he (then) hoped to realise, that's the interesting part:

“This is a series that’s built on mysteries, but it’s not going to be one of those shows where you set up all these mysteries and there’s never any pay off because sometimes the writers don’t know where they’re going. I know exactly where I’m going; I’ve got a beginning, middle and an end, not only for the TV series but for the different arcs of our various characters and their individual storylines. The benefit of that is actually being able to foreshadow and drop clues for the loyal audience member who is paying attention. They’ll be able to piece everything together and hopefully arrive at the conclusion, or some conclusions, ahead of perhaps the more casual viewer"

I re-watched the first three episodes of S1, and the amount of stuff that is already introduced is nice to notice. The blink drive is right there, in ep3.
There is also foreshadowing present, regarding the Android, Four and Two.
Something I noticed that struck me: Five was the first to go for the guns, right after Three busted the crate open.

I also have to say, after watching those episodes again I do miss One. He did bring a kind of heart to the show. I think I will miss Four being part of the crew, too.

 

[Cyrus]

If she does come back, that's perfectly fine by me, though I would prefer to keep Kierken, if I had to choose

WTF? Nyx is super hot. Kierken not so much.

I may boycott if Nyx is not back. If both Nyx and Two are gone then I will definitely boycott.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I like Kierken because he looks like he belongs on a Blake's 7 set.

 

[BigFoot]

I like Kierken because I really liked him on The Lost Girl (Bo & Dyson forever!).

 

[Wouter]

WTF? Nyx is super hot. Kierken not so much.

Sure, but Kierken is a unique character with unique knowledge, representing a possible avenue that I hope the show may take.

Nyx is quite close to Two as a character (in which case, I prefer Two), allthough Christopher has a point her predictive ability could be developped.

As for the actors, I think the actor portraying Kierken is convincing. I thought Melanie Liburd did well in the opening episodes but in the last 3 or so episodes it seemed to me she has been using a smiling/pleased expression a bit too often (like, for example, when she pointed out that letting the GA take 3 and 5 could actually be helpful in the long run - a more serious look would hav been more appropriate IMO). That could be down to the directors though, I suppose.

 

[Christopher]

Nyx is quite close to Two as a character (in which case, I prefer Two), allthough Christopher has a point her predictive ability could be developped.

I don't think they're that similar, aside from being women who are terrific fighters with special talents (and who are also breathtakingly gorgeous). Nyx has her memories, which is a big difference right there. She's not as driven to seek redemption as Two, and also seems more laid back, which is perhaps connected. Also, Two is the heart of the crew while Nyx is the sole outsider, the one person who didn't share in the formative experiences of the rest. That's a major difference in perspective and potential right there. There was even a line about that, someone (the Red Android?) asking Nyx if she would ever be truly accepted by the others, in an attempt to sow mistrust.

 

[Marc]

Hmm it looks like Kirken might be done. Kris Holden-Reid is moving on the next series of History Channels Vikings as well as busy with a couple of other projects.

https://www.thestar.com/entertainme...6/kris-holden-reid-joins-cast-of-vikings.html

No mention of his work on Dark Matter.

 

[cylkoth]

It says that season 5 is currently in production. If he's recurring, it doesn't nessesarily mean he won't be able to continue his guest role for DM. S2 began filming mid December last year and wrapped late March. Vikings could be finished by December-thats just speculation on my part, I don't watch the show or know it's production schedule.

 

[Forbin]

I know S4 of Vikings is already in he can and will be shown in November.

 

[Anwar]

About Nyx's predicative powers...if the person she's fighting is simply that much stronger and faster than her, then her powers won't mean much because she isn't strong enough to overpower the person she's fighting anyways. All she'll predict is her inevitable defeat.

 

[Christopher]

About Nyx's predicative powers...if the person she's fighting is simply that much stronger and faster than her, then her powers won't mean much because she isn't strong enough to overpower the person she's fighting anyways. All she'll predict is her inevitable defeat.

Sure, you can come up with a scenario where any character's advantage can be defeated. We've seen Two defeated despite her advantages. We've seen the Android defeated despite her advantages. A character who never lost would be boring. So I don't see what your point is here. Nyx can still be an asset to the crew and to the show without needing to be 100% unbeatable. None of the characters on the show are unbeatable. That's what you want in a team-based story, so that the characters need to depend on each other and help each other.

Also, as I said before, I don't understand the narrowness of addressing her abilities exclusively in terms of combat scenarios. The ability to predict people's behavior has obvious applications to many, many things besides fighting, as the Seers themselves proved repeatedly.

 

[Forbin]

Wonder Woman: "Batman, I've heard you've thought of a way to defeat each of us if we turn bad."
Batman: "Yes."
WW: "But have you thought of what WE should do if YOU go bad?"
Batman: "Yes."
WW: "Well?"
Batman: "Run."