Dark Matter

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 12, 2015
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 219 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 182 out of 219
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 219
  3. Negative: 17 out of 219
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User Reviews

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  1. undercontrol
    Jul 23, 2015
    6
    I think mediocre is the right adjective for this one. But I must say I kinda like the story; Sci-Fi fans will like it for sure. The special effects could be better, but it's still enjoyable.
  2. quincytheodore
    Jun 14, 2015
    6
    Dark Matter could be something unique with the mystery theme, though it needs more personality rather than becomes a reminiscence of other sci-fi show or film. The show opens with a decent mystery set-up for a sci-fi. The visual aspect also has the look of futuristic video game or others blockbuster movies. This can be disadvantageous though since it barely differentiates itself with otherDark Matter could be something unique with the mystery theme, though it needs more personality rather than becomes a reminiscence of other sci-fi show or film. The show opens with a decent mystery set-up for a sci-fi. The visual aspect also has the look of futuristic video game or others blockbuster movies. This can be disadvantageous though since it barely differentiates itself with other sci-fi mediums of the past. It doesn't seem that the show has big budget, but it could play with unique style like Alien's computer font from 70s or slightly oriental look of Firefly. Details such as the comms or panels fit its theme, it only needs more personality.

    Story revolves around the amnesiac passengers of an unnamed ship. Everyone wakes up not knowing basic information about themselves, though their respective expertise seems to be instinctively intact. It keeps the balance between characters introduction and the puzzle aspect pretty well. However, some of the scenes are geared towards sci-fi fans, which may alienate casual viewers with the futuristic lingo.

    Unfortunately, it has some rigid clichés with the actual stiff android, tech wiz child or silent yet deadly martial artist. Acting is a mixed bag. While the some of the actors have TV experience, most of them are fresh names. They have the chance to mold and identify the characters, although some of these characters might feel stereotypical.

    It needs a bit polish on the effect as well, the parts where visual depict the ship are old fashioned. Again, this may be due to budget restriction. What it can control like the camera placements and action choreography are definitely presentable. At times, the show displays atmospheric sci-fi aptly even with basic design.

    The crew of Space Amnesia might deliver nice premise despite the pedestrian production value. It might interest sci-fi fans, but it may be difficult to rival more refined shows.    … Expand
  3. pakar
    Jun 14, 2015
    4
    One more mediocrity from SyFy. Mediocre acting, dialogues that seem writeen from a high school student, derivative plot, cheap cgi. It's a pity that space shows come back to tv after 4 years with this
  4. Knighthawk81
    Jun 15, 2015
    4
    SyFy shows often take a bit of time to find their footing, and "Dark Matter" is likely no different. The pilot was uneven and only at the end did it begin to answer some questions. It's a cast of unknowns, so the hook here has to be the story. The pilot story was OK, but not incredibly compelling in the way it was told and put together. It remains to be seen if this develops into anythingSyFy shows often take a bit of time to find their footing, and "Dark Matter" is likely no different. The pilot was uneven and only at the end did it begin to answer some questions. It's a cast of unknowns, so the hook here has to be the story. The pilot story was OK, but not incredibly compelling in the way it was told and put together. It remains to be seen if this develops into anything interesting.… Expand
  5. weirdcryo
    Jul 2, 2016
    5
    some effects are pretty bad, there are some poor panels and doors that kills the immersion, some fight scenes are a huge miss, the dialogue and the writing gets corny and cliche but somehow the show manage to keep you watching.
  6. Folstar
    Dec 16, 2015
    6
    This show is totally not Firefly. It also isn't any other show, okay?
    The quirky young woman who has something wrong with her brain is learning to fight instead of a master fighter - totally not Firefly.
    The former rebel fighter who cares deeply about the well being of his crew mates isn't the captain - totally not Firefly. The greedy idiot character who names his gun isn't named Jane-    This show is totally not Firefly. It also isn't any other show, okay?
    The quirky young woman who has something wrong with her brain is learning to fight instead of a master fighter - totally not Firefly.
    The former rebel fighter who cares deeply about the well being of his crew mates isn't the captain - totally not Firefly.
    The greedy idiot character who names his gun isn't named Jane- totally not Firefly.
    The strong female character who is probably the most dangerous person on the ship is the one who had weird experiments done on here, not the quirky girl - totally not Firefly.
    The intelligent and thoughtful character who avoids violence and serves as the crews conscious isn't a doctor - totally not Firefly. Bonus, totally not Daniel Jackson.
    The super warrior who doesn't speak much and is an exiled leader to his people- totally not Firely, because that is SG1 again.
    The ship they explore filled with space zombies is the FAR Horizon, but the space zombies even though being made as a science experiment gone bad don't mutilate themselves - totally not Firefly or Event Horizon.
    The black guy has some secret ties to the powerful central government...
    They have an untrustworthy contact with a British accent...
    Constantly worried about running out of fuel (for half the season)...
    Deciding during the middle of a job to help the miners instead...
    The ship looks kind of like an animal...

    At least the idea of an android who is struggling with emotion from something wrong in her DATAbanks is a new idea- right, right?

    Everything is a copy of a copy in Dark Matter, but it still manages to be a decent show overall. Would probably be a good to great show for anyone who hasn't seen Firefly, TNG, SG1, etc...    … Expand
  7. nightblade00
    Nov 8, 2015
    6
    It was nice to see a space drama on TV again (really looking forward to the probably much better "expanse"). However, this one felt cheap. The writing was so so. The acting was about the same. Andriod and "3" are clearly better than the rest at being actual character actors. The universe was also not set up well. I knew quite a bit more about the firefly universe in 2 episodes thanIt was nice to see a space drama on TV again (really looking forward to the probably much better "expanse"). However, this one felt cheap. The writing was so so. The acting was about the same. Andriod and "3" are clearly better than the rest at being actual character actors. The universe was also not set up well. I knew quite a bit more about the firefly universe in 2 episodes than i did about this one in 10. However, it did have its small victories and there was just enough of a mystery element to it that it was a decently fun summer watch.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Jun 15, 2015
    40
    Dark Matter is a dud, and likely to make as much of a dent in the pop-cultural consciousness as the invisible substance it’s named after.
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  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jun 15, 2015
    50
    A lethal robot (Zoie Palmer), who tries to kill one of the six before they wipe her memory. She then sets about reconstructing the ship’s data, eventually learning the ship’s destination and their possible purpose that throws everything the audience has learned in the show’s first hour into question. It’s a good twist. What Dark Matter makes of it in future episodes remains to be seen.
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  3. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Jun 12, 2015
    50
    A workmanlike space opera.
    Read full review
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