Dark Matter (TV Series) Pilot - Part 1 (2015) User Reviews

Hit or miss? Difficult to say based on the first episode.

[Bemmu · 7/10 · 7 July 2016]

I have not seen any other episodes of this series yet, so I figured before I turn into a fan or a hater, I'd simply give my first impressions on this episode.

The basic premise is that this is a ship in space, with the entire crew in deep sleep, awakening one by one only to discover that each has lost their memories. Not a terribly original premise, but it's a favorite as it instantly allows you to identify with the characters, as you also don't know their backgrounds and discovering what they are is a goal you share in common with the crew.

But it soon gets painful as the characters seem to be very one-dimensional and caricatured. This girl is smart. This guy is aggressive. This Asian guy is good with knives. And so on. You feel a bit cringy throughout the middle of the first episode, as everyone tries to come off as cool, only to actually come off as a bunch of little boys desperately trying to act cool.

But I'm willing to forgive this. Even Star Trek TNG started off pretty weak, as the actors themselves obviously hadn't gotten used to their roles yet. There is enough plot development throughout the episode to keep your interest, although I was very close to giving up on the series several times.

In the end there is a plot twist (how twisty it is depending on your expectations, I think some might have seen it coming) and a cliffhanger that actually works, keeping you interested enough to want to see how things turn out in the next episode.

Whether this will be a great series or just a continuation of cringy painful one-dimensional characters remains to be seen.

Worth a Second Look

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 18 September 2020]

The plot becomes interesting right away with all the secrets from people with erased mem, ories. The problem is the stiff, stichomythic delivery. Each character is a type, like NCIS in space. Fortunately, there is a female android to put two and two together. It's interesting that they and the people on the planet all speak English. But what sustains everything is the discovery made at the end. There is a moral issue that makes them somewhat defective--or does it? Anyway, it appears I've got a time killer when I feel like something lightweight.

Overall first thoughts

[gilbertavendano · 10/10 · 13 June 2015]

To sum everything up to start with the campaign for advertising this series was on point. Didn't give too much but gave enough to catch the viewers interest, Opening scene played with my imagination on what possibly could unravel reminded me of another series "Stargate:Atlantis" but in its own unique way. Overall watching the pilot made me feel as if this series could go in many directions! Causing one to ponder on what could possibly happen. A ship full of rogues,trained and ready to kill. Will they stand to have morals or continue the lives they've already made for themselves. Only true issue is will it be short-lived or will it go on to be another hit series for Syfi. One can only wait and see.

Acting:10/10 Visuals:10/10 Story:8/10

A must watch!