Episode Two (Dark Matter)
| "Episode Two" | |
|---|---|
| Dark Matter episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 1 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | TJ Scott |
| Written by | Joseph Mallozzi |
| Original air date | June 19, 2015 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
"Episode Two" is the second episode of the Space channel's science fiction series Dark Matter.
The episode was written by series creator and executive producer Joseph Mallozzi, and directed by TJ Scott. The episode first aired in Canada on June 19, 2015.
Plot
In the opening scene, stunned by the revelations about their real identities, the crew decide to discuss their next move. Three tells the group that he's concerned about how Ferrous Corp may react should they not complete the job they were hired for. One tells him that he's no murderer, to which Three responds that the screen says otherwise. Four mentions that they are the memories they had left behind and that they don't matter. The Android asks Portia if she would like to continue the data recovery, she tells her to call her Two.
Meanwhile, The Android bonds with Five who wonders how she became a part of the crew as her face is not on the screen, and how she came to be aboard the Raza. The Android tells her that someday, that may be a good thing.
One, Three, Four and Six deliver the weapons to the miners on the planet. One makes it clear to the group that he wants to help them. On the Raza's bridge, Two and Five see a Ferrous Corp destroyer called the Deliverance drop out of FTL and send a shuttle to the planet. Before replying to Deliverance's signal, Two attempts to warn the Marauder, but no one is aboard; they are all celebrating with the miners. When Two hails Deliverance, they demand to know why the crew haven't completed the job they were hired for, and tells her that they're sending a shuttle over to the Raza to discuss the situation.
On the planet, the group and the miners are forced to open fire on the Ferrous Corp soldiers when One unsuccessfully negotiates with their leader, who calls him by his real name, Jace Corso. With the battle over, Three and Six tell the miners they're leaving, to their dismay. One voices his concern for the miners' safety should they leave. He then offers the miners his support, and offers to take any who wish to leave back with them to the Raza.
On the Raza, Two tells Five to go hide, before she meets with the Ferrous Corp representative, Commander Nieman. He informs Two of the situation on the planet, and offers to forgive the advance payment for the Raza's uncompleted assignment, provided that Two abandons her crew on the planet and leaves orbit.
On the planet, Six is about to take off when he sees that the Raza is gone. The crew return to the settlement to give their support to the miners. Four questions a captured soldier and learns that they're planning to target their reactor, which will level the facility and kill everyone in the settlement.
The group decide to make a stand along with the miners in the reactor room and are besieged by Ferrous Corp soldiers. Meanwhile, the Raza returns to the planet and is attacked by the Deliverance, but is joined by two battle cruisers from the Mikkei Combine, a rival to Ferrous. Two tells the Deliverance to stand down, and invites Nieman to the Raza to meet the Mikkei commanders, who announce that the colony is under the protectorate of the Mikkei Combine.
Two explains to the group that the best way to fight the corporations is to play them against each other; when she left orbit, she went to the nearest Mikkei outpost to negotiate a 99 year lease with them on the miners' behalf, which the miners have signed.
Five tells Two that she has a memory – belonging to someone else – of causing their amnesia; this was done because they are dangerous.
Reception
Ratings
"Episode Two" was watched by 262,000 overnight viewers on the Space channel in Canada.,[1] and 946,000 viewers on Syfy, with a 0.22 18-49 rating during its first airing.[2]
Critical reception
Reaction to the episode from critics were generally positive, with Michael Ahr from Den of Geek noting that "Personalities begin to blossom" and that there is a solid foundation forming. He notes with great interest the various plot elements unraveling during the episode, including that of the various corporations that have come into play, the mysterious door, and Five's dreams.[3] Tom Gardiner from Three if by Space comments that "Dark Matter is a character-driven show that’s well-written and full of great dialogue" and praises the VFX and stunt work on the show.[4] Mitch Salem from Showbuzz Daily however was critical of the writing and referred to the show as an "Utterly basic genre piece" [5]
References
- ↑ "Space Original Series KILLJOYS Seizes the Day as 286,000 Overnight Viewers Makes it the #1 Entertainment Specialty Program Friday". Bellmedia.ca. June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ Salem, Mitch (June 22, 2015). "Showbuzzdaily's Top 100 Friday Cable Originals(& Network Update): 6.19.2015". Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ Ahr, Michael (June 20, 2015). "Dark Matter Episode 2 review". Den of Geek. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
- ↑ Gardiner, Tom (June 21, 2015). "Dark Matter: Episode 2 Review – It's Bubba Time!". Three if by Space. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
- ↑ Salem, Mitch (June 20, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY Pilot + 1 Review: "Dark Matter"". Showbuzzdaily. Retrieved June 20, 2015.