TV Show Review: Dark Matter

Sci Fi TV is about the only intelligent TV on the air these days that isn't based on History or Science. The rest is mindless dribble that claims 259 brain cells for each episode watched. That, and sports. There simply isn't anything original or good anymore...Unless its Sci Fi. Personally, I'd rather watch Star Trek reruns than a new episode of Two and a Half Men, or any other sitcom. There are several sci fi shows that are running right now that are excellent, such as Falling Skies, The Last Ship, Under the Dome, and a couple others. They are all very good, but the one I'm discussing is Dark Matter, on the Sy Fy Network. Don't worry, there are NO SPOILERS!

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Dark Matter

Friday Nights, 10PM Eastern on Sy Fy

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It is set in the distant future, and humans have gone into space, and achieved faster than light travel. But, space isn't the peaceful utopia portrayed in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is every man for himself, and there is a very vast and brutal corporation that is controlling everything.

The premise is that six people awaken on a ship, with amnesia. They don't know their names, history, or anything. They are obviously all suspicious of each other, but they decide to calm down and try to figure out what happened. They decide to name themselves as the number of the order they awoke in. 1 is a mild mannered buy whiny guy, 2, a sexy woman who takes control as captain, 3, a hot headed man who isn't very smart, 4, an Oriental man who is very quiet, but quickly realizes he has ninja abilities with fighting and weapons 5, a timid girl who doesn't seem to fit in with the rest, 6, a big bad black man. There is also a female android who keeps the ship together. She has no memory of these people either.

4, 6, 3, 2, 1, 5, and The Android

The ship 'The Raza'

The show chronicles what happens as they try to figure out who they are, and what they were doing on the ship, all while evading capture from the Corporation, and others who they may have had dealings with. Each episode gives another piece of the puzzle, and while it can be a bit confusing, it usually makes sense at the end of the episode. They grow as a crew, and a family, and their bond is more apparent with each episode. And, since the first thing they find out about each other is definitely not a good thing, they are going to have to stick together in order to have a chance to survive.

The Android...
I like her, but I hope 
they change her hair.

This show is very special. It is probably the best sci fi show running right now because A, it takes place in space. B, it has the elements of classic sci fi shows like Star Trek, with the attitude of Firefly. And, it isn't rehash either. This series premise is unique, and because of the fact that they have amnesia, there is no limit to the possibilities that the show could explore.

I mentioned that 3 was a hot head who wasn't very bright. You might be thinking of Jayne from Firefly. There are similarities, but they are completely different. In one of the episodes, 3 will surprise you. Big time. In fact, all these characters will grow on you to the point that you care about each and every one of them. Even The Android. And that is the mark of a good show.

5 and 6...They form a very sweet, 
almost father/daughter relationship

On a scale of 1-10, I am going to give this one a solid 8. That may rise as the show goes on, but season one so far has been incredible. Why not a 9 or 10? Because there is always room for improvement, and I would hope that the show's coming seasons are even better than the first one. A word to Sy Fy...DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW. I am SO tired of getting into a show only to have it get cancelled. Happened with Farscape, Firefly, the new V series, and so many others. My heart can't take another cancellation of a good series. And as always, I have an original sci fi series that needs to be seen. Hit me up, Sy Fy!

Anyway, watch this show. Its great, and has the potential to go down as one of the all time greats. It has great characters, great story writing, great character development, great special effects, great everything. Literally, everything a science fiction purist would want.

And, watch for cameos from other Sci Fi series actors! There are several just in season 1.

Which Iconic Sci-Fi Space Travel Device Would You Prefer?

 

Ok, I'm going to go geek on you all here, because there is a question that needs to be answered. Which Iconic Sci-Fi Space Travel Device Would You Prefer? Why does it need to be answered? Just because. But, there is a process we have to go through to determine which is the most desirable.

I can think of 3 drastically different types. Here they are: The Tardis from Doctor Who, The USS Enterprise from Star Trek, and the Stargate from Stargate. Now, before you go asking me why I didn't include Star Wars ships, let me tell you. Nothing about Star Wars ships compares to those in Star Trek. The Millenium Falcon made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, and it is generally accepted that hyperspace is faster than warp drive, there is nothing else that the Star Wars ships has over the Star Trek ships.

So, lets compare them, shall we?



USS Enterprise: Pros: Travels at warp speed, heavily armed, and shielded. Has holodecks, a bar, all the comforts of home, the transporter to decide exactly where you want to go.  Cons: You're there with hundreds of other people, you aren't allowed to drink alcohol or eat real meat, and the shields rarely hold if fired upon, can only travel in the Milky Galaxy. Its HUGE, and has a gazillion things that could go wrong...and do go wrong.



NCC 1701 A. The BEST version



The Tardis: Pros: Small, although bigger inside than it looks outside, easy to hide, it appears wherever you want it to, time travel is possible, you can go anywhere you want, you can go alone if you want, but can also have other people if you choose to, fixes itself in some cases. Easy to fix in others, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Also much faster than the Stargate and Enterprise. Can go anywhere in the universe. Cons:  Not very cozy, no privacy if you were traveling with someone and wanted it, Would have to go to a planet for just about every meal. A really bumpy ride.

The Stargate: Pros: You aren't confined to a ship. Cons: You are limited to the one galaxy unless you get a whole bunch of gates and string them between galaxy to galaxy. You have no say in where you go or come out. You simply go where the gate is, or you don't go. That could be dangerous either coming or going.

Now, lets put out some scenarios here to see which device would have the advantage in each scenario:

You are on another planet, and suddenly, you are ambushed by hostiles who want to kill you..or worse, eat you. You would have to run to the Stargate, and the Tardis. With the Enterprise, you could just beam up. Advantage, Enterprise.

You need to make a stealth entrance to a planet, grab something, and get out unnoticed. Clearly, the advantage goes to the Enterprise once again with the transporter, but you could also go unnoticed with the Tardis as long as you could find a place to hide it.

You need to get somewhere fast, but your destination is on the other side of the galaxy...or farther. Advantage, Tardis or Stargate if your destination is in this galaxy. It would take the Enterprise 75 years to get from one side or the other with warp drive, as we found out in Voyager.

You don't play well in large crowds, and simply want to be left alone, but still want to get out and see everything. Advantage. Tardis. You could give an advantage to the Stargate, but its best to travel in teams with it.

You are traveling, but wake up hungry in the middle of the night, and can't stop. Advantage, Enterprise.

So, in my opinion the Tardis would work the best for me. The reasons are the fact that I can literally go anywhere, and I can get there as fast or slow as I want. I can choose whether or not I want to be alone or with someone, and I can easily out run anybody, and leave no type of trail that an enemy can follow.

So, vote in the poll, and explain your answer in the comments! (preferably the comments section here on the blog!)

What sci fi travel device would you most want to have?
	USS Enterprise
	The Stargate
	The Tardis
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