Dark Matter’s renewal is exciting, but it also means season 2 of the multiverse show could follow a similar trajectory that doomed another adaption of a book by the same writer.Blake Crouch is a renowned sci-fi author, and while only two shows have been created from his literary works so far, there is far more potential to come from his impressive back catalog. Althoughchanges were made to 2016’sDark Matterbook for season 1, the overall story remained the same in Apple TV+’s version. However,Dark Matterseason 2’s confirmationcalls for a very different production process.
Joel Edgerton led thecast ofDark Matterseason 1as Jason Dessen. Althoughthe inaugural run of episodes ends with the possibility of Edgerton’s returnin season 2, the story’s continuation would also largely make sense without his presence.Dark Matterseason 1’s endingimplies the focus will shift to other characters. Blake Crouch’s first live-action adaption back in 2015 repeated this storytelling trick, but it did not go well.
Wayward Pines Season 2 Is Proof That Dark Matter Season 2 Might Not Work
Both Blake Crouch shows ran out of source material after season 1
There is only oneDark Matterbook, as Crouch never wrote a sequel. Interestingly,Dark Matterseason 1 covers the entirety of the story. As such, there’s nothing left to adapt asthe show moves beyond the source material. This isn’t the first time a TV show adapted from Crouch’s work has adopted this technique. WhileWayward Pinesseason 1 reworked existing characters and storylines,Wayward Pinesseason 2 was left to create fresh additions to the timeline. Unfortunately, this led to a dip in quality when compared to season 1 and an eventual cancelation.
Wayward Pines
Cast
Wayward Pines is a sci-fi series based on the Blake Crouch novel series of the same name. Its story initially centers around Ethan Burke, a secret service agent investigating the disappearance of two of his fellow agents in a small Idaho town. The series ran for two seasons on Fox between 2014 and 2016 before being officially canceled a few years later.
TheDark Mattersource material being so limited resulted in the expectation that the Apple TV+ show would be one and done. Those unfamiliar with the book perhaps wouldn’t be as surprised by the season 1 finale, “Entanglement.” Cliffhangers and other teases aren’t anything new in the final episode of a season of television. However,Dark Matterseason 2’s story will be built from scratch- which is a worryingly huge part of the reason whyWayward Pinesseason 2 failed. Hopefully,Dark Mattercan learn from the mistakes made by its live-action Blake Crouch predecessor.
Wayward Pines' Lack Of Source Material In Season 2 Makes Far Less Sense Than Dark Matter Season 2
Fox tried to squeeze 3 books into one season of TV with Wayward Pines
There is a notable difference between the source material forWayward PinesandDark Matter, and it comes down to the amount that’s available to adapt. Fox’s version ofWayward Pinesmade the ambitious decision to compress the events of an entire book trilogy into a 10-episode run. It perhaps would have made far more sense for the show to adapt one book at a time. That way,Wayward Pinesseason 2 could have covered the events of the second bookrather than having to take the form of an original and untested story.
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The Last Town
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AlthoughDark Matterseason 2 finds itself in a similar position asWayward Pinesseason 2, it has at least arrived at the same point after a much more fitting number of episodes. Crouch’s 2016 sci-novel was used as the basis for 9 episodes of the Apple TV+ show. Thankfully,Dark Matter’s multiversal premise means the possibilities for the show’s canon are almost without end. So, the story’s continuation can include the same cast members, whileWayward Pineshad a considerable overhaul in terms of its onscreen personnel. It fitted in with the world’s lore, but it hurt the show.
Why Dark Matter Season 2 Will Be Better Than Wayward Pines Season 2
Blake Crouch is far more involved with the Dark Matter show than he was with Wayward Pines
AlthoughtheWayward PinesTV show wouldn’t exist without Blake Crouch, his involvement with the adaptation was limited. He’s credited as co-writing two episodes with the Duffer Brothers in season 1, but Crouch didn’t write any in the second run of episodes. It’s just unclear how much influence Crouch’s waning involvement had onWayward Pines’s decline, but it’s possible it was indeed a factor.Dark Matterseason 2 won’t have that same obstacle.
Blake Crouch served as the showrunner and lead writer forDark Matterseason 1, and he’s confirmed to return as the showrunner for season 2. So, just as all the new additions and changes already made to the show were approved by the book’s original author, the story’s continuation in the coming episodes will benefit from the same huge advantage. In short,Dark Matter’s future is much more promising than howWayward Pinesseason 2 turned out.
Dark Matter
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
