Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the Dark Matter season 1 finale!
Summary
Dark Mattershowrunner and author Blake Crouch has revealed whether Daniela ends up with the original Jason at the end of the series. At theend ofDark Matter, Jason ends up taking his family through the Box. The trio relocate to another world after various versions of himself come back in search of his family. However, while it’s clear one version of the original Jason ended up being with his family, it’s never made apparent if this is the same one that viewers followed throughout the rest of the show.
Speaking withScreen Rant, though, Crouch offered a definitive answer, confirmingthe Jason who ends up with Daniela duringDark Matter’s ending is the same one focused on throughout the show.While the showrunner admits there’s room for a different interpretation about which version is the original, the intention was never to trick audiences or leave anything unanswered. Check out what Crouch had to say below:
The intention really isn’t to get to the end of the show and be like, are we watching our heroes the whole time? In my mind, yeah, we are. There’s enough other big questions raised. I’m not trying to mess with the audience along those lines. Technically, yes, between [episodes] five and six, we could have switched to a different Jason [and] Amanda. For all we know, the Jason we were following from [episodes] one through five was actually the Jason that tells him to be careful and make sure you take care of her [at the end]. It’s a valid interpretation. I’m sure there will be many of those crazy, crazy theories that come out after the show finishes airing.
The ambiguity came out just because we really had the time to tell the story of this family coming back together in the last episode, and, in a lot of ways, in a book, you don’t have to address some things that you have to address [on TV]. When you see things on a screen, and especially with what Daniella went through, and how that would actually cast a real shadow on the family’s reunion, that was kind of a big thing that we found in making the show that wasn’t there in the novel.
Why The Original Jason Being With Daniela Makes The Ending Better
His Journey Was Worth Every Step
Although the ending of the sci-fi series has plenty that is left up for interpretation, especially the stories of otherDark Mattercharacters,Crouch makes it a point to confirm which Jason wound up with Daniela. His explanation makes sense, as the one seen in episodes 8 and 9 hinted at having the same memories as the one followed throughout the rest of the show. While there’s wiggle room for interpretation that he’s just a similar version of the main character, the showrunner is direct about how the ending was intended to be viewed.
By having the original Jason end up with Daniela, the series provides a satisfying conclusion to the story, without any loose ends for the Dessen family. Had it been a different version of him than the one followed throughout the show, it wouldn’t have been as impactful to see the trio reunited. But, because the one followed from the very start ends up with his family, it makes for a well-rounded story with a happier ending than if it was left up to interpretation.
It also means that, ifDark Matterseason 2were to happen in the future, it wouldn’t require the Dessen family because of the definitive, happy ending they got in season 1. This concludes their story with a note of finality, meaning whatever could happen in the future likely won’t see them coming back into the picture. Thanks to Crouch’s elaboration on the season finale, it’s given a much more definitive, happy ending for Jason and Daniela, making it the perfect conclusion to the show.
Dark Mattercould continue thanks to other character stories, like Amanda and Ryan, not being entirely resolved.
Dark Matter
Cast
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.
