Dark Matter, Defiance season 3 to air tonight!

Dark Matter

Tonight Syfy channel’s new TV series Dark Matter starring Roger Cross (Continuum, Orphan Black). Dark Matter is created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, and is based on the comic book of the same name. I am not familiar with the Dark Horse comic books and so I can’t recommend them, as for the series. It has not been widely announced. I first reported on it last year because Amanda Tapping would direct an episode. After her work on Continuum and Sanctuary I though it news worthy. So what is Dark Matter all about? Below you can read the synopsis…

The six-person crew of a derelict spaceship awakens from stasis in the farthest reaches of space. Their memories wiped clean, they have no recollection of who they are or how they got on board. The only clue to their identities is a cargo bay full of weaponry and a destination: a remote mining colony that is about to become a war zone. With no idea whose side they are on, they face a deadly decision. Will these amnesiacs turn their backs on history, or will their pasts catch up with them?

The premise certainly seems intriguing. Though I fear the scope is too limited for a Sci-Fi TV series. Stargate or Star Trek had opportunities to tell stories, whereas Stargate Universe was already more limited. I don’t know anything about the mechanics of the Dark Matter universe but planet hopping may not be possible.

Below you can watch a trailer for Dark Matter…

One reason Dark Matter is on my radar is because a number of Syfy alumni will make an appearance. Stargate Atlantis cast David Hewlett and Torri Higginson will feature as regulars. Will Wheaton from Star Trek TNG also features in a few episodes. Besides Roger Cross I am largely unfamiliar with he rest of the main cast: Melissa O’Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr, Jodelle Ferland and Zoie Palmer are not names I instantly recognize. However I am wiling to give them a fair shake for now. Sadly the first reviews of Dark Matter were mixed, IGN even give a thumbs down with a score of just 5 out of 10. Their major gripe are too familiar settings and characters. From what I have seen in the trailer, they may have a point. Let us hope the series can entertain for its full 13 episode first season.

Defiance is back for season 3…

After a mixed first season and better second season I almost forgot Defiance. It is a show with a lot of potential but it is also still trying to find its niche. The rich décor of intertwining stories with Votans and humans has so far not been fully utilized. Just like Rockne S. O’Bannon previous series Farscape a lot remains speculation. However, Defiance has garnered a small cult following. The show is not afraid of placing its main characters in harms way. The cast has so far done a terrific job with Grant Bowler, Jaime Murray, Tony Curran being particularly effective. However, I have no idea what the direction of season 3 will be.

Below you can view the trailer for Defiance Season 3

If you may remember Defiance also had an accompanying video game, called…. Defiance. It is a Free-To-Play MMO released just before season 1. The idea was that events that occurred in one would affect the other. Sadly it remained largely a marketing gimmick. The game received mixed review, but two years of additional patches and content may have made it better. Just like the TV-series it also has a small cult following. Check it out if you are looking for a good summer project. Defiance Season 3 will premiere tonight with a double episode, enjoy!

That was it for this little preview of what Syfy Channel has to offer. Next week, on Friday 19th another series, Killjoys, will also premiere on Syfy. It looks like it will be a excellent summer with lots of SF series.

The trailer for Killjoys…