Episode 4 of Dark Matter kicks off with a tumultuous upheaval in the parallel realm, as Leighton frantically grapples with the aftermath of Jason's daring actions. With determination etched on his face, he ventures into the enigmatic box, sealing the door behind him, embarking on a quest to track down Jason and his companion, Amanda, into the unknown.
Meanwhile, Amanda and Jason forge a resilient partnership, traversing an interminable corridor that seems to stretch beyond comprehension. Jason hypothesizes that this labyrinthine path is a portal to myriad realities, their minds weaving an interpretive tapestry to comprehend the impossible, for without such a construct, it would remain inscrutable.
As they approach a door, they step through its threshold, only to find themselves in a world reduced to rubble. A thick veil of ash blankets everything in sight, and as they edge closer to the front door, the devastation becomes all the more apparent—a gaping hole in the ceiling allows more ash to pour in, revealing the building's shattered state.
Venturing outside, they are confronted with a desolate wasteland where once stood proud structures, now mere husks of their former selves, crumbling before their startled eyes. Amidst the chaos, they swiftly retreat back into the sanctuary of the box, Amanda's keen observation revealing a cache of fifty vials, each a key to traverse the multiverse's boundaries—or twenty-five, if their resources are meticulously divided.
Injecting themselves once again, they find themselves back in the labyrinthine corridor, their journey renewed. Coincidentally, Leighton too has breached this threshold, his resolve to reunite with the duo unwavering as he sets forth on his own expedition.
Amanda and Jason now embark on a relentless leapfrog through diverse realities, each more bizarre than the last. Yet, one particular realm, devoid of atmosphere, sends shivers down Amanda's spine, inciting a panicked flight. Jason, with steely resolve, dissuades her, reminding her of the infinite expanse of possibilities within the multiverse and the urgency of their mission. Hunger and thirst now pressing concerns, they realize they must act swiftly to survive.
After a harrowing encounter with a belligerent Leighton, who cruelly extinguished the lives of parallel versions of Amanda and Jason, the duo embarked on a seemingly aimless odyssey, doors flying open at random, devoid of rhyme or reason. As fate would have it, they stumbled upon a frozen wasteland, an icy tundra that stretched endlessly before them. Amanda, fueled by resilience, embraced the challenge, while Jason, ever the protector, silently vowed to shield them both from the biting cold.
As the relentless chill claimed Amanda's consciousness, Jason's determination shone brighter than the arctic night. He stumbled upon a secluded cabin, where he ignited a roaring fire, a beacon of warmth amidst the frosty expanse. With Amanda safely nestled in its embrace, he gazed out at the desolate, snow-covered world, a landscape now devoid of the raging storm but no less bleak for it.
The loss of the mysterious box, buried beneath layers of snow, weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, amidst the adversity, Jason discerned a pattern—a theory that the labyrinthine corridors were but a reflection of their emotional state at the moment of each door's unveiling. With renewed purpose, he and Amanda set to work, shoveling through the snow in a desperate search for the elusive box.
Meanwhile, in the realm of reality, a masked Jason strode a path divergent from his counterpart's. He exhorted Charlie to abandon caution, driving recklessly and forsaking responsibility for his students. Fed up with a life he deemed a "lingering death," he vowed to seize the day, living life on his own terms, unbound by constraints or expectations.
He promptly rushes over to reunite with Leighton, their conversation filled with catching up on lost time. Piercing through Jason's carefully crafted veneer, he declares candidly that while he cherishes their friendship, he has no intention of embarking on any new endeavors at the moment. Determined to sway his friend's decision, Jason leads him to the warehouse, offering a psychoactive substance as a means to change his mind. Together, they descend into the mysterious box, embarking on a journey through dimensions.
As the door slams shut behind them, they find themselves traversing an endless corridor. Jason, now masked, meticulously explains the mechanics of their travel, urging Leighton to maintain focus. He warns that a single misdirected thought could plunge them into a world of indescribable peril, a play on words that hangs ominously in the air. After a breathtaking excursion to a utopian realm, they return to reality, where Jason confides in Leighton, revealing that in his world, he holds Leighton among his dearest friends. This trust forms the foundation for sharing his deepest secret.
Leighton, overcome with emotion, confesses his longing to leave everything behind and start anew. Little does he know, this is precisely the opportunity Jason has in mind for him.
Upon Jason's return home, he's confronted with a dire situation: Charlie and Daniela are distraught, for it is the somber anniversary of Max's passing, and Jason's absence had been keenly felt. Swiftly, he alleviates Charlie's doubts by surprising him with a brand-new car, a lavish gift that leaves Daniela both astonished and concerned about their financial stability. Jason, however, insists they can afford it, even urging Daniela to reignite her passion for painting.
Meanwhile, another Leighton stumbles through the same corridor, his clothes stained with blood, his body bruised, and his hands clutching a box filled with vials. He gazes out at a world that resembles the frozen landscape Amanda and Jason had encountered, yet he remains steadfast in the corridor, sealing the door behind him and resolutely pressing forward into the unknown.
