Episode 5 of Dark Matter kicks off with Jason and Amanda embroiled in a precarious situation. As they cautiously unveil one of the doors, they're confronted with a world submerged in water, leaving them scrambling to slam it shut amidst the rising panic. Jason, visibly stressed, finds solace in Amanda's suggestion to bide their time, acknowledging the need for emotional respite.
Drenched to the bone, they shed their wet garments, revealing a vulnerability that sparks a profound conversation about their respective pasts. Amanda, an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding Jason's alter ego, finds herself on the opposite side of a vast informational divide as Jason struggles to comprehend even the basics of Amanda's world. This disparity fuels an intriguing discourse, their talk veering towards the stark contrasts between their realities.
An intriguing revelation emerges: Blair, an engineer in this realm, preceded them through the box, a stark contrast to her profession as a lawyer in Jason's world. Jason, striving for optimism, clings to the hope that she's found her utopia.
Refreshed from sleep and noticeably more composed, the duo embarks on another daring endeavor, pushing open the portal once more. They find themselves back in the lab, but it's a desolate scene—lights extinguished, the elevator defunct, and a stringent lockdown in effect. The mastermind behind this desolate landscape is none other than Blair herself, the very same Blair Amanda had been preoccupied with.
Blair leads them to her makeshift sanctuary, a testament to her resilience amidst the chaos. Despite the absence of power, she's managed to harness emergency generators, ensuring a meager supply of food and sustenance. However, the true horror of this world lies beyond the lab's walls—a swarm of colossal, winged beasts, their massive stingers a deadly threat. The surface is all but barren, forcing Blair to brave the hazards in a hazmat suit, scavenging for scarce resources.
This grim revelation paints a vivid picture of a world on the brink, where survival is a daily struggle, and even the strongest must adapt to endure.
As Jason indulges himself in tinkering with an enigmatic object within the vast main atrium, Blair candidly confesses that Amanda stands at a crossroads, requiring her to embark on a journey of self-discovery and independent decision-making. She finds herself devoid of direction, yearning to forge her own path and discover a world tailored just for her. Resolved, Blair elects to remain in the treacherous swarm world, steadfast in her resolve until the moment arrives for her to venture forth. Before bidding Amanda farewell and retreating into their respective boxes, Blair entrusts her with the Field Guide, a beacon of guidance amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, Jason and Leighton, their faces obscured by masks, engage in a hushed conversation, their voices laced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. They navigate the labyrinthine corridors, Jason divulging a sobering truth: their access to the multiverse is but a mere glimpse, limited to the realms that border their own existence.
Shifting gears, Jason and Amanda find themselves seemingly transported back to the familiarity of Jason's world, yet a strange unease lingers. The landscape, once bustling with life, now lies eerily vacant. Amanda's discomfort is palpable, yet Jason's heart yearns for the comfort of home. As they arrive, the revelation dawns that this return is not as idyllic as anticipated. Jason's world is a desolate shell, its inhabitants vanquished by a relentless virus that has reduced everything to silence and ruin.
Upon entering his abode, Jason encounters Daniela, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. Charlie, sequestered in his room, remains untouched by the outside chaos, a poignant reminder of a world that once was. The truth becomes all too clear: this world is under an impenetrable siege, its people trapped in a nightmare from which there seems to be no escape.
Amanda emphatically underscores that this realm is foreign to them, a place where they don't belong. Yet, Jason remains deaf to her caution, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. The virus, a sinister entity transmitted through the most intimate of fluids, demands his utmost vigilance. Yet, he disregards basic precautions, gloves and masks alike, opting instead for a fleeting goodbye as he hands over the soldiers' medicine, meant to "gentle her departure."
Jason and Amanda eventually traverse back to the mysterious box, their gateway to yet another dimension. This world appears harmonious, almost as if it were meant for them, but is it truly ours? As the Masked Jason engages in a conversation with Daniela, seeking to justify his past deeds, the narrative deftly interweaves scenes, creating a semblance of continuity while revealing the truth: our Jason stands apart, an outsider in this realm.
The stark contrast becomes evident when the local Jason, now a convicted inmate, finds our Jason standing in his bedroom, wielding a knife, a chilling sight indeed. Amidst apologies, they flee outdoors, Amanda by his side, seeking refuge in the shadows.
With sirens piercing the air and police hot on their trail, the duo frantically retreats to the box once more, narrowly escaping capture.
As the episode draws to a close, the Masked Jason briefly ventures back to his own world, intent on procuring essentials. But upon witnessing the traces of blood from their encounter with our Jason, he realizes the gravity of their situation: they've inadvertently ventured into the vast multiverse.
This revelation prompts a decisive action. He instructs Leighton to embark on a quest for the elusive dream world, while he himself embarks on a mission to seal the box, forever barring our Jason's return. This act, laden with consequences, introduces a palpable sense of urgency to this sci-fi odyssey, as the ticking of an imaginary clock echoes through the fabric of reality.
