Dark Seasons 1, 2 & 3 (Spoiler Free): "The Beginning is the End and the End is the Beginning"

In a world where OTT Platforms churn out compelling and sometimes not so compelling TV shows and movies every week, Dark stands out not just as a genre defining masterpiece but as a reminder that what we know is just a drop but what we don't know is an ocean.

Disclaimer: If you've already seen the show and are looking for explanations or any manner of analysis on the events that take place during the course of it's 3 seasons, be warned that this is a mostly spoiler free piece written purely in appreciation of the creators, writers, producers and actors along with fragments of my own opinion on the overarching concepts that exist within this fictional universe.

When describing the brilliance of Dark, it is difficult to know where to begin and so I have decided begin from the end (helps that I completed the final season most recently). For a show that could've chosen dozens of ways to conclude it's saga, each more complex than the next I'm sure, the sheer simplicity of it's end speaks to the foresight possessed by the show-runners. Throughout it's 3 seasons, the story of Dark has proven to really be the story of humankind with the key difference being that instead of a beginning and an end with time passing in a linear manner as traditional laws would dictate, the creators imagine a world where everything we do happens within a closed cycle and hence we are doomed to repeat our actions again and again for all of eternity. No matter how hard we try to alter our actions or our words in the hope that we can circumvent the mistakes of our past, in the end we are all doomed to enact our destinies with the only constant being time.

Speaking of! The crux of the show revolves around time travel and there's tons of it, wouldn't you know. Though at first it may seem like there is a lot going on with various different events taking place across various points in time and new characters popping up in each timeline who may or may not be connected to the protagonists in some way or the other (everything is connected), having now seen the conclusion and how the writers and creators namely Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, have managed to neatly resolve most of the open story threads, I can safely say that we as the viewers feel a sense of catharsis and a renewed confidence in our intellects by the end.

While science nerds like me can revel in the discussions had on the concepts of the Bootstrap Paradox, Dark Matter, Black Holes, the Schrodinger's Cat experiment, Wormholes and so much else, the more grounded elements of loyalty towards one's family and friends, love, sacrifice and fractured relationships during times of crises are sure to resonate with a wider audience right up until the curtain call.

So as many of you may have realized already, the reason for me writing this piece today is to shine a light, even if for a few moments, on an oft ignored Netflix original that I will admit has recently been able to draw a few more eyes from the international audience (Did I mention it's entirely in German?) including mine and I can honestly say that we have stumbled upon a hidden gem. I have tried to keep this as short and spoiler free as possible but one thing that I can confidently reveal is that the show's complex and intricate narrative, beautifully dark (pun intended) presentation, brilliant acting, haunting soundtrack, spot on casting and precise attention to every minute detail make Dark on Netflix a must watch in my humble opinion.

Verdict - 5/5 Time Machines

Downside - Not for critics of the Sci-Fi genre or those who aren't fans of slow-burn thrillers

Similar To - Maybe Interstellar if it went to college and got a degree in Quantum Physics. (DEFINITELY NOT STRANGER THINGS!!!)

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