Dark Matter Episode 7’s Hidden Detail Teases An Unlikely Alliance In The Finale

Spoilers are ahead for Dark Matter episode 7.

Summary

• When Jason2 abandons Ryan in another dimension, the northern lights fill the sky above Chicago.
• Amanda decides to make a new home for herself in an alternate Chicago, which also boasts northern lights, suggesting Amanda and Ryan are in the same dimension.
• The upcoming confrontation between Jason and Jason2 may lead to unexpected alliances between Jason, Ryan, and Amanda, as well as more dimension-hopping in the show’s finale.

Dark Matter episode 7, “In the Fires of Dead Stars,” features a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it background detail that teases a huge end-of-the-season alliance. The fact that more twists are in store for physics professor-turned-universe-hopper Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) is really saying something, as the Apple TV+ sci-fi series is one of the streamer’s more mind-bending programs. Based on series creator Blake Crouch’s novel, Dark Matter sees Jason warped into an alternate version of his life — one where he chooses work over family — by another version of himself, Jason2.

Although Jason2 became an award-winning scientist, developing cutting-edge technology left him empty. The project Jason2 develops — a box that allows for Dark Matter‘s interdimensional travel by manifesting the principles that ground Schrödinger’s cat theory — is his chance to seize the path not taken. After displacing Jason-prime, Jason2 tries on his counterpart’s life, raising the suspicions of his wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly). As he tries to find his home dimension, Jason teams up with Jason2’s psychologist girlfriend, Amanda Lucas (Alice Braga), and multiple versions of his college buddy and fellow brilliant mind, Ryan Holder (Jimmi Simpson).

Amanda’s Chicago In Dark Matter Episode 7 Has Northern Lights – Just Like The World Ryan Was Left In

Amanda Decides To Part Ways With Jason In Dark Matter Episode 7

At the end of Dark Matter episode 6, the nefarious Jason2 decides that he needs to get Ryan off his trail. Previously, Daniela had tracked Jason2 to a mysterious storage locker and recovered an almost-empty ampule, prompting her to share the object with Ryan. The prize-winning scientist discovers that Jason2’s mysterious compound — one developed by Ryan2 in another dimension — is eerily similar in design to his own medical breakthrough. Instead of evading Ryan, Jason2 shows his would-be friend how the compound works in conjunction with the box. Ultimately, Jason2 sneakily abandons Ryan in another world.

In awe, Ryan watches the lights dance over the skyline.

Jason2 tells Ryan that he imagined a version of Chicago his friend would like, and while Dark Matter doesn’t reveal too much about the alternative version of Chicago, the night sky glows with the northern lights. In awe, Ryan watches the lights dance over the skyline. Jason2 closes the door on Ryan, stranding him. In episode 7, Amanda decides she doesn’t want to keep traveling and envisions a version of Chicago she can call home. After Amanda and Jason part ways, Jason heads to the box. Over Jason’s shoulder, night falls and northern lights briefly glimmer over Amanda’s new Chicago.

Ryan Probably Didn’t Use The Box Again After Jason 2 Left Him In Dark Matter Episode 6

It’s Likely That Ryan Stuck Around The Northern Lights Dimension

While Dark Matter makes many changes to the book, the show is still very carefully plotted. Since nothing happens by coincidence, the northern lights detail seems to suggest that Amanda is living in the same dimension that Jason2 left Ryan in. Although there are an infinite number of dimensions, it seems possible that fate will overrule probability in the Dark Matter season finale. Before stranding Ryan, Jason2 steals his friend’s phone under the guise of snapping a picture. Alone and confused, Ryan probably stayed in the northern lights dimension.

…it’s possible Ryan could have accessed the box, but he probably wasn’t in the right frame of mind to do so.

The box seemingly locked behind Jason2 — something it reportedly does for a few minutes when someone is inside, as seen when Amanda and Jason were fleeing from Leighton2. That said, after a few minutes, it’s possible Ryan could have accessed the box, but he probably wasn’t in the right frame of mind to do so. Jason2 had warned Ryan about opening doors while under duress, and since Ryan knows that the compound he nearly built is the key to using the box, it’s likely he stayed in the northern lights-filled Chicago to regroup.

Amanda Could Run Into Ryan Before Leaving Chicago For Seattle

Jason Left Amanda With Several Ampules For Traveling

In Dark Matter episode 7’s ending, it becomes clear that Jason and Jason2 are ready to hunt each other down. Back in his home dimension at last, Jason isn’t sure how, exactly, to best handle his counterpart. Funnily enough, both versions of Jason Dessen try to buy a gun from the same shop. While it seems inevitable that Jason and Jason2 will square off in the show’s penultimate episode, Dark Matter needs to leave something exciting left for the finale, which is where Amanda and Ryan come into play.

The stranded version of Ryan has no connection to Amanda Lucas in his home dimension, but Amanda knows Ryan2…

If Ryan chose to stay in the northern lights dimension, he’d need to find some allies. The stranded version of Ryan has no connection to Amanda Lucas in his home dimension, but Amanda knows Ryan2 from her time spent training the box pilots to use his compound. Although Amanda seemed keen to leave Chicago behind for Seattle, it’s possible she’ll run into Ryan before she departs. In fact, Amanda is the only one in the northern lights version of Chicago that will truly understand Ryan’s dire situation. Improbably in the same dimension, odds are Jason’s closest allies will inevitably meet.

Jason & Ryan Can Team Up Against Jason 2 In Dark Matter’s Finale

Ryan Is Capable Of Developing More Ampules – & Jason Will Need That Help

Although it remains to be seen how Jason and Jason2’s confrontation will shake out, all genius Dark Matter theories point toward a little more dimension-hopping. For starters, several characters from Jason2’s world are potentially still using the box to travel. Even the Leighton Vance (Dayo Okeniyi) of Jason’s world is out there somewhere. It would make sense for Jason to reunite with Amanda, his season-long ally, and find his Ryan, who’s on the cusp of creating the compound needed to pilot the box. Plus, all three Dark Matter characters have reason to want Jason2 to pay.

AppleTV+’s Dark Matter episode 8, “Jupiter,” airs on June 19; Dark Matter‘s season finale, “Entanglement,” airs on June 26.