Dark is a German Netflix original series. It’s available in the original German with subtitles, as well as an English dub. English is a Germanic language, and I think because of this, the actor’s mouths and audio are not noticeably asynchronous. Watching with subtitles or choosing the dub is a matter of personal preference, but it’s not a reason to dismiss the show. And here is why:
1. The Series is Complete
With three seasons and a total of 26 episodes, it’s the perfect binge-watch. Long enough to tell a complete story, but concise enough that it won’t cost you a year of your life. Also, no waiting around for answers between seasons. And this leads me to reason number two.
2. Conspiracy Theories and Internet Deep Dives
Sometimes you want to watch a show and move on, but sometimes you want a show to consume you. The Easter eggs will have you going down rabbit holes for days. Remember when we would theorize about the island’s significance on Lost? Or how about when Sidney met The Clockmaker on Alias while looking for Rambaldi artifacts? And perhaps the closest parallel to JJ Abrams is the question, what happened to the young Peter Bishop on Fringe? With missing children, mysterious scientists, and differing timelines, Dark is a more concise and less ambiguous combination of the cult shows.
3. Save the Drama for Your Mama
Science and conspiracies aside, at the heart of it, Dark is a family saga. The show spans generations in the town of Winden, comparable to Greek myth and Biblical stories. But it is adeptly packaged as a small-town family soap, with the age-old questions: Are we following a predestined path, or do we have free will?
4. Germany in the Eighties
Though the show covers much of the present and last century, no timeline occurs during either World War. Still, we get to see the evolution of the town, the people, and the culture. My personal favorite is the look and sound of the 80’s timeline. Much of the music from that time started in German subculture before going worldwide. And the show utilizes it well.
5. Dark is for...
Fans of strange. The show is aptly titled. Fans of Lost and Fringe will get their sci-fi thrills. But it’s not just the timeline that needs unraveling. The family saga is twisted. And fans of Alias and Game of Thrones can watch, question destiny, and unpack generations of family drama.
