Continuing our behind-the-scenes insight in Dark Matter’s second episode…
1) “Who doesn’t like a good song?”
The boys head down to the planet to complete the delivery and get the hell out of Dodge. ONE continues to agonize over the situation. Partly, it’s his desire to take the moral high ground here, but much of it is driven by the guilt he feels. All evidence suggests that The Raza crew heisted the weapons delivery these miners are anxiously awaiting, their only slim chance at defeating the forces of Ferrous Corp. Not only will they only be getting HALF the weapons they desperately need but, tragically, they won’t know “no more help is coming.”
For his part, THREE doesn’t seem all that bothered by the approaching calamity and even enjoys himself in the doomed miners’ company, playing drinking games with them while ONE looks on disapprovingly.
Hard to gauge FOUR and SIX’s reaction but it’s almost certain they do feel sympathy for the miners but, unlike ONE, will not allow their emotions to dictate their actions. FOUR is inscrutable but SIX admits: “Hey, if you’ve got another suggestion that doesn’t involve us dying here with them…” signalling a willingness to help trumped by a reality check. Again, another suggestion that SIX is TWO’s equal in terms of judgement.
2) “Ferrous Corporation destroyer!”
While the guys are down on the ground, boozing it up, the ladies are up in orbit, holding the fort. TWO and FIVE have a little chat just starts getting interesting…
FIVE: Well, I guess the next big mystery that needs solving is who stole our memories.
TWO: Nobody stole our memories. It was an accident.
FIVE: No it wasn’t.
At which point they’re interrupted by the Android. Hmmmm.
They join the Android on the bridge and she informs them that a ship has just dropped out of FTL. It’s a Ferrous Corp. destroyer. Uh oh.
3) “That actually went better than I thought it would!”
The Ferrous Corp troops confront the miners. ONE makes one last ditch effort to head off the coming conflict. And FOUR proves what he said to THREE earlier on the marauder. The sword IS faster than the gun. At least in this case.
This was a complicated battle sequence that changed from the script stage. In the initial concept, the Ferrous Corp Officer draws his gun and turns to face them – but FOUR is lightning fast, drawing, slashing, and sheathing his sword in the blink of an eye. The officer turns, stunned. A red line forms across the base of his neck and his head slides off. The second it hits the ground – all hell breaks loose! FOUR uses the decapitated corpse as a shield while the others draw their guns.
1st AD Brandon Tataryn trying to get that head arc just right…
In the end, the sequence proved overly ambitious but we saved the decapitation thanks to our VFX team. The officer draws, FOUR slashes and, as the officer spins, you can see his head begin to rotate off his neck.
Another thing to note during this gunfight is the moment when one of the miners gets the drop on a Ferrous Corp guard and shoots him – to no effect. These soldiers were prepared for the miners antiquated weapons – but didn’t count on the firepower our crew carries.
4) “So, do either of you possess offspring?”
Meanwhile, back on the ship, the ladies entertain. TWO tells FIVE to make herself scarce and she does, hiding out in the ship’s maze-like vent system. But being the curious sort, she does some exploring – and ends up in FOUR’s quarters where she helps herself to that puzzle box he found back in episode #101. While she busies herself trying to solve it…
The Android attempts small talk with the Ferrous Corp escort. What makes this exchange so brilliant is Zoie Palmer’s delivery – AND the way she drops her gaze at the end of the shot, making the awkwardness all that more palpable.
TWO has a sit down with the Commander of the FCS Deliverance played by the terrific David Richmond-Peck (who I last worked with eight years ago on an episode of Stargate: Atlantis called “Harmony”, coincidentally the last time I worked with Jodelle Ferland as well). He makes her a deal. She seems to consider it…
P.S. Melissa O’Neil’s delivery of “How much?” at the end of the scene makes me NOT want to EVER play poker with her.
More tomorrow. For now, I leave you with some great Dark Matter-related links to check out:
An episode 2 post-mortem:
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/dark-matter-episode-2-postmortem-moving-on-from-past-events/
An episode 3 preview: “Who Knows What?”
http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2015/06/dark-matter-episode-3-preview-who-knows-what/
From page to screen:
I chat with The 7th Matrix:
http://the7thmatrix.com/blog/2015/6/23/dark-matter-joe-mallozzi
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular Tam Dixon!
Oh new game instead of hot potato its toss the head.
Loved the little chat the Android had with the escorts…hehe
Hi Joe
Watching Dark Matter here in Australia. Really keen to see Torri & David Hewlett guest star.
As someone who has so much experience working with SyFy, what would you say is the best way to pitch ideas to SyFy? Is it even possible to pitch ideas to them if you’re not in the industry?
Thanks, and keep having a blast!
Candice
Very cool stuff. Did you see the +3 ratings for Dark Matter’s premiere? I hope Syfy did, too. Love all these subtle hints you are giving us, things I missed even though I’ve watched it 3 times now. Like Three covering Jace.
My heart has been with Tammy all day.
I found out Tuesday that my client put her dog to sleep Monday night. He was having labored breathing so the hospice vet came to the house that evening. I talked to her for about an hour. Such a hard thing. We cried together. I’ll post a link to Jax on my business FB page. He was such a nervous dog and whined a lot when his family was away, but as time went on that I watched him, the whining was less. I have this really cool picture of him actually sleeping right next to me. He was a pit bull and was the sweetest dog ever. I meant to make him some peanut butter & carob cups for him, but I was so consumed with getting my knee healed, I never got around to it. ;-( I had some trees planted in his honor.
Comfort and healing to our various regulars who are dealing with hurts and concerns this week: Joe, Joan001, Tam, Ponytail, and anyone I may have missed.
Melissa O’Neil and Anthony Lemke were on Innerspace Friday night, as you no doubt know. When Anthony mentioned your name (and Paul’s) saying you “hit it out of the park” my first thought was, “Hey, I know him.” It was just such an out of head moment hearing your name spoken on tv. You’re family now, Joe, whether you like it or not. lol
@Tam Dixon Really big hugs and loads of positive thoughts sent your way for you and Harry.
@PBMom Hugs for you too. We do get attached to the critters in our lives; ours and the ones who have become friends.
It just occurred to me that despite my determination to never read the comments on most websites to avoid the trolls and idiots, I look forward to the comments here as much as the posts. 🙂
Joe thanks for the in-depth analysis. This is great. Like PBMom, I miss things too, so glad you are covering everything. I think it is all trumped up charges and they are not criminals.
I’ve decided to call FIVE “little Das”, and our Das, “Big Das”. Okay? Okay. 😆
It’s amazing getting to see how all of these scenes are produced… would’ve never known otherwise how you got the head cut off there lol.
So, when David Richmond-Peck saw Jodelle, was his first response, “Wow! Last time I saw you, you were only THIS high”?
This show looks like it’s getting good fast. Thank you. 🙂
Am I wrong to think I’m seeing a resemblance to the Firefly’s crew in the Raza’s crew? I’m not complaining. It’s just a feeling of familiarity.
Thanks Mr. M.. I’ve discovered I’m a wuss through all of this. I know what you mean about missing Jelly. I’m still looking for Harry to walk in and demand something. We used to joke “drop what you’re doing, he has a whim”.
I may try “book therapy” later.
That is a very realistic head!
Oh and thank you glowyzoey! It is much appreciated. 🙂
That fight scene was awesome. I was really impressed with the way Three went over that railing. And I DID notice Three covering Four after the beheading.
Love and hugs to all who have recently lost pets and/or are recuperating from in juries and surgeries.
Just a flesh wound….
That is one very disturbingly realistic head. Has anyone looked that actor up since this scene to see if he’s actually still around? 🙂
“…head off the coming conflict.” Heh.
My felon and I are at kind of a stand-off. It hasn’t advanced, but hasn’t retreated either. C’mon antibiotics, get working!
@Ponytail I like that. Little Das. Or, maybe we can finally name the Android. I agree. I am thinking that maybe the charges are real, but maybe they were defending their cities or towns or innocent people and all the people they killed were bad. After all, if the corporations are in control, it would be crimes the corporations deemed as bad. Or maybe they are insurgents against the corporations. You know one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.
@glowyzoey Thank you for your kind words. I’ve lost too many older clients this past year. I used to make a donation to rescues in my clients’ pet’s name, but I found that none of them followed through with acknowledgements. So instead I have trees planted in their name and the charity sends them a certificate.
@gforce: Just a little old-fashioned medical wisdom: hot soaks. My mother swore by boric acid in the hot water, but I find that just plain hot water soaks are good for those pesky digital infections. Boil up some water, let it cool down until it is tolerable and then dabble your pinky in it whilst you watch TV. Leave it in until the water starts to cool. Increases blood flow to help the antibiotics get where they need to be.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Tam Dixon. I wish I could do more. but all I can do is offer my sympathy.
Thanks for the analysis of episode 2, Joe. I knew there had to be a reason for the difference in the pictures of 1,3 and 6 and 2 and 4, but I hadn’t quite worked it out. Lots of action and fun!
I feel like I can’t even read this blog any more. Because Dark Matter hasn’t even started in New Zealand yet (if it ever will) and if I read this it will spoil it for me!