How Apple TV+ show 'Dark Matter's interdimensional travel works
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Apple TV+'s 'Dark Matter' portrays the scientific achievements that haven't been yet achieved in real life yet.
The sci-fi series takes inspiration from the observer effect concept of quantum mechanics. Building the premise on it, 'Dark Matter' introduces Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen who is abducted by his alternate self and sent to another reality.
Jason then embarks on a multiverse adventure, looking for his OG reality to reclaim it from his abductor.
With this thriller plot comes the complexity of how Jason is able to switch between realities with such ease. The makers have made it easier for the audience to understand as Jason 1 teaches a lesson on Schrödinger's cat in Episode 1.
What is Schrödinger's cat experiment?
In the experiment, you put a cat in a box you can't see into, along with something that could kill it, like poison or radioactive stuff.
Since you can't see or touch what's inside the box, you don't know if the cat is dead or alive. So, the cat is considered both dead and alive at the same time until you open the box and check.
In this experiment, the cat has two possible outcomes—alive or dead. These two possible outcomes place the cat in a state of superposition, which is what Jason 2 achieves with humans in 'Dark Matter'.
The show is thus based on the theory that for an object/ person to exist in multiple states at once, no one can observe them in their present reality, including themselves or those around them.
How does the box in 'Dark Matter' allow multiverse travel?
In 'Dark Matter', when a person enters the box, it locks for three minutes, which blocks out everything on the outside. The pilot then takes a mind-altering drug, which has been invented by Ryan Holder in Reality 2.
In episode 3 of 'Dark Matter', Jason explains that putting a human into superposition is theoretically impossible because their consciousness would prevent it. The human mind observes the environment, which stops the superposition from happening.
Therefore, Ryan's drug is used that could turn off the "observer effect," so the brain doesn't realize its current state, allowing it to open up to other possibilities.
Once in superposition, the pilot then imagines a reality they want to be in and opens the door of the box to explore this new reality.
Since the box is basically a manifestation of mind, the theory of infinite realities come to play.
How to stream 'Dark Matter'?
'Dark Matter' is a nine-episodic series exclusively available to stream on Apple TV+.
Created by Blake Crouch, the series features Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen, Alice Braga as Amanda Lucas and Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen.
Subscription to Apple TV+ starts at $9.99 per month.
'Dark Matter' trailer