Dark Matter Review: One More Card To Play (Season 3 Episode 6)

Dark Matter Season 3 Episode 6, “One More Card To Play”, answers some major questions as we maneuver through the twists and turns of this fascinating wild ride.

Can we just take a second to praise Melissa O’Neil? She once again proves her extraordinary talent with her portrayal of Two and Portia. At first glance, no one questions what is happening, but take a closer look and we can tell something is off about her.

Melissa’s use of the tiniest details defines which character she is playing effortlessly. From the hair being behind her right ear to the subtle body language, every movement is so unique to each character, you quickly pick up that we aren’t watching Two.

The alternate universe versions of Two and Three, ie Portia and Boone, are aboard an Ishida ship, and make a plan to take control. Within seconds of knocking out the guards and heading to the main area, we quickly find out why Two/Portia has the reputation of a formidable bad ass.  

Two: You’re gonna want to be careful how you answer that.

Melissa O’Neil drives this twisted episode as she carries the burden of both Two and Portia over the course of this dramatic story plot. Though Boone and Alternative Android play a small role in the elaborate scheme, their alternative versions are not as different as the Three and Android we have grown to love.

Three: Damn, I must be getting old, my memory is not what it used to be.

When Two’s plan goes astray, she, Adrian, Solara and alternate Wexler are stranded. We find out that most of the entire crew hitched a ride back, but no Jace Corso. So one question we are all asking is where is alternate Five and Six?

This alternate crew have been flying under the radar with Portia and Boone on jobs. However, their path finally crosses with our Raza Crew on this particular job and a game of cat and mouse ensues between the two crews.

Alternative Android: I could detach your head with minimal effort. Minimal. Effort.

There are a lot of strong character-driven performances throughout, including Adrian and Five. Adrian realizes that even though he has useful talents, he does not belong on this ship.

After his part of the plan and awkwardly flirting with Five, he and Solara leave to go with Truffault and visit his cousin’s place to work with his other customers. We will miss both these characters and actors, and hope to see them again soon!

Five, meanwhile has been trying to get a hold of Six but cannot reach him. Two decides to check in on their teammate, only to find the substation is full of bodies. Did Agent Zero go on a killing spree or did something else happen?

Ryo, meanwhile, is struggling again with being an emperor. It is interesting to watch Ryo struggle with who to listen to, Teru and Misaki, as they represent two very different sides of the same coin. Teku, who is about being a strong yet empathic leader where as Misaki is about fear and manipulation.

Also, Five continues to prove that she is much stronger and much more equipped to handle the necessities that come with this type of job. But her lack of experience also allows for the alternative universe crew to still be out there plotting and possibly causing more trouble.

Stray thoughts:

• Can you believe that this is Melissa O’Neil’s first acting gig? Still blows my mind.
• Alternate Wexler says his counterpart only went missing a month ago? Was this a script snafu or was it just reported as he was missing?
• The twists and turns as Portia and Two try to outplay the other was well done
• I loved the Portia and Android fight scene. Just an added bonus in a great episode!

What did you think of this episode of Dark Matter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Dark Matter airs Fridays at 8/7c on Syfy.

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