The second season of German-language Netflix original thriller series, Dark, was released on June 21. The labyrinthine plot, featuring frequent time travel, unintended incest, and heart-broken characters searching for their missing loved ones, became even more convoluted this new season.
Acting, soundtrack, and visual effects
Let us look at some of the elements of the show that make it great. The acting of the central characters definitely went up a notch. Credit must be given to the actors for being able to capture the inner turmoil of the characters so well. To think that Germany has such an amazing pool of talent in their TV industry makes one wish for more shows and films featuring them. The writers have definitely improved the character arcs of Martha, Magnus, and Franziska.
The soundtrack was ominous and dramatic as ever. However, I personally feel that they should definitely make the music producers come up with more distinguishable themes in the upcoming third season. The compositions so far have been done so well, I am craving more originals from them.
The visual effects of this season also got an upgrade as they were bound to, now that we are frequently seeing how the time travelling takes place in each time period, which does not have the three way tunnel system in the Winden caves.
Recap of first season
Well, a quick recap of where the first season left off is also necessary to interest those who are meaning to watch the second season. In the first season it is revealed that Mikkel Nielsen is mistakenly transported from 2019 to 1983 when he goes through the Winden caves, and grows up to be the depressed father of Jonas, Michael Kahnwald.
In a bid to find him, Mikkel's father Ulrich Nielsen also goes into the Winden caves, and is transported to 1953. There, he attempts to murder the young Helge Doppler, rightfully thinking that he is tied to the mysterious disappearances that occur in Winden.
However, he gets arrested by Egon Tiedemann, charged with the murder of two children, whose bodies were found near the site of the soon to be built nuclear power plant, and is incarcerated in a prison for mentally challenged criminals.
There were many sudden appearances of the series protagonists, Claudia Tiedemann and Jonas Kahnwald from the future in the first season, which tied knots in the brains of series viewers. What both these characters went through and what their intentions were, was not revealed then.
There were also a few appearances of Noah, the seemingly immortal priest, who looks unchanged in every time period.
The first season came to an epic conclusion to reveal that the elderly Jonas from the future, in an attempt to stop all time travelling from ever happening, ends up creating the time portal which is revealed to be a wormhole.
Why watch the second season
Fortunately for those who have not yet watched the second season, the old knots are untied, new ones are tied, and the plot becomes even more tangled.
The newer paths and time periods that have become entangled with the central storyline, might have one of two effects on viewers. Some might appreciate the inclusion of newer time periods, and some might be thinking that it is being needlessly convoluted.
There is no right or wrong about this. However, I do understand the merits of the convolution, as some of the best written tv shows such as Breaking Bad crisscross the paths of their characters to bring a satisfying conclusion. Let us see what season three of "Dark" brings for its viewers.
