Dark Matter season 1 ending explained: What happens to Jason 1 and his family?

After eight weeks of nothing but multiversal chaos, Apple TV’s Dark Matter season 1 has finally reached its ultimate end. For the audience who tuned into the mind of Blake Crouch, the intricate narrative, encompassing non-linear storytelling, sci-fi elements, and more, has been an enthralling rollercoaster of suspense and revelation.

Dark Matter season 1 episode 9, titled “Entanglement,” which was released on June 26, 2024, became one of Apple TV’s most awaited episodes this year.

Given the events that transpired in the penultimate installment episode 9 was all about deciding the fate of not only Jason 1 but all the other characters and different versions of these characters tied to him on this grand scale of multiverse. Follow along with the article to learn more about every main highlight that transpired in Dark Matter.

(Note: As the series revolves around the same characters from different worlds, each individual will be referred to with a number at the end of their name, which is given based on their chronological appearance on the show.)

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for Dark Matter episode 9. Reader’s discretion is advised.

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Dark Matter season 1 finale sees Jason 1, Daniella, and Charlie making an unprecedented decision

Jason 1 with Daniella and Charlie, as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

Dark Matter season 1 ending saw Jason 1, Daniela, and Charlie making a difficult choice of leaving their reality behind to find another where they could live in peace. However, it was not the decision that they took on their own, given they had been looking for a way out from this utter chaos from the beginning till the end and didn’t find the answers.

Ultimately, it was Jason 2, the major antagonist of the storyline, who helped them in the end, providing them with a car and forty ampules. He also left a voice note on a phone, proclaiming he was devastated by his decision and wanted to make amends for his mistake.

After arriving at the place where the Box was located, the Jason 1 family was shellshocked to see a huge crowd of Jasons. However, they were just there to tell Jason 1 that they had no objection to Daniella and Charlie’s decision to live with him. Like Jasone 2, they agreed unanimously to let them use the Box to find another reality.

Although it was a tough decision for some of the Jasons, they decided that they wouldn’t go against Daniella and Charlie’s Choice. The series doesn’t reveal which reality Jason 1 and his family chose. Nevertheless, that’s something that might be disclosed in Dark Matter season 2, but still, the sequel is yet to be confirmed.

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Dark Matter season 1 ending likely teases that Ryan 1 has met Amanda 2

Ryan and Amanda, as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

The final moments of Dark Matter episode 9 saw a brief glimpse of Amanda (from Jason 2’s universe) meeting a version of Ryan, who proclaimed to have been looking for her. As of now, it is not confirmed whether the Ryan who meets Amanda out of the blue in the utopian reality of Chicago is the one from Jason 1’s universe.

However, as seen in Dark Matter episode 6, after discovering that Ryan 1 has found out about the ampules, Jason 2 was left with no choice but to stop him in any way he could. After revealing his truth to Ryan 1, Jason 2 took him on a short adventure to amaze him with his creation, the Box.

Jason 2 abandoned Ryan 1 in reality, which turned out to be a utopian version of Chicago. Although Dark Matter season 1’s ending doesn’t really reveal, given the eerie similarities between the two worlds and the version of Ryan running into Amanda suggests that he is indeed Ryan 1.

Episode 6 also saw Ryan accusing Jason 2 of copying the project he was working on. Ryan was also left in disbelief after Jason 2 revealed that his ampules were a finished product. Ryan 1 was already working on a substance that was similar to that of Jason’s.

In Dark Matter episode 9, it was seen that Ryan 1 already resumed working on his project, and this time his focus has been ten-folded, given the betrayal and the curiosity invoked by experiencing superposition. As Ryan and his counterpart’s story needs a fitting end, his character will likely be explored more in Dark Matter season 2.

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The fate of other Jasons remains undetermined in Dark Matter season 1 finale

All Jasons waiting for Jason 1, Daniella, and Charlie near the Box, as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

While Jason 1, Amanda, and others have made their choice, the fate of other Jasons in Jason 1’s reality remains undetermined. After arriving at Jason 1’s reality that each of them considered to be theirs, all of the Jasons formed a union and even created a chatbox where they could devise strategies and work on their efforts on who deserved Daniella and Charlie.

While it was indeed a Jason vs. Jason situation, it remained unknown how this chaotic mess would be resolved if all of the Jasons wanted the same thing. While some of the Jasons were killed by their counterparts, others maintained a more rational approach and formed a unity and agreed with what Daniella would decide.

In the end, all Jasons decided to let Jason 1, Daniella, and Charlie leave for another reality via the Box, given their universe became unsafe for them. Like many Dark Matter season 1 plot holes, what happens to all these versions of Jason remains a mystery.

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Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 title meaning explored

A folder containing the Entanglement chatbox link, created by and for Jasons, as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 is titled “Entanglement,” which is purposely taken from quantum entanglement, and has everything to do with the current storyline. Quantum entanglement is a quantum mechanics phenomenon that says two or more particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the other, even if they are light-years apart.

In Dark Matter, every time Jason 1 entered the Box, he inadvertently created a version of himself having the same motives, grudge, and more similarities. This is why, since the moment Jason 1 met his Daniella, he never made a decision and chose anything for the future course.

Jason 1 heavily relied on Daniella and Charlie to make the decisions, given he was entangled with his other counterparts who would also think in the same way. Even in the end when it came to choosing a reality, Jason 1 let Charlie take the lead. In this way, he would eventually avoid manifesting more of his counterparts and would avoid running into them again.

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Dark Matter season 1 ending sees Blaire, Leighton, and Ryan

Ryan 1, Blair 2, and Leighton , as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

Dark Matter season 1 ending also shed light on other characters including Ryan 1, Leighton 1, and Blaire 2. However, whether Ryan 2 was really executed and the fate of Leighton 2 was never revealed in season 1’s finale. As stated above, Ryan 1 was seen working on the ampules, and he has also decided to meet Amanda.

With Ryan 1 approaching Amanda out of the blue as if he knows her very well has left the audience confused. Blaire 2, who was the first person ever to enter the Box and got stuck in a world infested with pesky cannibal aerial creatures, has finally decided to leave the hopeless world, conquering her fears that took a huge toll on her mental health.

Leighton 1, who helped Jason 1 financially in exchange for the ampules, was seen enjoying moving from one reality to the other, given it was the most thrilling thing he had ever done.

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Dark Matter season 1 leaves Jason 2’s fate open-ended

Jason 2, as seen in Dark Matter season 1 episode 9 (Image via Apple TV)

Dark Matter season 1 ending left Jason 2’s fate open-ended and didn’t really explore how his story would end. Jason 2 had been the major antagonist of the series since the beginning and the very person whose tampering with reality led to proving that paradoxes were really true in all sense.

It was not until Jason 2 was given his own medicine by a version of the victim Jason, who explained to him the horrors he (and the others) had to experience in the Box, just because he wanted to snatch away something that never really belonged to him. This was the very moment Jason 2 realized that he was at fault.

Although there was no way to correct his wrongdoings, he decided to help Jason 1, Daniella, and Charlie escape into another reality where they could live peacefully. It can be assumed that Jason 2 would likely return to his universe, but that’s just a theory. The fate of Jason 2 will also be revealed if Dark Matter green-lits a sequel.

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Stay tuned for more news and updates on Apple TV’s Dark Matter and all your favorite TV shows and movies as 2024 progresses.