Monday, July 31, 2017

Dark Matter - Isn't That a Paradox?


While not as amusing as the time-loop episode from earlier this season, "Isn't That a Paradox?" is a goofy episode. The (often malfunctioning) Blink Drive has proved to be an intriguing plot element used to allow the show to do some more unusual stories. This time the malfunctioning device sends the crew of the Raza back in time to 2017 where they attempt to fit into suburban life while seeking out a second Blink Drive whose connection to theirs caused their unexpected journey in time. It's an interesting idea that feels a little rushed (think of how much fun it would have been for them to be stranded in the past for multiple episodes).

Time travel stories tend to be either deeply serious or played more for laughs. "Isn't That a Paradox?" is the second. While the idea of disrupting the timeline is mentioned, the fish-out-of-water plot is played mostly for its humorous moments. And, through a paradox of finding another Blink Drive its creator, the show's writers are able to write themselves out the trouble of having damaged the device in the first place. Assigned stereotypical roles by the Android (Zoie Palmer) but given little in the way of backstory, job history, or an understanding of how to fit into their new timeline, life in the suburbs proves to be a struggle - especially after some neighborhood kids take notice of the new arrivals and their odd behavior. Still, the crew manages to return home with a working drive (although less than keen to try it out again any time soon).

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