User reviews

A lot of people gave this show incredible reviews, and I don't blame until the show stopped making sense and things got super repetitive. Somewhere late season 2 but especially season 3 this show completely lost its thread. They abandoned a number of subplot lines which left you hanging and thinking ummm what ever happened with the other plots? Probably 10 times per episode you hear Adam and several other important and mysterious characters say "I'm going to finally tell you the truth" or "you'll know the truth in time". The constant flipping back and forth between past present and future for like 10 different characters becomes ridiculous rote and deeply depressing. Basically every character has a sad story and life has sucked for them pretty much their entire life. This show loves to emphasize how crappy the town of Winden is and all the people in it . It's a slow burn of sci fi that barely makes sense and just makes you feel emotionally zapped from nothing good ever happening . They occasionally throw in some sex scenes just to keep you hooked in a little bit longer because they don't have anything else going for them really. Season 3 is absurdly confusing with the introduction of a parallel world with the same characters and you're just left trying to remember which parallel world you're in. The show finally likes to sound pop culture physics-savvy by throwing in words like quantum entanglement to describe what's going on in the show. The very last episode is somewhat redeeming because it wraps up the major plot and ends on a semi happy note when compared to the despair of the entire show. Not impressed but I still had to finish this show just to see where it went.

I liked the initial tone of Dark as well as the character development and mystery. I also was intrigued by the implied promise of the show of many complicated, looping threads that all fit into a single creative narrative.

Therein lies the problem. Most of the super convoluted storylines didn't go anywhere. Simply having a character who goes through unusual events and is revealed to have improbable relationships is nothing on its own if these things don't tie into anything else in the show.

I was especially disappointed with the ending. We're lead to believe that character choices and relationships are key to solving the conundrum that they're in. In reality, anyone in the show could have solved the problem if just told where to go and what to do.

In the end, we're left with many tantalizing jigsaw pieces that don't fit together into a finished puzzle.

Dark has great production value, I'll give it that. As for the rest... I honestly don't understand the high rating.

The dialogues are fake deep, tediously vague to convey a sense of "mystery" and SO repetitive (by the 3rd season I wanted to scream whenever someone mentioned circles and beginnings and endings - AGAIN). The same vague explanations are presented dozens of times by various characters. I have never found anything else so hard to sit through.

The concept of time travel and having universes branch off of it isn't a bad idea per se. However, it was totally ground into a meaningless grey sludge by constant pseudo philosophical waffling, random side plots and the tangle of a zillion characters. I didn't find it enjoyable to watch past season 1 and kept going hoping it would turn into something better, unfortunately it only got more convoluted. The ending was somewhat satisfying only because it at least meant that the mess was over. I am still mad at having wasted so much time on it. I watched it in the original language, by the way.

Dark, the Netflix series known for its inventive and complex narrative, left me with mixed impressions. While the show displays moments of creativity, I ultimately found it to be an average experience.

Dark undeniably showcases a certain level of ingenuity. The interplay of multiple timelines, intricately woven character arcs, and attention to detail demonstrate the effort put into the storytelling. The series explores the consequences of time travel with a philosophical touch, delving into themes of determinism, free will, and the cyclical nature of human existence. The writers deserve credit for constructing a layered and interconnected narrative.

The production values of Dark are also noteworthy. The cinematography effectively captures the gloomy and atmospheric tone, while the soundtrack adds to the immersive experience. The cast delivers decent performances, juggling multiple versions of their characters across different time periods.

However, despite its inventive elements, Dark falls short in terms of maintaining engagement. The slow pacing and convoluted plotlines often make the series feel monotonous and tiresome. The abundance of characters and their complex relationships, combined with the intricate web of time travel, demand significant attention and mental effort to follow. This can be overwhelming and hinder the overall viewing experience.

In summary, Dark is an average show that balances inventiveness with moments of boredom. While it displays creative storytelling and explores philosophical themes, it struggles with pacing and complexity. Fans of intricate narratives and philosophical musings may still find enjoyment in Dark, but those seeking a more captivating and streamlined viewing experience might be left wanting.

Look, I tried. I watched the first episode and thought it was slightly intriguing but mainly painfully slow, but after watching its' creators' next show, 1899, which was absolutely fascinating, I decided I should give it another chance.

But my god this is so slow. I saw someone here disagree with that common assessment by saying a lot of characters are introduced quickly and thus it can't be slow. But every character is introduced by having them sit and stare at a wall or tree for five minutes. Characters are introduced, situations are introduced, but drama is left out.

I don't understand how this lasted for 3 years and 1899 was cancelled after one season.

All violation of any real physics principles aside, the storyline is almost impossible to keep track of and the characters just lacks common sense.

I will say, perhaps it is because of the terrible English dubbing that made every character coming off as lifeless and therefore hard to emote to as a viewer but that doesn't change the high handed plot and tediousness that you feel watching this.

I even watched it to completion after my boyfriend had absolutely refused to watch the last season but no, this wasn't for me.

The plot line could've wrapped up times and times over but it keeps getting dragged on is what made everything so infuriating. Save yourself the headache.

I was pretty excited for Season 1, Season 2 was bearable but praying hard there is no more new travel timeline, faster pace and less mysterious characters being introduced... too much to remember, to focus on to my liking. The logic doesnt add up as well, everyone is just freely going on time travel vacation by Season 3 when I thought you need that special time machine?

Season 3 become unbearably painful to watch that I had to stop wasting my time as it doesnt really make much sense to me to keep going in circles without an end. I hated most characters by now.. Martha especially.

And what's with all the sex scenes? Totally irrelevant and doesnt add up to the drama at all, looks more like an X-rated advertisement to get the ratings up.

The premises were interesting but it took me an eternity to finish watching the serie and I didn't get it. What just happened? By moments I thought I got it, but then, I lost the story. It needs a pen and a sheet of paper to note all the characters and the story of everyone in order to catch the story.

I am writing this review while i am still in middle of 3rd season. Dark season 1 is absolutely great as it comes up with this concept of time travel and how different characters are interlinked but with season 2 things starts exagerating. Never ending stories, unnessary background music just to create hype. By mid of season 2 got feeling i am wasting my time(but dint want to stop as i wanted to see how they will, only thing that glued me to it). Season 3 starts in exactly same note as season2. Nothing new, same confusing plot( to create hype). It seems most boring shows now, i am fed up with everyone just saying something that doesnt make any sense( trying to confuse viewers). Most dialogues, episodes are not even needed . Sentences like ' begining is end and end is begining' has been repeated like 1000 times in show. Seems now like i wasted have lot of my time. If would suggest to watch it on your own risk. Its absolutely not one of the greatest shows. It just mere watching and even if you dont you wont miss much in your life.

There is very high production value. Scenes are shot well, drone shots are beautiful, sound track is professional. Everything else is a shallow version of Stranger Things mixed with True Detective. This is not a sci-fi show. This is not a mystery show. This is not a crime show. Much like True Detective, the show creators use a crime/mystery plot to just tell the story of families and their relationships. Through 6 episodes, there are only hints and fragments of time travel and nefarious/dark plot points. The writers could have EASILY fit everything that has happened thus far into two episodes or less. Cliche characters. Acting is okay - I still don't have a care about any of them though. That's probably due to the fact that we cut from scene to scene after about 45 seconds of mostly dullness. What takes the cake in eyeroll, however, is whoever scored this. My gosh, there's a bass drop or eerie orchestra playing EVERY. SINGLE. SCENE. Man locks his car *BOOOOOOM* girl laces up shoes *oooooooeeeeeeEEEEHHHH* boy walks to school *BOOOOOOM* It's so much more distracting and lame than any laugh track I've heard on a sitcom. It's not a bad show but man, it's really not as good as it looks.

In the first season despite being low pace the story is interesting, but gradually it becomes predictable, the characters speech are almost always the same, as the story evolves it becomes tiredsome to watch.

The more they try to create mistery the less it becomes due to the repetitive characters speech and personality, but I've seen this in other tv shows, I understand the difficulty they have to keep the story interesting and big in the same time. But my question is why ruin a story just to make it bigger? Yep money. As a thriller movie lover I'd rather watch a compact story that is fully consice than an extended one that just make things less interesting over time, but I understand that the only thing that matters for the industry is making more money.

First of all, I would like to emphasise that I am German and have learned acting. So I know what we are asked to do in the theatre. However, that doesn't fit at all in the cinema or on television, because of course we play "big", not only for an audience sitting directly in front of us, but sometimes 50 metres and more away. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues still haven't grasped this, and in "Dark" they all come together, with exceptions of course. I find all this hard to bear, plus this artificial and overly clear pronunciation. Those who watch the series in the original should not be put off. Nobody in Germany speaks like that. Even what is said is extremely artificial and corresponds to a dialogue book, but not to reality. That's first of all. Then to the story itself. I admit that I fell asleep in the 4th episode of the first season. I don't know how you can present mystery in such a boring and slow way and why so many seem to like this kind of series. I'm not interested in any of it, unfortunately, because it lacks both pace and enough information to keep me curious. So I didn't stick it out and I suspect it won't get any better.

It's ultra slow. Hell confusing just mess of complicated relationships and time travel that waste your time. From season 1 it looked promising with something new and thoughtful From Season 2 it looked confusing and paper pen work to follow Season 3 it was like why?

And it's not actually dark, it's just story of time travel that leads to nowhere ... especially you keep expecting something because of suspense elements created in first season in last season you start waiting for end that takes too long to come ...

It is made ultra slow that instead of 3 series's only 1 series's would have done better justice to whole idea.

Don't know why such a high rating don't deserve any where above 7 average rating ...

I am watching this series for thrill of time travel, but unfortunately first two parts are very boring and dull due to its slowness. It is trend of today that series means dull and slowness are essential parts. I hate this thing. They could be made interesting series not looking at its endless parts. In this series one could not connect the story plot. One there are many confusing characters at least i did not understand who is who ? Second horror and suspense is very rare like salt in meal. Three time line is very confusing as all scenes mix up one after another. Viewers should have super brain to connect them very well. Director know, story writer know, script writer know but they all failed to know their knowing to comman viewers. Very stupid attempt.

I think the concept that they are basing story on it is very interesting, but it is not new. I believe the whole scenario could be an episode of Rick and Morty. I found these problems: * It is very slow. Camera lingers on each scene a loooot. * It cannot explain the whole story with a smooth story, so the creators felt that they should explain and match the characters, so the viewer would not be confused, which I think it is a weak point for a film. * Too much drama and too much poker face people, which I think it is not realistic.

..if you want to fall asleep. Either this show improves greatly, or the reviews are shills because even though episode 1 didn't live up to expectations, episode 2 was just as nonsensical, lame, and boring as episode 1, and let me explain why:

1. Weak characterization- I'm assuming that the people who like this show feel like they are smart for trying to solve the puzzle. They think their minds are being bent. Perhaps they have very little experience with Sci-Fi genre, but most of the tropes this show uses has already been done before (going as far back as the 1950's). The Twilight Zone alone already used so many of these formulas way back in the mid-20th century so it really isn't that groundbreaking...

Which leads to the characterizations. And I'm going to WARNING people who haven't watched this show yet- if you are a person who enjoys or likes rich characterization in your TV show or movie characters like in The Sopranos, Mad Men, The Wire, Breaking Bad, and the true greats, then you can be assured that you will be disappointed here.

This show rushes into its story and plot without fleshing out ANY of its main characters. Actually, oh, there is one poor attempt at it with the adolescent son who is seeing a therapist over the passing of his father, but that's a cliche and it is portrayed extremely superficially. Every other character is a cardboard cutout just spitting out lines as if it was an algorithm in terms of character development. By episode 2, the show establishes no relation whatsoever to any of its main characters. The reason why is because it refuses to spend any time on them; instead it is more focused on rushing the story, manipulating viewers with dreadful musical beats (we'll get back to that in a minute), and trying to raise suspense.

2. There is nothing truly original in the body of the story. Whereas on the lateral flanks of the story, they change up the nuances to add just enough differentiation to convince the apparently raving reviewers that this is something original, the actual body of the story is a total regurgitation of other shows, most recently Stranger Things. I don't care what any shill says, there are at least a dozen scenes in the first two episodes alone that look literally identical to Stranger Things season 1, as if they actually copied the script because they were lazy (both are Netflix originals so this is not impossible, and they were released around the same time/year).

3. The "Dreadful Music" is actually pretty good, but they should use it when it matches the scene. Rather, it seems that to manipulate the viewer (or to make up for the lack of suspense in the actual script), the show overly uses the musical beats to either a) keep the viewer in suspense or b) reveal to the viewer that someone isn't to be trusted in a basic conversation where the actor or script cannot alone convey this. It's very superfluous use of the dread music. You'll see what I mean if you haven't watched it yet. It can actually be mocked because it is like they have to cue the dreadful music every two minutes even in scenes where the tone doesn't match the music. This is known as manipulating the audience, rather than capture them with good writing or characterization or acting.

This is not to say the whole show is horrible, but just that it is overrated. Maybe Germany deserves some creative recognition at this point in time, which is fine, but in terms of a show that truly connects with the audience in a way the great shows do, this one was not as good and original as it is being told. The hype got me to watch 2 episodes, but I literally fell asleep only halfway through each on different nights.

In fact, I'm looking forward to using episode 3 to help me to fall asleep one night soon.

4/10

I give 4 for their quality. Unfortunately, this show is being obviously overrated. They should tell the stories more efficiently. Way too long to tear the stories into pieces causing obvious inconsistency. The idea is novel but the way they made the show is hardly to make me swallow it, and ruined it eventually. Too many redundant scenes and illogical conversations lay in the three seasons. They tried playing tricks in the season 1, followed by revealing more time travelling associated details in the next season. I'm OK with that, and just felt the tempo is slow. But how the hell did they introduce the multiverse? Just felt it's getting better in the season 2 due to the explanations to the whole picture, and they managed creating more mysteries. Tried to play hide and seek with their audience!? Come on! Not smart at all.

Apparently, I tried watching this a couple of years ago. But my Netflix history shows that I stopped watching about midway thru the third or fourth show of season one. Two years later I honestly don't remember anything about watching this or what it was about. But after seeing all the rave reviews I gave it a second shot. Now I remember why I stopped watching. This show is just all over the place and so incomprehensible. I simply couldn't keep up with everything it was throwing at me. No one should have to work this hard just to be entertained. I really gave this a second chance and got further into the first season than I did on my first viewing. I enjoy foreign films and never have a problem with subtitles or translations if done right. I tried both with this show and neither helped. Dark just seems to be more complicated than it has to be, and too complex for its own good.

Quite enjoyed the first two seasons but Series 3 is terrible. I watched it for completeness but It really is pretentious drivel. Unnecessarily complicated, dark ominous music, pseudo-profound speeches and lots of staring wistfully does not make it as great as it thinks it is.

I really like the plot. I watched all of it to the end of season 3. I found myself irritated with the script. Characters ask straightforward questions, the questioned disregarding it all together or answering with the vague "it's all connected," or they say, "I gotta go". Too many long dramatic stares and spacing out. I only finished seasons available because I'd already started and liked the plot. If you like the format of daytime soaps, this one is for you. If you're like me, I just can't. The script is filled with too much dramatic nonsense, it's exhausting. Plus it's weird to see teenage sex scenes.