Tonight at 9/8C on SYFY, it’s an all-new episode of Dark Matter – “The Dwarf Star Conspiracy”. We raise the stakes yet again as the pieces of Alexander Rook’s plans for Rebecca (and her kind) fall into place. And the discoveries made this episode will have major repercussions.

Check out twitter during the broadcast to live tweet with the cast!

My chat with Matt Carter – Dark Matter Season 3 Stories, Finale, Season 4 Odds –

“Three has obviously never been the biggest fan of androids, and now the love of his life is one. Ironic, no? She’s essentially out of touch; I wouldn’t say that she’s riding with a bad crowd, but she’s riding with a crowd that may influence her in a way that Three may not support. I’ll say that, and I’ll say that we have big plans for the Sarah character. That story should be a lot of fun.”

Let’s hit the mailbag:

Katie writes: “What was your biggest inspiration to become a writer?”

Answer: If I had to narrow it down to the one biggest things, I’d have to say it was my love of comic books and the stories they told, action-driven but often character-centered, serialized in its narrative. Characters like The Avengers and The X-Men became a second family to me of sorts, one that I would check in on every month. There was nothing I loved more than going comic book shopping, browsing through back issues, discovering new titles. It’s a wonder I never ended up in the comic book field.

“What advice would you give an aspiring writer??”

Answer: As silly as it sounds, my advice would be “Write!”. I’ve known a lot of would-be writers over my life who just don’t write. Or write enough. The only way you’re going to hone your craft is by committing yourself to it fully. Also, reading A LOT helps.

Joanne Verbeek writes: “If season 4 is picked up: Will Lt. Anders joining the crew?”

Answer: No plans for Anders to join the crew, but there’s a good chance he may play a significant role in how events unfold for them in the show’s fourth season.

“Maybe have Hackmods(Android style)as an adversary???”

Answer: I know that’s a Killjoys term, but I’m woefully behind.

“Will you reveal the Stargate alumi to guest star in future episode(s)?”

Answer: If all the pieces fall into place then, yes, absolutely. Hoping it will be more than one guest star.

Michael A. Burstein writes: “No questions for the mailbag. Just wanted to say hi and tell you that my wife and I are continuing to enjoy the show. You had some great episodes this season and we’re looking forward to seeing more next season!”

Answer: Michael, great to hear from you. Hope you and your wife are well!

Sakura writes: “Will Portia aka Rebecca meet Dr.Shaw?”

Answer: If the two timelines share the Rebecca/Shaw relationship, then it would stand to reason that Portia would, eventually, try to seek out Shaw.

“If Dr. Shaw want android have free will and don’t want download her mind to android’s body , why she will agreed with Sarah doing tis ?”

Answer: Perhaps we’ll find out more about her attitude regarding androids and humanity as the series progresses but, on the surface, it would seem like a distinction between saving “a” life and saving her own.

“Will Two try to find back her connection with Dr.Shaw?”

Answer: This isn’t the last we’ve seen of Dr. Shaw – or the androids.

“Will victor died ?”

Answer: Oh, everyone dies. Eventually.

cudaker writes: ““Over the course of the hour, we discussed all things Dark Matter including a few hints as to what lies in store for the show’s fourth season. It’s going to be spectacular!” Can we Know few things of these chats ?”

Answer: You will once the interviews are published in a week or two.

“Ever though a crossover Between SG and DM for an episode or more ?”

Answer: No crossovers. I don’t own the rights to Stargate or its characters. I do hope to invite some of the former cast members to guest star on the show though.

“A DM PC game would it be possible ?”

Answer: Theoretically, yes, but highly unlikely. Stargate had numerous failed attempts at a game and if Stargate couldn’t do it, I have no confidence that we’d be able to pull it off.

“If you were able to go back in time where/when would you go ?”

Answer: I’d probably go back to earlier in my life and talk myself out of some vary unwise decisions.

Tingyiy writes: “Is dark matter coming to fan expo?”

Answer: I don’t know. The cast books their appearances separately from the show (with the exception of SDCC).

“Will Tehya return to dark matter?”

Answer: Hopefully, if we can afford her.

“How do I audition for dark matter without an agent?”

Answer: Unfortunately, the short answer is you don’t. Going through agents and casting directors makes things a lot easier for a production and also helps us avoid the occasional unforeseen issue.

“What about a killjoys dark matter crossover?”

Answer: Again, theoretically doable but it would require a fair amount of coordination on the parts of the production companies. Creatively, I think it would be a blast. I’m a HUGE Michelle Lovretta fan!

ChrisPa1975 writes: “Why, oh why, did you kill off one? So completely? Without even a death scene. I mean a real one?”

Answer: To be perfectly frank, it was never my intention to kill him off. And the death scene, while shocking, wasn’t my original plan either.

“Same with Devon. Why?I know…the sacrifice…but with the scene being cut his death seems so…unnecessary…”

Answer: Again, yes, this was another case where what ended up onscreen was not the original plan and as a result, in my opinion, resulted in a less than satisfactory conclusion to the Devon storyline.

“I am afraid to invest myself in another character…afraid they’ll be killed off just when I start to really connect with the character…”

Answer: Well, as we’ve proven, no one is safe. It’s not just the guest stars.

“Are we now going to have a musical episode, or what?”

Answer: Season 6!

LeePowellWriter: “Any chance that Ryo will rejoin the Raza?”

Answer: Oh, it’s possible – but, as things stand, highly unlikely. Then again, you never know. Two weeks ago when someone asked me if it was possible to download Sarah’s consciousness into an android body, I said possible but unlikely as it would require a proper android form capable of receiving her consciousness and the work of an expert in neurorobotics. And, lo and behold, the pieces fell into place in last weeks’ episode!

nantokanaru77 writes: “1. Do your DM casts get to preview the shows before it’s aired or do they watch how the episodes come together same time as the rest of us?”

Answer: They get to preview the episodes when they do ADR, but they don’t get the full experience until the episode actually airs.

“2. Plans on your next visits to Japan?”

Answer: I need time and someone I can trust with the dogs. Both big asks.

“3. What is happening to your “other” (military?) show?”

Answer: It’s still out there, making the rounds. I think that if the broadcasters pass, I’ll do something I’ve never done before and just make the pilot available for download here on the blog for your reading pleasure.

“4. Your favorite cuisine? Anything you don’t eat?”

Answer: Favorite? Japanese. I eating pretty much everything – except natto and fruit-based desserts.

OgreMkV writes: “Have you ever looked at an episode and asked “Why the heck did we even shoot that one?””

Answer: No, but there have been episodes that did disappoint me for various reasons. A couple come to mind.

KathyC writes: “When are you going to get Akemi a dragon?”

Answer: When one of you gifts me one!

To Livin, Lovin & Lyin writes: “1. What is the reason for the creation of Rebecca?”

Answer: Tonight’s episode (“The Dwarf Star Conspiracy”) will shed some light on that question.

“2. When will we learn about the evolution of Portia Lin? (Rebecca evolving into Portia)”

Answer: We’ll receive a hint about that in next week’s episode (“My Final Gift To You”). In the case of TWO, that “final gift” is information that will offer a hint at what caused her to turn. But more on that in season 4. In fact, if we do get a fourth season, I’d like to do a flashback episode that will offer us insight into the Raza crew pre-mindwipe.

“3. Are there going to be any set visits for season 4?”

Answer: I don’t know. That’s all arranged through the production company.

“4. Are there any traits that Rebecca, Portia & Two share or do you see them as all a different person?”

Answer: They share plenty of traits but they’re all different facets of the same individual.

Carrie writes: “1, Please tell me that Season 4 is picked up. I could keep asking until it’s either yes (it better be) or no (it better not be!!!).”

Answer: Alas, only SYFY knows the answer to that.

“2, What are your thoughts on aliens and you know future 600 years from now type of thinnggsss? Matters of the Dark kind of thinnggsss stuffs.”

Answer: Aliens, you say? Stay tuned!

vesuvian7 writes: “What does it look like when you get a pickup for a new season?”

Answer: Usually it’s in the form of an email from the company president informing me that we got a pickup.

“Do the SyFy people just email/call you saying that they’re picking it up?”

Answer: They pick up the phone and call the president of Prodigy Pictures who relays the information to me via email.

“What does a “pick up” actually look like? do they just write a check and say when they want their finish cuts, or is it more complicated than that?”

Answer: It’s as simple as a phone call. Most of the paperwork is already in place.

“Do you have to show up and sign a piece of paper? is it a digital signature?”

Answer: With regard to the pick up, my job is specific to producing the show.

“Does the contract you sign have delivery of the episodes?”

Answer: Yes. There is often a very clear delivery schedule.

“How often do you talk with SyFy studio people during pre-production/filming?”

Answer: It really depends on the production and the stage of production.

“How often do you contact SyFy after you’ve delivered the final cuts?”

Answer: Again, I personally do not have contact with SYFY after delivering cuts but a broadcaster may have conversation with our post-production department lead by the wonderful Rachel Sutherland.

“You mention the new season pickup on your blog almost daily… How much can you lobby SyFy before they start getting annoyed?”

Answer: Not sure what you mean by annoyed. And what do you mean by lobbying? Do you mean fans actually showing up at the SYFY offices and demanding the show be renewed? I imagine that could get annoying real fast. On the other hand, having the fans support the show online is pretty respectful.

“Does Syfy watch your daily cuts and make suggestions, or do they give you a lot of rope.. or if you’re not comfortable giving specifics, what is normal for a show like this?”

Answer: Different scenarios for different productions. SYFY does let us know what they feels is working and isn’t working but, in general, have respected the creative and allowed us to make the show I envisioned from the get-go.

Drea writes: “Burning Question #1:Have you and Akemi picked out a name yet for the dragon you are going to adopt?”

Answer: No. Maybe I’ll have the fans name him/her once the adoption has been completed.

“Burning Question #2: Do Canadian insurance plans offer “accident forgiveness” (the way All State insurance company in U.S does) if a dragon is basically house broken and obedient but has a ‘rare’ temperamental bad day?”

Answer: Will have to look into that.

“Burning Question #3: Keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed this never ever happens, Albeit ….

In the unlikely unfortunate event your new family member does indeed have a bad day and “accidentally” burns the house down with you and Akemi in it What Canadian dollar bill denomination would you and Akemi prefer to be on?”

Answer: The $5 bill because blue is Akemi’s color.

arcticgoddess writes: “1) When scouting for houses as locations, are there people already in some database that are willing to rent out their homes for a week, or do you rely on crew homes to provide you with locations? How much does a production typically pay for the use of a home?”

Answer: There is a database of locations that we can check out, everything from industrial sites to family homes. The price for the rental really depends on the place.

“2) Happy thoughts… however, if season 4 doesn’t get picked up, are you still moving to Toronto? Right now, I guess it’s not really much of a choice – forest fire smoke vs. almost constant rain.”

Answer: We’ll be moving to Toronto at the end of this month whether Dark Matter comes back or not.

“3) Will Mike Dopud be making more appearances if you get a 4th season pick-up?”

Answer: To early to tell, but I love Mike and would certainly love to him back.

“4) Which do you prefer to write – the ensemble story, or the single character story?”

Answer: I love having the ability and freedom to do both.

Alex writes: “In “Built, Not Born,” the Android had a memory about Four and Two discussing about Nova 17. Four and Two mention someone named “Griff.” Do we know who that person is? Or does this remain to be seen?”

Answer: Griff was Officer Kal Varrick’s (SIX) undercover alias when he first boarded The Raza – something we learned in season 2.

Kel writes: “Any desert recommendations in Vancouver?”

Answer: Lucky’s Donuts at 49th Parallel on Main Street, Beta 5 chocolates on Industrial Ave, Pure Bread Bakery on East Hastings, Soft Peaks softserve ice cream on Alexander Street, Cadeaux Bakery on Powell Street, Bella Gelateria on Cordova, G Cafe on Cordova, Tangram’s Ice Cream on Arbutus…to name a few.

Joseph Sardone writes: “OK, WE KNOW that you know that Stargate is coming back, so what are the odds of getting the band back together again … ((or at least some of them,writers/actors/etc.)). with YOU being a part of the team?”

Answer: Would love for it to happen but it would seem MGM has decided to go in another direction.

Shaneac1 writes: “I know you’ve said in the past that merchandising for dark matter is going to be up to syfy has there been any movement on this I know syfy really doesn’t seem too keen on merchandising which is a shame is there any chance of getting some Collectibles made for the show.”

Answer: Prodigy Pictures should be taking the lead here but, sadly, there hasn’t been any movement.

Seriously Mike writes: “When can we expect Cyrus King to finally show up?”

Answer: Somewhere between next episode and the series finale.

baterista9 writes: “What’s your “diet Kryptonite”?”

Answer: Ice cream.

darkmatterman writes: “I know you said you have a 5 season plan for dark matter but have you ever thought about maybe extending the show beyond 5 years, maybe 10 like stargate?”

Answer: Nope. Five is the plan and I’m sticking to it.

Jack Hoffer writes: “Will we get to see 2 progress from being with Shaw to being a killer?”

Answer: Eventually, yes, that part of her story will be revealed.

“Will we get more of 5s back story if season 4 gets picked up?”

Answer: Again, yes, there is more to explore in her backstory as well.

“If season 4 doesn’t get picked up could we get a comic/novel, or could you let us know what you had planned?”

Answer: Hopefully, SYFY will renew the show for a fourth and fifth season and all of your questions will be answered.

maggiemayday writes: “Recommendations for good eats in Victoria?”

Answer: Sorry. I’ve never been.

Mike writes: “Last night changed all of that because we watched last weeks episode where the writers seemed to see a need to portray the two main characters in a lesbian relationship. We are now switched off and thought you should know. Not everyone who watches these shows are ok with the current trends and if you folks want to disenfranchise a portion of your viewer, keep pushing a social agenda instead of staying with entertainment that is able to be enjoyed by a larger cross section of America.”

Answer: Sigh. While I have no qualms with creators who push agendas through their work, but it isn’t something I do. I’m not trying to send a message, simply reflecting my experience and the world I live in. Ultimately, the reason why I scripted the Rebcca/Shaw relationship was for the very same reason I scripted the ONE/TWO/THREE triangle in the show’s first season – it serviced the story I wanted to tell. In the end, I suppose I could have made them former golfing partners instead of lovers but it probably wouldn’t have been as interesting. Probably.

Drea + team writes: “Q1: Any stories in other genres brewing in your head of late?”

Answer: Yep. I have a couple of serialized dramas, something in the thriller area, and a couple of horror stories as well. Oh, and also a superhero-themed project.

“Q2 & 3: Now that you’ve been professionally writing science fiction for so very long, do you think you could ever even pay serious consideration to professionally writing in other genres?”

Answer: Of course.

“Also: Now that you’ve experienced the power of being Show Creator and Show Runner. Do you think you could ever accept a steady job writing for someone elses story? If say, for example, some Big Ticket show you admire Such as Walking Dead or Better Call Saul were to call and offer you a well paying job writing the next 60 episodes for them.”

Answer: Again, of course, but it would depend on: a) the show and, perhaps even more importantly, b) who I’d be working with.

Alabaster55 writes: “Do you think you might be able to post some more pictures of the Raza and corporate cruisers?”

Answer: If you do a search for Raza or Mikkei Cruiser or Ferrous Corp Destroyer in on the blog, plenty of pics will pop up.

Rebekah Goodyear writes: “Are you going to ask Ben Browder to guest star in season 4?”

Answer: Too early to tell who will guest star in season 4 but I am, and have always been, a big fan of Ben.

James13 writes: “Has any of the character’s story lines been changed dramatically since when you first started writing for the show, or has everyone’s journey been more or less right on schedule?”

Answer: Most have been pretty much on schedule with the exception of ONE’s storyline.

“If you could become one of the characters besides the Android on the show, which character would you want to be?”

Answer: THREE. He has the right “couldn’t care less” attitude.

“Are there story lines that you have that you can’t do because of budgetary/scheduling reasons that you wish you could do?”

Answer: So far, so good. But we still have two seasons to go.

“Since we are in the age of reboots/sequels, if a studio came to you and said they want you to reboot a TV show or movie that hasn’t been rebooted already, what show or movie would you possibly pick?”

Answer: I actually tried to track down the rights holders to Blake’s 7 and Space: 1999 to see if they’d be interested in rebooting their respective franchises, but got nowhere.

“Finally, any chance I can get my hands on a replica Raza spaceship, or the blink drive briefcase??”

Answer: Best chance would be once the series has wrapped and the production holds an auction. Hopefully, that’s at least two years away!

Thogar writes: “Will the AU crew play an important part in future seasons?”

Answer: Chances are good you’ll see them again before season’s end.

“What about Adrian and Solara? Loved them from the moment I saw them & it would be nice to get some new characters who don’t get swept away after a single season. Even if they’re just recurring, like Truffault, it would add some continuity and familiarity. Plus, they’re both fun!”

Answer: They’re out there and, yes, there are plans to see them again sometime down the line.

“I know you’ve had this story planned for years – How much of it has changed due to various necessities?”

Answer: Most of it has progressed as planned with the exception of the ONE storyline as I’ve already discussed.

“Has fan reaction, network brass input, actor input, etc. caused a shift in your original plan? If so, have any of those changes been significant or could they be seen more as minor modifications while the original vision remains intact?”

Answer: No significant shifts but any minor shifts have been the result of the cast. For instance, after the show’s first season, I made a concerted effort to find ways to pair the THREE/FIVE characters because Anthony and Jodelle are so damn good.

“If Dark Matter runs for your planned 5 years and the network just insists on a 6th season, would you do it? Do you have any story ideas to take the crew beyond their 5-year mission?”

Answer: It’s a big universe and there would be plenty of ideas, but the story I want to tell will span five seasons. I’m not seeing a sixth season couldn’t happen, only that I wouldn’t be a part of it.

“Would you consider a spin-off of Dark Matter?”

Answer: Yes. If I could find the right premise on which to build another show, absolutely.

MaggieL80 writes: “Which crew members succeed in turning their lives around and which ones return to the dark side??? That’s what I want to know. Can there be a happy ending?”

Answer: There won’t be a happy ending for everyone. Truth be told, when I was originally plotting the series, it wasn’t going to be a happy ending for anyone.

“We have seen that all the characters have internal scars but Three has a very noticeable outside scar. Will we see how he received that facial scar? Definitely makes him look more roguish!”

Answer: No immediate plans to tell that particular story but…who knows?

“Is there a possibility that the “new” blink drive can be adjusted to return the alternate Raza crew back to their reality? And soon? They’re up to something!”

Answer: Not soon enough.

“Will there be any more mention of Five’s sister this season?”

Answer: Yes!

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