Temporality is a central, maybe the central concern in Dark. A fundamental concept within the series is the theory that history repeats itself in a 33-year cycle and that “the distinction between past, present and future is nothing but an illusion.” In addition to this, Dark builds on an intricately woven web of secrets, mystical predictions, and intrigue. The serialized form makes it possible to unveil mysteries and to draw connections across different time lines. In this vein, the serialization and the non-linear uncovering of mysteries by means of an inherently linear medium, namely the order of scenes being intricately planned out, also mirrors a central outcome of the season: The realization that the mysteries that open up in earlier installments of the series are not explained by what is revealed later but rather the interventions that seem intent to change the course of events are actually what set said events in motion.

Nuclear power is merely a factor and a backdrop for different points in history but not a sinister cause of events. The nuclear power plant in Winden in particular, and Germany’s history with nuclear power in general are mostly a looming presence throughout the series and a mysterious threat that does not become a reality until the very end. While there were shady things going on at the power plant, some radioactivity was released, and the viewer is led to believe that the rips in time are somehow linked to the sinister things going on at the power plants, the radioactivity of the reactor and the work there are not what causes the rips in time and what causes the events of the series in any of its timelines[1]. The actions and activities of people determine the events and set events in motion, while the power plant is just a mysterious backdrop, during the first season because it spite of some shady things going on, the reactor was mostly stable and under control. After the creation of a worm hole in 2019 (and 1953), it can be assumed that the reactor was no longer stable and caused a major fall out, which changes the “future” of Germany after nuclear power when Jonas wakes up. The consequences of the worm hole likely caused an event in the reactor that may go beyond the scope of Chernobyl or Fukushima and determined Germany’s nuclear future but this is not what the first season addresses.

To return to the main concern, the connection between temporality and serialization: What the series presents and discusses as predeterminism, fate, or destiny, turns out to be a series of self-fulfilling or reverse engineered causalities. Jonas, trying to destroy the rip in time by leaving his 2019-self in the power-chamber, actually creates the rip in time that could be called the beginning, namely him touching Egon through the worm hole and waking up dreaming about him, a scene that happens in episode 1 and 10. Ulrich, trying to save Mikkel by killing Helge, actually put him in the chamber that eventually turned him into Noah’s puppet. Ulrich also feels that Egon Tiedemann is biased against him and even thinks he is the antichrist, when in reality, Egon thinks that because Ulrich was accused of murdering Erik and Yasin in 1953.

Although the nuclear reactor does not trigger the events, the series nevertheless discusses the effects of nuclear power on health and society. In 2019, very few people in Winden actively work at the power plant but as several characters in different time lines, particularly Bernd Doppler in 1986 discuss, the livelihood of the whole town still depends on the power plant. In 1986, the effects of Chernobyl are felt and discussed in the news and they affect the power plant as well. They make people feel unsure about nuclear power. But more than that, at this time, Charlotte is already documenting mysterious spots on bird carcasses that are later attributed to a mutation caused by radiation so there must be a cause irrespective of and prior to Chernobyl to cause such mutations. We may believe this was caused by the Winden reactor. Another possible mutation could be the fact that Elizabeth is deaf in a family where deafness is not hereditary, as is another child her age in this small town. Regina Tiedemann is diagnosed with cancer, which, as an individual case, cannot be attributed to the existence of nuclear power, but in the suggestive and elusive context of the series, we cannot help but wonder if proximity to radioactive materials may have had its effect on her.

[1] In 1953, investors are planning to build the first power plant and praise the future with nuclear power. In episode 6, one investor threatens others directly not to interfere with the power plant and spews conspiracy theories. This enhances the impression that the power plant is a central, sinister factor in the course of events, a conclusion that is not yet born out by evidence. 1986 revolves around the fall out in Chernobyl but also mentions a minor release of radioactivity a the Winden plant. In 2019, the worm hole and the disruption it caused, likely results in a major nuclear event that changes Germany’s nuclear future.