In more ways than one, the sci-fi genre seemingly peaked on the small screen with Netflix’s Dark. Ever since Dark ended on Netflix, only one Apple TV sci-fi show has seemingly come close to matching its brilliance.
While the Apple TV sci-fi show in question is nothing like Dark and does not focus on closed-loop time travel, it instills a similar feeling of existential dread and slow-burn intrigue with its unique concepts and satirical storytelling.
Even after all these years, Dark remains one of the best representations of time travel on the screen. It seems unlikely that any show in the future will come close to replacing it. However, even the Apple TV show in question is no less compelling and brilliantly convoluted throughout its two-season runtime.
Apple TV’s Severance Is The Best Thing That Has Happened To Sci-Fi TV Since Netflix’s Dark
Throughout Dark‘s runtime, the biggest question that looms over the characters and the viewers watching them is the overarching “when.” The show’s twisted portrayal of time always makes it hard not to question when in the timeline it is unfolding. Apple TV’s Severance is neither about time travel nor does it make viewers question the “when.”
However, like Netflix’s Dark, Apple TV’s Severance instills a similar sense of intrigue by making viewers question the “where” and the “who.” It always leaves an air of mystery surrounding its central location, which appears to be a simple office building but holds many secrets behind its doors.
At the same time, the show also forces viewers to constantly question who they are watching by revealing two alternate versions of the same characters. From a conceptual standpoint, Severance can often be as dense as Dark. Unlike the Netflix sci-fi show, though, Severance ensures its execution is simple and accessible for most viewers.
Like Dark, Severance is further elevated by the brilliant performances of its cast, which adds more heft to the human element of its overarching story. Almost throughout its runtime, Netflix’s Dark seems rather nihilistic as it takes itself too seriously. This approach also works in its favor, but Severance goes down a different path.
The show unfolds more as a corporate satire, which seems both relatable but uncomfortably funny. In its two seasons, so far, Severance has somehow managed to leave absolutely no dull moments, and it promises to get even better in its upcoming season 3.
While it is unknown when the show will eventually end, it seems likely that Severance might even last longer than Netflix’s Dark if everything goes in its favor. With so much going on for Severance, it would be fair to call it one of the best small-screen additions to the sci-fi genre.
Severance’s Only Problem Is Its Release Schedule
Dark premiered in December 2017 and ended its three-season run in June 2020. In less than three years, the show concluded its story while ensuring that it did not leave long gaps between seasons. Owing to this, it is hard not to see Dark as a prime example of how even modern high-concept TV shows can consistently churn out new seasons without dipping in quality.
Unfortunately, Severance has not been taking the same approach so far.
Severance season 2 took a long time to come out after the show’s opening installment. Even when it comes to the show’s season 3, it seems unlikely it will premiere anytime before Summer 2027, given how even its filming has not yet started.
While Severance season 2 ensured that the long wait after season 1 was worth it, the Apple TV show could really benefit from smaller gaps between seasons. Since it is a high-concept sci-fi show like Dark, audiences can often forget what happened in its previous season by the time its next installment comes out. Hopefully, Severance‘s future installments will improve the show’s release schedule.