MovieChat Forums > Dark (2017) Discussion > Unnecessary deaths? (Spoilers)

Unnecessary deaths? (Spoilers)

posted 4 years ago by FootOfDavros (8145)
4 replies | jump to latest

So I've just finished this and great as it was I have a slight niggle around the death of Michael which also started making me think about a few others and whether it was a deliberate theme.

Starting with Michael - We know his suicide was precipitated by the visit of future Jonas / Claudia and they came to the realisation it had to happen and in fact Jonas' arrival planted the seed. However what actual difference to the loop would his survival have made? The initial trip to the tunnel was a result of Erik's disappearance and looking for his hidden drug stash. The group of kids were already an established group friends, would have made the same journey - with Mikkel in tow - that evening. Michael's suicide, or not, months before seemingly has no impact on this event. So why must he die?

[–] Jb (21) 4 years ago

I had the same question! Sad to not see an answer lol

[–] Mel251 (3) 3 years ago

The way I understood it was that Michael's death was important, as it was the catalyst for Jonas time travelling.

If Michael doesn’t die, an upset Jonas doesn’t get curious and look for answers regarding his father's death. He doesn’t explore the studio and find the maps in the ceiling. He doesn’t go exploring the cave, later getting help from adult Jonas (the stranger). Therefore, Jonas never time travels which means there’s no future (2020) Jonas. If future Jonas doesn’t exist and go back to 2019, there’s no one to lead Mikkel into the cave. Mikkel won’t grow up in 1986 and meet Hannah. Then there will be no Jonas, which impacts everything.

Therefore, Michael has to die. It’s not just about the kids being in the right place at the right time. The “right Jonas” has to be in the right place at the right time.

[–] FootOfDavros (8145) 3 years ago

Thanks for reply.

Been a while now since I watched this great show, so I may be forgetting some things here... But in terms of what you said there may be something in Mikkel's map being part of the loop. I can't remember which iteration of Jonas it was but yes I'm sure it was revealed he helped the young Mikkel through in the first place.

However, I'm still not sure that made the suicide necessary. Couldn't he just have left town / disappeared off the face of the earth as far as Jonas was concerned? He'd still be searching and find the map. In fact, was finding the map even necessary? Couldn't Mikkel just have openly left it for Jonas...

I just can't recall a specific reason why he had to be dead before his younger self journeyed back.

[–] Mel251 (3) 3 years ago

“I just can't recall a specific reason why he had to be dead before his younger self journeyed back.”

I guess the answer would be because that’s the the way it’s always happened before. It seems vague but that phrase was repeated a lot during the show. Things have to play out a certain way.

Young Mikkel would have been aware before the night he went missing that Jonas's dad had died. He then grows up and becomes Michael, knowing that at a certain point he has to commit suicide, sticking to the script kind of thing. He might have realised the futility of trying to change anything, unlike other characters who tried and failed, e.g. Claudia trying to stop her father from dying and instead actually causing it to happen.

A lot was made of the concept of free will, and how none of them have it. There were external forces making sure everything played out the right way. Clausen mentioned how strange it was that nobody ever seemed to leave the town. Maybe it’s because the town “wouldn’t let them leave”. Young Charlotte even said as much to young Peter when he got off the bus after arriving in town. Something along the lines of how he should turn straight around and leave, otherwise he'd be stuck there forever.

If Michael had tried to leave instead of committing suicide, determinism would probably have found a way to keep him there.