Summary
Dark captivated viewers with mind-bending events, eerie soundtracks, and gut-wrenching dialogues, exploring complex themes of time, fate, and free will.
The profound quotes in Dark delve into various thought-provoking themes such as the interconnectedness of time, the inescapable nature of mortality, and the immense influence of love and personal decisions.
Within Dark, the characters find themselves ensnared within never-ending cycles of time, bound to relive their errors repeatedly. Despite this predicament, they cling onto hope, yearning to liberate themselves and forge a fresh start.
Set in the fictional small town of Winden, Germany, Dark on Netflix presents thought-provoking storylines and quotes that delve into the complexities of time, fate, and free will. Following the disappearance of Mikkel, the youngest child of the Nielsen family, this show takes viewers on a mind-bending journey alongside various characters. Over the course of three gripping seasons, Dark explores the secrets and destinies of four main families, shedding light on the choices and sins each character faces.
Dark quickly became a global sensation on Netflix, captivating viewers with its mind-bending events, haunting soundtracks, unforgettable scenes, and emotionally charged dialogues. Throughout the series, numerous characters deliver profound quotes encompassing themes of fate, reality, and the power of choice. Here, we compile the 20 most remarkable quotes from Dark, spanning from the beginning of the show to its enigmatic season 3 conclusion.
20 "What we know is a drop. What we don't know is an ocean." – Adam
Adam admitted to Jonas Kahnwald during the climactic conclusion of the third season of Dark that he had long believed himself to be solely responsible for the monumental changes that had unfolded. However, Claudia enlightened him about the necessity of obliterating both their worlds, and as a result, he journeyed back to Jonas and convinced him that their existence was inextricably intertwined. In order to salvage any hope for the future, Jonas had to navigate through time to Martha's parallel universe, then translocate to the primal world and prevent H.G. Tannhaus's son and family from departing prior to their ill-fated accident. In an effort to sustain their last glimmer of salvation, Adam affirmed to Jonas, "You two are our last hope."
19 "But in the end, every death is just a new beginning." – Eve
As the finale approaches and the events draw towards their conclusion, Martha unveils the eternal cycle of death and rebirth that entraps both Jonas and Martha's worlds. Driven by their desire to safeguard their loved ones, they continuously endure the same sacrifices they believe are necessary for others' salvation. Martha posits that death signifies not an end, but rather the commencement of another temporal cycle. Despite everyone being fated to repeat their mistakes, a glimmer of hope remains to terminate these cycles and inaugurate a fresh start for all.
18 "You and I are perfect for each other. Never believe anything else." – Jonas Kahnwald
This is a quote that holds great significance within the show, being repeated by Martha Nielsen and Jonas Kahnwald multiple times across different timelines. With their forbidden love and the challenges they face in navigating their emotions, the quote serves as a powerful reminder that love is more powerful than any obstacles or limitations. As the events of the show unfold, it becomes evident that their worlds were never meant to exist, adding a tragic element to their love story. Both Martha and Jonas are destined to fulfill their roles within the time loops, persistently attempting to change the course of time until they come to the realization that their stories are not the origin of their worlds.
17 "The end is the beginning and the beginning is the end." – Adam
Adam's quote, encapsulating Dark's focus on predestined fate and interconnected realities, stands as another paramount moment in the show. Throughout Dark Season 3, both Adam and Eva's actions continually challenge the concept of free will. Despite their efforts to disrupt the cyclic time loop with each decision, they remain bound by time and fate, unable to release their grip on the past or alter the course of the future. The juxtaposition of beginnings and endings reinforces the idea that in order to embark on a new life, one must first bid farewell to the old, as every conclusion inevitably paves the way for a fresh start.
16 "Perhaps I'm just a small part of a huge cancer that is much bigger than any of us can imagine." – Mikkel Nielsen
In 2019, while contemplating whether to take his own life or not, Mikkel shares with Jonas. Jonas believes his mission is to convince his dad to continue living, thereby preventing his own birth in the future and averting the impending apocalypse. However, upon meeting his father, Jonas realizes that he played a role in sending the younger Mikkel back to 1986 through a tunnel in the caves.
Convinced that there must be a greater purpose behind these events, Jonas's dad holds onto the belief that each individual must fulfill their role and make sacrifices in order to save everyone. Claudia then appears, reinforcing this idea and expressing the importance of their contributions. This episode is one of many in Netflix's Dark where viewers empathize with Jonas and the challenges life constantly throws his way.
15 "Our thinking is shaped by dualism. Entrance, exit. Black, white. Good, evil. Everything appears as opposite pairs. But that’s wrong." – H.G. Tannhaus
Dark explores the themes of mystery, time travel, and philosophical dilemmas concerning fate and free will. In season 1, episode 8 of Dark, titled "Dualism," Jonas Kahnwald travels back in time to meet H.G. Tannhaus and discuss the latter's book on time travel theories. Tannhaus enlightens Jonas about the inherent duality of humanity and how opposites are drawn to one another. Additionally, Tannhaus introduces the concept of the Trinity Knot, emphasizing its three-dimensional nature rather than just the conventional two dimensions theorized by Einstein and Rosen. Unbeknownst to Tannhaus, his theories play a significant role in the overall plot of Dark, shaping the grand scheme of events.
14 "We all face the same end." – Martha
This marks the ultimate culmination. Despite the diverse occurrences, parallel existences, and temporal voyages, a common fate looms over humanity. The demise of all individuals is an inescapable verity, an undeniable aspect of existence. Through Jonas and Martha's ardent endeavors to rescue others, they ultimately tread the same path and arrive at a shared realization: the apocalyptic event claims the lives of everyone.
13 "Most people are nothing but pawns on a chessboard moved by an unknown hand.” – Noah
12 "The question isn't from what time, but what world?" – Adam
In the season 1 finale of Dark, Noah conveyed to Bartosz the notion that individuals often maneuver through their narratives, taking critical actions without the awareness of the hidden machinations at play. This metaphorical representation of the ongoing struggle between light and shadow elucidates why each step must be replicated meticulously, as Noah wholeheartedly embraces Adam's vision and views the murders he commits as indispensable sacrifices in the ongoing battle to alter the timeline and safeguard the lives of all.The quote was repeated. In the finale of Dark Season 2, Jonas was confronted by Martha from another world immediately after the original Martha was murdered by Adam. She whisked him away just before the apocalypse unfolded. When Jonas inquired about the specific time she hailed from, she countered with a question of her own: "From what world?" This was the initial introduction for viewers to a parallel reality, commonly referred to as "Martha's world."
In The Dark's season 3 finale, Adam returns to Jonas, revealing the existence of two parallel worlds that should not have coexisted. Determined to unravel the intricacies of the knot, he devises a plan to persuade Jonas to accompany the alternate Martha to the original world. Their mission: to alter the pivotal event responsible for the division of time and reality.
11 "I thought I had more time. Why does everyone say that? 'To have time.' How can we say that, when it's time that has us?" – Jonas
In one of the most highly acclaimed Dark episodes, according to IMDb, Jonas miraculously appeared from the future. Patiently, he awaited the departure of his past self, as his heart yearned for Martha at the beach. Sitting beside her, he confessed that he believed he still had more time. Perplexed, Martha questioned him, sensing a change in his demeanor. In response, he reassured her of their perfect compatibility and urged her not to be swayed by any doubts. In that pivotal moment, their lips met in a passionate first kiss by the ocean. Jonas, determined to break the cycle, knew that he would soon bid her farewell in his quest to save his father, Mikkel Nielsen, from his tragic fate.
10 "Your pain defines who you are, but it no longer holds power over you" – Noah
In the Dark season 1 finale, Noah finds himself standing alongside Helge Doppler in 1986, facing a profound question about the belief in a non-existent God. In response, Noah explains, "Because we are inclined to embrace any falsehood rather than confront the agony." In a clandestine conversation, Noah recounts his encounter with Jonas in the past, carefully concealed from Helge, and imparts upon him the notion that no suffering experienced is without purpose. Noah comprehends that the tribulations endured by individuals bestow upon them fortitude and unwavering resolve. He then urges Helge to emancipate himself from the clutches of the pain he has encountered throughout his life, asserting that it should no longer wield power over him.
9 "Time is an infinite field. Millions and millions of interlocking wheels. We have to be patient to be victorious." – Noah
Noah's presence in season 1 cannot be overlooked. He was considered to be the primary antagonist, responsible for abducting and murdering three children, causing chaos in the small town of Winden. Noah reached out to Bartosz and persuaded him to believe in time travel by accurately predicting various events ahead of time. His unwavering trust in Adam and the grander scheme was unyielding, making his untimely demise at the hands of his own sister, Agnes, one of the most shocking moments that Dark viewers were blindsided by.
8 "Our mistake in all of our thinking is that we each believe ourselves to be an independent entity; one self beside countless other selves. While in reality, we're all just small fractions of an infinite whole." – Eva
Eva transported Jonas into Martha's reality, introducing him to the existence of alternate realities and the multitude of versions of themselves. Shockingly, Eva unveiled herself as the older Martha from the future. Each of them had numerous iterations, distinct from one another, with the capacity to behave differently. They were not merely identical beings; rather, their choices held significant consequences for each other. It was at this point that Eva disclosed their shared responsibility to save everyone else.
7 "The question isn't how, the question is when." – Mikkel Nielsen
Undoubtedly, this quote stands out as one of the most significant lines found throughout the series. The first season of Netflix's Dark is filled with a multitude of profound phrases that may have escaped the attention of viewers. Among them, a memorable moment takes place when Mikkel Nielsen, a character who adores magic tricks, showcases his skills to his astonished father, Ulrich. When questioned about the secret behind his trick, Mikkel responds with a thought-provoking answer, stating that it is not the "how" that matters, but rather the "when." This particular line becomes a crucial foreshadowing moment, leading Ulrich to eventually unravel the mysteries of time travel and discover the location of the kidnapping incident.
6 "The distinction between past, present, and future is nothing but an illusion. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow are not consecutive, they are connected in a never-ending circle. Everything is connected."
5 "We all face the same end. Those above have long forgotten us. They do not judge us. In death, I am all alone, and my only judge... is me" – Martha
: The initial episode of Dark provides a compelling and enigmatic introduction, setting the stage for the perplexing mysteries and tragic events that lie ahead. As the story unfolds across various timelines and realities, audiences are intricately woven into the intricate web of connections between characters who embark on time travel and grapple with intertwined paradoxes. From the very first line to the culmination of the series, Dark's characters find themselves caught in an eternal cycle of interconnectivity.
In the sixth episode of the first season of Dark, Martha takes on a significant role in a school play and captivates the audience with an unsettling monologue. The monologue skillfully mirrors the tumultuous events unfolding in Martha's life, characterized by the absence of her brother and the disarray within her family. As the culmination of her live performance approaches, Martha succumbs to overwhelming emotions, shedding tears onstage, prompting her mother to hastily rush to her aid.
4 "Death is incomprehensible, but you can make peace with it" – Jonas
A stranger, the older Jonas, arrived at the cemetery and sat next to Jonas by his father's grave. He proceeded to reveal his connection to Jonas' father and how he had been saved by him. Although he didn't understand Mikkel's actions back then, they became clearer to him later on. The theme of death permeated the lives of every character in the show, and perhaps what older Jonas was trying to convey was that death is an inevitable part of life. It is something that humans gradually become accustomed to over time.
3 "Expectations lead to disappointment. Have hope, not expectations. You might just be surprised, but not disappointed." – Inspector Clausen
Introducing Special Task Force Investigator Clausen, a confident yet conceited addition to the intriguing world of Dark, season 2. Tasked with unraveling the perplexing disappearance of five individuals in Winden, Clausen's determination is unwavering. However, as the narrative unfolds, viewers uncover Clausen's own hidden secret. Delving deeper into the investigation, Clausen stumbles upon the shocking truth of Aleksander Tiedemann's attempt to conceal toxic waste. Against the advice of those around him, Clausen's fateful decision to open the barrels unleashes unimaginable consequences, ultimately leading to the impending apocalypse.
2 "People are peculiar creatures. All their actions are driven by desire, their character forged by pain. As much as they might try to suppress that pain, to repress desire, they cannot liberate themselves from eternal servitude to their feelings." – Adam
1 "Hell is empty. And all the devils are here." – Adam and Eva's son
Adam observes the peculiar nature of humanity, always driven by their own desires, regardless of the measures taken to avoid suffering. Dark Season 3 delves into profound philosophical discussions on destiny and free will, and Adam is an exemplification of this. Having endured immense anguish across decades and timelines, surpassing what any individual should bear, Adam gradually embraces the belief that true paradise lies in an existence devoid of humanity. However, his longing to bring about the end of the world ensnares him in endless time loops and demands immense sacrifices.
In Dark season 3, Adam and Eva's son, known as The Unknown, recited a poignant line from William Shakespeare. Just moments before he was set to harm Claudia Tiedemann's secretary, he locked eyes with her and whispered these words, highlighting the sinister nature of humanity. He believed that the countless killings were necessary to maintain the infinite time loop and its connected events, until Eva discovered a way to safeguard humanity. This notion resonated with the characters' penchant for deceit and transgressions, all under the misguided belief that they were acting in the best interest of the greater good.