Dark Matter Season 2, Episode 6 brings Gil Birmingham onto Apple TV’s hit sci-fi thriller as Daniela’s stepfather, Gabriel Vargas. The episode, titled “What the Universe Is Made Of,” picks up after Daniela leaves Jason behind in Episode 4 and follows her to a quiet home in the woods outside Denver.
Daniela Arrives at the Vargas Home
Daniela steps off a bus and finds an empty house belonging to the Vargas family. A tarp-covered Jeep sits out front, and after passing a view of the lake, she lets herself in. Rooms are full of covered furniture, and she settles in for several days, turning the abandoned house into a home while Charlie and Jason wonder if she’ll return.
The Bird and Gabriel’s Arrival
An injured bird becomes her first companion, and then Gabriel arrives. He wears a cowboy hat, and Birmingham plays him with the same calming, patient presence he brought to Yellowstone and Marshals. Gabriel greets Daniela with an excited “Mija! It’s so good to see you!” She reacts with shock, unsure if her cover is blown or if her version of Daniela even exists in this world.
The Reunion Turns to Tears
Their reunion turns to tears of joy when Gabriel hugs her. Inside the house, Gabriel asks about Daniela’s family in San Diego, bonds with her over missing a kid in college, and calls her “a little tight.” They spend the night laughing, drinking, and reminiscing, and Daniela loosens up.
Gabriel’s Story From the Past
The next morning Gabriel pushes back. He remembers the day they met, when Daniela was eight years old and too shy to look at him. Her mother had made her dress up to meet her new boyfriend, and Daniela was mad and scared. Gabriel admits he was not interested in being an evil stepfather to some mocosa.
Gabriel’s Warning About the Past
“But then you looked up at me with those eyes, and it was crushing. How can an eight-year-old look at me with the brokenness of an adult? Same way you’re looking at me now. It’s been many, many years since I’ve seen that look… Some things in the past, they don’t stay there. They sneak up on us. Advice from an old man. Ignoring it will not help. It always comes up. One way or another.”
Gabriel’s Painting
Gabriel pushes Daniela to paint again to process her emotions. The two bond through their shared love of art. Their connection feels genuine, and the episode leans on it to humanize Daniela’s fractured identity.
The Twist
The peace ends abruptly. While Daniela walks, Gabriel frantically paces, afraid he’s having a stroke. He imagines his Daniela — the one who lives in San Francisco — calling him to check in.
“But your painting. I know those brush strokes to be my daughter,” Gabriel says, utterly perplexed. “But I also know that I just spoke to my daughter in San Francisco.”
Daniela Explains Herself
Daniela chooses honesty. “You’re okay. Your daughter, she is in San Francisco. And she’s here. Can we sit? I’m gonna try and explain,” she says.
What Comes Next
The episode ends with Daniela explaining herself to Gabriel. We don’t see the full conversation before the credits roll. That means Birmingham could return in Episode 207, giving viewers more of a different side of Daniela and more about life before Jason and the box.
Comparing Gabriel to His Presence
| Character | Role | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Vargas | Daniela’s stepfather | Calm, patient, wise |
Key Facts Box
- Episode: Dark Matter Season 2, Episode 6
- Title: “What the Universe Is Made Of”
- Gabriel Vargas actor: Gil Birmingham, 73 years old
- Show: Taylor Sheridan’s Sheridan-verse
- Location: Daniela’s family home near Denver
- New episodes: Fridays on Apple TV
Our View
Birmingham’s Gabriel is a gift for the show. He’s a kind, gentle man who knows Daniela so well that he helps her get to sleep as a child. His presence in the episode reminds viewers what a treat it is whenever he appears on screen.
The twist about Daniela’s San Francisco counterpart adds another layer to her story. This episode introduces the multiverse, and Gabriel helps explore the consequences of that setup.
Daniela’s stepdad is yet another win for Dark Matter’s casting department. Birmingham brings immense heart, humor, warmth, and ease to the role. If Daniela came to her family’s home in search of herself again, Gabriel will be crucial in her healing journey.
Until then, the question of which Daniela is the real one hangs over the story.
Consider us sat.
Source material: “‘Dark Matter’ Season 2, Episode 6 Casts ‘Yellowstone’ And ‘Marshals’ Star Gil Birmingham As Daniela’s Dad,” Decider.
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