Dark Matters: Twisted But True

Dark Matters: Twisted But True presents the macabre and often overlooked corners of scientific history, from bizarre experiments to the personal eccentricities of famous scientists. Each episode typically features two or three stories, using a mix of archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with historians and scientists to bring these tales to life.¹ The series is hosted by John Noble, known for his role in Fringe, who provides a brooding narration that sets the tone for the show's exploration of the 'dark side' of science.

The series covers a wide range of unsettling subjects, including the CIA's mind-control experiments under Project MKUltra, the strange case of the 'Elephant Man' Joseph Merrick, and the tragic story of the Radium Girls who painted watch dials with radioactive paint.² It also delves into the bizarre, such as the attempt to create a 'humanzee' (a human-chimpanzee hybrid) and the experiments of early brain surgeon Walter Freeman, who performed lobotomies with an ice pick.³ These stories are presented with a focus on the ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences of scientific curiosity.

Produced by the Canadian company Cream Productions, Dark Matters aired on the Science Channel in the United States and Discovery Channel Canada. The show was praised for its engaging storytelling and high production values, though some critics noted that it sometimes sensationalized the material. It ran for two seasons, with the final episode airing in 2012, and has since become a cult favorite among fans of science history and true crime.

One of the lesser-known aspects of the show is its use of reenactments that often feature actors who later became well-known, such as the appearance of a young Tatiana Maslany in an episode about conjoined twins.⁴ Additionally, the series occasionally highlighted obscure but fascinating stories, like the 'Toad Test' for pregnancy, which involved injecting a woman's urine into a toad to see if it would ovulate. The show also explored the history of the 'Dr. Fox Effect,' a study that demonstrated how a charismatic lecturer could fool students into rating a meaningless lecture highly, a topic rarely covered in mainstream science documentaries.

MKUltra

A CIA program of mind-control experiments conducted from the 1950s to the 1970s, involving the use of drugs, hypnosis, and other techniques.

Lobotomy

A surgical procedure that severs connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex, once used to treat mental illness but now largely discredited.

Radium Girls

Female factory workers in the early 20th century who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with radium-based paint.