Looking at the darkness of the oil doesn't tell you anything. You have to go by the amount of miles on the oil and type of conditions you drive in to know know when to change the oil. Synthetic oil is able to suspend dirt and contaminants longer than conventional oil can. So even though synthetic oil may look dirty, it's still able to properly lubricate and protect the motor.
Don't forget your oil filter has been in there for the same time (I'm assuming). I believe the filter material is paper based. Paper soaking in oil for a year will definitely degrade over time. Just did an oil change in my Saab this fall after about 1 year and could see that internal paper part was starting to look like it was loosing its shape. The originally straight up and down paper pleates were getting pretty wavy. I'd definitely recommend changing it based on what I saw; cheap insurance.
2009.1 G8 GT - SRM Premium & Sport packages (5 series suspension standard!)
Billet Catch Can, Volant CAI
2004 Saab 9-3 5-speed
2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab
2000 Volkswagen GTI VR6 (Complete POS!)
1987 BMW 535i 5-speed (Picked it up w/ 96K and sold around 150K due to freon being outlawed)
1994 Acura Integra (reliable, efficient, & boring)
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