Review: 'Eureka' - Best In Faux

"Eureka" may unofficially hold the record for most puns in their episode titles. Cute and clever titles don’t make an episode successful, though. For that, you need a decent script, consistent character development, and, since it’s "Eureka," an unusual element of science as a centerpiece.

This episode delivered.

Summarizing the plot is a bit tough -- it involved exploding cyber-dogs, an earthquake, a magma pocket, some strange acoustic devices, and mucous. If this doesn’t make any sense, well, you obviously didn’t watch the episode. But you should. While it didn’t contribute much to the overall story arc, it was a fine stand-alone episode.

Oddly, while I was disappointed by the season premiere, this episode contained many of the same elements every episode of "Eureka" contains: father/daughter squabbles, zingers between Stark and Carter, sexual tension between Carter and Allison, a down-and-out scientist, and Fargo being Fargo. When they are done well, the episode is enjoyable. Here, all the pieces seemed to fit.

Perhaps it was the subtle character movement in this episode that made the difference. Carter helped Stark get the diamond for Allison, Zoey tried to comply with her father’s wishes, Carter eased up on her a bit, and Stark paid Carter a deserved compliment. Relationships need to be dynamic, lest we get bored.

That’s not to say I want every episode to be a love fest, but these interactions were much more believable than stereotypical squabbling, which has been known to dominate an episode or two.

While not the quickest paced episode, it did not get bogged down in the relationships or the procedural elements. It was clear who the culprit was, and the reasoning made some sense (for "Eureka" anyway). And I like to see Sheriff Carter have embarrassing things happen to him that don’t involve me having to see him in his underwear. Getting slimed with mucous is more my speed. And it wasn’t just Carter this time -- Allison Blake took her turn getting drenched (in a wedding dress, no less).

What Worked

Alan Ruck was superb in a guest role as Dr. Wood. I still can’t help but think of "Ferris Buehler’s Day Off" every time I see him. Plus, it is always nice to see veteran genre actress Lexa Doig ("Andromeda," "The 4400," and "Stargate SG-1"), who is aging remarkably well. Note to directors and writers: I’d like to see these two repeat these roles periodically.

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