EUReKA Review Season 4 Episode 11 “Liftoff”

Eureka is back! Season 4 continues from where it left off waaaaay back in September (let’s ignore that Christmas episode), which is a long enough time span to cloud my memory a bit, as the surprise wedding that started the episode would prove.

And what a clever ruse that wedding was. My mind was scrambling to remember episode 9. Did Carter propose to Allison? Was this hinted at? After the two surprise weddings on Parks and Recreation this season I just went with it. As it turns out, it was Carter’s house S.A.R.A.H. and his Deputy Sheriff Andy who were about to tie the knot, though S.A.R.A.H. eventually called it off.

While the opening proved to be inconsequential, it served as a callback to one of the oddest couplings/sight gags from the first half of the season. I don’t know if the show-runners intended for this S.A.R.A.H and Andy thing to go this far, but by the end of the episode they put it to bed. Probably for the better.

After the intro the show quickly dived into the one stowaway plot-line from the first half of the season that has yet to be resolved - Jo and Zane’s budding/interrupted/multi-timeline romance. Zane is still searching for answers, and decides to confront Fargo. For his efforts he is launched into space with Fargo. Only in Eureka.

What happens next is a whole series of predicaments that serve as the backdrop for some abrasiveness between Carter/Allison and Zane/Fargo. They send missiles to destroy the capsule (not knowing the boys are inside), it’s on a collision course, oxygen levels are low, communication is down, power is out, etc, etc. And everyone is running around trying to deal with this escalating chain of events.

You might think I didn’t like this episode, but it was actually very entertaining. It had a lot of Hollywood cliches and action sequences which are a staple this time of year. In fact you could say Eureka was striving to make their summer movie, and it succeeds on it’s own merits. It may have even exceeded some of the movies currently in release right now! *Ahem!* Zookeeper.

Predictably the show ends in bromance, romance, and an open-ended mortgage negotiation. I’m sure you can match the outcome to the three couples I’ve mentioned so far.

The Good: This was a solid episode, if you can look past the possibility of these two guys launching a rocket with about as much ease as operating a microwave (close the door, hit some buttons). Once they are in space it’s non-stop and everyone gets a moment to shine. This was a true ensemble episode, not the usual Carter-centric formula.

I also liked the behavioral swap between Zane and Fargo. Zane being the panicky and scared one, Fargo being mostly in control. If you described the scenario to a Eureka fan, they’d swear up and down Fargo would be the one screaming like a girl. Fargo has come a long way.

Andy dialed back the creepiness, a welcome improvement. He was very low-key and showed some range beyond the crazed-smile. Nice to see.

The Bad: No cringe-inducing scenes, no bad dialogue, no ‘huh?’ moments (besides the easy launch). The revelation that the rockets were needed to save the space station was a bit late for my taste. The ending with Fargo in Washington was not really ominous, nor was it the game-changer I hoped for. The tension between Carter and Allison felt a little forced, as though they were due for this.

The Ugly: I hate to repeat myself, but I don’t want to see that recap to start each episode! Game of Thrones doesn’t use one, which is Tony Tiger. In fact, not having these recaps probably helps to incite people to watch the older episodes. The first episode or Eureka I ever watched was the one where Carter and the guys in town were being chased by all the women. I caught the episode mid-show, so I was compelled to check the other episodes out as a result.

Notable: Only two pop-culture reference quotes tonight: “Eureka, we have a problem” and “Engage“. I like when Eureka doesn’t lay it on thick with references, opting to forge it’s own identity. Tonight was perfect.

S.A.R.A.H: “I’m not ready to be a housewife.” Ha. You know, they should give her a humanoid robot form. Even if only for an episode.

Both Jo and Allison referred to their (what I am assuming are perfectly nice) asses. That’s either lazy writing, or brilliantly catering to your audience. Probably the latter.

Grade: B- An entertaining action-y episode that puts a lot of the character stuff on the back-burner and doesn’t advance the show’s overall story too much. The entire cast is showcased smartly, a clever way to re-introduce everyone before we settle in for the long haul. Looking forward to what’s in store for the remainder of the season.