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Eureka: A bright spot in a dim summer TV season

by Mike Moody, posted Jul 20th 2009 5:10PM

eureka syfySyfy's newest series, Warehouse 13, was supposed to satisfy my need for awesome summer sci-fi TV. Instead, it's one of the network's old staples, Eureka, that's filling the void left by the cancellation of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and the end of Battlestar Galactica.

I know what you're thinking: Eureka has nothing in common with those shows. It's a lighthearted, inoffensive hour of nerd-friendly fluff, not a dark meditation about life before or after the apocalypse. But it's more than that. Eureka is a smart and charming blend of Northern Exposure, The Andy Griffith Show and Twin Peaks. (I guess there's a bit of The Twilight Zone in there too.) The show about a town of geniuses might be a little too "gee whiz" for some, but that's part of the appeal for me. It's refreshing to see a sci-fi show look on the bright side without sacrificing clever storytelling and engaging characters.

The squeaky clean town the friendly characters inhabit is brimming with sci-fi weirdness nicked from the past four decades of geeky books, movies and TV shows. It's not exactly original, but it's fun watching Eureka put its own unique spin on classic sci-fi tropes. Since its return on July 10, the show has offered a Robocop sheriff who acts like Andy Griffith, a HAL-like computer that's more prankster than killer, and a freakier take on Freaky Friday. It might not be Peabody Award-winning material, but Eureka represents a bright spot in this mostly dim summer season.

Eureka airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.

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weebles

I usually go for the darker, edgier sci-fi, but I LOVE this show! It's so much fun, I can watch the episodes over and over and still giggle. Plus, it's a nice easy break for folks who actually understand at least some of the science.

July 29 2009 at 1:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bill

Maybe worth a look as long as it's not a Fox show. They dumped TSCC and I dumped Fox!

Sure wish Syfi would go after TSCC. Cable networks at least seem to have a bit more respect for their viewers than the over the air networks. Syfi goes after it's niche audience and at least tries to please the viewers. The OTA networks are strictly about maximizing ratings regardless of what they air. Quality means nothing unless it has great ratings. They could care less about a measly 4 or 5 million loyal viewers.

We really could use a good Sci-Fi dramatic series. The TSCC void won't be easy to fill. I'll definitely miss it and will yearn for something of it's calber.

July 23 2009 at 3:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Val

Love this show.. One of the few TV bright spots in my week.. the other 2 being Degrassi and The Spectacular Spiderman

July 20 2009 at 7:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Will

It's my favorite show on TV right now

July 20 2009 at 7:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gooby

I absolutely LOVE Eureka! It's my feel good show. Sci-fi + comedy + drama + great cast + good writing = win.

Just got my Season 2 DVD and now that season 3 is continuing, I'm in full Eureka mode again. God I missed this show!

July 20 2009 at 7:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lisa

I love Eureka. Its so refreshing and enough sci fi to satisfy my inner comic con fan. I love that show. I was prepared to hate that new robo cop but I began to like him toward the end. Maybe they will find some sort way to bring him back for an episode later on.

July 20 2009 at 6:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan Chichian

This is one of several summer shows that I would rather watch than a lot of the regular season shows.

I am usually a drama watcher so a light show needs to catch me fairly quickly. I have been watching W13 but I was not captured right from the start like with Eureka, Psych, The Middleman (idiot ABC Family!) and Pushing Daisies (idiot ABC).

July 20 2009 at 6:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
izikavazo

I like the fluffiness of Eureka and Psych, especially since every other show I watch makes my brain hurt and my eyes bleed (metaphorically)

July 20 2009 at 6:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bubbameister33

I think he went back into his box. I thought they were gonna do the killer robot angle but the surprised me.

July 20 2009 at 5:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bubbameister33

They need to have Sheriff Andy as a regular on the show. I loved that character and thought he was pretty funny.

July 20 2009 at 5:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Bubbameister33's comment

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