Summer Show to Watch: Eureka
Posted in Jenni Hammit, television on 06. Jul, 2009
I’ll be the first to admit that I only causally watch the Sci-fi Channel’s Eureka. I never thought it was a bad show, but it just sort of happened. Before I had a DVR, I was never home when it was on. Then when I got my DVR, I kept forgetting to record it. Really I hadn’t given the show much more thought, but now I am thinking it will be one of the fun light hearted shows of the summer.
After my Father’s Day plans went completely down the drain, I found myself with no real plans. I ended up using the Eureka marathon as my background noise as I did some work from home. By the end of the marathon, I can say this may be something I will be adding to my DVR list.
Season 4 launches this summer, and I am interested to see how it goes. Eureka’s premise is that there is a town where the government puts the brightest minds to flourish. Their Sheriff Jack Carter is my favorite type of sci-fi character. He is the snarky and sardonic guy that reminds me of the early seasons of Farscape. Actually, it reminds me a lot of the character dynamics from Farscape. He’s the “normal” guy. Where John was the human among aliens, Jack is the normal guy in a town filled with scientists and innovators. Come on, he lives in a bomb shelter house run by a computer named S.A.R.A.H. How classic is that.
It is a sci-fi show, so if you are anti-sci-fi, this isn’t your show. However, it isn’t near as heavy as typical sc-fi shows. Yes there is always a crisis du jour, some type of extreme geekiness, and technospeak, but the lightheartedness is what wins my heart. So many shows have too much “emotional baggage.” A good show is going to get you with some emotional hook. It can be you relate to a character. It makes you happy. Maybe you are sucked in by the storyline. I like Eureka because it isn’t overly dramatic. My emotional involvement is along the lines of “Chuck.” It just makes me happy.
Now, my one concern with the show is the whole “Jack always knows how to save the day.” Now I get that he is the sheriff. Plus I also agree that he usually gets quite a bit of help and input from the resident geniuses. Still, I know there is that chance that might get old ala Stargate with “Dumb Jack” to the rescue. However, I’m hopeful that season four will be a nice little distraction.
