Eureka Episode 4x18 Review

Episode Title: This One Time at Space Camp...
Episode Rating: B+
Overall Season Rating: B

Firstly, this will be a very brief review. I've been feeling pretty under the weather lately, and it's tough to write review with a fever. Not complaining, I'll be fine in a couple days, but priorities people.

The last review I wrote for Eureka was positive, but I had a few issues with the way the relationships were being handled. It seemed like every week each of the several couples would get into a fight, and during the course of the episode would patch things up and be hugging by the end. I like the characters and wasn't against seeing them get together, but I long for the days when something crazy would happen and there wasn't all this shipper stuff.

Eureka Episode 4x16 Review

Episode Title: Of Mites and Men
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating: B

Last week we took a break from the Astraeus mission and had an episode all about Beverly and her evil minions trying to steal information from G.D. This week, we are back to the regular craziness of Eureka, but I also think they are moving away from what made the show so much fun in previous seasons. I love how the show is essentially a police procedural that never really seems like a police procedural. Whether that's because every week we are dealing with a new insane problem, or because there never is really any investigating we'll never know. I think we can all agree though that it works very well, and with the news that the show will only have one more season I was feeling somewhat nostalgic during this episode.

The guest stars were the highlight of the episode this week, with both Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day seeming like they've been there the whole time. A couple weeks ago I said that Holly reminds me of a brilliant Phoebe Buffet, and I stick by that. She loves what she does, and remains cheerful even when she has to go to the bathroom, but has to hold it for hours. Dr. Parish on the other hand is indeed the perfect nemesis for Fargo in that he's a genius, but is completely selfish and clearly hates everyone at G.D. With the exception of Holly of course.

Eureka Episode 4x15 Review

Episode Title: Omega Girls
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating: B+

This week we get a conclusion to the Allison story. I want to apologize for my huge error last week. Instead of identifying the Beverly at the end, I said it was Allison. While I think it would have been very cool for the show to include replicants, that was not the case AT ALL. This was pointed out in the comments section. Please do feel free to comment on anything, especially if I'm dead wrong about something.

The main part of this episode was about Beverly trying to steal all of Global Dynamics' secrets. So there is no confusion, I'm going to refer to her as Beverly, even when she's in Allison's body. I loved how Jack figured it out pretty much right away. One conversation and he's like "something ain't right". The show always has done a great job of showing us just how good of a cop Jack really is. He may not be as smart as everyone else, but his instincts are perfect. They quickly identify that Beverly had lied about Allison being in a car accident, and then turn to Zane for help.

Eureka Episode 4x14 Review

Episode Title: Up in the Air
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating B+

This week's episode gives us some more information about what's going on with Allison, and Astreaus Misson. We also get more Wil Wheaton, and more Felicia Day!  It's so great that the show took these guest roles and really made them more important, and long lasting. I'm loving Felicia Day's Holly. I like to think of her as a brilliant Phoebe Buffet. As for Wil Wheaton's Dr. Parish, well he's just the right kind of nemesis for Fargo. This also was a hilarious Jack episode. He's always great, but I think I love him the most when he sort of snaps. I'm actually surprised it doesn't happen much more often.

The tech in this episode just makes me smile. We get Anti-Matter, and the Higgs Field! Their explanation of the Higgs Field was wonderful, and I think most quantum physicists would be pleased. Check it all out in the episode recap

Eureka Episode 4x13 Review

Episode Title: Glimpse
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating: B+

This week, we got a look at the real beginning of the arc of the second half of the season. The Astraeus Mission to Titan is both very cool, and sad. It's cool because well, a manned mission to Titan is friggin awesome, but it's also sad because in reality we are no where even close to something like this. The technology in Eureka always has been crazy, and super advanced, but usually it's something fun. The tech used in this episode for example are a pair of super contact lenses that give you a computer read out of security risks. Very cool, but that's Eureka. I know a space mission to Titan is science fiction, and belongs in a show like this, but I find it sad that in reality it many not happen for many decades.

We also get more development with Allison. Last week we saw her kidnapped, and changed in some way. We don't really get more information on that, but it's clear this also is a major issue this season. The relationships on the show also are given a lot of screen time, and I am starting to get a little sick of them. That may sound bad, but every week it's the same story with Jo and Zane. The time line reboot appears to be an annoying way to go back to the beginning with the two, and go through this all again. Finally, we get two amazing new people this week. One of them has to be one of the greatest cameos in TV history. I'll get to that a little later though.

Read on for the episode recap.

Eureka Episode 4x12 Review

Episode Title: Reprise
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating: B+

Another good episode of Eureka. This week we're back to the standard "something is wrong in Eureka, and something minor and unintended is the cause. The problem this week was clever, and a lot of fun as usual. There also was a random side story with Allison that seemed completely out of nowhere for most of the episode. If you're a fan of music, specifically 80's music I think you will enjoy this episode too. There really wasn't anything I didn't like, but I think some of the story lines of the episode either dragged, or never really made sense.

All in all another fun episode of Eureka. Fargo acting silly, Jo acting crazy, and Jack acting confused. Oh, and I still miss the opening credits!!  Read on for the episode recap.

Eureka Season 4.5 Premiere Review

Episode: 4x11 Liftoff
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

Since I didn't do reviews for the first half of the season, the Overall Rating will refer only to the 2nd half.

Eureka has been a favorite of mine since it started several years ago. I think it perfectly blends real science, and pure fun better than any show of its kind. Tonight's episode dealt mainly with space travel, and since I'm a space nerd I friggin loved it. It's hard to deny that they timed this episode to coincide with the final launch of the Space Shuttle program, but it might just be a huge coincidence. This episode also shows why I love the characters, and relationships on the show. Both always have been portrayed very realistically, even if their surroundings are anything but.

If I had to choose, I would say that Fargo is my favorite character, and I'm sure I'm not alone on that. He's brilliant, hilarious, and clearly is as much of a geek as all the fans. I originally didn't like that he became Head of G.D. last season because I thought it would take away from his antics. I was sooo wrong. The position has not only improved the character, but he gets much more important roles in the show. Plus, since he's their boss they don't yell at him for the silly things he does. The relationships were on full display in this episode, and included a brilliant fake out.

There were things I didn't like, but since it's a TV show I will only mention them in passing a little later. Read more in the spoiler section.

What's new for July?

It's officially Summer and TV is about to get crazy. There are a lot of shows starting in July that we'll be covering here on The Flashbacks Podcast Blog. There also are a few big movies that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Let's get started shall we?

Television: 

Torchwood: Miracle Day(July 8 on Starz): The epic Doctor Who spin-off series returns for its fourth season. Now taking place in the United States, and airing Starz. I love Doctor Who, and I LOVE John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness! All I know about the season is that due to some craziness no one on Earth can die. Welcome to Miracle Day! I will be doing regular reviews of this show, and it will hopefully keep me happy while I wait for the 2nd half of Series 6 of Doctor Who to start.

Curb Your Enthusiasm(July 10 on HBO): Larry David is back as everyone's favorite neurotic for an incredible 8th season.. I have no idea how they are going to top last season's "Seinfeld Reunion" arc, but we shall see. I love this show, and if you were a Seinfeld fan you will too. Unlike most shows on TV you can pretty much jump into this show whenever you want. Much like Seinfeld none of the characters have a very long memory, and each episode is just about Larry getting into trouble, and then freaking out. The show also proves that the real comic genius at Seinfeld was in fact Larry David.

Alphas(July 11 on Syfy): This is a new show that is exactly like Heroes, except they actually team up as superheroes instead of "trying to fit in". I might be totally wrong, but the commercials make it seem like there is more of a centralized mission of both the good guys, and the bad. Super hero shows have not been successful over the past few years, but I hope this one changes that trend. Syfy did an outstanding job with Being Human, hopefully the same will be true for Alphas.

Eureka(July 11 on Syfy): Everyone's favorite town of geniuses returns for the 2nd half of its 4th season. I've always been a fan of this show. Every week they take real scientific principles and tweak them just a bit to make it fun, and work in the fictional world they've created. Since I've always been interested in all kinds of sciences, that aspect gets my geeky blood pumping. Plus, who doesn't love Colin Ferguson as Sheriff Jack Carter, and Twitter beast Neil Grayston as Dr. Douglas Fargo. It might be too silly at times, but I love it.

Breaking Bad(July 17 on AMC): The best show on Television finally returns after more than a year for its 4th season. The season 3 finale ended with a spectacular cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to see how it turned out, and what the repercussions will be. I won't be spoilery here at all, but if you are not watching Breaking Bad you are missing out on the best show on TV, period.

If there is a show you want us to cover, just put it in the comments, and we will seriously consider it.

Movies: 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2(July 15): What else is there to say? The EPIC finale of the decade long film series based on the best selling series by J. K. Rowling. I will be watching this at a midnight showing with many many people. Not sure at all when I'll get home, but I'll have the review up sometime early on Friday. Expecto Patronum!!!

Captain America(July 22): Chris Evans(who already played Human Torch in the Fantastic Four) plays Steve Rogers. A skinny and small kid who wants to fight for his nation in World War Two is asked to participate in an experiment. It works, and turns him into one of Marvel's most popular, and well known super heroes, Captain America! Captain America is pretty much the Marvel version of Superman sans all the super human alien powers. The trailers for this movie look outstanding, and I'm a big fan of Chris Evans. This movie is also the main one leading into next year's The Avengers. Can't wait.

Cowboys and Aliens(July 29): It's directed by Jon Favreau, and stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Olivia Wilde. What else is there to say? This movie looks insane, and I'm not even sure there's a plot. All we know is that aliens attack a group of cowboys, and they fight back. I imagine they were just pulling words out of a hat, and then decided they had to come up with a story. Favreau directed both Iron Mans so we know he can do this type of movie very well. I am definitely looking forward to this silly popcorn movie with a dream cast.


Podcast: 
Due to the influx of TV shows on Monday, the podcast recording is being moved to Tuesdays.

July 5 - The X-Files: Dark of the Moon: On this show we'll discuss the new Transformers movie. Probably make fun of it, and comment on the amazing cameos. Then the main part of the show will be about The X-Files. I'll give a little history lesson, talk about the seasons with as few spoilers as I can, and talk about the two movies. Then maybe talk about the impact it had on the genre, which was fairly large.

July 19 - The Deathly Flashbacks - This show will be almost exclusively about the new Harry Potter movie. Except for the beginning, it will be quite spoilery. This show should have quite a group since several friends of the show are big fans.


Once again, if there is anything you think we should add to the blog, or the podcast please post it in the comments.