Eureka - Season Two

As reflected by author Arthur C. Clarke in the third of Clarke's Three Laws of Prediction, Eureka is a town of "magic" for the scientifically minded. With the same sociopathic aplomb of Harry Potter, it's a place where things and people explode - in fact, they're almost encouraged to. Characters frequently refer to the towns founding principle of "pushing the boundaries" of science, and the by product of collateral damage that results. This doesn't make the job of its new Sherriff, Jack Carter, any easier. Carter, one of the "normals" (with a normal IQ), finds the town's blasé reactions to the various explosions, disintegrations and mad-science downright unsettling.

Don't look for real science here - it's all Buck Rogers and Star Trek variety. There's alot of talk about tachyons and theoretical equations, but it's all lighthearted so you don't need a PhD to appreciate.

Ferguson, who plays Carter, is a long overlooked actor, and his goofy, uncomfortable demeanor fits well with the character of a "normal" sheriff out of his depth. Originally having low expectations of the series, I'm now a fan, due in no small part to Ferguson's awkward yet convincing characterization.

In Season 2, the show finally latches onto plot cohesion, centered around a mysterious "artifact" that predates the existence of our universe. There's a nod to alchemy late in the series, (the magic that started science), as well as one to the dichotomy of the pursuit of all knowing science in contrast to a belief in the unknowable divinity. Unlike other shows, Eureka's season finale doesn't involve much of a cliffhanger - the issue presented is more or less resolved during the last two episodes of the series. Jo, (Carter's likeable, psychopathic deputy), develops a love life with a rogue PC hacker, Zoey (Carter's daughter) finds herself dating the ultimate nerd (and liking it), while the Machiavelli-with-a-heart-of-gold Nathan Stark resumes his on-again-off-again relationship with Ally, the latter having replaced Stark as head of GD. Beverly, the town's psychologist (who is also engaged in industrial espionage), get's some comeuppance in Guantanamo, then returns later to wreak some minor havoc in the last two episodes. While the storyline plays out in the series (with no cliffhanger ending), you're still left eager to see what comes in Season 3.

This wacky show is completely out there. It's a lot of fun for the whole family. Season 1 was great, Season 2 was a little awkward, but we still loved every episode.

I am thoroughly captivated by this show, having missed the first two seasons and catching up with them on these two DVD sets. Even before I saw season 3 Episode one in HD on cable the other night, I was struck by the softness of the picture, which could not be improved by my upconverting Playstation 3. Displaying the details during playback confirmed that the average bitrate to be about 4Mbit per second, which indicates a very aggressive compression rate. This was likely necessary to squeeze 4 epsidoes onto one DVD.

At 10Mbs, a single layer DVD will hold 60 minutes of video. At 5Mbs, it holds about 120 minutes. That only 4-42 minute episodes at a total of about 4Mbs will fit on one DVD tells you that they are not even using dual layer DVD's!

Considering you are paying about $30 for a relatively short season show, there is simply no excuse for cheaping out and being so stingy with DVD's, which are very inexpensive. There should be no more than two episodes per disc, with an average bitrate of 8-9Mb, not 4.

This quality is even more unnacceptible considering the look of the show is simply amazing, with impressive artistic design and first-rate special effects. Even the scenery is breathtaking. If they cannot offer this show in BLu-Ray, they need to make the only available format looks as pristine as possible. High bitrate DVD can looks simply amazing. If I want the show to look as soft and fuzzy as this, I'll record it onto VHS.

This show is inventive, funny, poignant, and simply entertaining. It deserves better delivery.

Short and sweet:

I was entertained by every episode. I like the fact that it has some continuing story-lines rather than being purely episodic. Good humor, some surprising moments, and a touch of darkness.

I give it 5 stars because I can't picture it being any better (other than improving or replacing a couple of weaker actors/characters). The show is what it is and it does it well.

Oh, and I think it's actually improving as it goes along.

Eureka - Season Two. Excellent sci-fi TV series. A very in engaging, relaxing, and enjoyable tv viewing. I enjoy watching it very week.