Eureka – The “Ex-Files” | Black Entertainment USA

Eureka – The “Ex-Files”

By Michael Vass | August 27, 2010

This was a great episode. The writer’s must have been paid a bonus. It was thought out, had several twists, and flowed into the season ending episode with aplomb.

The episode starts with the revelation of Henry and Gail having their relationship hit new levels. Of course as Sherrif Carter notes they are cheating. They are using a neural probe that links their memories, which allows them to bridge the differences of the disparate timelines.

At the same time Carter and Allison are doing great, finally being together after 3 seasons of making fans wait for this. Jo of course is not happy with all the couples happiness as her Zane is after Zoe. Fargo was off on his own world where is dancing is akin to John Travolta, and Dr. Grant was falling into a trap.

Then as always in Eureka, technology intrudes.

The brilliant part of this is that the audience is not introduced to this fact until much farther along in the story. Along the way it creates several humorous jokes, including setting up the interaction between Sherrif Carter and Nathan Stark (who I’ve been waiting to see in this altered Eureka timeline). It makes it very clear that at least 1 writer, or the actors themselves, were fans of the biggest success of the Sci Fi Channel – Farscape.

Yes, the entire episode was a massive tribute to one of the best and unsung characters of scifi television – Harvey! If you have never seen Farscape, I hope you have seen the movie with James Stewart of the characters name (Harvey in other words). In each case the experience is more than worthwhile, as this derivation of the theme is as well.

The fact that 5 of our time travelling main characters have their own Harvey leads to a series of cross conversations and confusion that is great. But there are 2 things of note. The first is the inside joke with James Callis. When asked about who his Harvey might be he remarks

Dr Grant: She’s a tall leggy blonde in a red dress.
Allison Blake: An old girlfriend?
Dr. Grant: It’s an interesting story. Would you like me to tell you about it?

That’s just funny.

But better is watching Ed Quinn (lately seen in the excellent Kettle One vodka commercials) revive his Nathan Stark character at his absolute smarmiest. The wit and scathing responses are only matched by his cavalier poses and mocking attire. As a fan of Farscape I was laughing loudly at the revisioning of Harvey (Scorpius version) as Nathan in a lounge chair and shirtless with an umbrella drink. Classic.

But the episode is more than just laughs. It moves us along to the reintroduction to Beverly and her mysterious bosses. It re-ignites the relationship of Jo Lupo and Zane (much to my disappointment). And it sets up the Back To The Future 3 season ending that I theorized a few weeks ago.

Yes, in the season ending episode time will become even more topsy turvy as Dr. Grant and Sherrif Carter are smashed into the past where they must avoid themselves and others. The risk is a Eureka even more altered than what we have seen this season. The reality is that we will get a Eureka we recall, but with changes reminiscent to the Season 2 opening episode.

Likely Sherrif Carter will again be the only (or one of the only) people to recall what has transpired if entirty. The new relationship with Allison will again be removed. Henry will return to being alone, without Gail or Kim. Jo will become the deputy again and Fargo a minion. Perhaps the only thing that will maintain is the kiss that Carter gives to Allison, and even that is not guaranteed.

The way the episodes have been designed through the season, Erueka will return though somehow a residual memory of the alterations will remain. As much as I enjoy the potential of the season ending episode, it is quite possible that by the end of it, the series may have jumped the shark.

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)