Review of EUREKA – Founder’s Day (2010)

To throw a bit of a mind-bender into the mix, a former bridge-to-nowhere on the space-time continuum has finally found an end-point and yanks Jack, Allison, Jo, Henry and Fargo back to 1947 to the days pre-dating Eureka and back when the military were running things. The blast-from-the-past episode was refreshing and served well to re-introduce our heroes and to help each of them identify the one thing that truly matters to them: their relationships with each other.

But like any good story, there is no simple happy ending awaiting them at journey’s end. It only leads to another chapter in their wacky and lovable adventures in the world of Eureka.

What Worked

Jack and Allison remain the warm beating heart of this perfectly cast ensemble. No matter what the predicament, they do not hesitate to do everything they can to protect and aid those they care about — whether it be commitment-phobic Jo, a wayward Fargo, or a reclusive Henry. One never doubts their tenacious loyalty and love for each other and their quasi-family. The sheer joy they bring into each others’ lives is palpable and welcoming.

In addition to the familial warmth, the comedic beats were in fine form. Everything from the look on Jo’s face when Zane proposed to Fargo’s attempt to describe his transportation to 1947 as a scene out of “The Terminator” to Kevin’s (Trevor Jackson) well-timed quip, “The day’s not over yet,” was pitch-perfect. We smiled as Allison teasingly told Jack, “It’s a scientific think-tank, not an insane asylum.” We chuckled when Henry said, “If there were only two of me,” and Jack quickly retorted, “Don’t tempt fate!” And we laughed when Jo returned to tell Zane that she would marry him, only to have him say, “Me marry you — in what universe?!” The best part of the comedy in “Eureka” is that it invites us to share in the joke and not make the characters something to be laughed at. It also serves to remind the viewer not to take the story too seriously. They may be stuck in the past and come home to a present that is slightly off-kilter, but there are still moments of levity to lighten the mood.

Bringing another fantastic layer of drama and humor is the phenomenal addition of James Callis as Dr. Trevor Grant. His debonair style and keen intelligence made a nice foil against Allison, with whom he is clearly smitten. Plus, his willingness to believe and assist the mis-placed time travelers earned their trust and perhaps a place amongst them in Eureka now that he too is a traveler out of time.

Also nicely portrayed was how each of them had a significant part to play in their time travel caper. Jack risked life and limb to shift the satellite alignment, Allison provided clothes and a distraction for the guard, Fargo stepped up to break them out of the jail cell, Jo was the muscle as needed, and Henry used Einstein’s theory to figure out how to reverse program the cellphones to get them home. The emphasis on teamwork to solve their problem was another reminder that these people not only need each other, but also belong together.

The romance was nicely sprinkled into the episode starting with Jack’s timely break-up with Tess and his momentary jealousy over Allison hiring a baby nanny, and a manny at that; capped with the heart-melting scene on the dance floor where Allison declared, “I’d rather be here, stuck together — rather than leave either one of us alone” and Jack’s response “just for luck” as he kissed her. And while Jo’s romance with Zane may have cooled, Fargo’s dismay upon hearing about Zane’s proposal and later when he and Jo clasped hands as they traveled through the wormhole hinted at a potential new level of appreciation.

However, we quickly learned that their little foray into the past had unintended ripple effects, which ranged from the benign to the life-shattering. The granite statute changed to bronze was nothing to freak-out over. But Jack returned home to find Tess waiting for him, Henry returned to his garage to find Grace Monroe (Tembi Locke) telling him that she would see him at “home,” Allison returned to find that Kevin was no longer autistic and Jo returned to find that Zane had no memory of their courtship. These ripples may be welcome for some and heart-breaking for others. Whether these ripples will be erased if Dr. Grant is restored back to 1947 remains to be seen. But he may be a bit reluctant to return to the “dark ages” after discovering the perks of modern technology and his increasing interest in Allison, who simply dazzles him.

Simply put, the unexpected changes brought by the ripples in time and the integration of Dr. Grant into the world of Eureka are delightful and we cannot wait to see what further mixed up adventures ensue as a result.

What Didn’t Work

After dropping the teasing tid-bit that Allison had hired a manny, it would have been nice to actually meet the newest addition to Eureka, who may or may not be another monkey-wrench in the long awaited Jack and Allison romance.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“Founder’s Day” was written by Jaime Paglia and directed by Matt Hastings. “Eureka” stars Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Jordan Hinson, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Chris Gauthier and Niall Matter. “Eureka” airs Fridays at 9:00 pm on Syfy.