User reviews

As a science-fiction fan, long time lover of B-grade fun and a playwright who loves the idea of a small town with big secrets -- this is right up my alley. The characters either make or break a show like this, and in this case, the actors and their characters bring the entire story up. For example, the kid math-savant, a tough female DOD agent, Henry the quasi-mechanic, the tough deputy Lupo and an all-American US Marshall, who is the normal guy and now the Sheriff of Eureka. There are others of course and I am hoping the show hangs on long enough to develop a following. The setting is perfect. The writer's foreshadowing worked like a charm. Many things I assume will be happening. As I was watching, I kept saying, where's the villain?? And at the end of the first episode, a sweet villain was revealed, and in such a way -- you had to go --- Whoa -- very nice. The actor playing Jack Carter was perfectly chosen to act as us in this strange little story. Briefly, a small town hosts the world's most shining minds as they experiment and tinker with science and it's up to the normal people to keep the brains on the right path. I am so looking forward to the next installment. My hats off to the creative team -- this is just what I needed. Let's all hope we don't lose this show in the most important early stages. Ratings are King and just because it's good doesn't mean it will last. So fan boys gravitate to this show on Tuesdays on the best channel on the planet -- sci-fi!!

Addition: Just saw the sixth episode. This is a show that keeps topping itself, introducing new and deeper sub-plots and literally has a dream cast. You will fall in love with Eureka.

Here we are at the third season and it has only gotten better and better. This season everything's been kicked up a notch, I cannot believe the storyline of Nathan. I stand in awe of the writers, and as always one of the best TV casts in history.

Fourth Season opener: While most shows hit a slump in their 4th outing, Eureka raises the bar. The time-traveling theme reveals just how inspiring the creators, actors, crew and writers can be. I am so impressed. You will be too.

A delightful blend of humor and sci-fi, this is the kind of original programming SciFi channel is known for. Like the Stargate series and the late, lamented FarScape, the cast features a sardonic yet pragmatic hero with a little too much baggage, along with a cast of quirky geniuses, and a nefarious plot to steal top-secret military plans (are there any other kind?). The outstanding cast, featuring the wonderful Joe Morton and the under-appreciated Maury Chaikin, manages to bring energy and panache to what could have easily become formulaic. It's good to see Debra Farantino return to sci-fi as well (raise your hand if you miss "Earth 2"). The premise offers endless variations on a theme, and the only foreseeable problems are a stereotypically heavy-handed military antagonist and a preponderance of absent-minded professor types. If the show can steer clear of overexposing these characters, or give them a twist or two, then Eureka is an excellent addition to SciFi's increasingly vivid and original programming.

You cant really go wrong with this one. Great for a wide range of age groups. Just don't take it to seriously or you will be missing the point of the show. Mainly because Eureka is full of the most genious idiots ever. Highly recommended tv.

I'm about to watch the last episode but can't. It's too good to end. I need this show to continue to be able to survive this awful year. Thanks for existing.

Can we start a campaign for a Eureka movie?

Awesome story. Great script. Amazing characters. Epic.

Eureka is never going to be remembered as a "classic" or "groundbreaking" SF show. It could, however, be remembered as one of the more charming and offbeat SF shows to come along in a while. It is a bit slippery to classify, but my best description of "Eureka" is kind of "Northern Exposure" for SF fans.

"Eureka" has thus far been family-friendly light adventure with its humor coming from the quirky nature of the brilliant scientist locals and the "fish out of water" experiences of new sheriff Jack Carter and his teenage daughter, Zoe.

Those tuning in to see traditional SF--where speculative fiction and profound "what if" moments rule the course of the show--will be disappointed. There won't be many serious examinations of the impact of new technologies here. The tech is secondary, actually tertiary. The odd characters are the focus of the show. Second to that is the weekly mystery. "How can the tech-ignorant sheriff learn to work with the ample supply of local geniuses to save the day?" Finally, comes the tech. And when tech is dealt with, it reminds me of vintage Geordi la Forge technobabble. I swear that someone was going to "reverse the flow of the graviton emitters." So, "Eureka" is not great SF. Nor is it great drama. Nor is it side-splitting comedy. It is instead an amiable and lightweight mix of the three. Eureka is not at all unlike "Northern Exposure's" Cicely, Alaska. It is a very pleasant place to visit once a week.

This is a great little show to originate on such a small network. I've watched it since the debut and there hasn't been a bad episode yet. They all have been good. The writing is very good, and so is the execution. There are a number of veteran actors in this, including Colin Furguson, whose really good as the reluctant sheriff of the town of Eureka. Eureka is very eccentric little town (they don't say what state), apparently designed as a haven for cutting edge, and eccentric, scientists. The characters are well drawn, so you find yourself caring what happens to them. It's a good combination of science fiction, and light humor. Furguson anchors all the actors, and is a source of a lot of the humor.

Excellent cast of veritable unknowns. I really like Colin Ferguson in the role of the sheriff and there are enough other interesting characters that they could go many different ways with plots and story lines. I was surprised at how they have added so many twists so far to the show, being that it is about a town of scientists. You would think they could only go so far with this theme, but the writers are doing a great job of keeping it exciting and fresh so far. They have also added a great human element to the show, dealing with the sheriff and his relationship with his daughter, Zoe. And you gotta love his house! If you are a sci-fi fan and you haven't seen it yet, catch up!

Having seen the first three episodes, I can say that the Sci-Fi Channel has a great series on its hand. The shows are entertaining funny (in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way) and original. Colin Ferguson is great as the new Sheriff and other cast members seen elsewhere fit in nicely. The story lines have been original and NO-been there-seen that episodes come to mind. I'm not sure why IMDb has not posted the names of the stars as the series is no longer in production and is currently airing and even the Colin Ferguson page on IMDb does not list this show in his credits.(?)

So if you like your sci-fi with a little humor and some genuine caring about the characters, its hard to find a more worthy show than EUReKA!

I think this is a series that will grow on you as you watch it. The characters build up and the show is entertaining to me. This show rolls up the science fiction that I watched growing up only on a more sophisticated level. I like the series so fare. I hope that it will last more than one season. However, because I like it means it probably wont last. you will have to watch it for yourself. It has been better than watching re-runs on the traditional channels which aren't worth watching. The characters are very interesting and I wonder who is on the 'bad' side for the series. This also has some elements of dark comedy.

LOL. I know. The title of this post is too cliché, but I couldn't resist. In any case, I found the pilot of "Eureka" to be totally refreshing. The makers of the show took issues and aspects of long standing science fiction, added a new twist and location, and a ton of humour, creating in the process a fun new show that both amuses and mystifies.

Personally, I enjoyed seeing science fiction elements that have been proved interesting, stimulating, and well liked in the past. Throughout it all, while not too much language was used that I consider far above my own understanding, it still gave me the impression of "Hmmm... They know what they are talking about. Maybe some of this really is possible." I love that about television shows.

Leaving behind the sci fi subject matter, I was also impressed with the acting within and writing of the show. The pilot showed a serious side, with veins of humour throughout. The acting showed great compatibility and believability of the characters. I found myself liking some characters and getting annoyed at others. I love being drawn into a show like that.

Although some things can be considered predictable, and indeed I guessed a number of things before they happened or were revealed, I was still held in suspense and laughing from beginning to end. I can't wait to see more, and I totally recommend this show to everyone I come across. I think you all will enjoy it just as much as I did.

I'm not a gamer and I am not a reality fan, but I am a big fan of real science fiction. This show actually allows you to think of the possibilities presenting interesting scientific "what ifs". However, it's great entertainment for various ages and IQs. I thought the characters were also introduced and developed quite nicely along with the story, something you don't see very often in many movies of this genre today, and so many of which, I can't get through the first half hour without feeling bored and changing the channel. This show will keep me coming back for more, if following episodes prove as interesting as this one. It does have a lot of promise. I like the way the main character brings the grounded "regular guy" comments and common sensibility to the show. Having worked around rocket scientists, they can send us into space, but you don't want them to drive your car. I agree with another reviewer, it does remind you of "American Gothic", because of the character development, sort of an "American Gothic" meets "Star Trek Next Generation". Hopefully, they will continue with this group of characters and not dilute it with a constant onslaught of new characters like "Farscape" - if you missed a few episodes, it was as though the entire cast changed. I have high hopes and will be easy to find on Tuesday night.

RIP Eureka. It was a novelty and pleasant dinner time entertainment. A few of the characters were drifting into caricature, but the cast, by and large, carried well. Alas, the artless programming execs at NBC/Comcast have killed another hit and flipped TV Land the finger - again! Expect a succession of flops to replace the hit show Eureka. Advertisers get suckered into buying time on "new" shows at inflated prices. When the show flops, the programming droids commission another flop and so the cycle goes. Hit shows seem anathema to programming execs - especially at NBC. Perhaps canceling hits and finding new shows makes them feel needed. They are not.

The first two seasons were great. Then it just went down hill, season 3 was awful. Season four was a little better. Season five has been so bad I gave it up. They turned it into a soap opera. The main theme seemed to center around Allison and who she was going to sleep with, or who Carter was going to sleep with, or who Joe and Fargo was going to sleep with. Even the house had to have a romance, actually that part was kind of funny. For me they killed the show when they killed off the perfect counter part to Carter just to push a romance in a certain direction. Like I said, soap opera. Also Carter's character just kept getting more and more goofy with each episode, painful to watch. It started out a great sy fy show then died a slow painful death in the hands of incompetent writers too shallow minded and unimaginative to keep it going.

Overall it was a good show. I just it believe it could have been much better.

It's been several years since 'Eureka' ended, and I unfortunately never got into it until after it was cancelled. I still miss this show and periodically rewatch all its seasons.

The premise leaves the door open for countless storytelling possibilities as a very average but experienced law enforcement officer is named sheriff of a town full of scientific geniuses. Many episodes follow a familiar formula as one or more residents' experiments go awry or unexpectedly interact, and Sheriff Carter, tasked with the town's safety, has to save the day. Even though the narrative thrust is often the same, the writing is sharp enough that it never gets old.

The episodic nature of 'Eureka' is woven into ongoing and developing character arcs and relationships, with larger plotlines slowly unfolding throughout the seasons, too. To that end, the writers had no qualms about forcing big changes on their characters that significantly altered who they were, if not the direction of the show as a whole. Plenty of series throw curveballs to add drama, but it feels to me like the broad narrative twists in 'Eureka' exceed the scope of what we would usually expect in a series that's as overall lighthearted as this. Kudos!

It's worth noting that those twists also lend themselves to the one specific critique of the series that comes to mind. As events force changes on the characters, they also produce tonal shifts for 'Eureka.' This starts to most notably manifest in the latter half of the fourth season, when it becomes a bit less episodic, and is very telling as the fifth and final season begins. The show takes a decidedly darker, more serious turn in its last thirteen episodes that's a bit jarring, introducing definite antagonists. That darker bent culminates in the two linked episodes, "Mirror, mirror" and "Double take," that precede the series finale, and which are essentially sci-fi horror. It's sci-fi horror with 'Eureka's' characteristic humor peppered on top, certainly, and it's exceptionally well-written. Yet the change of pace is very harsh and abrupt, making those two duly unsettling episodes a little difficult to watch just for that fact alone.

All the same, there's something to be said for the show's producers that they were bold enough to try such starkly different ideas in a program like this. And again, otherwise, I can't think of particular flaws to mention. Of course the pilot is a little rough around the edges, and 'Eureka' takes some time to really find its feet - but what show doesn't?

The cast is superb, helmed by Colin Ferguson as Sheriff Jack Carter. He gives our chief protagonist a very goofy yet "down to earth" personality and truly serves as the anchor of the show. Ferguson's role is given to a great deal of physical comedy as Carter finds himself in a variety of awkward positions to safeguard his town. Other noteworthy regular cast members include Joe Morton as Henry, Jack's best friend and Eureka's super-scientist mechanic; Erica Cerra as Jo, the sheriff's deputy; Jordan Hinson as Zoe, Jack's daughter; Neil Grayston as accident-prone supergenius Fargo; and Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Dr. Allison Blake, a major figure in the town and Jack's love interest. Recurring cast include the likes of Matt Frewer and James Callis, and Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton also become regulars in later seasons.

The emphasis in the writing is definitely on fun and comedy, but that's not to say that there isn't plenty of drama and suspense from one impending crisis to another, or instances both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Putting aside the broader tonal shifts, the writers move adeptly from one mood to another within episodes, making every moment feel perfectly natural as they play out. The setting gives us characters that make Einstein seem a very ordinary person, but viewers don't have to join that intellectual level to watch; where scientific concepts are injected into the screenplay, they are generalized enough, or explained well enough, to appeal to a general audience.

All told I'd be hard-pressed not to recommend 'Eureka' to just about anyone. It's fun, it's funny, and it's silly, but it also presents strong narrative writing that keeps us engaged from start to finish. It's a shame that the show was cancelled after only 5 seasons, but 'Eureka' is such a joy to watch that we have to be glad that we got that many.

My husband and I watched this in real time originally starting in 2006 (or 7 - cannot use both tech to go find out). We found it recently again in the Peacock app. All 5 seasons. We decided, because we loved it the first time, to binge it again. And what a wonderful ride it has been!

The first time, we watched it week to week on the SciFi Channel, as it was called then. Now we are binging it literally addicted as we go from one episode to the next with wonderful memories and possibly more enjoyment than the first time. Eureka is a unique addition to the Science Fiction genre. It is smart, well written, with a cast that is absolutely in sync. The cinematography is absolutely top notch. We have only gotten halfway through again at this point, but because a lot has happened between the first time we watched it and also having the luxury of binging it this time, we are enjoying it far more now than we did the first time through. And, being older, our memories aren't as accurate, so, in many ways, it's as if we are watching it for the first time.

SciFi is both one of our favorite genres. Finding great Sci Fi is rare unless you read a lot of books. The expense of filming Sci Fi shows, getting great actors to star in them, getting the CGI just right, the stories remarkable and fresh, has made this genre the least profitable television and movie venture anywhere on planet earth. Eureka breaks that mold and has never been copied since. It is completely alone as the excellent show it is. Colin Ferguson is perfect as Jack Carter. He brings a lightness to the series which otherwise could have been bogged down in complicated science dealing with many facets of things we still know very little about.

The story is fun. It takes place in a community that is secluded and has a secret campus of the most brilliant minds in the fields of Quantum Physics, of breaking all sorts of barriers that scientists, starting with Nicholas Tesla, dream about. The entire cast is well selected and excellent in the parts they play. It feels more like experimentation than soap opera, although some of the best episodes combine the two. Even though it was filmed over 20 years ago, it does not feel outdated. It often centers on the politics vs. Costs of experimentation which feels so real, it can be creepy.

All in all, we thought it was the best Sci Fi outside of the space shows such as Star Trek, and Star Wars, ever seen in the movies or on TV. Highly and unfairly under rated and hopefully will find a new audience all over again. Highly recommended even if Sci Fi is not your favorite genre. There is real heart, soul, and humor in this wonderful series that has aged very well. I left my first rating of 10 stars because it still is the best we have seen in the 20 years since it first aired.

I watched the pilot twice to make sure I hadn't missed anything. The characters are exactly that; characters. Each week the actor(s) using the script brings more out in the character making the episode something to look forward to. The science fiction is well written and looks like it can be extended into reality someday. In my opinion that is what makes good sci fi. So much of what was written in the past has come true or is coming true in our lifetime. The special effects are well thought out and presented. The plots combine sci fi with humanity and the continuity from week to week is present but does not make the viewer feel that they are watching a soap opera and have to watch the next episode in order to find out what is going to happen. Still, I look forward to each episode to find out how the over all story is going to evolve. This appears to be a program with staying powers.

This was a great show. Ups & downs each episodes. Each actor & actress brought realism to the show. The love triangles were a good call for this show. It kept you wanting to keep watching the show. Very little political garbage in this show, unlike today's show which force it down your throat in almost every show on television today. It was so refreshing to watch a series that focused on entertainment. I wish that scyfy would do a reunion movie with the cast. That would be theoretically impossible....... "I hate that word."

What a great premise for a show. A secret city full of the best minds in the world brought together to work for the advancement of science. Add eccentric scientists, experiments gone wrong, an outsider for a Sheriff, and for a touch of romance, introduce a love triangle that includes the three main players. Sounds like some adventure could come from such a premise, doesn't it? I especially like the characters. Each possesses a set purpose or talent and each has his or her own eccentricities that are just fun to watch. The actors do an amazing job playing off of each other. You'll find comedy throughout so much of the show that often has its dark moments. And you can't talk about Eureka and not talk about the special effects. They are very well done and certainly enhance the viewers perception of this other world, a world where technology is both good and evil. I certainly enjoy watching it play out each week!

Why did you stop at the 5th series?? Could have seen more episodes and seasons.

In a town where science is omnipresent and light years ahead into the future, a regular cop must enforce the law and prevent some runaway experiment from destroying the world.

With the number of times the situation gets out of hand to some scientist it is surprising that the world has not already exploded two or three times in the first season alone.

IIRC this was in Friday nights before Haven, which was the same but a drama. You'd really appreciate it more if you realized this show was on long before the smart home, smart phone and tablets.

It's a happy, funny show. There weren't really any bad guys, just accidents.

The alternate world was a change from the happy direction that I didn't like but they moved back to the original roots.

Great show. Watching the reruns brings back happy thoughts. The Sci-fi channel started going downhill after Eureka and Haven and the switch to Syfy. It was all around the same time.

I want to live in Eureka, specifically in the Sheriff's home, however, since I can't I certainly enjoy watching Eureka.

What an engaging show Eureka is. It is family science fiction entertainment that is pure enjoyment. A lot of the charm of this "Alternative Ultra-Fringe Science" town is not just the idyllic setting, but the engaging characters who inhabit it. Add to that the wacky, but somewhat based in real scientific fringe science research gone wild premise, and you have something that comes up much more original than a milk toast redux. I have to credit the writers as being truly inspired. Yes, the writers developed great characters who the viewer can "latch" on to and then have proceeded to put lots of delicious "meat-on-the-bone" story lines to hand the whole premise on. What could turn out as pure fluff rises to be much more interesting while delivering outright entertainment thats fun to watch each week. The show actually keeps getting better which I imagine is no easy task excepting the seemingly unbridled nature of those involved to deliver ultimate science fiction made palatable.

I usually enjoy the dark sci-fi we are so accustom to, but for a break I find this fills the bill in spades. So, if this sounds like something you have hungered for, by all means jump in. I didn't find this until it was well past the first season and I am having fun catching up! Try it you'll like it!

I don't think I have ever reviewed a single episode of this Canadian-lensed show, probably because the plots are paper-thin. They usually involve soma techno-crisis created by one of the town's daffy egghead scientists and which the nontechnical Sheriff Carter ends up solving. But the show is fun, largely because of its lighthearted attitude and the actors, among them Joe Morton as a scientist and Colin Ferguson as the town sheriff. If we go back to the beginning, what we have is a new sheriff arriving in a town owned and operated by the federal government and populated mostly by weird scientists. The sheriff has a teenage daughter and a troubled sister to contend with. I am actually surprised in a pleasant way that the show has made it to a third season, as nothing much ever happens. Special effects are abysmal, but the show is really character-driven anyway. The crises are never all that terrible. In fact, they are relatively mild. In a recent episode, the sheriff ends up in an alternate dimension where no one can see or hear or feel him. How long do you think that lasts? You got it.

I've watched this show on several occasions to attempt to give it a chance, but each time, the episode has been based on repeatedly recycled material, but they add a little romance and some teen angst to give it a little flavour.

It seems that once a week, the town is nearly destroyed. The simpleton, Jack Carter, is the one who manages to put it together because everyone else, despite their brilliance, is seemingly unable to solve problems outside their field of science, except a couple of the science characters who happen to be experts in everything and are able to spoon-feed the audience some tech-babble and advance the plot.

The show epitomizes cheap Canadian TV. It's a US production, to be sure, but filmed here and it involves cheap props, cheap special effects, and cheap writing.

It's only given such praise, in my opinion, is because it's one of the few science fiction shows on TV at the moment. The appropriate quote would be that in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.