Farscape: Family Ties

Before Moya’s crew can use their newly acquired navigational charts to escape the asteroid field, Rygel steals a transport pod and surrenders himself to Scorpius and Crais intending to betray his shipmates in exchange for his freedom. When things don’t go as planned, the crew forges a surprising alliance and devises a desperate escape plan.

Eureka: Alienated

... in which Spencer hijacks a Global Dynamics satellite for his illicit movie night, causing a weapons demonstration to go awry during a U.S. Congressman’s budget review tour.

Vampire Diaries: The House Guest

“You deserved it.”

Fire theme, anyone? Caroline’s eternal flame continues to burn for Matt, Luka underwent some poetic fire-justice, and Elijah is immune to the flamethrower. Too bad, Mark Greig: it was a good idea.

Supernatural: The French Mistake

Dean: "I feel like this whole place is bad-touching me."

This episode wasn't just out of the box; it carried itself out to the UPS truck. I'll be the first to admit that it didn't advance the core story a whole heckuva lot, but sometimes funny and clever are enough.

Glee: Blame It on the Alcohol

“My nose is still filled with the acrid stench of teen vomit.”

New Directions discover the delights of the wet devil just as Figgins decides it’s alcohol awareness week, and Sue tries to get Will to check into rehab just as he plans a massive night out with Coach Bieste. The designated drivers look on in horror as we look on with glee.

Smallville: Masquerade

Oliver: "This is definitely the most romantic of my recent kidnappings."

Even with all of the dead bodies, this episode was so much fun. At least until the end.

Being Human: The Longest Day

Nina: “What's your manager's number, Wendy? I'm going to unleash a shit-storm!”

Things are looking decidedly bleak for Mitchell. The sins of the past two seasons are catching up with him. Herrick's back and living in the attic. Nina's knows about Mitchell's part in the box tunnel massacre. George is threatening to disown him. There was only Cara who seemed vaguely pleased to see him... right before she committed suicide. It's like all of Mitchell's nightmares are coming true. Let's hope he doesn't hear about The Real Hustle being fake or it'll be curtains. There's only so much a man can take.

Eureka: Before I Forget

... in which friends from Henry’s past arrive to demonstrate an indestructible force field body armor prototype for the military. Meanwhile, Carter and others begin to experience moments of lost time.

NewsFlash: Three Fun Facts

Got the Tuesday blues? This might make you feel better.

According to TVLine and Blastr, the upper reaches of your cable guide (well, your cable guide if you are in the US) are getting that much cooler in the coming months:

1. Stargate: Universe returns Monday, March 7th for the last 10 episodes.

2. The SyFy Channel will start airing Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles reruns Thursday, April 7th.

3. The Science Channel is airing Firefly starting Sunday, March 6th. (The Science Channel? What is that?)

Star Trek: Obsession

Spock: "Do you smell something?"

A fluffy white cloud. Perhaps not as effective a villain as Ricardo Montalban. Although there was definitely a resemblance to Moby Dick. Well, it was big and white, wasn't it?

Farscape: Bone to be Wild

While hiding from Crais’s command carrier in an asteroid field, Moya receives a distress call from a nearby asteroid. Zhaan, D’Argo, and Crichton respond to the call and become potential prey for a very hungry predator. Meanwhile, Aeryn helps Moya to bond with her offspring, and Crais must contend with Scorpius’s efforts to undermine his command.

Fringe: 6B

“What if this is not about physics, but about people?”

That quote? The rules of the game. How should we understand those rules? That is still up for grabs. This episode had me anguished at first, but it is nonetheless a vital clue to larger goals of the show. Are those goals in line with my expectations? Only time will tell.

Supernatural: Mannequin 3, The Reckoning

Dean: "I don't like the way Kim Cattrall is looking at me."

Mildly creepy. Somewhat funny. And unfortunately, sort of sad.

Vampire Diaries: The Dinner Party

“Thus ending our werewolf chapter and bringing us to Elijah.”

I’m starting to feel like my Vampire Diaries reviews are getting a bit redundant. But I can’t help it—this has been a wonderful season, and every episode leaves me with a big wacky grin on my face. Can the show possibly keep this up?

Glee: Comeback

Did the Glee writers just dump lots of plot ideas together, cross their fingers and hope a coherent episode would emerge? Sorry writers, it doesn’t work that way.

Being Human: The Pack

McNair: “You spilt my boy's blood. So I'm going to spill yours.”

After the relative lightness of the past two weeks, tonight's episode turned the chuckles down low and cranked up the drama. It's a testament to the show's quality that even the stand alones this season have been excellent. Each instalment seems an improvement on the last. Tonight's episode saw McNair and Tom finally meet potential pack mates George and Nina. Sadly, instead of creating harmony, it brought violence, revelations and grief. The wolves totally kicked arse tonight. Could McNair really take Mitchell in a fight? I'm guessing we'll find out before the season's over. My money's on Mitchell.

Eureka: Many Happy Returns

... in which the recently deceased Susan Perkins seemingly returns from the dead.

Smallville: Beacon

Lionel: "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

I thought this episode was a joy. Although it's possible that I'm just experiencing some final season sentimentality.

Fringe: Immortality

“Guess who.”

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god—and that’s just my reaction to the crawly bugs, which gave me some really horrible nightmares. Everything else? I’m not even sure of what to say: so many developments, so many possibilities, so much dramatic tension.

Supernatural: Unforgiven

Dean: "One of Dad's rules? You never use the same crapper twice."

This was a dark and dank monster-of-the-week episode with a really depressing twist. In fact, I felt cheated; I thought we were going to get season one Dean and Sam for awhile before things got dark and dank again.

Farscape: The Hidden Memory

As Moya goes into labor, Aeryn, D’Argo, and Zhaan attempt to rescue Crichton from the Gammak Base. Meanwhile, Gilina continues to help Crichton resist the Aurora Chair.

Vampire Diaries: Crying Wolf

“Elena has to die.”

Isn’t this show wonderful? I experienced nearly every emotion watching this episode: fear, trepidation, glee, sympathy, rage... you get the picture. (Maybe Anna from V just needs to watch some sexy vampires.) In the middle of all that emotion-laden mythos, there were some delightful character moments. I love this show.

Eureka: Pilot

... in which U.S. Marshal Jack Carter finds himself stranded in a strange little town harboring a very big secret.

NewsFlash: Smallville finale news

Will he or won't he come back for the finale? That's been the question about Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor, whose struggle with darkness was the main reason I got into Smallville in the first place. It hasn't been the same since his departure, and since the tenth season has been so good so far and John Glover (Lionel Luthor) has returned, I've been hoping Rosenbaum would relent and return for the end.

And guess what? It was just announced that Rosenbaum is indeed returning for the two hour Smallville series finale. What's interesting is that yesterday, I saw an article on EW that said Rosenbaum would *not* return. What happened? Did he see all the bad press it generated and change his mind?

Whatever. I'm just happy he's back because how could they end Smallville without him?

Glee: Silly Love Songs

Shall I compare Glee to a summer’s day?
Blaine art more lovely and more temperate.
Mean elf does shake the darling singing gay,
So medium drip hath him for Kurt to date.

Smallville: Collateral

Chloe: "Whatever happens in cyberspace stays in cyberspace."

Smallville does The Matrix. If you're going to rip something off, do it well. Actually, they did it really well, so good for Smallville.

Glee: The Sue Sylvester Shuffle

┣▇g̅l̲e̲̅e̲̅▇▇═─ ....ahhhhh. This episode was a much needed dose of concentrated, unadulterated Glee which was just what I needed to knock my man flu on the head and shake off the winter blues. This episode saw the return of the football/cheerios/New Directions rivalry that has been part of previous episodes but never the sole focus, and never with such a big budget. Speaking of which – why weren’t all the Cheerios’ boobs shooting sparks dammit?!

Being Human: Type 4

Sasha: “Live Annie. Seize the day.”
Annie: “I will.”

Despite being mostly a stand-alone, tonight's episode had surprising depth. Sasha and Graham provided the perfect comedy foils for Mitchell and Annie. I'm not sure who was the most messed up: fanboy Siddion, or Sasha the chavalanche zombie. (Mentally, that is. Physically, Sasha wins hands down.) Sasha's dying words had a profound effect on Annie and Nina. Her carpe diem swansong forced them to reassess their choices and re-evaluate their relationships. For Mitchell, Graham's death was perhaps less of an epiphany. The shadow of his past still looms large -- and if that closing shot of Graham's scrapbook was anything to go by, Mitchell's past atrocities won't stay hidden for long.

Fringe: Concentrate and Ask Again

“No one should know what someone else is thinking.”

What an odd episode. My narratological radar was pinging like crazy before the credits, as we were privy to three different opening scenes. A Tristam Shandy allusion? A structural hint that we may get a red, blue, and yellow universe? Or just an indication that this episode is transitional, drawing out mythological, emotional, and thematic plots that will have important resonances in episodes to come?

Farscape: Nerve

When Crichton discovers “Larraq’s” attack on Aeryn caused life threatening nerve damage, he devises a daring (and foolhardy) plan to infiltrate the top secret Gammak Base and find her a cure.

Vampire Diaries: Daddy Issues

“You help your friend. That’s what you do.”

It’s all about in-groups and out-groups this week: friends, family, and friends-as-family on one side; everybody else on the other. The werewolves are all about denying cross-species friendship, but our heroes—ranging from the human to the vampiric to the immortal human to the witch, etc.—prefer to define their own families. And that doesn’t include Sark. Sark!

Supernatural: Like a Virgin

Dean: "As far as I'm concerned, it's a gift horse, and I'm not looking for teeth. I'm sending Death a damn fruit basket."

Was this a really good episode, or did I really miss Supernatural during what seemed like an interminable hiatus? I think both.

Chuck versus Josie

“This needs to end now.”

Everything came together in "Chuck versus the Push Mix," yet another mid-season finale that was originally designed to act as series finale if needed. The writers resolved every major plot that had been percolating since the season began, or—in some cases—since the death of Papa B last season. It was touching and genuine and funny and sweet. And, for that reason, this is my last Chuck episode to watch or review until the series finale.

Being Human: Adam's Family

George: "Baby, when we get home can you remind me to gouge out my brain with a spoon."

I liked this one. Adam was a young vampire trying to find his place in the world. Raised by human parents, he'd led a relatively normal human life -- until the death of his father left him without sustenance. Enter surrogates Richard and Emma Hargreaves, the most perverted foster parents a boy could ever wish for. Who'd have thought we'd ever see Gwen West in stockings? Whatever next? Uncle Bryn in a thong?

Fringe: Reciprocity

“The tiniest changes in our composition result in a drastic change in our behavior.”

What an odd, unexpected episode. That’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing: Fringe is keeping me on my toes, and it was fun to gradually realize that I was watching a traditional who-done-it with a few chapters from the killer’s point of view interspersed with our detectives attempting to mulder out the mystery.

Eureka

Season 1 | Season 2 |
Season 3 | Season 4 |
Season 5 | Articles |
Cast |

Eureka (2006-2012) is the story of Jack Carter, a U.S. Marshal who accidentally gets stranded in a small Oregon town that houses a top secret government research facility in which the best and brightest scientific minds push the boundaries of human understanding. After unwittingly becoming the town sheriff, Carter must protect Eureka from itself, finding clever new ways to avert disaster when cutting edge science invariably goes awry.

A spiritual descendant of Northern Exposure (by way of The X-Files), Eureka features quirky and endearing characters and disaster-of-the-week plots that are often a funny romp, but can also be quite dark or poignant. It’s an intriguing blend of the humorous and the disturbing that has quickly grown into a personal favorite.

Season One

1.1 Pilot
1.2 Many Happy Returns
1.3 Before I Forget
1.4 Alienated
1.5 Invincible
1.6 Dr. Nobel
1.7 Blink
1.8 Right as Raynes
1.9 Primal
1.10 Purple Haze
1.11 H.O.U.S.E. Rules
1.12 Once in a Lifetime

Season Two

2.1 Phoenix Rising
2.2 Try, Try Again
2.3 Unpredictable
2.4 Games People Play
2.5 Duck, Duck, Goose
2.6 Noche de Suenos
2.7 Family Reunion
2.8 E=MC?
2.9 Sight Unseen
2.10 God is in the Details
2.11 Maneater
2.12 All That Glitters
2.13 A Night at Global Dynamics

Season Three

3.1 Bad to the Drone
3.2 What About Bob?
3.3 Best in Faux
3.4 I Do Over
3.5 Show Me the Mummy!
3.6 Phased and Confused
3.7 Here Come the Suns
3.8 From Fear to Eternity
3.9 Welcome Back, Carter
3.10 Your Face or Mine?
3.11 Insane in the P-Brane
3.12 It’s Not Easy Being Green
3.13 If You Build It ...
3.14 Ship Happens
3.15 Shower the People
3.16 You Don’t Know Jack
3.17 Have an Ice Day!
3.18 What Goes Around, Comes Around

Season Four

4.1 Founder’s Day
4.2 A New World
4.3 All the Rage
4.4 The Story of O2
4.5 Crossing Over
4.6 Momstrosity
4.7 Stoned
4.8 The Ex-Files
4.9 I'll Be Seeing You
4.10 O Little Town
4.11 Liftoff
4.12 Reprise
4.13 Glimpse
4.14 Up in the Air
4.15 Omega Girls
4.16 Of Mites and Men
4.17 Clash of the Titans
4.18 This One Time at Space Camp ...
4.19 One Small Step
4.20 One Giant Leap
4.21 Do You See What I See?

Season Five

5.1 Lost
5.2 The Real Thing
5.3 Force Quit
5.4 Friendly Fire
5.5 Jack of All Trades
5.6 Worst Case Scenario
5.7 Ex Machina
5.8 In Too Deep
5.9 Smarter Carter
5.10 The Honeymooners
5.11 Mirror, Mirror
5.12 Double Take
5.13 Just Another Day

Articles

My Four-Step Plan to be as Cool as Jim Taggart by Adam D. Jones
Eureka season four wrap-up by Jess Lynde

Cast

Colin Ferguson (Sheriff Jack Carter)
Salli Richardson (Allison Blake)
Erica Cerra (Deputy Jo Lupo)
Joe Morton (Henry Deacon)
Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo)
Jordan Hinson (Zoe Carter)
Chris Gauthier (Vincent)
Niall Matter (Zane Donovan)
Ed Quinn (Nathan Stark)