There was a time when summer was a virtual wasteland for television programming. All that was available on the meager handful of stations was repeats of episodes of popular shows. These summer repeats were the only way back then to revisit favorite episodes or catch up on ones that you might have missed. Now, the paradigm has shifted drastically. With so many ways to view past episodes, DVD, streaming video and video on demand to name the most popular, many of the basic cable networks have embraced the concept of new series that begin broadcasting in the summer months. Many of these summer replacement series have become more successful than their fall counterparts much to the delight of both the network executives and the audience. A corollary to this methodology is the split season; breaking the season up roughly in the middle. Many contracts call for pay bumps each season so calling a group of episodes season 4.5 may be less expensive than using the next integer. This also allows fans to purchase the DVD after each half rather than waiting the entire year. For the SyFy Channel one of their biggest summer hits is a dhow called ‘Eureka’. This hit the scene in 2006 and instantly caught on with the legion of science fiction enthusiasts that naturally flock to this station. The most recent set of episodes currently out on DVD is referred to as season 4.5 and is release in usual fashion to herald the start of the penultimate season 5. Although this has proven to be one of the most imaginative series in quite a long time the bell has rung and the executives have handed down the orders to cancel the show after season 5. The series has always managed to retain its creative and fresh presentation and thankfully the impending doom has not deterred them from this quality. As with the other seasons there was a central story arc that defines the major themes and directs the character development. Each season became a thread well woven into the whimsical world of the titular little town. Eureka’ is a near perfect blend of high technology and human gut intuition that provides incredible entertainment.

Nestled in the great American Northwest is a little town called Eureka. Superficially there is nothing special about the town until you notice a hovering car or fully automated street repairs. The town is a façade to hide in plain sight one of the most amazing collections of geniuses ever gathered in one location. With one exception everyone in town with one exception has an IQ north of 180 and multiple doctoral degrees. The singular exception is Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) the sheriff for the town. Although not in the ranks of the super intelligent Sheriff Carter is a natural law man with an innate and exceptionally well developed common sense. When trouble comes to Eureka, something that happens with uncomfortable regularity the intellectually gifted may be stumped by Carter is able to glean and implement a solution saving the day. Most of the inhabitants of Eureka work for a think tank, Global Dynamics. Initially Dr, Douglas Fargo was in charge but due to special circumstances he steps down handing the reigns over to Dr, Allison Blake (Neil Grayston). After years of flirting she and the sheriff is finally a romantic couple. The reason for her re-ascension to the chief of Global Dynamic is at the heart of what drives the action for this half of the fourth season. GD and the people of Eureka are mounting their own space program. In a town where multi-stage rockets are common place in the high school science faire it comes as no surprise that the local great minds have devised a space jump technology making travel to the outer reaches of the solar system possible. In order to be considered for one of the coveted spots as an astronaut Fargo had to step down from his administrative functions. The program, dubbed the Astraeus project will use a faster than light jump gate to bring a team to explore Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Scientist from all over the world gathers in Eureka to fiercely compete for one of the few open spots. The writers had their usual playful way with the selection process afford then the opportunity to introduce a few exceptionally quirky characters. One tongue in cheek example is the mind behind Marvel comics, Stan ‘the man’ Lee as a military scientist with great expertise in the application of gamma rays. Another is the introduction of a rival for Fargo, Dr. Isaac Parrish, delightfully portrayed by Wil Wheaton. Not only does he desire the same spot on the team as Fargo but he heatedly competes for the romantic attentions of another candidate, the lovely Dr. Holly Marten (Felicia Day). Other romantic complicates surface with Carter’s daughter Zoe (Jordan Hinson) and his deputy Jo Lupo (Erica Cerra) who is both in love with the same scientist Zane Donovan (Niall Matter). Love abounds in Eureka with the robotic deputy Andy (Kavan Smith) who is in love with the Sheriff’s artificially intelligent house SARAH and the major, Henry Deacon (Joe Morton) who is married to Dr. Grace Monroe (Tembi Locke) in an alternate timeline. Sure these are peculiar circumstances but what do you expect in a town where even the cook in the diner, Vincent (Chris Gauthier) has a couple of PhD’s.

Every episode is a gem but one stands out as truly exceptional, the latest Christmas special episode. In this surreal episode Allison’s daughter is being watched by her son and Zoe. It is Christmas Eve and the Sherriff is in town cooking up as special surprise. Instead of holographic snow a photonic disruption turns every one into animated characters. The constantly change styles throughout the episode encompassing everything from classical Hanna-Barbara to holiday Claymation. The Sheriff, Andy and Jo battle giant snowman ninjas, avalanches and rampaging reindeer trying to save the town. It is narrated by SARAH in storybook fashion and is certain to become a holiday classic. It is a shame that the executioner’s ax is about to fall on this imaginative series so enjoy it while you have a chance.