It is believed that science fiction is a movie genre more suitable for big movies than television. In blockbusters, the budget is more solid, therefore, the special effects are grander, the casting is brighter, and the work of resourceful scriptwriters is paid several times more.
Perfect format
But this is only at first glance, because science fiction only benefits from the ability to continue the narrative for many episodes, and even more so the seasons. Therefore, the best science fiction series can compete on equal terms with the best full-length examples of the genre, despite the creative and financial limitations. One of the most outstanding projects in this category is the Eureka series, the genre of which is defined as science fiction. The show was shot in Canada (British Columbia). The pilot episode premiered on the Sci Fi Channel on July 18, 2006. Since then, 5 seasons have come out, after which in 2012 the project was closed.
Show creators
When wondering how many episodes are in the Eureka series, you need to consider that each season contains a different number of them. In total, their number is 77. The rating of the television movie IMDb: 7.90.
The creators of the Eureka series are Andrew Cosby, who produced The Two Trunks and wrote the script for Ghost Talk, and Jim Puglia, who directed more than one episode of Eureka, and who later worked on the Flash script and acted as executive producer. in the series "Scream". In 2012, both filmmakers unanimously decided to close their brainchild due to the crisis, which simply forced to suspend the production of a rather expensive television project. The authors did not want to sacrifice the quality of the original special effects in the sixth season and lower the level of the series.
You won’t catch up yesterday, and you won’t leave tomorrow
But the special effects were really unique. Moreover, for each episode, the film crew came up with not only the original plot, but also saturated it with a variety of visual ideas, boldly embodied on the screen. At this advantageous difference from similar television products, critics have repeatedly focused on reviews of the Eureka series. They expressed admiration for the fact that the creators of the project managed to find the right line between ordinary life and science, entertaining the audience not with technical perfection of visualization, but saturating the story with genuine human emotions and feelings - love, care, support and attention to those who live nearby. In addition, the series teaches responsibility, reminding the viewer that every act today determines our tomorrow.
Plot plot
Reviews of the series "Eureka" emphasize the originality of the story that underlies the storyline of the show.
The end of World War II and the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki focused in each state on the development of science. The United States, after nearly losing the race in the invention of the atomic bombs, decides to prevent a repeat of the oversight. Therefore, the government decides to implement the idea of ​​A. Einstein and other brilliant scientists. According to the decree of President Harry Truman, a city is being built in the isolated area of ​​the Pacific Northwest, where the intellectual elite of the state is moving. All geeks, geniuses and their families are transported into it. The settlement, not indicated on any map, is called "Eureka". Apart from the inhabitants, only selected Pentagon employees know about its existence. It is the scientists of this city that are responsible for the development of all the major technological breakthroughs over the past 50 years.
Not without incident
Also, the plot of the series "Eureka" tells that not all the results of experimental activity are predictable, sometimes there are side effects. They are caused not only by errors in calculations, but also by unrequited love, professional jealousy, and depression. The bailiff Jack Carter, who transported his imperfect daughter (juvenile delinquent) to her mother to Los Angeles, becomes a reliable support for local residents. He accidentally gets into a closed city. Due to the fact that the former sheriff received physical injuries and could not continue serving, Carter becomes his new sheriff. Despite the fact that the representative of the rule of law is not brilliant, he has a different superpower. Jack manages to find a common language with each of the residents. His simple but effective ideas, sincere dedication to work always save Eureka, and sometimes the whole world from the impending catastrophe.
Reviews of the series "Eureka" draw attention to the fact that each season of the project plays on a certain topic:
- 1st and 2nd - detected artifacts;
- 3rd - the contents of the bunker of the 30s;
- 3rd and 5th - received signals from space;
- 4th and 5th - parallel realities and changes in space and time.
Advertising science
Initially, the creators of the project tried to realize their idea as a fascinating, fun show, without investing in the narrative of a closed city inhabited by geniuses of especially deep meaning. But later it turned out by itself. Unlike similar American television production, in which scientists are portrayed as "nerds" or "madmen", in the series "Eureka" the characters are diverse and atypical. There are those suffering from pathological deviations in the psyche, there are absolutely adequate, but not boring. Someone looks like the heroes of The Big Bang Theory, others are brutal, beautiful and courageous. Some are led by colossal ambitions, others are content with a continuous stay in the laboratory. Instead of stereotypes, there is diversity, and curiosity instead of prejudice, around the dizzying atmosphere of a town in which everything is possible! You can count on the fingers those few television shows that so convincingly advertise basic sciences.
Criticism
Reviewers, analyzing the Eureka series, in the reviews positioned the project as one of the most non-standard science fiction television shows of our time, which was deservedly awarded the Emmy Award. The main advantage of the picture was called a skillful combination of a scientific approach to the presentation of the plot, fantastic special effects with emotional human stories that accurately describe the vicissitudes of life in a closed society. Ed Quinn, Joe Morton and other performers have created a fascinating gallery of memorable images of scientific stars.
Colin Ferguson perfectly embodied his hero on the screen. The sheriff, who does not have outstanding IQ, actively uses his main advantage - practical ingenuity. The very young Zoe, the daughter of the sheriff, gives her father much more problems than all the inhabitants of Eureka taken together.
The main cast
The image of Sheriff Jack Carter, who was initially reluctant to take on official duties in the city of scientists, was embodied by Colin Ferguson. Carter is respected among the inhabitants of Eureka, he often finds a way out of a situation that their ingenious minds are not able to solve.
The Canadian actor gained worldwide fame for participating in this project. Among his filmography, the most significant films are “The Career Diary”, “Lake of Fear 3” and the series CSI, “Haven”, “The Vampire Diaries”.
Dr. Allison Blake, a U.S. Department of Defense agent acting as a liaison between the government and scientists, was played by Sally Richardson-Whitfield. The heroine, who later headed Global Dynamics, takes an active public position. The woman independently raises two children - autistic son Kevin and daughter Jenna from Nathan Stark. Many characters of the actors of the series "Eureka" survived the transformation after changing the time line, the heroine of Sally among them. The second significant project in the track record of the American actress is the film "I Am A Legend" in which she played the role of Zoe Neville.
No less significant characters
The city's jack of all trades doctor, Henry Deacon, introduced Joe Morton to the viewer. The Deacon, like most of the inhabitants of the town, is a brilliant scientist and inventor, but he prefers working as an urban mechanic. In season 3, the hero becomes mayor of Eureka. After changing the time, she turns out to be married to a stranger, whom she later falls in love with. Morton took part in the creation of many television shows, but achieved world recognition thanks to the embodiment of the image of Rowan Pope in the “Scandal” by Shonda Rimes.
In addition to Carter, another representative of law enforcement agencies who does not possess ingenious intelligence lives in Eureka - sheriff Josephine Joe Lupo. The girl desperately loves weapons and is popular among the male half of the population. In season 2, she develops an affair with Taggert, but later she is addicted to Zane, who is proposing to her in season 4. The Canadian actress has an exemplary filmography in which famous films (Blade 3: Trinity, The Burners) coexist with popular TV shows (Smallville, The Reaper, Dead Like Me).
"Problem" heroes
In the series "Eureka", actors Ed Quinn, Neil Greystone and Nyall Matter played the characters that caused the most problems and sensitive situations in the city.
Ed Quinn (Desperate Housewives, Castle) plays the role of Dr. Nathan Stark, one of the most gifted scientists of our time. The hero manages to atone for all his sins on the day of the wedding: saving the world from the temporary Paradox, he dies.
Neil Greystone, who played Dr. Douglas Fargo, hone his acting skills in The Secrets of Smallville, Dead As Me, and Supernatural before participating in the project. In "Eureka," his character is often the cause of all disasters, so his colleagues are dismissive of him.
"Late" character
Starting the television movie in production, the authors carefully selected the leading performers who embody the most striking characters. But before the launch of each subsequent season, they had much less time left for casting and working out the characteristics of new heroes. Therefore, characters who joined the lead characters in other seasons rarely turn out to be as interesting as those who have been in the series since the very beginning. But there are exceptions to any rule, and Zane Donovan is such a hero in Eureka.
In the first season of the show, it contained almost everything a fantastic television movie needed, there was only one thing missing - an attractive young man who combined the qualities of a technical genius and a romantic bully. Therefore, the hacker-child prodigy performed by Nyall Matter has become a chic addition to the acting troupe of the project. Not all movie hackers should look like the heroes of "Girls with the Dragon Tattoo" or "The Big Bang Theory." Moreover, the series needed a character capable of emotionally growing and developing against the background of already held heroes.