TV Review: Eureka 3.11 – Insane in the P-Brain

Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 28, 2009

Eureka

Eureka, SyFy, Airs Friday 9/8c

Episode: “Insane in the P-Brain” (Season Three, Episode 11)

Synopsis: Once again, crazy things start happening in the little town of Eureka. Strange physical disturbances lead some to speculate about ghosts haunting areas of the town. However, Sheriff Jack Carter suspects something more. After he confronts Allison Blake with the problems, she suggests that it might have to do with the re-opening of Section 5. When Jack investigates with the recent Global Dynamics consultant Tess Fontana, they get stuck in the problem… literally. Meanwhile, Lexi must confront the father of her unborn twins.

Review: This was a cute episode, I have to admit, and I don’t say that just because I have the hots for actress Jamie Ray Newman (who plays Tess Fontana). Things have calmed down a bit from the universal cataclysms that we’ve seen before with that crazy brain thing beneath GD’s core. Now, we’ve got problems that are just potentially affecting Eureka and the surrounding coastline.

The introduction of Tess Fontana gives Jack a little hope. With Allison pregnant with Nathan Stark’s baby, a budding romance for them is out of the question. And a fling with Eva Thorn would have been just gross. Tess gives Jack a less managerial foil to work with, plus gives Jack a chance to maybe get some action. Heck, if Jo Lupo can be making out with Fargo (see last episode, “Your Face or Mine,” for an explanation), and half the town pregnant, can’t Jack get a little somethin’ somethin’?

Tess and Jack get trapped in a ghost experiment, resulting in them experiencing a phase shift, which we’ve seen in everything from Star Trek to Stargate, this isn’t exactly new ground being covered. The plot device still never explains how they can walk across the floor even though they can’t interact with anything in the physical world. Still, it’s a time-tested concept and can lead to some fun – if somewhat generic – results.

Oh, and that lame subplot of Lexi whining about not telling her former lover about her twins is just plain stupid. Get over it, lady. I’m sick of the bellyaching! Will one of those many flying objects in Eureka finally hit this character in the head?

Up Next Week: A series of pranks at Global Dynamics becomes mortally dangerous, and Jack needs to set things right before it gets out of hand.

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Did you watch Eureka this week? If so, feel free to discuss below.