By Brandon Nolta

Distrust. Transmutation. Structural collapse. Extraterrestrial communication. It must be autumn in Eureka, and there’s all sorts of shaking going on. Honestly, while EUREKA has not lost its charm, it sometimes seems like the writers are purposely trying to find as many ways to threaten the town as humanly possible. This week’s sojourn takes a little darker turn than normal, as the mythology gets a little bit of an update, and the unmistakable sensation of battle lines being drawn sinks over our favorite super-genius Pacific Northwest town.  The fact that this week’s episode is the first part of the two-part season finale likely has something to do with that.

There’s a sense of romance and new beginnings in the air as the episode opens. Deputy Jo (Erica Cerra) and Zane (Niall Matter) are falling in love, while Sheriff Carter (Colin Ferguson) is finding a new lease on dating with the lovely young dry cleaner in town. Even Allison (Salli Richardson) and Stark (Ed Quinn) are getting along better, united in their concern for Allison’s son Kevin and his growing interconnection with the Artifact. Only Henry (Joe Morton) is looking less than happy these days, now that his access to his old girlfriend’s research has been revoked … and it looks like Carter’s around to take the blame. Whee!


Suddenly, in the midst of a place dedicated to the future, an old art form rears its head: alchemy. Specifically, we’re talking the transmutation of lead into gold, which is spreading randomly throughout the town like a Midas bacteria. Gold may be worth lots and lots of currency, but it’s a poor structural metal, which everyone discovers to their peril. Carter steps up as usual, while Henry and Stark get to work on the analysis side of things, but then Beverly (Debrah Farentino) returns, shipped straight from Gitmo and none too happy.

Does the problem get resolved? Well, one does, but the episode’s a two-parter, so there’s no spoiler involved in saying that things are a lot more tense going out than they were going in. Quarantine, hostages, a surprising alliance and Carter’s closest friend apparently turning to the Dark Side … wow, there’s a lot to look forward to with the season finale.

I’ve got nothing but love for the acting this week, but I do have one observation about the characters, or at least one of them: Carter is overdue for a serious blowup. Here’s a guy who is dealing with issues of disastrous proportions every week, with only one deputy, antiquated support, and nowhere near the clearance he needs to do some real investigation around Global Dynamics when something severely crappy happens. Since apparently nobody around town is sharp enough to pick up on this, it’s long past time Carter tore into Allison, Henry, Stark, the Department of Defense and everybody else he has to deal with, and set some people straight. I’m looking forward to it; the power dynamic is in serious need of change, and Carter’s just the character to do it. Maybe next week …