EUREKA Pre-Season 4.5 Crib Sheet

As you may have heard, Eureka Season 4.5 premieres soon (JULY 11!  JULY 11!).

And while there is a TON of stuff coming in those episodes that will reward loyal fans, Season 4.5 also is a great one for new viewers to jump on board.

Now, newcomers wanting to catch up on the show might feel a little daunted by the fact that there are four seasons of Eureka out there. Never fear. We've put together a helpful guide to get you briefed on our little genius-filled corner of Oregon.

You comfy on the couch? Got a snack? Great. How much time do you have?

I only have one night!

Don't panic. Here's the bare minimum: the first episode of Eureka and the most recent one.

• "Pilot" - Season 1, Episode 1 - See where it all started! Ride along with Carter on his first day in Eureka when he meets Allison, Henry, Fargo, and Jo for the first time, and comes to know the town that will become his home.

• "I'll Be Seeing You" - Season 4, Episode 9 - The Season 4.0 finale. See where we left off last year, setting up where we start this year. You may not know who some characters are, but at least you'll get to meet them.
  

Ok, I have a couple of nights.

All right. You have time to go beyond the basics, so add these three to your playlist.

• "E=MC…?" - Season 2, Episode 8 - Meet computer genius (and roguish pain in the rear) Zane, who arrives in Eureka just as the town comes down with a dangerous case of the stupids.

• "You Don't Know Jack" - Season 3.5, Episode 16 - Get filled in on all sorts of details with this episode, which includes clips from all the previous seasons. Plus Allison has baby Jenna!

• "Founder's Day" - Season 4, Episode 1 - The Season 4 premiere shakes everything up as our heroes take an unexpected trip, only to return to a town that's not quite the same as the one they left. This episode blows the doors off, people.
  

I've got a weekend.

Now you're talking. If you've seen all the above episodes, you've met our key characters, so now you can watch them face some of their biggest challenges...

• "Once in a Lifetime" - Season 1, Episode 12 - The Season 1 finale gives you a sweet and heartbreaking peek at the 2010 that could have been.

• "Noche de Suenos" - Season 2, Episode 6 - Allison will try almost anything to connect to her son Kevin, and we get Stark in a frilly shirt dueling a dashing Fargo for Jo's affection. AND Naked Carter. Win!

• "Welcome Back Carter" - Season 3.5, Episode 9 - Carter fired and replaced by a robot? Say it ain't so! Meet Sheriff Andy.

• "Your Face or Mine" - Season 3.5, Episode 10 - Jo's in charge as Carter attempts to get re-certified. There's a smooch with Fargo. Buttons will be pushed.

• "All the Rage" - Season 4, Episode 3 - While Henry and Grant tinker with the Bridge Device (uh-oh), Fargo and Jo get used to their new jobs--which would be loads easier without the zombie outbreak. Meet Fargo's new nemesis Dr. Parrish (Wil Wheaton!).
  

• "The Ex Files" - Season 4, Episode 8 - Just when Carter and Allison finally get together (see Episode 7 for The Kiss!), Stark and Tess return. Doh! Jo sort of spills the beans to Zane, and Beverly returns to cause trouble with Grant.
  

I've got a couple of weekends.

Hey, fantastic! Watch the eps listed above, plus everything else in the iTunes Eureka Essentials Pack -- co-creator and Executive Producer Jaime Paglia hand-selected the 12 episodes in this collection, which cover Seasons 1 through 3.0. The episodes in the pack are:

Pilot (Season 1)
Many Happy Returns  (Season 1)
Before I Forget  (Season 1)
Purple Haze  (Season 1)
Once in a Lifetime  (Season 1)
Invincible  (Season 1)
Games People Play (Season 2)
E=MC…? (Season 2)
Noche de Suenos (Season 2)
Phoenix Rising (Season 2)
Bad to the Drone (Season 3.0)
I Do Over (Season 3.0)

You can get them on iTunes on HD or in regular definition.

I'm quitting my job/calling in sick/holing up in a hotel to catch up on EVERYTHING!

Wow… okay. Just-- wow. Love that enthusiasm, but we don't want to be responsible for financial or social calamity. Seasons 1 through 3.5 are all available on DVD and Netflix Watch Instantly, and Season 4.0 comes out on DVD on July 5.

Anyplace else can I find these episodes?

Syfy to the rescue! Eureka episodes are being rebroadcast now through our July 11 premiere, including a marathon on Father's Day, June 19, and another marathon on July 1. Just go to the Syfy schedule page and search for "Eureka" to see all upcoming broadcasts.

Syfy.com also offers five episodes online.

Okay, you should be all set to catch up in time for the premiere (did we mention that it's July 11?), no matter how much or how little time you have.

Got other recommendations for must-see episodes? Talk about them in the comments!

Comments

[ZappedSparky]

Hmm, must see episodes. ALL OF THEM! :) The above guide is pretty good and "If you build it..." is one I would recommend as a must see. The way the story built up (literally) to the end of that episode is great, and a real WTF moment, which I did actually say out loud :)

[Sydnew]

You skipped "A Night at Global Dynamics"! It's got Princess Bride jokes, zombie jokes, Larry eating in the morgue, Taggart, Fargo and Zane rivalry, Jo being absolutely awesome, Carter and Stark bickering, and Alison beating up Beverly! I keep scrolling back up your list, thinking, no, no, they couldn't possibly have missed it, I must just be being stupid. But I really don't see it on there...

I think your first five are right, but I'd put "A Night at Global Dynamics" next on my list. I think it's one of the most fun episodes. And I'd struggle to figure out where to put it (because I don't think it adds any essential knowledge) but "Momstrosity" is my personal favorite of S4. It's got Andy falling in love with Jo, plus Alison challenging Tiny -- pretty irresistible. (Hmm, I note that Alison being tough is a common factor in my favorite episodes -- interesting!)

[anna]

And ya gotta love the Santa episode :) Jo was so... surprising! And I LOVED Joe's (Henry's) "She Blinded Me With Science" dance. Who knew? I happily watched the Dad's day marathon and it was a good refresher for last season.

Will we be able to post some questions for the writers, producers, and cast like we did a while ago???

[Dome_sfsn]

greta series, great fun, outstanding idea!

[Scandalbaby]

I love the fact that you put "E = MC ?" as a must see episode. That really does set the tone for Zane (and if they hadn't caught up on S4 yet it's a good indication of how he is after the S4 premiere). I just played catch-up on S4 (the last four season eps plus the Christmas episode) yesterday so I'm all set!

[Emily Croft]

hi I was wondering does anybody know when the rest of season4 is out? and will there be season 5?

em