Alienated finds some of the townsfolk of Eureka believing that the town is being invaded by aliens from space and taking what they deem as appropriate action. Not a bad premise, plenty of sci-fi-movie meets the "reality" of sci-fi-life in Eureka, but the road was a bumpy one and, unfortunately, not a terribly fun one to travel. The reasons why and the resolution were satisfactory, but not a terribly strong motivation fo watch the episode. Watch instead to see the character and relationship development between Shariff Carter and Deputy Lupo, as their interactions were alternatively funny, real, and endearing. It's Carter and his heart that give Eureka its soul and charm.
3 Reviews
Aliens in Eureka?
Tweekums8 November 2018
This episode opens with Deputy Jo Lupo being sent to investigate a noise complaint about Spencer's 'Movie Night'... when she gets there she joins them in watching an alien invasion film. It is a new film that Spencer as acquired by intercepting the satellite signal and bouncing it off a Global Dynamics satellite. After the film Spencer walks out of his trailer and sees bright lights in the sky. He is reported missing and is later found sitting naked in the middle of a crop circle. Sheriff Carter doesn't believe in aliens but something strange is going on; soon others are reported missing or are behaving slightly strangely. On top of that a congressman is visiting Eureka so decide whether to maintain funding for Global Dynamics.
While not the best episode to date this was still enjoyable. I liked how it played with the idea of aliens before finding a more earthly explanation in a similar way to how the pilot episode toyed with the supernatural. There was some nice misdirection before we get a good explanation for characters' behaviour. The cast do a fine job; they certainly seem to have grown into their roles as their characters become established. Overall a fun story.
While not the best episode to date this was still enjoyable. I liked how it played with the idea of aliens before finding a more earthly explanation in a similar way to how the pilot episode toyed with the supernatural. There was some nice misdirection before we get a good explanation for characters' behaviour. The cast do a fine job; they certainly seem to have grown into their roles as their characters become established. Overall a fun story.
A very strong episode
skribs7 January 2023
I've been harsh on some of the other episodes because the writers try too hard and don't edit themselves well, and you end up with mismatched plots trying to be braided together. This episode is not that.
This episode starts off with a senator coming to assess Global Dynamics to see if it's worth continuing to fund. However, things are thrown awry when a group of side characters watch a movie about aliens, and then one of them is abducted by aliens!
For the most part, the twists in this episode work. They help drive the plot (unlike in Episode 1, where the identity of the fugitive did nothing for the plot than if we knew her identity from the start). They are clever enough, but without feeling like they come too far out of left field.
However, if you remember how the episode started, then the explanation you get at the end doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The crop circles seemed important at the start, but were a dropped thread. It's also very dicey how the group of moviegoers got hit with the bad rays, and there's no reason why Carter shouldn't have been autopsied at the end.
Overall, a very strong episode.
This episode starts off with a senator coming to assess Global Dynamics to see if it's worth continuing to fund. However, things are thrown awry when a group of side characters watch a movie about aliens, and then one of them is abducted by aliens!
For the most part, the twists in this episode work. They help drive the plot (unlike in Episode 1, where the identity of the fugitive did nothing for the plot than if we knew her identity from the start). They are clever enough, but without feeling like they come too far out of left field.
However, if you remember how the episode started, then the explanation you get at the end doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The crop circles seemed important at the start, but were a dropped thread. It's also very dicey how the group of moviegoers got hit with the bad rays, and there's no reason why Carter shouldn't have been autopsied at the end.
Overall, a very strong episode.
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