It's a wedding, and you're invited! Dr. Allison Blake (Salli Richardson) and Dr. Nathan Stark (Ed Quinn) are getting remarried. After Henry Deacon (Joe Morton) created the fake emergency which sent him to prison ("A Night at Global Dynamics"), Nathan realized just how much he cared for Allison and her son, Kevin.
Sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) is not happy about the situation, since he has feelings for Allison. However, being the man he is, he plans to stand by her decision. In fact, he even agrees to walk Allison down the aisle.
In science fiction anything can happen. I understand this. There is, however, one caveat. The first part has to be plausible—scientific concepts should be accurate even if their use is modified to fit a storyline. Character developments and plot twists will always fall into the realm of a writer's imagination, never being plausible no matter how much viewers or readers may wish otherwise.
How does this week's episode measure up? It's a little bizarre. The time-space continuum took time to get used to. Jack ended up back in the shower each time the loop restarted. Not every part of his day repeated itself overtly, instead it was more implied. Lili (Ever Carradine), Jack's sister, came to his home twice yet they only connected emotionally at Cafe Diem. I have to wonder how she knew about Eureka. My best guess is something to do with Duncan, Lili's fiance.
Using an atomic clock in order to fix the atmospheric rift made sense. Henry said Jack couldn't possibly be right, but the Sheriff managed to convince Nathan (Ed Quinn) and Douglas Fargo (Neil Grayston) the clock was the key to fixing things.
SPOILER ALERT!
Here's where things got really interesting. Nathan stepped into the clock while Fargo worked outside. The particle accelerator froze Nathan in place, then turned him into stardust.
Is he dead? I'm not 100 % convinced. There is no dust on the floor as if he had vaporized. Dr. Stark's skeleton was not left behind, either. Besides, to believe it means the top research scientist at the town's scientific facility simply went with a poof! Beverly Barlowe (Deborah Farentino) did the same thing once, and her return is not beyond reason. Any intelligent person is raising an eyebrow over Nathan's demise. The biggest reason for my skepticism? Jack would have been free to carry on a relationship with Allison, and Nathan is not about to step aside so easily.
Ed Quinn, by the way, is too valuable to lose without a chance of his return at some point. He takes the dark and holds it up as a perfect foil to Colin's human light. The big kahuna of GD, Eva Thorn (Frances Fisher), is not exactly Ms. Nice, but even she is no match for Nathan. Keep watching—the revolving door of this small town has not shut completely!
Article comments
1 - Dee
I've been saying over and over that Henry will find a way to bring Stark back.
I like your reasoning that he's not gone forever since there's no dust or burnt skeleton. No trace of him at all. That has to mean he's caught in time someplace.
My thinking is, Allison and Carter will start go get close then Stark will come back. Allison will be torn and not ready to marry him now and the rivalry between he and Carter will continue.
2 - NancyGail
Thank you. I think once Thorn leaves (and she should), the door opens for returns. Barlowe? Taggart? Stark? Perhaps. Just sit tight.
3 - Lynn
For all Ed Quinn fans, he gives a very interesting interview here about his departure from the show.
4 - NancyGail
Supposedly this show was going to finish out the season this calendar year. Looks like it will just make a new season next summer. Other cable shows finish out seasons in Jan., but that's usually not the case with Eureka.