 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Eureka
- Syfy
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Intriguing drama puts science in the spotlight.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series starts out with a few eyebrow-raisers -- including a brooding teenage girl with a nose ring and a potty mouth -- but it quickly morphs into something that's actually OK for family viewing, within reason. While it's not meant for young kids, the show is fine for older teens, who will likely connect with the hellion described above, and might encourage them to give science a second look.
What's the story?
There's a big secret in the small town of EUREKA, a picturesque place in the Pacific Northwest where kids idolize Archimedes, blow prism-shaped soap bubbles, and go to the Museum of Theoretical Physics for fun. The secret is big enough to convince Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson), a perceptive U.S. marshal who's passing through town with his delinquent daughter (Jordan Hinson) in tow, to stay a while and get to the bottom of it. Eureka's oddball citizens include a deputy with a chip on her shoulder (Erica Cerra), a leggy government liaison (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), a dogcatcher with unconventional tactics (Matt Frewer), and a B&B owner who dabbles in psychiatry (Debrah Farentino). There's also the matter of a secret government think tank, where the world's most brilliant minds (headed by Greg Germann) are always at work.
Is it any good?
As a dramatic series, Eureka works well by teasing out a series of plot twists and turns that are bound to keep sci-fi fans interested -- and the special effects are, well, downright effective. There's also a lot to be said for the show's message, which subtly sexes up science and shows the wonderful -- and terrible -- things that can happen when the right elements come together.
Eureka's plot and characters are both titillating and interesting, and Ferguson, especially, proves a likeable and charming lead. The fact that the show isn't entirely appropriate for young children shouldn't discourage parents from watching along with their teens -- it's just another case of exercising caution.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about whether the oddities seen in the town of Eureka could actually happen in real life -- and if you're not sure, it's the perfect excuse to look it up. What exactly is quantum physics, anyway? And are top-secret, government-funded science programs merely the stuff of fiction, or is the show's plot partially based on fact? The sometimes-tumultuous father-daughter relationship between two prominent characters could also serve as a springboard for conversations about marriage, divorce, and the challenges of co-parenting.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Good
I really find this entertaining. I enjoy the idea that there's a secret town of highly intellegent people out there trying inventing wonderful, new things!
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Adult
July 16, 2010
AGE
not for my family but maybe for others
i hate eureka, it appalled me the first episode i tried to watch with the family and it showed a chick on the bed wearing black almost see through bra and underwear and i said "CLICK" and turned it off. that is not something i want to see being a woman let along my kids to see it..
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Fantasticle
The best show on tv. I even have my mother hooked. Smart, fun, entertaining, and above all, sci-fi.
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Parent of 11 and 15 year old
September 4, 2009
AGE
Mostly positive. Check individual episode ratings.
I'd rate this ON for kids younger than 14 because when you look at the entire series--not just an individual episode--it's mostly a great show appropriate for younger kids. I have screened some episodes and not let my daughter watch one or two but they are the minority. Overall the show is inventive, smart and funny. Science is spotlighted. The "difficult" child turns out to very responsible and smarter than she realized. When things go wrong it's dealt with responsibly. The person who solves many of the town's problems is not the smartest person in town but he's got common sense. The few issues I don't like aren't common enough or bad enough for me to feel that I should stop my 11 year old from watching it.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 20, 2011
AGE
this is brillant series
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Educator and Parent of 5 and 8 year old
May 8, 2011
AGE
Choose a few scenes, but save the show for when they're older
There are some great nuggets in this show, but it's not for kids. The sexy stuff is my biggest concern. I do, however, occasionally choose a scene for my eight year old. The show incorporates some real science, extrapolating to fiction in interesting ways.
What other families should know:
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AGE
give me a stinking break these morons at common sense don't know what they are talking about there is a mans chest no cleavage so don't believe these morons
What other families should know:
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AGE
give me a stinking break these morons at common sense don't know what they are talking about there is a mans chest no cleavage so don't believe these morons
What other families should know:
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Syfy |
| Cast: | Colin Ferguson, Greg Germann, Salli Richardson-Whitfield |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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