Science fair day in Eureka? Can I get a shotgun to set fire to my brain? Directed by season 1 finale director Michael Lange, this is the first of three episodes of Eureka that Lange will direct this season before leaving. Forever, forever, forever… At least until he does Switched at Birth, Bones, and the Charmed Reboot that was as welcome as anal hemorrhaging. While season 2 co-producer and writer of nothing you’ve ever heard of, Ethan Lawrence, writes his only episode of Eureka. Maybe that’s for the best, eh son?

Over 100% on your IQ there, Carter? I’ll tell you something, son, they saw you coming for when you buy that Subaru in a couple of seasons, I’ll tell you that. Zoe’s insecure about the town being filled with great minds and such ahead of the science fair, since the average 1st grader in Eureka is smarter than a President, that’s somewhat understandable. Meanwhile, Jack (who’s just so smart!) is still trying to sniff Allison’s crack and bark at Stark while those two reconnect. Yes, it is one of those episodes where we’re focused on the dumb-dumb solving the town’s problems and trying to get his future wife.

So, between looking like he raided Richard Simmons’ wardrobe and sounding dumber than a cowboy at this point (it was still 2007), one of the science fair experiments goes wrong. Just maybe not this science fair. Launching a shard of metal into Jack’s car, simply because Eureka without Henry fixing stuff is like Jack not chasing after Allison after she’s shown little interest up to this point. Yes, it is finally one of those Eureka episodes without the boring mystery taking up half the time to no effect. “Duck, Duck Goose” is also one of the episodes I don’t quite remember a lot of in the first place.

After talking about the Pentagon Papers a couple of episodes ago in “Unpredictable,” and the US attempt to cloud-seed in Vietnam, we get to talk about Star Wars. No, not that boring one, the stupid one that cost billions and failed. Yep, that’s Reagan for you. We also get to talk about how every pigeon you see in London is secretly a government agent spying on you, so the Seagulls can drone strike you. I swear, someone thinks I’m crazy, and it is probably my editor!

Trying to use science experiments to tie his story back to the town, Lawrence’s “Duck, Duck Goose” uses the conspiracy theory that the government is using biomechanical birds to listen in on you. Or in the case of Taggart and his Geese, bomb you. I mean, we’re talking about the US Government here. If Obama was happy bombing weddings in the Middle East and the current one is deploying armed military to the streets, why would the same government need fake birds to suicide bomb you?

Meanwhile, Henry has a theory that Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), or Star Wars program, is the reason it’s raining metal. I don’t know, ask the bleach-blonde, badly built, butch body why the government’s space lasers are causing it to rain metal. I’m sure she’s got some ideas why. Look, I’m poking fun at all of these things for the same reason we’re all following that “didhedietoday” account. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. Or in this case, if we don’t laugh and make fun, the episode is quite dull and lifeless.

At school, Zoe has her own version of The Ashleys, because Lawrence was seemingly watching the 1997 animated show Recess before writing “Duck, Duck Goose.” I don’t know that, it is just every time that I think of this episode and only remember “The Megans,” I think of Ashley A, Ashley B, Ashley Q, Ashley T, and, of course, Ashley S from Recess. A very cliquey group of young women at the high school in Eureka who just so happen to be the worst of people. Think Sci-Fi Channel’s version of Regina George, but cheaper.

Is “Duck, Duck Goose” half decent or at least watchable? Yes, mostly. It is the typical Eureka episode that has a comedic moment here or there. It has the world is about to end, and Eureka is about to be wiped off the map, and only one group of people can save the day story. I don’t want to harp on about how Lawrence didn’t write another episode or many shows you’ve heard of, but the truth is that it is yet another “maybe next episode can be better?” episode. Another “the adventure continues” story that goes nowhere and adds nothing to our characters and their motivations.

Ultimately, “Duck, Duck Goose” is an ok episodic run out for Eureka, but being ok isn’t what gets the show its high praise. I enjoy the good episodic run of Eureka as much as the next person, but mostly what it goes for is mad stuff that no other show could really pull off. “Duck, Duck Goose” could be in any other show with a few minor tweaks. Probably the best part of the episode is David James Lewis’ Dr Finn, particularly in that moment with Zoe in Megan later in the episode. That, and of course, Jack and Zoe’s father-daughter relationship being affirmed.

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Eureka “Duck, Duck Goose”

5.5

Score

5.5/10

Pros

• Jack and Zoe's relationship.
• Taggart.