Eureka: “Liftoff”
Warehouse 13: “The New Guy”
Airdate: Monday, July 11 at 8 p.m & 9 p.m.  EST on Syfy

As irritated as many of us are that Syfy airlocked SGU, there’s still some good news.  Their solid one-two summer punch of Eureka and Warehouse 13 are back tonight and both shows are still as entertaining as ever.

After finding new life last season, Eureka gives us the back half of season four and it’s a welcome return to the little town of geniuses.   And the series isn’t content to rest on its laurels or coast through the rest of the season, based on the three episodes provided for review.

Tonight’s season premiere finds Fargo and Zane getting launched into orbit in a space capsule and the rest of the town struggling to find a way to bring them home again before their supply of oxygen runs out.

While it’s not the strongest of the three episodes provided for review, the episode is a nice starting point to the season, quickly bringing you back up to speed on what happened last summer and setting the table for what’s to come as the season continues to unfold.   The episode achieves just the right balance of character moments and exploration with the need to solve the dilemma of the week.

The show has also never looked better.  The scenes of the spaceship in orbit as well as a cameo by  the International Space Station look spectacular. (In a story that you may find oddly similar to a situation currently facing the station and shuttle).

The solid start continues on Warehouse 13.   Last time we checked in, Myka had left her job as a warehouse agent.  As the new season unfolds, Pete, Artie and Claudia are out in the field, trying to collect another artifact gone awry.  During the initial investigation, they meet ATF agent Steve Jenks, who can tell if someone is lying to him or now.  Jenks is recruited by Mrs. Fredericks to replace Myka and Pete and Steve head to Denver to investigate a series of odd deaths.

At the mid-point of season one, Warehouse 13 found its voice and balance and has not looked back.  The good news is that as season three begins, the series is still in confident stride.  New recurring cast member Aaron Ashmore as Jenks adds just the right amount of skepticism and is a solid foil for Pete.  His introduction to the universe and show is well handled and there’s a lot of potential for the character in the upcoming season.

The show also ties up a few remaining points from last season as well as solving two mysteries in the course of an hour.  But the stories never feel rushed or like one storyline is being slighted.

Of the two hours, Eureka is still the stronger of the two, but only slightly.   Both shows are on the top of their game and fans should welcome them back to their viewing or DVR rotation.