Okay, I’m not overly festive this year. I wasn’t overly festive last year, either; but I like Christmas and
get a kick out of holiday episodes and Christmas specials. Since Eureka doesn’t air during the fall, they kept this episode aside. Or, perhaps they planned it as a stand-alone episode. I don’t really know, but I won’t be disappointed if any of the Eureka writers I follow on Twitter pops their head in to set me straight on the topic. You’re probably wondering why it even matters to me. Allow me to enlighten you.
The scene is set that it’s Christmas in Eureka. Sheriff Carter walks into Carpe Diem and sees a gaggle of kidlets all mopey and down because they are stuck in Eureka for the holiday. Carter, being Carter, thinks he can cheer them up with a little ditty about one of the Christmases he experienced in Eureka; one in which he was stuck there, even though he and Zoe wanted to go home.
But, here’s the thing: Even though he didn’t claim it was a true story (because he didn’t), I’m supposed to believe that without skipping a beat he would be able to unleash a tale about people he didn’t even know last Christmas. Remember, everything he knew changed this past season. His past is not the same past that the rest of the town shares, and he did not do an ear-bending mind-meld with his scientist wife, like Henry did, to find out what he missed. The story he told featured the town as it is now — Fargo heading up Global Dynamics, Jo as head of security, Alison’s son Kevin without autism — the whole gamut. Carter never experienced such a Christmas.
In just an instant, Carter whipped together a lovely Christmas story that was complete with Jo giving thoughtful gifts to everyone, a groovy Santa in disguise and Taggert dabbling in the new science of Santology. All dreamed up, in the spur of the moment, by Carter. Carter. The only true Christmas in Eureka moment came in the first and last minutes of the show. Everything else was beyond made up … it was impossible. Carter thinks on his feet, sure, but for him to imagine the town shrinking in pursuit of the perfect fruitcake, being chased by giant Christmas tree bulbs and intimately explaining the joy each character had at receiving just the perfect gift from Jo the Secret Santa … impossible.
The moral of the story — although I was unable to suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it — was that family is where you make it. It’s true to the times. Our world leaves us separated from blood relatives, in many cases, by vast distances too great to travel for the holidays. Our communication is done via text, email and (sometimes) phone. That we make our own family out of our close friends where ever we may be is reality, and a lovely sentiment to share during the holiday season. Home is where the heart is. If only I could believe Carter had it in him to deliver it.
Clacked by Carissa Pavlica 
on Dec 07, 2010 @ 22:20 EST5EDT
Carissa…It’s Christmas time..believe in magic!!!
I don’t think Santa would be too pleased with your cynicalness.
*POST AUTHOR*
I fully admit to my scrooge-like sensibilities this year. I feel no magic or elfin dust floating my way. I need a Christmas miracle!!
I just assumed it was he was telling the story on a not-too-distant-future Christmas, remembering the Christmas that would be this year’s.
*POST AUTHOR*
See, the logical side of me says that doing that leaves out the possibility of a Christmas episode in the future, unless the fill in the gaps on the day he tells the story. Certainly doesn’t sound like I get the gist of Eureka, does it? But I do! I do!!
Darnit. I really enjoyed the episode, but you’re right. And now I like the episode less.
Wait, I’ve got it. The beginning and end of the episode take place sometime in the future. The story part of the episode Carter told actually took place this season. Yeah, I’m going to go with that.
*POST AUTHOR*
Please don’t like the episode less. Prove me wrong!
Have to agree with Bill. My assumption was that the “present day” section occurred a few years hence, meaning the “flashback” portion occurs this year.
*POST AUTHOR*
I guess this proves without a doubt I am a glass half empty kind of gal. Simply lacking in festive creativity. :-(
Okay……………I must confess that your reality of Christmas without close family had me in tears tears and more tears…….
How I wish things could be different! The good thing about love………….is that it stretches and finds the recipient that it is intended for……..even when it is not a holiday…..
Okay, Carissa (you joyless Scrooge, you), here’s the method to our madness. We’ve wanted to do a Christmas episode for a while now. Something that could potentially become a perennial for the series. This year presented the unique challenge of our time-line shift. We didn’t want to undo the changes of the first half of the season, but we also wanted the show to be potentially enjoyed for years to come. After lengthy discussions in the writers’ room, we decided to let this episode exist somewhat on its own as a fable for the show (which also allowed us to push the boundaries of the science a titch with the shrinking of the town). After all, this is a town full of genius scientists who may not necessarily believe in Santa Claus (though we certainly do!). So, having Carter tell a story that may or may not be a bit exaggerated, from some time in the future of our show, felt right. Like faith in general or Santa in particular, we wanted the viewer to decide. Carter says, “I’m just sharing the story. Believe what you want.” For me it’s obvious: Yes, Carissa. There is a Santa Claus. Merry Christmas.
With warmest holiday wishes,
Jaime Paglia
co-creator/executive producer
“Eureka”
*POST AUTHOR*
I honestly feel like I’m in a Lifetime movie…to have the opportunity to speak with such wonderful people, for you to write such a lovely story that I stomp upon and for you then to lighten my heart with such sentiments. Oh geez. Can you see my Grinch-like heart swelling in my chest?
Thanks for shining the light. Merry Christmas!
Carissa … I was right there with you. As soon as I saw the “new” Kevin in Carpe Diem, I was perplexed. As you mentioned, everything changed and Carter would have no memory of “this” Christmas or even a version of it. After the first 10 minutes or so, I was able to suspend the timeline of the show, go with it, and ultimately I really enjoyed the episode.
Though, about half way through, I really missed the Eureka characters of the previous seasons. Jo and Zane. Kevin. Fargo. This was the first time I really missed them.
In the end, I enjoyed this Christmas episode.
And, Jaime – your explanation makes me understand and like it even more.
I had the same problem. but I enjoyed it none the less and the who oppes I shrunk the town thing was even more funny because Taggart (Matt Frewer) was in the first Honey I shrunk the kids.
I think it’s just a matter of what preconceptions you bring into watching the episode. There’s nothing in the beginning that says it happens in the present. I assumed it was until Jo showed up with the GD rapid response team in the story. Then I realized it was the new timeline, so the framing scenes had to take place X years in the future. There’s no reason to conclude that there must be a timeline inconsistency just because we made the incorrect assumption that Jack and the kids were in the last season.
Besides, Noah Drummer obviously exists outside space and time. :)
I just loved it :)