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Advance Review: Eureka Christmas Episode “Do You See What I See?” (Sninjas invade Eureka!)

Advance Review: Eureka, Christmas Episode “Do You See What I See?”

Air Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 8/7c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

In Eureka’s “Do You See What I See,” the quaint town of geniuses is transformed into animated versions of themselves. Sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) and Allison Blake (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) are secretly planning the perfect holiday surprise for their kids. But a mysterious kaleidoscopic wave of color crashes over Eureka, leaving the entire town and its inhabitants animated.

 

Animated Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) must figure out how to get back to being human while battling Sninjas

Jack’s wish for a white Christmas gets a twist when the photon laser goes wonky and the entire town becomes an animated wonderland complete with Sninjas (snowmen ninjas), talking polar bears and Jeeps. It is a delightfully different Christmas treat full of the usual holiday festivities of gift giving and being surrounded by loved ones, but the animation gives it a uniquely fun twist I wasn’t expecting.

There are several methods employed to animate the characters in this episode. First, Jack, Allison, Jo (Erica Cerra), Henry (Joe Morton), Fargo (Neil Grayston) and even Deputy Andy (Kavan Smith) are CGI animated and when night turns to day to night to day to night again, things become even weirder. Meanwhile, Kevin (Trevor Jackson) and Zoe (Jordan Hinson) are playing with a new Christmas toy – a hologram storybook that causes some interference with the photons and is the reason everyone in town has become animated…except for them of course. They are safely nestled all snug inside S.A.R.A.H (Self Actuated Residential Automated Habitat).

Next the gang become like old Loony Toons cartoons and encounters some Sninjas.  This part is pretty funny because it reminds me of cartoons I watched growing up as a kid in the 80s. The sound effects the actors voice over when fighting with the Sninjas is cliché but still entertaining.

Pictured: (l-r) Allison Blake (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson), Jo Lupo (Erica Cerra)

When they become Claymation® characters, it doesn’t help them fare any better in becoming human again. As you know, Claymation® isn’t exactly fast. I think it’s really great how the creators of the show incorporate such a variety of animated techniques to tell the story as Jack, Allison, Jo, Henry, Fargo, and Deputy Andy evolve throughout the tale. But it’s not until a giant Claymation® Sninja is about to devastate Main Street do the kids finally realize they need to help their parents and friends. They do what they can and it’s time for kick-ass anime to save the day! I must admit, the anime portion totally rocks! The entire episode is quite hilarious!

“Do You See What I See” is absolutely fun and will be a new holiday classic! It’s got heart, action, laughs, and Sninjas!!

Tune into Eureka’s Holiday episode “Do You See What I See” Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 8/7c only on Syfy.

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Photos © NBC Universal/Syfy.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.