Lower Decks

This episode marked the start of Jaime Ray Newman’s stint on Eureka as Dr. Tess Fontana. Newman has appeared in a bunch of shows I’ve enjoyed over the past few years, including Stargate: Atlantis (in two episodes, including my personal favorite “Duet,” as Lt. Laura Cadman), Veronica Mars, Supernatural and Heroes. Interestingly, she has also had a recurring role on FOX’s Mental these past few weeks. It took me three episodes to place her, oddly enough.

Newman was the best part of “Insane in the P-Brane.” Otherwise, it was a trite episode and easily my least favorite of Season Three, although it has been so long since I saw the first ten episodes of the season I may be forgotten some other stinkers. In the episode, Sheriff Carter and Tess find themselves transported to another dimension and have to find a way to get back before they’re stuck forever.

The idea of having characters shifted into another dimension where they can see and hear others but can’t be seen or heard themselves certainly isn’t a new one. The first time I remember seeing it on television was an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation (“The Next Phase”). Despite the fact that characters are depicted walking through walls and people and aren’t able to interact with their surroundings, they never, ever, fall through the floor.

Throughout the episode, I kept waiting for Carter to ask why they were able to walk on the floor. But no, it was glossed over again. The scene in the elevator would have been the perfect opportunity. They can’t hit a button but when the elevator moves they move with it? I’m sure the writers could have come up with a funny response from Tess explaining the “science” keeping them from sinking into the ground. But it wasn’t meant to be. At least the episode ended on an interesting note, with Carter confronting Allison about an alien signal.