And lo, there was a series, and unto the second season came the second episode, and it was … meh.  Don't get me wrong, there was the standard complement of Eureka quirkiness, from the disgraced former scientist Dr. Todd who now shoots fish with a taser (sort of) to Fargo's mostly-charming attempt at a final statement to the world.  However, the end of last week's episode put the show on a darker path, and while it worked there, here it came across as depressing.  It's Alison's first day on the job, and Fargo's first day on his new job, and she very nearly has to nuke him.  The General who keeps buttonholing Alison isn't convincing in his role, and actually comes across like this is all really just a test of her leadership skills.  ("Do you have faith?")  The "try, try again" theme is forced in the end, first with Stark and Alison, then with Carter and Zoey, although the "driver's ed" comment makes it almost worth it.

 

Things to love about this episode: Stark and Carter's interplays.  These two perfected their banter by the middle of the first season, and it's in full glory here.  ("That didn't even leave a bad taste in my mouth." "Wait for it." "Yep, there it is.")  Last week ended a lot of hope we might have had for future Carter and Henry buddy-teamups, but as long as they keep Stark around to bounce Carter off of, I won't complain.

 

Henry is still, obviously, in deep mourning, though low on the vendetta scale this time out.  He's in therapy with Beverly.  (Is that a requirement for living in the town or what?)  He's rewatching old security tapes (ouch).  And he's just discovered that Beverly isn't quite as benign as he thought.  Good story arc piece to follow up on later.

  Henry and Stark teaming up together to fix the superglue gun?  Not only priceless, but also seriously awesome.  Some women go for the bare-chested types with big muscles; give me guys with big brains who are happy when they get to use them to problem-solve, and I'm a happy little Merlin.

 

Other than Fargo, this really should have been Alison's episode, but she's not given a lot to do except react.  (Note: Carter throwing pebbles, er, pennies at her window was extremely sweet.)   Richardson does save the performance by her delivery on: "You can't fire me for another three hours."  *waves little "Salli Richardson fangirl" flag*

 

Larry was all right for a one-shot character, but really, he needs to know that Fargo is our pet dork on this show.  I laughed when I saw his bagel, though.  Anyone else have flashbacks to the commercial "Network's down.  We're going for bagels."?

 

Since this was, in the end, Fargo's episode, we present for your approval the first entries in what will surely be a long series of "Things Douglas Fargo Is Not Allowed to Do" aka "a Skippy's List":

 

1. If I discover a strange piece of technology in my pocket, and I don't know how it got there, I will immediately alert my supervisor.
2. I will not try to turn it on.
3. If I turn it on, I will not immediately put it next to my face, my ear, or any other part of my anatomy I would like to keep functional.

 And so on.

 

Overall, not a bad outing, but here’s hoping next week brings back some of the giddy glee.