A Town Called Eureka vs The 4400

pmc · 04-10-2007, 1:12 PM

With no Lost or BSG till the new year and Heroes only just started its 2nd season I'm after a bit of Sci-FI'ish TV to watch (while Heroes builds a bit of a back log).

I've never watched these two so which should I choose?

Eureka has been described a a sci-fi Northern Exposure. That sounds great, Northern Exposure was one of my favourite shows. It's also got nice short seasons so I'm not committing months and months to watch it.

I watched the pilot of The 4400 on Sky but wasn't at all impressed. Mainly the production values put me off. These people are returned to Earth from space and you don't get to see it happen, they just seem to hang around in an aircraft hanger. On the other hand its done 4 seasons and a lot people on here like it so maybe it improves.

Razor · 04-10-2007, 2:23 PM

Season 1 of Eureka was a bit childish, but season 2 really has matured and is a decent season.

The best season for the 4400 was season 3. The worst was season 2, I nearly gave up on this season. Season 1 was ok and I enjoyed that and the first half of season 4 wasnt much cop, but the second half of season 4 was much better and enjoyable.

Battle · 04-10-2007, 5:51 PM

They are both good - watch em both

Singh400 · 04-10-2007, 6:00 PM

Never watched The 4400, but I'm a fan of Eureka. Season 1 was good, around average quality. Season 2 is were it got good and found it's stride. Season 2 has just finished in the US.

Besides isn't The 4400, more similar to Heroes?

I'd say go for Eureka.

Starburst · 05-10-2007, 4:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

I watched the pilot of The 4400 on Sky but wasn't at all impressed. Mainly the production values put me off. These people are returned to Earth from space and you don't get to see it happen, they just seem to hang around in an aircraft hanger. On the other hand its done 4 seasons and a lot people on here like it so maybe it improves.

Are you sure you saw all 6 parts of the mini-series (not the first season as such) which did explain everything much to the detriment of the story since as the producers said once the secret was out it killed the mainstream audience for season1 proper and onwards.

I can't see the point of not watching both, short seasons for each and plenty of time before BSG and Lost return.

pmc · 05-10-2007, 4:45 PM

Yeah, I only watched the very first episode but was left totally cold so ignored it from then on.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to go with Eureka. Mainly because I am currently watching mostly heavy drama so could do with some light relief. I'll give the first season/mini series of The 4400 a chance after that as its very short.

Razor · 05-10-2007, 4:53 PM

Watch OZ or The Wire it beats them all.

**Greg** · 05-10-2007, 4:56 PM

Definitely The 4400. Season 4 recently shown on Sky was superb, with some brilliant episodes through the season, much better than the dross of season 3.

As to Eureka, it is an ok enough show, but nothing special. I could easily take it or leave it.

krish · 05-10-2007, 4:56 PM

Have never got round to catching Eureka ... may purchase the R1 boxset cheaply at some point

Have always liked The 4400, decent lead and recurring characters, and I've preferred it since it shifted away from 'freak of the week' episodes towards the future conspiracy/disaster arc which in itself has not been resolved or explained, we were just told at the end of the mini-series about it but not the how and why, and who the real goodies and baddies are

pmc · 06-10-2007, 9:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Watch OZ or The Wire it beats them all.

well, duh!

I've actually just watched season 2 of Oz. I missed the first couple of series when they were first shown. And I'm rewatching season 1 of The Wire

Razor · 06-10-2007, 4:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

well, duh!

I've actually just watched season 2 of Oz. I missed the first couple of series when they were first shown. And I'm rewatching season 1 of The Wire

Superb mate. These two shows are in my favourite top five of all time. Carry on with season 3 of OZ and The Wire season 3 & 4 are better than season 1. Have fun matey.

pmc · 19-10-2007, 12:17 PM

Well, I went with Eureka and think I'm going to give up after 3 episodes. It a bit meh. Watchable but nothing special. So, now for The 4400.

drac · 19-10-2007, 12:27 PM

I've just watched the first series of 4400 - i thought it wasn't too bad

For some reason I think the opening credits music is pretty good too!

19-10-2007, 4:16 PM

Neither are exactly what I would call special but I think they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. If you're looking for something more light-hearted and quite imaginative Eureka is probably the one to go with. Alternatively the 4400 is more serious having a longer term story and does improve a lot after the pilot mini-series (which I was not impressed with).

Although the 4400 doesn't have great production values you might like it as it's story is kind of similar to heroes, except instead of being more comic-book orientated it's more based in science.

pmc · 29-10-2007, 3:38 PM

Well, I just watched The 4400 mini-series over the last week. Pretty good, certainly good enough for me to watch the rest. Very X-Files vibe which was cool. It's let down a bit by the poor production values and bland casting. The ideas and writing are good though. If this was on a major network with more support it could be a top show.

So, the second season of The 4400 should keep me busy for a few weeks until enough of a back log on Prison Break/Heroes has build up.

PaulaB · 18-11-2007, 9:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle

They are both good - watch em both

Another one for watching both, I like them both in their own ways they are good and why make it an either or situation?

pmc · 08-06-2009, 11:54 AM

Finished the 4th season of The 4400 last night. All in all an enjoyable enough show. I thought it was supposed to have more a proper rap up but I liked the ending anyway.

The only worry is that the piece of wood playing Tom Baldwin is going to be in V next year. Given that the piece of wood that plays Juliet from Lost is also in it, I'm not holding out for much acting going in that show

Juliet, does of course have other, ahem, attributes

**Greg** · 08-06-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

Finished the 4th season of The 4400 last night. All in all an enjoyable enough show. I thought it was supposed to have more a proper rap up but I liked the ending anyway.

The only worry is that the piece of wood playing Tom Baldwin is going to be in V next year. Given that the piece of wood that plays Juliet from Lost is also in it, I'm not holding out for much acting going in that show

Juliet, does of course have other, ahem, attributes

They didn't anticipate being cancelled which is why it didn't end 'properly' so to speak. A very good show and the last season was particularly good. Not helped by the writer's strike at all.

Knyght_byte · 09-06-2009, 5:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

Given that the piece of wood that plays Juliet from Lost is also in it, I'm not holding out for much acting going in that show

Juliet, does of course have other, ahem, attributes

sadly her acting does tend to be a little like something you'd varnish......but as you say, on the bright side......thank god she is on the hot tropical island and forced to wear strappy low cut tops

oh, OT, i'd have gone with Eureka, which I did and love...lol. Havnt watched 4400, not sure if I would bother if the acting is wooden and the scripting is a little hit and miss....but, sometimes Asda knock out the DVD series for a silly price so I might give it a whirl just in case....much as I love House, I'm not sure he'll get me thru summer alone

soundstory · 09-06-2009, 9:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starburst

Are you sure you saw all 6 parts of the mini-series (not the first season as such) which did explain everything much to the detriment of the story since as the producers said once the secret was out it killed the mainstream audience for season1 proper and onwards.

I can't see the point of not watching both, short seasons for each and plenty of time before BSG and Lost return.

I agree with most of that, I also watched the first season of 4400, thought it was ok until they unleashed the "big secret" & I just thought, that's it for me !!

Completely lost interest

BigNevster25 · 11-06-2009, 8:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulaB

Another one for watching both, I like them both in their own ways they are good and why make it an either or situation?

I quite like Eureka so may start watching 4400.... lack of good tv at the mo, even Fringe (deffo an X-Files vibe) has finished.

raigraphixs · 11-06-2009, 8:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevillecfc73

I quite like Eureka so may start watching 4400.... lack of good tv at the mo, even Fringe (deffo an X-Files vibe) has finished.

Only seen a little off Eureka, but, i would not compare that to 4400. Heroes is closer to 4400. I really enjoyed all seasons off 4400, some better than others.

BigNevster25 · 11-06-2009, 8:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raigraphixs

Only seen a little off Eureka, but, i would not compare that to 4400. Heroes is closer to 4400. I really enjoyed all seasons off 4400, some better than others.

Love Heroes so may give it a go

View Poll Results: Which should I watch?
A Town Called Eureka	19	59.38%
The 4400	13	40.63%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

19-10-2007, 4:16 PM	#14
west Guest Posts: n/a	Re: A Town Called Eureka vs The 4400 Neither are exactly what I would call special but I think they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. If you're looking for something more light-hearted and quite imaginative Eureka is probably the one to go with. Alternatively the 4400 is more serious having a longer term story and does improve a lot after the pilot mini-series (which I was not impressed with). Although the 4400 doesn't have great production values you might like it as it's story is kind of similar to heroes, except instead of being more comic-book orientated it's more based in science.
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