One Small Step requires that the viewer accept the concept that travelling one billion miles is now something that can be whipped up and executed pretty reasonably and on-demand...and that's a big requirement. However, as the second half of season four of Eureka has put this concept front and center, and if the viewer has made it this far into the season, then we just have to smile and carry on...
Once the science-fictiony part is accepted as canon, the thing that make this episode work is what has always been the strength of Eureka, its characters caring for one another. One Small Step has some charming character growth (even it some of it includes growing pains) and the heart is what wins in the end -- not a sappy heart, but the heart of concern and acceptance and growth. The strongest of these is Jo and Zane figuring out what they do and do not have and Carter embracing the technology in his life in a very personal way. There is plenty going on in this satisfying episode.
Once the science-fictiony part is accepted as canon, the thing that make this episode work is what has always been the strength of Eureka, its characters caring for one another. One Small Step has some charming character growth (even it some of it includes growing pains) and the heart is what wins in the end -- not a sappy heart, but the heart of concern and acceptance and growth. The strongest of these is Jo and Zane figuring out what they do and do not have and Carter embracing the technology in his life in a very personal way. There is plenty going on in this satisfying episode.