Hello, all!

Sorry Ive been away for so long, but lets just say things in my life after the San Diego Comic-Con got a little bit : complicated.

Now, however, they are beginning to ease a bit and I have had the opportunity to think about what subject I want to talk about. Trouble is I had no clue what to talk about until late last night when I realized that I was excited to see the next episodes of Eureka and Warehouse 13 from Syfy that were recorded on my DVR.

Seriously, I havent been this connected with television shows since : well : Star Trek!

And late last night I think I realized exactly the reason why: Both of these shows provide me with that sense of positive escapism from the real world that Trek has for the past four (and going on five -- Happy 44th birthday, Star Trek!) decades.

Both "Eureka" and "Warehouse 13" are witty, sci-fi/fantasy-infused romps that contain ensemble casts of characters who are, at their very root - their very foundations, damn good people. Theyre a little flawed, theyre a little quirky; theyre a lot like most people I know and love. Theyre not evil. Theyre not criminals that somehow Im being asked to root for - no - theyre people I would love to be around, to meet or even - to be.

And time and time again Ive said thats what Ive adored most about Star Trek: the characters are people who I would aspire to be.

On "Warehouse 13," Artie is Picard: Nothing matters more to him than what is right and what is true. Myka is Janeway, a critical thinker who isnt afraid to laugh and feels the pain of her mistakes to the core of her soul. Pete is Riker: a good man and a smart man who isnt afraid of his inner child. Leeta is Crusher: passionate and caring and wise. Claudia is Wesley: (and I mean that in the best way possible. I liked Wesley, so deal with it) the brilliant, if socially inept, techie. And I have a feeling that H.G. Wells might end up being a lot like Q.

On "Eureka," I see Jack Carter more like Sisko, a man trying to deal with the whirlwind around him and not get completely snowed. Allison is Bashir: fervent, considerate and willing to do almost anything for those she loves. Jo reminds me (especially in this most recent season) of BElanna Torres: a woman who is trying to deal with her life being utterly ripped out from underneath her and still having the strength to do it well.

Fargo reminds me of (dont laugh), Data; but Data on the emotion chip. Fargo is now dealing with the fact that he has powers he never believed he was worthy of before and hes just now beginning to find that self-confidence. Its like watching a child grow up.

I am going to hold back on my opinion of Dr. Grant right now - Im two episodes behind and I have a feeling his true character is about to be revealed.

I realized last night that its precisely these characters that have me tuning in or recording, and in most cases, both - just so I can spend a little time laughing and watching about characters that remind me of those around me.

And that means the writers have nailed it. The writers of these two shows have developed characters that I not only enjoy watching, but I have come to become so curious about, that I cant wait to hear the next chapter in the tale.

It also means that the actors have nailed it too. Both of these casts are so seamlessly integrated that it shows in their performances. And because of that, theyre able to convey the script and their charactersfoundations flawlessly.

Its been a long time since Ive been able to say this about any show, let alone two of them. While I wait for a new Star Trek one day, I will be happy to say I will be happy watching both Eureka and Warehouse 13.

And trust me when I say - that means a lot coming from a Trekkie.