With the Astraeus mission so close to it launch, things got tense around GD on Eureka this week. Fortunately, "This One Time at Space Camp..." helped lighten the tension with a plethora of nerd and geek nods.

From working in a History of the World Part One quote to referencing Ghostbusters, this episode could have been titled "Hail to the Geek, Baby!"

I really enjoyed that we got to see how Dr. Parrish and Fargo started their rivalry as kids at Galaxy Camp, making rocket engines for Chief Tyrol. Okay, it was guest star Aaron Douglas as Ray Darlton, but, come on if anyone knows engines, it’s The Chief from Battlestar Galactica!  

We also got the first view into Jo’s childhood. I was not surprised that she had three older brothers and was raised by her dad. Given that she can field strip an M16 with a blindfold on - and I can’t even do it after six years in the military - her childhood was totally what I expected... except for her father’s comment about her mom being proud of her. That hit me like a mallet in the chest Well done, Ms. Berg. Very well written.

My favorite scene was the slow pan across the pile of cloths to find that Holly and Fargo were laying there playing a Dungeon’s and Dragons board game. Having played the Castle Ravenloft game they were involved in, I was thrilled that they didn’t over ham the game or add a bunch of needless "geek speak" to try and make them sound even more nerdy.

For us pen/paper gamers, Holly giving Fargo the D20 dice for luck was an eleven on the geek-cuteness meter!

We should take a moment of silence for Dr. Parrish. He lost the girl, found out she lied to him about role playing, and didn't make the Astraeus mission. Actually, nah! He had it all coming the arrogant jerk.  

This brings me around to Warren Hughes and the return of guest star Wallace Shawn.  I guess if a little goes a long way then a lot of Shawn is...awesome!  

Let me clarify right up front:

• Yes, it was completely ridiculous that Warren got any memories from a zap on his finger from a little coffee spill. 
• Yes, it was a completely transparent method for throwing in some flashback to previous season. 
• Yes, it was a way to cut Shawn loose to let him be as silly and over the top as we have all come to love.  
• And yes, it was the most contrived way for them to get Jack and Allison’s relationship approved by Warren suddenly being close to them afterwards. 

Even with all that, you know what? This is Eureka; I’m willing to go with it! 

It's nice that Jack and Allison are fully "DoD approved" and now that Jo has grounded herself, we will get to see if Zane follows her example and stays. We won't have long to wait giving that Astraeus will be launching very soon.

This made me wonder if the Astraeus mission will actually happen between seasons? It would make sense to have the finale show them leave and the season premiere see them return. But then again, this is Eureka, remember? Anything is possible.

Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.