“The Real Thing” is episode two of season five of Eureka.
In the previous episode, “Lost”, there was a hint that something was not quite right with the Eureka that the Astraeus had returned to. At the end, it was revealed this was because it wasn’t Eureka – it was a virtual simulation of it created by a group including, of course, Beverley Barlowe. This group is using the captured scientists to create new technology for them, all unknowing. Whatever Beverley’s father’s plans had originally been, it’s pretty clear that his daughter is no longer following them.
The simulation had been designed for twenty people. The addition of Allison takes it to twenty one, and it’s causing the odd minor problem, such as de-rezzing images. A more major one occurs when the computer decides to create a dragon after Allison and Jo talk about them. That sort of strains the credibility of the simulation a bit.
Back in the real world only a month has passed, and the DoD is calling off the search for the Astraeus. Kevin doesn’t want to give up and nor does Carter. Jo finally returns to the town – she hadn’t taken a phone with her when she went on walkabout at the end of One Small Step, so she was out of contact.