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Warehouse 13 S4E14 ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ Review!

May 212013

Warehouse 13 Polly Walker targets Claudia

Polly Walker targets Claudia with a Blackberry

Warehouse 13 has been back for its second half of season 4 for two episodes now. Honestly, the series had kind of popped off my radar screen as Defiance, Continuum and Revolution are also on. To make matters worse, the first episode was one very big dud. However, last’s weeks episode ‘The Big Snag’ was one of the more enjoyable outings as Pete and Myka found themselves locked into 1940′s crime novel. The quality of the production was definitely noteworthy.

This weeks episode is entitled ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ and is rather straight up WH-13 fare. The episode is essentially split into three storylines. Steve and Claudia travel to the UK to look into the mysterious death of several racing jockey’s while Myka and Pete investigate a magician who levitates people in Las Vegas. Both storylines are basic stuff though the jokes and innuendo are quite memorable. Sadly, the buffoonery of Pete is just a bit over the top.

Abigail

However, it is really Artie’s storyline that is the main focus of the episode. Artie is of course still dealing with his inadvertent betrayal that acted as the background for the first half of the season. His guilt is starting to make him self-destructive which causes the warehouse’s Regents to appoint a caretaker for the inn. Abigail (the new caretaker) also happens to be a psychiatrist which upsets Artie as well as her casual disregard for the warehouse artifacts. The role of Abigail is to set Artie straight for the rest of the season. Personally I think this is done far too forcefully and some scenes really screamed at me. The character of Abigail seems to fit Warehouse 13 well enough but we will have to wait for more episodes to see of the shows creative staff can make her shine or that she just remains neurotic.

Joanne Kelly as Myka Bering in 40′s dress

Polly Walker is also introduced as Charlotte Dupres the new villain in this episode, but her scenes are so brief and campy that it is too early to form a good opinion. So far the show has lacked believable villains for most of its duration. With Jaime Murray’s character H.G Wells being a notable exception. Lets hope the creative staff can do something about that. Polly Walker’s credentials from Rome does speak for itself.

Score; 7.5 / 10. Entertaining but uneven episode of Warehouse 13. If you haven’t seen last week’s episode, then I suggest you see it first.

PS, Warehouse 13 will be back in two weeks and Jaime Murray will return as well!

Source; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warehouse_13

Warehouse 13 ‘No Pain, No Gain’ Preview!

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Aug 182012

Season 4 of Warehouse 13 is starting to heat up with Brother Adrian’s (Brent Spiner) discovery that it was indeed Artie (Saul Rubinek) who used the Astrolabe, though I wonder if this storyline can last throughout the season. I think it will probably be resolved by the season hiatus after episode 10. In the meantime the storyline of Steve Jinks’s (Aaron Ashmore) resurrection will now center on the downsides as well, that is, when he gets injured than so does Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti).

As for ‘No Pain, No Gain’, here is the synopsis…

While Artie and Steve investigate the theft of artifacts from the warehouse, Mrs. Frederic invites Claudia to lunch and Pete and Myka investigate a miraculously healed athlete.

No sign as yet of Jaime Murray reprising he role of H.G. Wells.

Here is the video promo for ‘No Pain, No Gain’…

Here are the preview photos for ‘No Pain, No Gain’…

Warehouse 13 ‘There’s Always a Downside’ Preview!

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Aug 122012

Last weeks episode of Warehouse 13 entitled ‘Personal Effects’ was considerably better than the seasons first two, so for once I can say I am really looking forward to the next iteration of this show in which Steve will have to become familiar with the side effects of his newly found non-death.

Unfortunately, going from the promo pics and the synopsis it would seem that Jaime Murray will once again not grace us as H.G. Wells in Warehouse 13. Her absence has been duly noted by fans on the net.

Here is the synopsis…

The team suspect that an artifact is involved at the prep school where Hugo Miller’s nephew attends. While Pete and Claudia check out the prep school, Myka and Steve track down another artifact in New Orleans.

Here are the promotional videos…

Here are the promotional photos of ‘There’s Always a Downside’…

Warehouse 13 ‘Personal Effects’ Preview!

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Aug 022012

The next episode of Warehouse 13 is entitled ‘Personal Effects’.

And from the trailer below we know Myka, Pete and Artie have to fetch no less than six artifacts. Sadly it would also appear that Jaime Murray won’t reprise her role as H.G. Wells in this episode. I am starting to think she might not be so ‘regular’ after all. The character of Leena (Genelle Williams) has a larger role during in the last episode which I thought was quite OK, perhaps the shows creators can attempt to broaden her character out a bit. So far she has been a poor man’s Astrid (played by Jasika Nicole on Fringe). As for the ratings, Warehouse 13 unfortunately took a dive with the second episode of the season and the numbers are already creeping towards the lows of the third season.

Here is the episode synopsis…

Pete and Myka require the need of the rest of the team when they have to track down the remaining artifacts from Sykes’ arsenal.

Enjoy the promo trailer…

And of course the promotional photos…

Warehouse 13 – An Evil Within – Review!

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Jul 312012

An Evil Within is the second episode of the fourth season of Warehouse 13 and it unfortunately continues the creative slowdown that seeped into the third season.

The plot of An Evil Within…

This episode has two main storylines. The first follows Myka (Joanne Kelly) and Pete (Eddie McClintock) as they try to find out why people are behaving in an hysteric way and claim to see monster with tentacles. Eventually Pete and Myka uncover that somebody is avenging the death of his fiancé by using an artifact in such a way that everybody things the victim is a monster and should be killed.

The second storyline follows Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) and Artie (Saul Rubinek) as they each try to undue past mistakes. Claudia gains access to the morgue where Steve’s bodies is being held and attempts to resurrect him with an artifact. Jane Lattimer (Kate Mulgrew) appears but against Artie’s protestations seems to approve of Claudia’s plan, later she even helps Claudia to perform the procedure. After Steve is resurrected Claudia attempts to make him understand what has happened and it takes Steve a while to come to accepts he has been dead. Meanwhile regent Kosan appears at the Warehouse 13 and makes his displeasure known about Jane Lattimer’s approval. He vows that if there are negative side effects to Steve’s resurrection he will disable the artifact that was used.

Artie meanwhile is approached by Brother Adrian who asks his help to find Magellan’s astrolabe. Brother Adrian states that a person who uses it will cause evil to spread throughout the world. Artie doesn’t tell him he has used it to save the warehouse and H.G. Wells but Brother Adrian seems to suspect something is a amiss. Artie ponders whether Claudia’s attempt at resurrecting Steve has anything to do with Adrian’s warning. This storyline ends without any dénouement and it seems to remain the main plot line for the foreseeable future of Warehouse 13.

Review…

I personally felt that this episode was a letdown, none of the events that took place in this made me care much for the characters. On the one hand there was Pete and Myka’s chase of the culprit that tries to avenge the death of his fiancé which though introduced drama also violated the suspense of disbelief when artifacts were openly discussed with members of the public. Myka’s comment on how she understood why a person might avenge the death of a loved one was an allusion to the trials of H.G. Wells. This made Jaime Murray’s absence from the episode all the more felt.

Claudia’s and Artie’s story remained throughout most of the episode interesting but after Claudia had resurrected Steve and Artie had his gazillion coffee and scones with Brent Spiner’s character I stopped caring. Though Steve Jinks broke a wall with him being openly gay he brought too few other traits to really merit coming back on the show. His character gets in the way of Artie and Claudia working together which was one of the highlights of the earlier seasons. This episode already seems to foreshadow Steve second death as the other regents don’t approve of what regent Lattimer has done. Claudia’s attempts at gaining access to the morgue are the main highlight of this episode as they are quite funny.

Kate Mulgrew’s guest appearance was poorly used and her behavior as a regent was out of character, Brent Spiner’s character was reasonably effective and makes for an interesting character for this show.

If Jaime Murray doesn’t return to the show as a regular than I can only hope that her rumored spinoff series gets off the ground quick because Warehouse 13 seems to have run out of ideas.

Score; 7 / 10.

Warehouse 13 ‘A New Hope’ mini-review!

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Jul 262012

Jaime Murray as H.G. Wells - A New Hope - Warehouse 13

A New Hope is the first episode of the fourth season of Warehouse 13.

The plot in broad strokes…

After the destruction of the warehouse in the finale of the last season the story continues with the direct aftermath to those events. Pete, Artie and Myka have survived thanks to H.G Wells (Jaime Murray) sacrificing herself. Quickly Artie comes up with the suggestion that they use a fail-safe to travel back 24 hours in order to stop the warehouse being blown up. However, as it will take time to find Magellan’s Astrolabe they must attempt to retrieve it within 24 hours. The search first takes them to the south of France to a monastery of the Knight’s Templar where they are almost killed by the priests there (guest starring Brent Spiner). In fitting tribute to the movie Angels & Demons the trail leads them to Rome and to Saint Peter’s tomb.

Our gang manages to enter the tomb but only after Myka (Joanne Kelly) manages to trash an italian restaurant in a diversion. Artie manages to retrieve the artifact but Pete dies and the Templar priest gives Artie a dire warning about the time-machine. Artie manages to travel back in time for 24 hours and with the help of Myka and H.G. disarms the bomb that the villain Sykes has planted. After Sykes is apprehended Artie vows that H.G. Wells should be allowed to join the warehouse gang, something Mrs. Frederick reluctantly allows. She remains suspicious of the way Artie managed to disarm the bomb as he hasn’t old anyone about the time-travel.

Review…

A New Hope was a good episode, not brilliant but good nonetheless. The first half of the episode is a bit slow and familiar but the second half saves this episode from the bottom pile. The subplot on the artifacts is however very confusing, the search for Magellan’s Astrolabe is a mess. The level drama is like season 3 higher than it was during the first two seasons of the show.

The fact that Artie travels back 24 hours and manages to save the warehouse means that Pete, Mrs. Fredericks and H.G. Wells all survived. Steve Jinks is still dead and I don’t think he will return. Now that Jaime Murray’s character is going to be a regular on the show I suspect she will be teamed up with Artie and Claudia. And I think fans wouldn’t have it any other way. The character of Leena (Genelle Williams) will probably also become more important this season.

Score; 8 / 10.

Viewer rating; 2.14 million. Which is OK considering it’s a Syfy rating.

Warehouse 13 Season 4 ‘A New Hope’ Preview!

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Jul 082012

The fourth season of Warehouse 13 is almost upon us, on July 23rd the season will kick off with the episode entitled ‘A New Hope’ which I suspect is a reference to the dramatic events that happened in the season 3 finale in which Mrs. Frederic, Steve Jinks and H.G. Wells all died. Too some it suggested the series had to cut back on funding for actors but I suspect at least one of those that had died will come back (can you guess which one? Here is a tip, who do you reckon raises ratings!).

As for the episode A New Hope, here is the synopsis…

Season 4 kicks off with the Warehouse Team still reeling from the shocking events of the climactic season three finale – the loss of Agent Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore), Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder), H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray) and the destruction of the Warehouse itself. Their only hope lies in racing to the other side of the Earth to hunt down an obscure artifact, which may or may not even exist – and if it does exist, what consequences will they face for using it?

The fact that Jaime Murray’s name is mentioned even though her character is dead tells me all I need to know, lets not forget that for some time that were rumors that her character H.G. Wells would get her own show. Jaime Murray has certainly broken through in the last year or two so it is anyones guess!

As for season 4, it will get an important guest star in the form of Brent Spiner (Star Trek The Next Generation). It is not clear whether he will play a villain or be part of the warehouse gang but he certainly will give this series a shot in the arm.

On my wish list for season 4 stands however only one thing, get the character of Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti) right! She was a great recurring character but ever since she became a regular the shows creative staff seem to struggle to include her properly into the plot. Last season’s character of Steve Jinks was used to help with that but it didn’t really work well, perhaps teaming her up with Artie (Saul Rubinek) will help.

Season 4 will get an impressive 20 episodes as opposed to the regular 13. This maybe due to the need by the Syfy Channel to offset the ending of Eureka and Sanctuary.

Here are a bunch of promo shots of A New Hope…

Warehouse 13 – The Greatest Gift review!

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Dec 072011

This episode of Warehouse 13 is a Christmas special, and as such it lampoons the
series just a bit (which in its own rights is often frivolous). Often this can
either be needlessly stupid or absolutely brilliant. This episode swings back
and forth between the two.

The episode begins with Pete and Myka having to retrieve Rudolph’s red nose which playing havoc to someone Christmas decorations. After they manage to do so Pete finds himself on Christmas watch in Warehouse 13, while fooling around he manages to get hit by a brush which erases his entire existence. After he casually strolls into Artie’s office he finds that MacPherson and two other agents are in charge of the warehouse. Pete for a while thinks this is a practical joke and rather irritatingly for the audience doesn’t make the connection with any artifact.
Pete finally suggests that Leena might recognize him and the two agents take
him to see her.

Of course she doesn’t and Pete still can’t figure what is happening. He does manage to escape from the two agents and Leena but not before he suggests that MacPherson is a thief who sells artifacts on the open market. He is overheard by Mrs. Frederic who is visibly startled.

Pete decides to find Myka who is still a Secret Service agent in Washington DC.
After initial disbelief he manages to persuade to see Artie who is in jail for
artifact theft. It is Artie who deduces that Pete is telling the truth and must
have touched the brush. In order to set things right they need to break into
the warehouse and the only person who can manage that is… you guessed it right… Claudia.

They bust Claudia out of the asylum with the promise of finding her brother, after
disabling the agents that had followed them they break into the warehouse.
Myka and Pete decide to find the artifact only to discover that MacPherson has
cleaned out the entire Christmas aisle. They finally manage to corner him
before he destroys the artifact. Pete manages to grab the artifact while
falling into the earth’s lava and this action sets everything right.

The last scene is about the gang celebrating Christmas at leena’s where to Pete’s horror they are going to watch ‘It’s a wonderful Life’

Conclusion; the episode is Ok, not brilliant. It suffers from familiar problems surrounding Warehouse 13. This show just isn’t serious enough and that alone causes the failure of suspense of disbelief.

Score; 7.5 / 10.

Viewer ratings; Not available.

Warehouse 13 will be back for a fourth season in 2012.

Warehouse 13 renewed for season 4!

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Aug 142011

Yes, one of the few sci-fi shows that the Syfy channel still has is being renewed for a fourth season. That’s just days after a sixth season of Eureka has been canceled (though of course season 5 is still on). Too some this seems like an unlikely course of events as Warehouse 13′s ratings have not been that strong either. Though an apparent minor increase in viewers this season has led to the decision to commission another 13 episodes.

Still, according to most fans Warehouse 13 though fun to watch does not score very high on either the sci-fi element or the suspense element. The episodes are essentially cheap thrill rides, something that could hurt its course when shows like ‘Person of interest’ and ‘Alcatraz’ come onto the air. One undoubted reason for the renewal is that production cost are considerably lower than Eureka, so with ratings being similar it shouldn’t come as a surprise which show gets axed.