Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 11 Emily Lake / 12 Stand

On a whole, this season finale of Warehouse was stronger than last season's. There weren't any stupid surprises out of the blue characters going crazy--and it reversed the senselessness of Steve departing so early. The two episodes also feature tons of action and visual effects along with the emotional death of Steve and Mrs. Frederick. The episodes were definitely exciting, enough to ignore the expect lapses of logic.

The Warehouse getting blown up at the end of the episode was spectacular and would have been a game changer. But Artie busts out MacPherson's pocket watch and implies that it can reverse what happened. Great. So after an awesome explosion to end the season, this watch can turn back time and everything will be fine?

Score: 8.8/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 10 Insatiable

I'm always game for good zombie action, so most of "Insatiable" was likable. The zombies were integrated into the mythos of the show and Myka turning into a zombie instead of Pete was a good twist.

That said, the rest of the episode bothered me a lot. Everything outside the main plot was very contrived and it felt like the writers are forcing things to happen before the season finale. Between Claudia bothering her super-super-BFF Steve (who she met at the beginning of the season), the stuff with the Saleh artifact (try checking the database?), and a random new guy, it all seemed superfluous and lifeless. I like Claudia, but no of this seems too important.

Score: 8.1/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 9 Shadows

Filling in the backstory of Pete's mother Jane, "Shadows" is a pretty boring episode, with little action and only a couple instances of flashy artifact usage. Most of the time is spent reflecting on the past--Claudia on Steve, Pete and Jane on Pete's father. There is certainly relevance to by found, relating both to the case of the week and the ongoing arc for the season, but Warehouse 13 is a much better show when the tempo is higher.

The characters now know that the super-villain is Walter Sykes, whose bracelet was taken away. Apparently, the bracelet left a seed of darkness in his heart, which makes him who he is today. It's a decent reason why he would be angry, seed of darkness notwithstanding. The bracelet gave him the ability to walk, to play baseball. The Warehouse took it away and he couldn't walk anymore or play baseball.

Score: 8.0/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 8 The 40th Floor

The Warehouse's history is territory that still can be explored thoroughly, so the Regents returning was a definite bonus, coinciding with the mysterious wheelchaired villain. As the building crumbles, Artie and Myka lead the Regents around and we get to learn a bit about who they are. We get to see their personalities and see that they are not faceless bureaucrats.

Thematically and tonally, I'm not sure about this whole deal with the Regents. We're supposed to have some doubts about them and how virtuous they are. Clearly, torture is questionable and bronzing (leaving the person's mind intact but body motionless) is as well. Seeing how the enemy acts, torturing and whatnot, in comparison to the Regent's similar attitude should give us pause. But the show's tone is so upbeat that it overrides any doubts expressed by the characters. They are still having fun and cracking jokes, making this seem like a less serious issue.

After the H.G. mess at the end of last season, one would think the writers would have more tact with recurring characters in the future, but apparently that's not the case. Sally was actually a pretty formidable enemy and was a big part in several episodes, but she's unceremoniously ditched after failing the mission. Steve was a huge part of the season and is fired after being really stupid while Mrs. Frederick was getting information. Quickly, two major characters are gone without so much of a send off. Yes, they could return (and there are hints that Steve could join the wheelchair guy), but my initial disappointment will remains.

The final revelation that Jane is Pete's mother was great with the extra layer of Pete being married to Seven of Nine while being the son of Captain Janeway.

Score: 8.5/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 7 Insatiable

Warehouse 13 has such an expansive premise--mystical artifacts around the world packed into a warehouse--that the show has many different modes it can go to. There are sometimes awesome episodes like last week's with a fluid format and great usage of the endless possibilities, and then there are episodes like "Insatiable," basically procedurals with an artifact thrown in.

On a thematic note, I'm not sure I like that the writers revisited the past and inserted an artifact into a case which Myka already revisited in the first season. This is the sort of thing that happened to Mulder and Scully on The X-Files--the paranormal somehow finding them all the time. But the dark, constricting nature of that fits tonally with The X-Files, differing greatly with Warehouse 13 which is a much cheerier show.

Now, we have the idea that artifacts are all around these characters like malevolent shadows which cause harm. It just doesn't fit with the tone of the show. The haunting notes that do come out in Warehouse, such as the mentions that Warehouse agents usually die, aren't nearly enough to tip the scales of the show into a direction where things are particularly dark.

The B-plot was again brief, but it advanced the overall plot for the season. Claudia and Steve are ambushed after retrieving and artifact, leading to a couple funny scenes where an artifact is used to get the license plate numbers from a dog. Surprise, surprise--it looks like Agent Sally Stukowski did it again and this time the characters know. There wasn't much to the plot, but there were only a few scenes, so it didn't really intrude on the rest on the episode. And we got to see the funny sights of Artie and the dog, and Claudia drooling.

Score: 8.2/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 6 Don't Hate the Player

Video games is just one of those things that television writers can't seem to get a hold of. They seem to be stuck in the video game paradigm from 20-30 years ago when earning points, high scores, funky sound effects, and dreams of virtual reality were the norm. Little do they know that games, especially RPGs, have progressed far beyond that point in terms of plot, characters, dialogue, and game play. I guess this is just one of those things that writers are behind on, like when they throw in references to Twitter years after it's become popular. OK, gripe finished.

"Don't Hate the Player" is definitely one of the coolest episodes of the entire series, with an entire virtual world for the characters to explore. The attention to detail is simply stunning, and the writers made full use of the video game setting. We see Artie, Leena, and Claudia virtualized into their own unique characters, as well as the characters who enter into the game. The plot and artifact weren't important, but it didn't matter since most viewers were probably thinking how fucking awesome everything looked and how the episode was.

The B plot, consisting of Artie and Steve meeting Agent Sikowski, was mostly filler and was very straightforward. There's a painting that causes people to die, so Artie and Steve try to replace it which they do. The plot did have a greater implication for future episodes, however, as Sikowski again managed to fool everyone. She embeds bugs into the painting which go loose throughout the Warehouse. I'm beginning to wonder whether Steve may be helping her. He seems innocent enough, but his amazing truth-telling abilities fail only when it comes to Sikowski. Either she's supremely good at lying, has an artifact that helps her lie, or Jinx is in on the scheme.

Score: 9.3/10

Loved the usage of the music from the classic Star Trek fight scene from "Amok Time."

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 5 3...2...1

Pete's reaction to H.G. through most of "3...2...1" reflected my view of her and how the writers ultimately decided to portray her in the season finale. For most of the second season, H.G. was perfectly fine and a likable character, but the writers decided to make her batshit crazy and out to destroy the world. This was utterly baffling and was, quite frankly, a stupid way to create drama, manufacturing drama and action from a situation which showed little signs of anything wrong.

I'm not sure if "3...2...1" truly redeems H.G., considering just how illogical and devious she was, but it at least made me feel sorry for her. We see her in her heyday, when she an inventor, expert Warehouse agent, and master storyteller--all contrasting with the bronzed H.G. we see at the end of the episode. She truly has fallen from grace and her words in the episode indicate remorse. Taking that on face value, it seems like H.G. isn't totally crazy. But then again, the writers could also make it so that she's fooling everyone again.

The episode cleverly ties together three timelines with all the agents tracking down Joshua's horn. We get to see Jack and Rebecca again and see them agree to have a full-blown relationship. H.G.'s plot,  set in late 19th century London, was the highlight of the episode, giving us her background and showing us how awesome she was. Syfy announced a spin-off some months ago revolving around H.G. and if this episode is indeed a precursor to that, or even a backdoor pilot, then I'm definitely in--as long as the writers avoid the part about her being crazed and wanting to use the trident.

Score: 9.0/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 4 Queen for a Day

I initially thought this new format of Warehouse 13 was positive, and I had a small explanation in my review of the second episode of this season. To summarize, the biggest problem I had with the show was that it would often turn into a procedural with an artifact at the center of it. By running two concurrent plots, one larger than the other, the show would avoid any of these problems since space wouldn't have to be filled and the plots wouldn't have to be needlessly complex.

I'm having second thoughts, however. What it seems to be now is that the writers are essentially splitting each episode into parts, where one of the plots can be lifted in its entirety and placed in another episode. There is such a strict divide between the two groups--Myka and Pete, and Claudia and Steve--that the writers seem to be taking it easy. Claudia and Steve go to the Civil War reenactment and find the artifact, without interacting with any other characters, while Pete and Myka go to Pete's ex-wife's wedding and find that artifact. The writers don't even try to have the characters interact with someone else in another group, and the isolation makes for a disconnected episode.

Despite this, "Queen for a Day" hits some nice notes, as we learn about Pete's past, connecting to his alcoholism, and and his ex-wife Amanda (played by Jeri Ryan, better known as Seven of Nine). The action in the episode was a cut above the rest and had the rambunctious fun that makes the show so enjoyable. As disconnected as the Civil War plot was, Allison Scagliotti has some hilarious scenes and we learn about Steve's deceased sister and how Claudia reminds him of her.

Score: 8.4/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 3 Love Sick

I want to watch more of the season before casting judgment, but "Love Sick" is a bit troubling. The main plot is solid and what you would expect from the show. Artie, Claudia, Dr. Vanessa, and Hugo Miller discover an artifact that is turning people in clay while Artie deals with the fact that Vanessa and Hugo had something going on. The stakes are pretty high and Saul Rubinek is good at the serious as well as the funny.

However, there is another plot back at the Warehouse, unattached and completely pointless. It's funny stuff, to be sure, but that's all it is, a glorified romp through the Warehouse, showing all the cool and funny things Pete and Myka could do with the artifacts. There is some mystery, as the two had bronzed Steve while under an artifact's effects, but they quickly solve the problem and we see what happened in a series of flashbacks. I'm fine with this plot, but it also took up big chunk of the episode which seemed unnecessary. Will the rest of the season follow in this way?

Score: 8.4/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 2 Trials

If you remember all the way back to the first season of Warehouse 13, it was largely Artie, Pete, and Myka alone, before Claudia joined their crew and Leena got more to do. With the addition of Steve Jinx to the team, "Trials" gives us a good idea of how the writers will utilize all the characters. Their answer is to cut down on unnecessary plot points, splitting the team into two groups, so there are less of those pesky procedural elements. It works well for the most part, resolving the lingering issues between Myka and Pete as well as letting Steve get acquainted with Claudia.

Myka and Pete track down an artifact being used to steal memories, solve a murder, and get an innocent man freed. Through the artifacts memory regression, Myka learns that Pete has serious abandonment issues from earlier in her life, making her realize just how hurt he was, and she eventually apologizes. Since this is only one of the plots and there is a fair amount of character development, the plot moves quickly without too much hang out at any place.

Meanwhile, Claudia gets her first solo mission with Steve to back her up. It barely needs any investigation, as the very first suspect is the thief of Typhoid Mary's knife. The twist is that the thief transferred his son's leukemia to himself, so everyone is fine. Throughout the episode, Claudia and Steve do some talking (we learn that Steve is gay), and Artie shows up to support Claudia.

At the end of the episode, we see that Myka's voiceover was a conversation with the Regents to reinstate her as a full agent which they do. As Myka returns back to work, everything seems normal again and it's one big happy family.

Score: 8.5/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 3 Episode 1 The New Guy

Warehouse 13 is a fun, light sci-fi/fantasy show suited for the summer and has worked well for two seasons already. Sure the show could do a lot more with the concept itself or even the larger arcs, but the show works just fine from an episode to episode basis, as evidenced by the season three premiere, "The New Guy."

There's nothing too notable about the episode, but it's entertaining and fun as expected. Pete gets a new partner, Steve Jinx (Aaron Ashmore), who can tell when people are lying. Thus far he's a normal guy and is receptive to Pete's personality at the end of the episode and they get along fine throughout the episode despite some tension at first. His "special ability" is being able to tell when people are lying, which should come in handy. The other big development was the return of Myka who left at the end of the last season. Pete ropes her into the case and after a eerie hologram visit from H.G., who is locked up somewhere, she decides to return.

I'm curious to see what the writers will do next. If Myka was brought back so early in the season, why is Steve there, assuming Aaron Ashmore will get a fair amount to do given his pedigree? In any case, I don't see the immediate harm in adding him since he seemed to work well with the others.

The plot this week was fairly simple and open-ended. The artifact was Shakespeare's Lost Folio, a collection of pictures depicting deaths from Shakespeare's plays which causes those to touch the page to experience the death. While Pete, Myka, and Steve are able to save everyone's lives--including Steve's--the culprit gets away and is killed by the FBI chick Pete clashed with throughout the episode. *Cue music indicating this is important* The other plot was basically pointless, filling in time and giving Artie, Claudia, and Leena something to do. The statues of Zeus and Hera discharge electricity at each other, so Artie and Claudia move Zeus far away. Exciting...

Overall, "The New Guy" was a good return for Warehouse 13, getting us back into the groove of the show and moving forward a little. I like Aaron Ashmore, so hopefully the writers can find him a place on a team which worked fine for two seasons.

Score: 8.5/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 13 Secret Santa

Random Christmas episode... hooray? "Secret Santa" is a standalone episode, not following up on the cliffhanger at the end of episode 12, which probably is a good thing since it's a lot less complicating. Basically, the episode is light on everything, plot and depth included, to give a generic Christmas, friends and family happy together. Claudia gets Artie and his father to reconcile, and like other relationship problems on the show, it's done very easily.

As far as the artifact finding goes, it was really nonsensical and only an easy way for Pete and Myka to do something Christmas related. And seriously, what's wrong with building a shopping mall? It would create jobs--you know, lowering the 9.8% unemployment rate--and deliver cheaper goods for consumers.

Score: 8.2/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 12 Reset

After all those heartfelt conversations between Myka and H.G., all the understanding built up this season, it comes down to one thing that comes out of the blue--H.G. is completely crazy. Not just the normal "I'm going to resurrect my daughter" crazy, but the "I've been planning to destroy humans to save the world for over 100 years" crazy. Her reasoning fails completely, making less sense than a gesticulating monkey, and Myka making quick work of her felt equally trite, though I'm curious as to where she'll be incarcerated.

After H.G.'s demise, which could have been drawn out longer and thought out better, there's a long cooling off period where Claudia breaks down, Kelly leaves town, and Myka voluntarily leaves the Warehouse, knowing she can't operate after allowing a villain like H.G. to take advantage of her.

I haven't read anything about Joanne Kelly departing the show, so I think it's safe to say Myka will be back. Like Artie's "death" at the end of the season, this is just anything hitch to get the audience riled for nothing.

From what I can remember of the first two seasons, I'd say that both seasons are about equal in terms of quality. The second season really hit some high points, but also hit lower points, and was overall more dynamic, whereas the first season was never great, but never bad either.

Score: 8.0/10

Preview of Week 9/19/10 - 9/25/10

The week is finally here, unbounded number of shows descending upon us at once. Not sure whether to feel overwhelmed or jubilant, but they're here to stay.

Boardwalk Empire - HBO, Sunday, September 19, 9:00pm ET

This one is a no-brainer. Interesting concept, time period, Martin Scorsese, and Sopranos scribe Terence Winter.

Chuck - NBC, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET

Despite facing perhaps the toughest network competition the past few years, Chuck managed to survive by a hairbreadth. And because NBC refuses to put the show in a better spot, I'm inclined to think they'll let it linger there until the bitter end. On the bright side, there are at least 13 episodes left to discover what Chuck's mom has been up to and how everything ties together, and if the mythology falls apart, as it already is, I'm sure we'll laugh at all the gags anyway.

House - Fox, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET

Quick, run! A wild Huddy is on the loose!

How I Met Your Mother - CBS, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET

Ted, just find the Mother. Though the show title isn't relevant anymore, with the entire cast,  there's still much to look forward to, just not anything involving Ted.

The Event - NBC, Monday, September 20, 9:00pm ET

Big mystery, big potential, and possibly NBC's saving grace. Or the next big flop.

Lone Star - Fox, Monday, September 20, 9:00pm ET

I'd be hard to make a comparison to Dallas, especially with a Dallas remake already in production, but the premises seem awfully similar.

Mike & Molly - CBS, Monday, September 20, 9:30pm ET

Hmm... a show about fat people. Will it work?

Castle - ABC, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET

Beckett and Castle back to hunting criminals and dealing with their love lives.

Hawaii Five-0 - CBS, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET

Not only is the title widely recognized, there are also lots of big names and pretty faces tied to the show. Whether that translates into ratings success is another story.

Chase - NBC, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET

Kelli Giddish, the one semi-bright spot on Past Life, is back on television with Chase, a generic looking procedural about U.S. Marshals.

NCIS - CBS, Tuesday, September 21, 8:00pm ET

I'll be glad when this Mexican thing is over and we're back to normal proceedings. It's likely the status quo will be restored, even if Gibbs's dirty laundry is exposed. But, hey, that's how the show.

Glee - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 8:00pm ET

Glee is so unrealistic and absurd I view it as a pure comedy. And even then, it's not that funny.

Warehouse 13 - Syfy, Tuesday, September 21, 9:00pm ET

H.G. Wells showed her hand, and is finally making her move. With Pete and Myka down, Artie will have to step in and save the day.

Raising Hope - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 9:00pm ET

Fox's recent track record regarding comedies has been sad, but Raising Hope doesn't sound like the answer.

Running Wilde - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 9:30pm ET

From Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz comes Running Wilde, a show whose pedigree should be enough to have us at the front door at the very least.

Detroit 1-8-7 - ABC, Tuesday, September 21, 10:00pm ET

Nice to see Michael Imperioli on the right side of the law. It looks like Detroit 1-8-7 sets out to be the next NYPD Blue or Homicide, so it could be good.

Undercovers - NBC, Wednesday, September 22, 8:00pm ET

I doubt J.J. Abrams will succeed without heavy serialization or mystery, so I'm not expecting much from his latest work.

Better With You  - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 8:30pm ET

Better With You sounds so boring and generic I'm don't even want to watch the pilot.

Modern Family - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 9:00pm ET

The large, lovable family is back.

The Whole Truth - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 10:00pm ET

Two legal dramas, one time slot. Which will prevail? Drama (The Whole Truth) or dramedy (The Defenders)?

The Defenders- CBS, Wednesday, September 22, 10:00pm ET

Look above.

The Big Bang Theory - CBS, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET

With the move to Thursday, CBS hopes The Big Bang Theory with skyrocket into the pantheon of sitcom gods, and considering how high the ratings were last year, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Bones - Fox, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET

Even thinking of Bones makes my brain hurt these days, but that's exactly the way Hart Hanson wants it, the blatant message that Booth and Bones are meant for each other with literally a thousand roadblocks in the way. Yes, it's repetitive. Yes, it's annoying. And yes, it's Bones.

Community - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET

Going up against TBBT, the already ratings-challenged, Emmy-ignored comedy has a tough order. However, the sharp writing and hilarious characters may be able to stave off an inevitable death.

My Generation - ABC, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET

A lot changes after high school, and My Generations will try to show exactly how a diverse group evolves over a 10 year period. Sounds slightly interesting, but execution is the most important factor.

$#*! My Dad Says - CBS, Thursday, September 23, 8:30pm ET

William Shatner saying random things. Pass.

Fringe - Fox, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET

Olivia trapped in another dimension?!?! I still can't believe the writers went there, but they did, making the boldest late-season move of any TV show last season. Let's see if move pays off in the end.

The Office - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET

Michael Scott's last season, and I honestly don't care.

Outsourced - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 9:30pm ET

Set in India, Outsourced will probably have a lot of foreigner jokes which could spell disaster. NBC slotted it after The Office, so the executives think it'll be okay.

Supernatural - CW, Friday, September 24, 9:00pm ET

After wrapping up an epic 5 season-long arc, Supernatural hopes to move on--but without maestro Eric Kripke in charge. Hopefully Sarah Gamble will continue the streak of brilliant television.

Blue Bloods - CBS, Friday, September 24, 10:00pm ET

I don't know why CBS tucked away Blue Bloods on Friday, but the cast and concept look mighty fine.

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 11 Buried

Warehouse 13 went all out with "Buried," the first part of the season finale. After three college students discover the entrance to Warehouse 2, they become mummified and Mrs. Frederic begins to suffer from a brain overload, the effect of being Warehouse 13's caretaker in addition to Warehouse 2 making her its caretaker.

H.G., Myka, Pete, and Valda enter Warehouse 2, located in Alexandria, Egypt, and find an awesome interior. Filmed Sanctuary-style--with all visual effects--the inside of the Warehouse looks fantastic and fairly realistic, especially in comparison to the "Sri Lanka" in Covert Affairs. The four pass a series of dangerous tasks, but Valda, largely a side character without too much significance, has to sacrifice himself to fulfill an arbitrary rule of the Warehouse that one must die, so the death was pretty much a wash.

There's a subplot involving the transfer of caretakership of the Warehouse from Mrs. Frederic to Claudia, who apparently is special for reasons unknown. In the end, Pete stops the Warehouse from consuming Mrs. Frederic's mind and Claudia is saved from taking on a monumental role.

However, H.G., finally reveals her trump card, taking out Pete and Myka before walking off. Is she still interested in her daughter? Did she find something in the Warehouse? Did Artie leave the Warehouse to catch her? We'll have lots to look forward to next week!

Score: 8.9/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 10 Where and When

I've been eagerly awaiting how H.G. would impact the team, and the writers definitely didn't disappoint. Claudia, being new and awkward, is very nervous around her while Pete makes jokes, his usual friendly approach towards everyone. However, Myka and Artie are polar opposites on H.G., and Artie, in particularly, is resentful of Myka for bringing in H.G.

But H.G. gets a chance to prove herself after Artie inadvertently messes with the time machine, and fixes the machine, redeeming herself to the point where Artie isn't yelling at her and eying her warily all the time.

If that wasn't enough, the main plot was top-notch stuff. The usage of H.G., her time machine, and the return of Rebecca was either carefully planned or a stroke of genius. Pete and Myka travel back in time to assume the bodies of Rebecca and Jack while present-day Rebecca finally gets her absolution.

There was a tiny bit of the science in science fiction this week in the form of H.G. saying that she could never change the past. Pete and Myka don't succeed either, but I don't see how the time machine can't change the past. Couldn't someone enter Lee Harvey Oswald's body mere seconds before he shoots JFK and simply stay still (or shoot the other gunmen on the grassy knoll, haha)?

Oh, and that assisted suicide by government agents? No problem. At all.

Score: 9.0/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 9 Vendetta

Again, my back is hurting, so I don't want to spend too much time in front of the computer typing.

"Vendetta" was the strongest episode this season, adding lots of backstory for Artie, simultaneously bringing back H.G. to sow dissension in the ranks. We learn that Artie's selling of secrets to the Soviets was actually trading artifacts--in his mind simple trinkets--for the release of his family from gulags. The villain turns out to be the son of Artie's Soviet handler, hell-bent on revenge.

H.G. has a certain mystique to her that really spices up the show. Can we trust her? Myka certainly does, and after H.G. tells her that she requested to be bronzed after failing to find a method of getting her daughter back from the dead, Myka trusts her even more. And in the end, the Regents allow her to become an agent--mostly on Myka's word. What if H.G. was lying about the bronzing request?

The addition of H.G. Wells is also the solution the overly friendly attitude in the Warehouse. Clearly Artie will never trust her after she killed MacPherson, and Myka trusts her wholeheartedly, making Pete the odd guy out. I like H.G., and like Myka, she feels genuine to me, but I'm guessing she won't last. My guess is that she's be straight right up until there's a time machine or something which could bring her daughter back.

The usage of Claudia has improved in the past few weeks, with her going out in the field, but she was sidelined in this crucial episode for a lackluster subplot with Todd. He's acting mysteriously, so Claudia digs deeper, suspecting him of wanting to infiltrate the Warehouse. Their confrontation with guns drawn is all a big mistake as Todd is in witness protection. They kiss... and then Todd leaves town.

Score: 9.0/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 8 Merge with Caution

Aside from the hilarity stemming from Pete and Myka's body switch, "Merge with Caution" had a lot of what I dislike about "Warehouse 13." Bookending the artifact mishaps was a pile of sappiness with Pete and his girlfriend and Myka and her high school crush, resulting in an overly long exposition in the beginning taking up a third of the episode and eye roll inducing fluff at the end.

And my biggest problem with the show--the way the show wraps up stitches in the character relationships--lay a huge mark on the show. Although lots happened between them in the episode, there's nothing we can take from them. Pete and Myka are still close and chummy, as they've been this season, and Claudia remains as trustworthy as ever.

The lighter side of the episode was a blast to watch as it usually is. The body switching griffin/lion/eagle generated lots of laughs without getting too awkward, and it was nice seeing the pairing of Artie and Claudia in the field. I imagine Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly had lots of fun impersonating one another's characters.

Score: 8.1/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 7 For the Team

With the inclusion of Claudia, Warehouse 13 could have more diversity in the field, but never really took advantage of that until now. This week, the Myka and Claudia went to find the artifact while Pete and Artie stayed indoors.

The plot was average, the artifact being a ladle which made an energy drink toxic and Pete and Artie finding the courage to ask out women. The inclusion of H.G. Wells, however, was done very well. She returns, but not with the destructive anger we last saw her with, but a resigned outlook towards the world, having no one left after over a hundred years. She helps Myka greatly (slightly pushing Claudia out of the way in the process), and we see another side to her. According to H.G., her bronzing was due to her sex, because it was a different time. And in telling Myka, she gains her trust, even revealing that she'd like to become an agent again. Is H.G. genuine or pulling a long-con?

"For the Team" was a solid mix of everything, staying even-keeled throughout the hour. Warehouse 13 rarely has meaningful pathos, but Jaime Murray was great in bringing out emotion in her character and Joanne Kelly reacted in equal measure--simultaneously expressing fear of H.G.'s possible deceit.

Score: 8.6/10

Review - Warehouse 13 Season 2 Episode 6 Around the Bend

It's hard not to be disappointed in "Around the Bend," even when the majority of the episode was great. More than halfway through the episode, and all evidence points to a grand conspiracy involving Valda--and possibly someone inside the Warehouse--trying to accrue power by taking artifacts for themselves. Instructed by Mrs. Frederick to keep things hush hush, Pete must go out of his way to deceive his friends and get to the bottom of the conspiracy. This is awesome stuff, especially in the middle of the season.

But wait! It's all a hallucination, the result of a typewriter he touched at the beginning of the episode. There's no conspiracy, no evil Regents, just a crazy Pete. All the built up excitement was for naught. Now I'm not remotely interested. Cut to the end and everything is fine; Pete caused no irreparable damage and Mrs. Frederick knows he wasn't at fault, except that he should keep his hands to himself.

Why couldn't the writers continue in the direction the episode began with and raised the stakes? Once we learned everything was from the artifact, the tension drained out instantly. If the episode is any indication, the writers clearly aren't ambitious enough to push for more.

Score: 8.0/10