WAREHOUSE 13 Not "Endless"

Article first published as TV Review: 'Warehouse 13' - Series Finale on Blogcritics.

SyFy‘s Warehouse 13 is always a little cheesy, like most USA programs of the last decade, but with a science fiction bent to it. However, it has also always exhibits heart in the bond that holds the agents of the titular facility together. In its series finale, “Endless,” the writers decide to double down on the emotion instead of giving the team any more peril to overcome.

The conceit is that the Warehouse is reaching the end of its days, ready to move on to Warehouse 14, so the agents gather together to offer their defining moments to King Arthur’s round table, a gift to them as much as to the Warehouse. Instead of a clip show, however, the memories offered up are pretty much all new footage, showcasing some of the talents of those involved, without becoming repetitive.

I have to admit, I have a problem with this set up. I like that the series doesn’t just recycle old material in the end, but if the scenes shown are really that key to the characters, shouldn’t they have been fully fleshed out adventures we get to witness along the way? Instead, “Endless” feels like a forced conclusion, adding extra elements that are never mentioned before, in order to give the characters a sense of completeness not built into the established narrative arcs.

That being said, they are really good, if underdeveloped, scenes. We find out Artie (Saul Rubinek) has a son, whom he keeps in contact with, but never mentions to his co-workers. Artie also gets a personal goodbye from Warehouse 13, something definitely earned. Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) gets some fatherly advice from Artie when she has doubts about becoming the next caretaker, but in the end, she decides to fulfill her destiny and be forever tied to the place. And Jinks (Aaron Ashmore) and Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) become bosom buddies through scenes we only catch the tail end of, except for a moving memorial to departed cast member Leena (Genelle Williams).

None of these things are explored fulled enough. Sure, the 42nd Street number is a fun sequence, and who doesn’t want to see Mrs. Frederic laugh or learn Artie still has another big secret? But all of this deserves to be delved into, not delivered last minute, when it’s too late to mean much. Warehouse 13 could have at least spent its final six episodes serving these plots, but it holds them until the final hour, not giving viewers time to see the ramifications.

Where this feels like the biggest loss is in the finally realized romance between Myka (Joanne Kelly) and Pete (Eddie McClintock). Pete already figures out his feelings in a previous hour, so it’s Myka’s turn to open her eyes while Pete freaks out about losing the life and people he loves. But, of course, it all comes together, far too late for anything but a couple of satisfying kisses. Now we’ll never seen how things work out between them as an actual couple.

What feels even more like a cheat is the last scene, set “several decades later,” in which three new agents who clearly are stands-ins for Artie, Myka, and Pete interact with Claudia, now the caretaker. So Warehouse 13 didn’t move after all? A cheeky line is not an explanation. And what happened to the main cast? When did they leave? There is no mention about what they are doing now, or if they’re even still alive. I understand this is supposed to let fans known the mysteries and missions of the Warehouse are “Endless,” but instead it highlights what the show does wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, “Endless” is a feel-good hour, even carving out a natural bit for everyone’s favorite recurring character, H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray). The emotion it evokes is great. However, like the series itself, it falls far short of its potential, and comes across as shallow. I’d hoped Warehouse 13 would redeem itself with a perfect capper. In a way, this finale is what the show deserves, but on the other hand, there exists an opportunity to raise the game considerably, leaving a better legacy, and it is squandered.

Still, Warehouse 13 is entertaining, right to the end, and we can be grateful for that.

"The Truth Hurts" WAREHOUSE 13

Article first published as "The Truth Hurts" WAREHOUSE 13 on TheTVKing.

For its penultimate season finale, SyFy's Warehouse 13 takes the series to the brink of the biggest cliffhanger in the show's history. In "The Truth Hurts," who the Warehouse's caretaker is up for grabs as three distinct caretakers all exist in the same time and space. Elsewhere, an agent lies dying, and the most dangerous villain yet makes his move.

It's quite smart to use genre alumni to fill the ranks for the last batch of episodes. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters and Anthony Head are the latest to join the cast, both having appeared in multiple episodes this year, and hopefully will return again. Their presence lends little something extra, and because they play such different characters than the ones they are famous for, it helps the show, rather than distracts.

Warehouse 13 needs the help because it is a little hokey. I enjoy it, I really do, but there is something off about it that keeps the story from rising the top of its peer group. Part of it is case-of-the-weeks forced into most of the year's installments. Part of it is weird situations, such as tossing a cancer plot into the last couple of episodes for Myka (Joanne Kelly), despite there not really being a reason for it and it feeling gimmicky. And the other part is when things are done just for visual effect, rather than any actual purpose, such as when onjects are flying off the crashing shelves at the Warehouse to chase the main group out, even though the person doing this likes the Warehouse and has no reason to harm it, and he is letting the group go, so he's not really trying to hurt them, either.

I guess what I'm saying is, it's no Battlestar Galactica, or even Defiance.

But there are also some wonderful moments that make it worth watching. The interactions between the characters have deepened over the years, and their relationships are really something to watch. In particular the Artie (Saul Rubinek) / Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) and the Peter (Eddie McClintock) / Myka stuff is great, and when these are played up, the show is at its best. Their dialogue interchanges are extremely entertaining, even when not authentic. And though Artie and Claudia bury the hatchet very quickly after his betrayal this week, even that doesn't seem rushed, given the circumstances, and it works.

Claudia has had the most dynamic journey on the show, and "The Truth Hurts" begins to bring that to culmination. We have seen bits of greatness in her frequently, and know that she has a destiny. The series has certainly served her role well, and the end of this season finale promises more payoff for Claudia in the last episodes.

But why give her an evil sister? That seems so done before. Why can't a new villain just come in that is completely unconnected to our characters? Or why not just make Paracelsus (Head) the last big bad? He's already well connected to the mythology, and has the means to really cause trouble right on through to the last. Do we really need some family drama from a thus-far-unknown relation tossed in at the last minute?

I am very interested in seeing Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) no longer serving as caretaker. During the run, she has been almost solely defined by her job, seeing little of who she is. Now, she's a person again, with everything that comes with being a normal human being, and that should provide some very interesting plot if Warehouse 13 chooses to pursue it, which it absolutely should.

Basically, Warehouse 13 always has been and remains a 'B' level show. The ingredients are there if it wants to kick it up a notch and rise above its current quality standards, but it doesn't seem likely that it will. "The Truth Hurts" is a perfect example of what the series does right, and also what it does wrong. I expect more of the same, perhaps with a slightly grander scale, when it comes back.

Warehouse 13 will return for an abbreviated final season on SyFy.

Warehouse 13 Tries to Save "The Living and the Dead"

Article first published as Warehouse 13 Tries to Save "The Living and the Dead" on TheTVKing.

SyFy's popular series, Warehouse 13, returns from a nearly-seven-month hiatus this week with "The Living and the Dead" to begin the second half of its fourth season. "The Living and the Dead" picks up where the previous episode left off, with a deadly virus swiftly infecting everyone on the planet, and Artie (Saul Rubinek), the releaser of the disease, in a coma.

Because there are two urgent matters, saving the world and saving Artie, who may soon be lost forever, the four agents of the Warehouse split into the two teams. I love that there are two work-couples now, which allows for plots like this one, encapsulating both the large scale and the personal dangers that the agents must face at the same time.

In the Warehouse, Jane Lattimer (Kate Mulgrew) sends Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) and Jinks (Aaron Ashmore, now a series regular) into Artie's mind. It's a tad predictable that the inside of Artie's head looks like the Warehouse, which also saves on set cost. I love that opportunity for recurring cast members, like James MacPherson (Roger Rees) and Vanessa (Lindsay Wagner), to pop up and try to stop Claudia and Jinks. However, the fact that the artifacts still work the same way in Artie's mind as they do in reality pushes the believability, and the fact that Jinks is able to stop permanently whatever part of subconsciousness is fighting them doesn't really add up.

That being said, the scene where Claudia does find Artie, living in denial with the recently deceased-by-his-hand Leena (Genelle Williams), is very moving. We get to see what Artie means to Claudia, and the depths of Artie's shame and frustration. What happens is not really Artie's fault, but he remembers it, so he feels guilty. The sequence is perfectly in keeping with the characters, and it works that Claudia has to force Artie out, a technique she would use before getting too mushy.

Now what will Mrs. Fredericks (CCH Pounder) do with Artie? He doesn't deserve to be punished, so much, but he does need help. She's the wise overseer, so presumably his rehab will be up to her.

I don't think I will miss Leena much. No offense to Williams, but I rarely saw the point of her character. She only occasionally mattered to a plot, and never seemed to contribute anything to the missions. I hope she is replaced, with someone else coming in to run the house, but by a person developed more, or who is, at least, funny.

While the stuff with Artie goes down, Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) search for an artifact that can put the orchid back together, thus staving off the plague threatening to kill many, as Vanessa reports on television. As usual, they run into trouble, bicker a bit, but end up saving the day. It's a predictable formula, but one that seems to work for Warehouse 13, as long as the journey to get to the predictable end stays interesting.

"The Living and the Dead" concocts a somewhat interesting story for Pete and Myka to investigate involving Marie Antoinette, but the more intriguing part of their tale is the two new characters we are introduced to. Seemingly hundreds of years old, and once romantically involved, Professor Sutton (James Marsters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville) comes across as the charming and noble scallywag, and Charlotte Dupres (Polly Walker, Caprica, John Carter) is his suffering target. However, the end of the episode hints at something more between them than we currently know.

The apparent death of Sutton isn't much of a fake out. Marsters crafts too-perfect a character in his first hour, and it's clear that he needs to return at least a few more times. Walker is less memorable, until the end, where we glimpse a peek at a larger life than first glances tell. I look forward to seeing more of these two amazing actors, already well known in the genre, and wonder what they will bring to the dynamic of the cast going forward. I will even be so bold as to say Sutton could prove as popular, and hopefully appear as often, as the fan-favorite H.G. Wells, given the excellent first impression that he makes.

At the end of the day, Warehouse 13 returns things back to "normal," for the most part. It's a series that pretends to take big chances, but usually allows the status quo to return. It remains entertaining, though I wish the stakes were a bit higher, and the drama a bit darker.

Warehouse 13 airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on SyFy.

Hope flows through Warehouse 13

Grade: 85%

SyFy’s WAREHOUSE 13 begins season four with “A New Hope.” Picking up right where season three left off, with the Warehouse destroyed, and Mrs. Fredericks (CCH Pounder), H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray), and Steve (Aaron Ashmore) dead, Artie (Saul Rubinek) has an inkling of a plan that might reverse time and give them another chance.

This quest of Artie’s takes him, Claudia (Allison Scagliotti), Pete (Eddie McClintock), and Mya (Joanne Kelly) first to France, then to the Vatican, as they follow a series of clues that point to a Knights Templar conspiracy. They have a scant 24 hours to globe trot and solve the mysteries, as well as break into a couple of semi-well guarded areas that are, perhaps, a bit too easy to get in to. Along the way, members of the team are lost, including one fatally.

It will come as no surprise that (SPOILER!) Artie wins the day, Pete, Mrs. Frederick and H.G. live, and the Warehouse is restored as if nothing ever happened.

The countdown and the race, with a team member dropping off every few minutes, gets the blood pumping enough to keep the lack of freshness in the story from being too obvious. There aren’t any real stakes in “A New Hope,” as fans don’t believe for an instant that the Warehouse, Mrs. Frederick, and especially Pete, are gone for good. But the urgency of the characters’ actions, and the total commitment by the actors to the proceedings, do make the episode exciting. While a similar formula has been used plenty of times on television before, the episode maintains the unique, WAREHOUSE 13 flavor that keeps fans engaged week after week, so most won’t mind.

Even if there isn’t a lot of real suspense in the episode of the week, a quick story to restore the status quo, a number of really neat arcs kick off in “A New Hope.” Claudia is intent on bringing Steve back, no matter what it takes, which, going by past experience, both on this series and others, will not go well. Cheating death comes with consequences. Steve may return, a welcome development, but will it be the same Steve? Will he be changed? What cost might there be to Claudia’s soul to achieve her goal?

What’s more, Artie is being hunted by a dark evil. The leader of the knights (Brent Spiner, Star Trek: The Next Generation) warns Artie that using the artifact to reverse time at the end of “A New Hope” will have grave repercussions. By the end of the hour, Artie has a dream of Claudia stabbing him. While Claudia’s quest to bring back Steve may have already been put in motion, it seems like these two stories will tie together nicely.

Claudia grew up a bit of an outsider. She has welcomed the chance to have a family while working at the Warehouse. Now that she has established a life and grown into herself, she is going to do anything to hold onto it. Losing Steve, her first field partner, is a huge blow, and the motivations behind her mission are not a mystery. She is a damaged girl just trying to hang onto the bit of stability she found after years of searching.

Artie is older and should be wiser. He has lost friends before, and knows he will again. Yet, he cannot stomach the huge cost that comes just prior to “A New Hope,” and rather than taking the advice the misfortune. Even had it just been Pete’s life, and not the Warehouse, he still may have acted. As much as Artie likes to pretend to be gruff and try not to get too attached to his team, he cares too much for his own good. Maybe he can use these life lessons and experiences to help Claudia?

Another interesting bit of “A New Hope” is when Artie convinces a couple of the Regents to recommend a pardon for H.G. Obviously, Artie witnessed her sacrifice herself to save the others in last year’s season finale. And H.G.’s motivations are always varied and layered. But will Artie consider this a repayment of debt to her for her willingness to die to save him, or has he changed his opinion of her? And will his faith be proven justified, or did H.G. have yet another reason for acting the way she did? The good news is, she gets to stick around so we can find out!

There is a reason WAREHOUSE 13 is so popular. It’s funny, charming, and fast paced fun. Tune in Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on SyFy.

Warehouse 13 makes a "Stand" with "Emily Lake"

    SyFy's Warehouse 13 did a special, two hour season finale this week. The episodes were titled "Emily Lake" and "Stand," and featured a major showdown with Walter Sykes (Anthony Michael Hall, Dead Zone, The Breakfast Club). The team discover that Skyes is going after H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray), and try to beat him to the punch. They do, but Sykes's guys take H.G. from them before they get very far. One of those guys is Jinks (Aaron Ashmore), who is secretly undercover for the Regents. H.G. is living under a different identity, but soon her memory is restored. Sykes kills Jinks, blows up Warehouse 13, and Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) dies as a result. Only time will tell if Artie (Saul Rubinek) has the power to put things back together.

     "Emily Lake" and "Stand" are the two best episode of Warehouse 13 yet. Abandoning the case of the week format, these two hours concentrate on this season's larger arcs, including a showdown with a major villain. There is some heavy emotional stuff, and some really moving deaths. The stakes are high, and the writers aren't afraid to rain destruction down upon this wonderful world. As such, throwing convention out the window, the series manages to be more exciting and unpredictable than ever before!

     Well, not completely unpredictable. Anyone could see Jinks being a double agent coming from a mile away. It was an obvious move for viewers, so it's a little surprising that Pete (Eddie McClintock), Myka (Joanne Kelly), and especially Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) lose faith in him. In fact, that one part does destroy the credibility a little bit. But perhaps they are just too close to it all to see the bigger picture, so it can be overlooked. Sykes doesn't overlook it though, or he's just a very bad dude. Again, Jinks's death doesn't come out of nowhere, but the rest of the showdown, including the Warehouse being blown up and Mrs. Frederic dying, and completely surprising!

     Moving on from here, it's hard to say where the series will go. As "Stand" ends, Artie holds a watch and says that it might not be too late. Fans of Warehouse 13 may remember that Artie blew up at the end of season one, and an artifact allowed him to survive. Let's hope that this clock will not set everything back to status quo, but may be used to prevent such a total, devastating fall out. Like, the destruction of the Warehouse. Even though morphing into Warehouse 13 would be mighty cool, allowing a new setting and lots of fresh ideas.

     As far as who will stay dead, that's uncertain. Sykes's guy, Marcus (Sasha Roiz, Caprica, Grimm), was able to stay alive through anything, until Claudia stopped his metronome. She intends to use it to bring back Jinks, and she should. Not only will that keep Ashmore around, a welcome addition to the cast, but give Warehouse 13 a character with a very special ability - he cannot die. As long as the metronome stays safely locked in the Warehouse.

     But might Claudia feel pressure to use the artifact instead for Mrs. Frederic? After all, she is a more vital member of the team, as far as hierarchy goes. However, it is also possible that Mrs. Frederic perishes because the Warehouse does, and only stopping that will save her. Or she could be reborn, in the same body or with a different performer, when Warehouse 14 goes into operation. Pounder is fantastic, but a new boss could also be pretty cool.

     Wells proves herself a hero once and for all with a heroic self-sacrifice. Her survival could go either way. A planned spin-off is in the works for her. If said second series takes place in her past, when she was a Warehouse agent, than she can stay dead with no consequence, and fans won't mourn too heavily because they will still get their fix of a terrific character. but should the spin-off take place in the present day, she must be saved somehow. Either way, at least she dies a hero, redeeming her completely.

     Finally, Jane's (Kate Mulgrew, Star Trek: Voyager, NTSF:SD:SUV) ending is very open ended. It certainly seems like something more will happen there, but there aren't any clues as to what. Awesome!

     Warehouse 13 will present a special Christmas episode, likely outside of the current story arcs, like last year, and then will return for season four later in 2012.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to catch up on Warehouse 13 DVDs and streaming episodes.

Warehouse 13 trapped on "The 40th Floor"

     "The 40th Floor," the latest episode of SyFy's Warehouse 13, finds the agents tracking down, and trapping, Sally Stukowski (Ashley Williams, How I Met Your Mother, Saving Grace). Unfortunately, Sally's boss's plan is already in motion. Artie (Saul Rubinek) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) soon find themselves protecting some Warehouse regents in a building that is rapidly being destroyed around them. Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) try to assist by looking for the artifact that is causing the trouble. Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) decides torturing Sally might be the best option, but Jink (Aaron Ashmore) disagrees most vehemently, even pulling a gun to stop her. Which distracts them enough for Sally to escape.

     Of course, Myka does manage to rescue the most important regent, Jane (Kate Mulgrew, NTSF:SD:SUV, Star Trek: Voyager). As Jane now holds the key to Warehouse 13's last line of defense, it is essential she survive, though just about every other, less important figure, dies in the process. Which is a lot more death than is typical for the series to tackle. Thankfully, the amazing Mulgrew is slated for three more episodes, so whatever plot is unfolding in "The 40th Floor" is far from over.

     Pete lends a hand in a big way by halting the damage the dangerous artifact is doing. This is yet another example of Pete and Myka's great teamwork paying off. While Warehouse 13 shies away from hooking up its leading couple, the chemistry between the two is fantastic. They have come to know each other so well that they are a perfect match, both on the job and off. It's a shame the show hesitates to take the bold step of putting them into couple status, even though it's not unexpected. Yet, it's hard to complain too much, when Warehouse 13 is willing to ditch the typical procedural set up for episodes like "The 40th Floor."

     The big twist, of course, is that Jane is actually Pete's mom. Which means she probably has something to do with why Pete is now working at the Warehouse, even though he doesn't seem to know that she has that position until this episode. This adds a deeper layer of plot for the show to explore, giving serious back story to a central character. Good job!

     It is a real shame that Warehouse 13 kills off Sally this week. Williams does a fantastic job playing the baddie, and she is most enjoyable in the scant episodes that she does. Even worse, Jink's actions lead to him getting fired. While this may make sense on a personal level, considering the moral code that is being broken, Ashmore is even more welcome than Williams, and it is a strong hope that he does not leave the series after this episode.

     For Mrs. Frederic to commit torture in the first place is surprising. She exudes threat, but has never been seen purposely hurting anyone up til now. It's a new low for her. Perhaps her actions can be forgiven, given her position and the situation, but that doesn't make them right. Will she be allowed screen time to recover from "The 40th Floor," or is it now only a matter of time before she is killed off? Hopefully it will be the former, as Pounder is exemplary, and there is so much more she can do for Warehouse 13.

     If anyone should leave, it's not Jinks, Mrs. Frederic, or Sally; it's Leena (Genelle Williams). It continues to baffle why such a small character, who rarely gets anything of substance to do, is still a main character. This is not a criticism on Williams, as there hasn't really been enough of her to judge. Rather, if the writers are not going to use her, set her free. She serves no purpose at present.

     Watch Warehouse 13 Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET on SyFy.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to catch up on Warehouse 13 DVDs and streaming episodes.

Article first published as TV Review: Warehouse 13 - "The 40th Floor" on Blogcritics.

Warehouse 13 meets "The New Guy"

     Season three of SyFy's Warehouse 13 begins in "The New Guy." With Myka (Joanne Kelly) still refusing to return to the Warehouse, a replacement is hired named Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore, Smallville), who can tell when someone is lying just by looking into their eyes. Pete (Eddie McClintock) at first clashes with his new partner, but they have a mission, so he buckles down. Perhaps a little too much, as he is missing Myka terribly. When the investigation uncovers a literary angle, Pete is quick to get Myka's help on it. She saves the day. Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) arranges for the still reluctant Myka to have a chat with H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray), who alone convinces Myka she should return to her odd job. Ironic, since Wells is part of the reason Myka left.


     What an opening! The whole Jimi Hendrix guitar going haywire is a perfect Warehouse case, complete with their trademark brand of humor. It also introduces "The New Guy," Jinks, appropriately enough. Despite only seeing a sliver of this adventure, nothing feels missed. Following it up with one of Mrs. Frederic's creepy dark surprises gives fans everything they've been looking forward to from Warehouse 13 in the first few minutes.

     It also sets up the new Pete, who is a lot more changed by Myka's leaving than many would expect. He is now immune to the charms of women. Similarly, Myka seems to have undergone a transformation into more of a geeky bookworm than when we first met her. The two cannot thrive without each other, reduced to something less than their potential. Not only does this satisfy everyone who wishes them to remain partners, but it proves the depth of the feelings they harbor for each other. Fantastic!

     Warehouse 13 could use some fresh blood, and choosing Ashmore, a sci-fi vet, is a smart decision. While Jinks gets a little annoying early in the episode with his frequent "You're lying"s, as soon as he stops saying it every five seconds, he melds well into the current ensemble. His inability to get Peter's humor at first (and really, who would?), coupled with his eagerness for the new career combine to make a valuable asset to the Warehouse. The only question is now, with Myka back, what is there for "The New Guy" to do? Will the Warehouse be sending out a team of three from now on?

     Interestingly, Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) isn't too happy about Jinks's presence, but not because of the man himself, who she seems to be fine with. She obviously wants Myka's job and feels she is qualified. Her past performance indicates that she likely is, and is probably being held back because of Artie's (Saul Rubinek) fatherly care for her. Which begs the question, that will surely soon be answered, what will it take Artie to get over this? Will an increase in weird activity prompt Artie to partner Claudia and Jinks, and send them out in the field? Or should he split the veterans with the newbies, which would be a smarter decision, albeit rob fans of much great Myka / Pete interplay, at least temporarily?

     Having an extra pair of hands not only sets the scene for a lot more action, since there can be field agents in multiple places at once, but also allows Leena (Genelle Williams) the possibility of more story. After all, if Claudia starts going out, Artie will need some help back at base. More importantly, with more agents, Warehouse 13 can handle greater challenges and more complex villains, something that will make the series even better than it already is. Also, the show can afford to kill a main character off in an emotionally moving way. Might I nominate Leena, the only truly expendable one?

     There is already a new threat brewing. The bad guy of the week gets away, but is killed under orders of a mysterious figure sitting in shadow. Committing the actual murder is an FBI agent (Ashley Williams, Saving Grace, How I Met Your Mother), who obstructs Pete and Jinks during their mission. Setting aside why Pete doesn't just whip out credentials to get past her, as he has done with others, how might she figure into future episodes? And what evil plan is behind it all?

     Myka's absence for the first half of the episode is regrettable, but some of the tension is immediately removed because Kelly's name still appears as a starring cast member. While mucking with the opening credits probably would require some new contract negotiations, it would have been worth it to build suspense for the fans. Had Kelly's name been saved for the ending credits, then properly restored next week, it might have caused viewers to wonder if she will ever come back, even after she returns to assist on the latest case.

     The case itself is pretty cool. Anytime Shakespeare can come alive as a serious, fatal threat is an accomplishment. His plays are full of death and violence, but so often, modern cinema makes him seem tame. The average American does not seek out Shakespeare's works for leisure reading or theater or movie viewing. Warehouse 13 reminds us that the bard is still very relevant, and has a lot to offer, should one take the time to peruse his pages. If "The New Guy" spurs a dozen people to read a bit of Shakespeare this summer, it has done its job.


     Watch Warehouse 13 Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET on SyFy.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to catch up on Warehouse 13 DVDs and streaming episodes.

Article first published as TV Review: Warehouse 13 - "The New Guy" on Blogcritics.