I’ve always liked how “Warehouse 13” manages to shake things up, playing with the formula that could naturally develop for the characters. For example, it would be all too easy for Pete and Myka to always be the field team, and Artie and Claudia to remain back in the warehouse. This episode is the exact opposite, right from the start, and the writers don’t even bother wasting time with running through any sort of complex explanation for why. And that gave me a good feeling from the top.
The “A” plot, so to speak, reunites Artie with second season love interest Dr. Vanessa and old warehouse colleague Hugo. As it happens, Artie’s pure dedication to the job is starting to waver at the thought of romance, and this gets complicated by the revelation that Vanessa and Hugo were once an item. Add to that a computer virus that can infect people and turn their organs into dirt, and it adds up to plenty of grist for the drama mill.
One very nice touch is that Claudia’s field experience is expanding. They’ve done a very nice job with her development since the beginning of the second season. It stands to reason, since her character may have literally saved the show, given the enthusiastic fan response to her introduction. Claudia gets to play computer geek, action hero, and mentor counselor all in the same episode.
Back at the warehouse, Pete and Myka wake up together in bed, completely naked, and with no memory of what happened. Oh, and Myka is suddenly a blonde (which doesn’t work as well for Joanna Kelly, in my opinion). Once they establish that Pete did not fall off the wagon and there was no hanky panky involved, they slowly but surely retrace their steps.
It’s an awful lot of fun, especially once they discover that it all began with Pete showing off and ultimately getting he and Myka affected by one of the artifacts (but of course!). It’s a good bonding experience for Pete and Myka, after the tensions of the first couple episodes of the season.
It also serves to re-establish the parameters of their relationship. They each acknowledge that the other is attractive, but whatever sexual tension might exist is playful, not intentional. They care for each other deeply, but not in that way. Even better, the writers take on Steve’s potential attraction to Pete head-on, firmly establishing that Steve is not going to be making a play on his fellow agents either. It’s great to see a show where the writers avoid the trope of setting up the main characters as romantic partners.
I’m still a bit on the fence regarding the treatment of Myka’s departure and return. While it has been dealt with to some degree, it might have been better to keep up some of the tension over her return for a while. Other than the introduction of Steve, I don’t see lasting consequences taking place, and even that could be a temporary situation. With the rise of a new villain, I’m afraid that such dramatic opportunities could be squandered.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
