Contributor: John Keegan
Written by Diego Gutierrez
Directed by Constantine Makris
“Warehouse 13” has hit something of a rut in the past few episodes, and I’m not sure whether or not this installment pulls them out of it or not. On some fronts, there is definite momentum and change, but other elements are stuck in neutral. Much of the problem appears to be a static format, which is something previous seasons have avoided.
It definitely feels like the writers are working from a template. The “A” plot tends to be Pete and Myka on a typical artifact-of-the-week case, which has little or nothing to do with any of the overarching plot threads. Unfortunately, these are also turning out to be rather bland of late, and this episode is no exception. Is it at all surprising when they hone in on a potential suspect, only to discover that he/she is really just another victim? The stories practically tell themselves at this point, and the only variation is the clever nature of the artifacts themselves. (I must admit, having shrapnel be the artifact in question was a neat idea.)
Meanwhile, Claudia and Steve are on their mission to find a solution to Steve’s impending doom and their inconvenient connection. At least this plot thread managed to toss in some unexpected progress. And did anyone else really expect Steve to be freed from the chains of the metronome? I didn’t see that coming, especially given the dire warnings about what might happen should Steve start to go rogue. That might still happen, I suppose, but it does seem more like this entire situation was just a long way to justify Steve’s resurrection without making the lack of consequences seem overly egregious.
But it also makes a lot of the earlier warnings feel like red herrings, and that also applies to Artie’s ongoing (and rather isolated) character arc. So his visions about Claudia were all a ruse? Brother Adrian and his actions are the evil that Artie is fated to unleash? It all seems rather convenient and disappointing, even if the suggestions that Mrs. Frederic is not entirely on the level promise more twists and turns.
If it all comes down to Brother Adrian playing head games, trying to get Artie to feel responsible for Brother Adrian’s despicable actions in the name of “doing the right thing”, then it undermines the notion that Artie is struggling to handle one of the greatest temptations faced by a Warehouse agent. Mrs. Frederic all but gives Artie a free pass. It could be rectified if it turns out that she is acting in some unsanctioned way as well, lying to Artie and compounding the issue, but I get the feeling it’s not going to have that level of complexity in the end.
On a completely unrelated note, is it me, or have the producers come to the realization that Alison Scagliotti is simply gorgeous? Claudia seems to be a lot more glam this season than in the past. Not that I’m complaining, by any means, but it was fairly obvious in this episode for some reason. I find it strange that the producers seem to be playing up her sex appeal more than, say, Myka, who has typically been the one to provide fan service. Again, not a complaint, but perhaps an observation that things have changed over the course of time.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Score: 6/10