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Warehouse 13

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Warehouse 13
File:Warehouse 13 title card.png
Warehouse 13's intertitle
Created by
Written by
  • Jane Espenson
  • D. Brent Mote
  • David Simkins
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageTransclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes24 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time44 minutes
Original release
NetworkSyfy
ReleaseJuly 7, 2009 (2009-07-07) –
present

Warehouse 13 is an American science fiction television series that premiered on July 7, 2009 on the Syfy network.[1][2] The series follows United States Secret Service Agents Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) and Peter Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) when they are assigned to the government's secret Warehouse 13, which houses supernatural "artifacts".[3][4][5][6] It is also in a barren landscape in South Dakota, and they initially regard the assignment as punishment. As they go about their assignments to retrieve missing Warehouse 13 artifacts and investigate reports of new ones, they come to understand the importance of what they are doing.[3][6]

Executive-produced by Jack Kenny and David Simkins,[7] the dramatic comedy from Universal Media Studios has been accused of "borrowing" much from the 1980s television series Friday the 13th: The Series[8][9][10] and has been described as "part The X-Files, part Raiders of the Lost Ark and part Moonlighting."[3]

The series premiere was Syfy's third largest debut to date, garnering 3.5 million viewers.[1][11] It also has a near 50% female viewership.[12] The first six episodes were all among the top 10 highest rated series episodes on Syfy. Episode 6, "Burnout", drew 4.4 million viewers, setting the record for Syfy's highest rated show.[13]

In August 2009, Warehouse 13 was renewed for a second season of 12 episodes, beginning July 6, 2010.[14] Executive Producer Jack Kenny stated through his Twitter feed that he is hopeful Warehouse 13 will return for a third season, but no announcement has yet been made.[15]

Warehouse 13 commenced airing in Australia on free-to-air digital channel 7mate on 30 September 2010.[16]

Production

Then known as SciFi, the network originally ordered a two-hour pilot episode written by Farscape creator Rockne S. O'Bannon, Battlestar Galactica co-Executive Producer Jane Espenson, and D. Brent Mote.[3] Jace Alexander eventually directed a revised version written by Espenson, Mote, and David Simkins of Blade: The Series.[6] SciFi ordered an additional nine episodes on September 19, 2008.[6][17] The series premiered in the U.S. on July 7, 2009[1][2] concurrent with the name-change to Syfy.

The series is filmed in and around Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec.[18]

Cast and characters

Main characters

Saul Rubinek and Eddie McClintock
  • Eddie McClintock as Pete Lattimer is a "rule-bender" Secret Service Agent. Lattimer is smart and has a knack for quick-thinking. He is athletic and was a U.S. Marine. His handsome appearance and affable disposition come in handy when he needs to charm someone. He is an alcoholic, sober since 2002.[4][5] His sister, who is deaf, taught him to read lips. He has a sixth sense for immediate danger and a weakness for snack food, especially cookies. He is an avid comic book fan and owns every edition of Iron Shadow (if personal effects ever arrive). Throughout the series, Pete and Myka grow fond of one another; but only time will tell if there will be a love connection. In one episode, Pete says that Myka is pretty when she smiles. In another, when Myka claims her sister was the pretty one while she was the nerdy one, Pete tells her she is stunningly beautiful. In Season 2, Pete dates Univille veterinarian Dr. Kelly Hernandez (Paula Garces) until the season finale when she leaves town after learning he doesn't work in an IRS warehouse.
  • Joanne Kelly as Myka Ophelia Bering[5][19] is Lattimer's by-the-book partner. She has more book smarts and a better eye for detail than her partner; and, in Season 2, Episode 3, it is revealed that Myka has a photographic memory. She takes her job very seriously frequently clashes with Lattimer.[4] She even names her pet ferret Pete because they are both cute and annoying. Myka has a troubled relationship with her father, who owns a bookshop where she spent much of her childhood. In the Season 2 finale, Myka, after realizing she was wrong to trust HG Wells, resigns as a warehouse agent, worrying that the mistake will haunt her and keep her from being an effective agent.
  • Saul Rubinek as Dr. Arthur "Artie" Nielsen (born Arthur Weisfelt) is the Secret Service Agent-in-Charge at Warehouse 13. A former cryptographer, most of his personal past is shrouded in mystery, except that, in Season 2, we learn he was once convicted of treason for selling State secrets to the Soviets. Serious and methodical to a fault, he is frequently annoyed with Pete and Myka, who are newcomers to the warehouse and not as respectful of its peculiarities as he believes is necessary for their safety. He is alarmed by the high-spirited Claudia's curiosity about the artifacts and has had to rescue her from I-Love-Lucy-like predicaments on more than one occasion. He has a fondness for baking cookies.[20] In the Season 1 finale cliffhanger, he was enveloped in an explosion and could reasonably be assumed to have been incinerated. In Season 2, Episode 1, he reappeared, saved by the "Phoenix charm". In Season 2, Episode 7, Artie is discovered to be regrowing his appendix so he will have to call the official Warehouse physician, Dr. Vanessa Calder. In Season 2, Episode 11, he is the only one opposed to the reinstatement of H. G. Wells; and he is vindicated in the season finale.
  • Allison Scagliotti as Claudia Donovan is a "young, hip, brilliant techno-wiz"[21] whose brother was believed to be dead. She hacked into the Warehouse computer systems and kidnapped Artie so that he would help her retrieve him. She now works in the Warehouse with Artie. In the Season 1 finale, she stormed out when Leena and Mrs. Frederic accused her of taking objects from the warehouse and giving them to Artie's arch-nemesis, James MacPherson. It was later revealed that it was actually Leena, disguised as Claudia, stealing the items. In Season 2, Claudia was given the original "Farnsworth" communicator, allowing her to accompany Myka on an assignment as an apprentice Agent. In Season 2, Episode 11, it is implied that Claudia will eventually become the Caretaker, when Mrs. Frederic dies. In Season 2, Episode 12, Artie assures her she will be able to live her life as she chooses.
  • Genelle Williams as Leena is the proprietor of the bed-and-breakfast in Unincorporated Unnamed Settlement, South Dakota,[22] (AKA Univille[23]) where Lattimer, Bering, and Donovan live. She can see a person's aura. Leena has been aware of Warehouse 13 for quite a while and has known many of the Warehouse agents who have died. In Season 1, she was under the influence of MacPherson. She was freed in Season 2, Episode 1, but it later appears there is some residual energy trapped in Leena's brain.

Recurring characters

  • C. C. H. Pounder as Mrs. Irene Frederic , the director of a secret government organization, who is older than she appears; it is revealed in the Season 2 episode Where and When that she has been in charge at the Warehouse since at least 1961. She is a shadowy figure who suddenly appears and disappears. She is Artie's immediate superior, and she answers to The Regents. As The Caretaker, some sort of mental link exists between her and the Warehouse, giving her, among other advantages, a full mental inventory of all artifacts in Warehouse 13.[24]
  • Roger Rees as James MacPherson is a former Warehouse Agent, who decided to start selling Warehouse artifacts or just using them for personal gain. MacPherson was first Artie's partner and then his arch-nemesis. He has demonstrated a great knowledge of paranormal artifacts and uses them to accomplish his goals. Though numerous attempts were made to capture him over the years, he remained at large until Season 2, Episode 1, when he was killed in the Warehouse. Soon after, Artie begins to see visions of him throughout the Warehouse.
  • Simon Reynolds as Daniel Dickinson is Pete and Myka's previous boss in the Secret Service. He is not happy about losing two of his best agents to some bizarre warehouse in South Dakota, of which he does not know the importance. He is determined to get them back at first, especially after facts about Artie's past come to light. Eventually he sees his former agents are committed to their new positions, and the agents part ways. In the Season 2 episode Vendetta he is murdered because of his knowledge about Artie's past.
  • Jaime Murray as H. G. Wells (Helena Wells) was an Agent of Warehouse 12 in the late 1800s before her grief at the murder of her daughter led to her requesting to be bronzed. She was released by James MacPherson in Season 2, Episode 1, and reinstated in Episode 9. In Episode 12, it is revealed that she wants access to the lost Warehouse 2 and the "Minoan Trident". Myka stopped her before she could initiate another Ice Age, after which she was taken away to a secret holding facility, which is apparently worse than being bronzed.

Artifacts and gadgets

Main article: Artifacts and gadgets from Warehouse 13

Established in 1914, Warehouse 13 was designed by Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and M. C. Escher.[25] As the name suggests, there have been twelve incarnations prior to the one in South Dakota. The oldest is Warehouse One, which was run by Alexander the Great. Warehouse 2 was at the Library of Alexandria, and Warehouse 12 was in Great Britain. Throughout history, the Warehouse has moved to whichever country/city-state was the most powerful of the time (Greece, Rome, Spain, Russia, Great Britain, etc.).[26]

The artifacts are items in some way connected to some historical or mythological figure. Each one has been imbued with something of their creator or user, something they allude to in their writing or enhances some aspect of their personality. Some are well known—Lewis Carroll's looking glass, which is a portal to somewhere, and Poe's pen and a volume of his writing, which make whatever the user writes a reality. Some are not—Lizzie Borden had a mirrored compact that compelled her to kill her loved ones with an axe. The artifacts react with electricity and can be neutralized only by a mysterious purple goo produced by Warehouse 13 and used by Pete and Myka to neutralize them once they have been retrieved.

Reception

Warehouse 13's series premiere was the most-watched cable show on American television that night.[11] With 3.5 million viewers, it was also Syfy's third best premiere ever, behind Stargate Atlantis (2004) and Eureka (2006).[1][11] Joanne Ostrow of The Denver Post described it as "X-Files light, with the bickering Scully and Mulder stand-ins going off on Indiana Jones-style adventures."[27] IGN reviewer Ramsey Isler gave the pilot a positive review, but felt that it was not enough to give Syfy "a chance to once again boast the best sci-fi show on TV."[28] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gave it a negative review in July 2009, describing it as an "unholy cross between The X-Files, Bones, and Raiders of the Lost Ark."[29] In July 2010, Tucker amended his opinion, citing that "Warehouse improved as it went along" and "grew more riveting"; he subsequently gave the show a rating of "B".[30]

In 2010, the series was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Original Main Title Theme Music.[31]

Episodes

Main article: List of Warehouse 13 episodes
Seasons Episodes Season premiere
(viewers) 		Season finale
(viewers) 		Average viewers
(in millions)
1 12 July 7, 2009 (2009-07-07)
(3.50 million) 		September 22, 2009 (2009-09-22)
(2.23 million) 		2.90
2 12 July 6, 2010 (2010-07-06)
(2.50 million) 		September 21, 2010 (2010-09-21)
(2.40 million) 		2.50

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mitovich, Matt (July 9, 2009). "Ratings: America's Got the Goods, Warehouse 13 and More". TV Guide. SeattlePI.com. Retrieved July 12, 2009. [dead link]
  2. ^ a b Press Release (April 8, 2009). "Allison Scagliotti Cast in Sci Fi's Warehouse 13". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "Warehouse 13 Gets Green-Lighted". SciFi.com (Internet Archive). October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Nordyke, Kimberly; Andreeva, Nellie (May 6, 2008). "Two cast in Sci Fi's Warehouse". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c "Caprica, Warehouse 13 Are Cast". SciFi.com. May 7, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "Warehouse 13 Gets Green Light". SciFi.com. September 19, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2009.[dead link]
  7. ^ "Warehouse 13: About the Series". Syfy.com. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  8. ^ "Warehouse 13 Review". HDFEST. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  9. ^ "Warehouse 13 Steampunk TV". Closet Sci-Fi Geek. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  10. ^ "Warehouse 13". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  11. ^ a b c "Warehouse 13 tops cable shows for Tuesday". The Star. Star-ecentral.com. July 9, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  12. ^ "Warehouse 13 Renewed". Scifi.about.com. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  13. ^ "Warehouse 13 ratings set another Syfy record". scifiwire.com. August 30, 2009 (2009-08-30). Retrieved August 30, 2009 (2009-08-30). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Warehouse 13" Returns July 6". syfy.com. May 2, 2010 (2010-05-02). Retrieved May 2, 2010 (2010-05-02). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Oops – I made a mistake..." twitter.com. September 17, 2010 (2010-09-17). Retrieved September 18, 2010 (2010-09-18). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://www.tvcentral.com.au/2010/09/18/7-mate-unveils-full-schedule/
  17. ^ Nguyen, Hanh (September 19, 2008). "Sci Fi Opens Warehouse 13 in 2009". Zap2It.com. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  18. ^ "A Conversation with Warehouse 13's Eddie McClintock". SliceofSciFi.com. August 15, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  19. ^ Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes (July 13, 2010). "Mild Mannered". Warehouse 13. Season 2. Episode 2. Syfy. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Caprica, Warehouse 13 Add High Priestess, Head Honcho". Zap2It.com. May 23, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  21. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Allison Scagliotti Talks WAREHOUSE 13". IESB. September 21, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  22. ^ "Leena". Syfy.com. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
  23. ^ Wagner, Kurt (July 4, 2010). "'Warehouse 13' boss Jack Kenny reveals secrets of Season 2". Show Patrol via Chicago Now. Retrieved July 16, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  24. ^ "Pounder Enters Warehouse 13". SciFi.com. September 19, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  25. ^ "Warehouse History". Syfy.com. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  26. ^ Warehouse 13: History
  27. ^ Ostrow, Joanne (July 7, 2009). "Review: TV's Warehouse 13 is solid X-Files lite". The Denver Post. Mercurynews.com. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  28. ^ Isler, Ramsey (July 6, 2009). "Warehouse 13: "Pilot" Review". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  29. ^ Tucker, Ken (July 8, 2009). "'Warehouse 13': Why, Syfy, why?". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  30. ^ Tucker, Ken (June 30, 2010). "Haven (2010)". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  31. ^ "Official Primetime Emmy Award Nominees: Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved July 24, 2010.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Warehouse 13.
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