Check it out: Warehouse 13

I may not be happy with the name change, but I am pretty pleased with Syfy’s latest new show, Warehouse 13.

Episode four airs tonight and I for one will be planted firmly in front of my television to see how this interesting new series plays out.
If you haven’t read up on it yet, or missed the first three episodes, Warehouse 13 is about two secret service agents who get recruited by a top secret branch of the government that goes around and finds objects that are negatively affecting the world around them. A hair pin once belonging to a jealous queen, for instance, might be driving a woman to kill those who try to keep her from the people she loves.

Agents Mika and Peter join Artie, a long-time member of Warehouse 13 (a literal warehouse where billions of artifacts, pieces of art and what-have-yous are stored) in locating these objects and “neutralizing” them with some sweet gizmos.

The show offers some interesting historical tidbits and it’s neat to hear the story behind each object and why it’s causing people or things to act the way they are.

The cast is small, but great. Artie, played by Saul Rubinek, is eccentric and full of quirks. Mika, played by the sometimes overacting Joanne Kelly, operates by the books while Peter, played by Eddie McClintock, prefers to wing it. Not exactly original, but hey, it works. As Artie describes them, Mica looks while Peter leaps.

Considering all the conspiracy jibba-jabba and the paranormal aspects of the cases, it’s not unfair to compare Warehouse 13 to The X-Files. With witty dialogue and co-stars that lovingly rib each other at every turn, W13 also has a distinctive Bones feel.

I hate to keep using the word “neat,” but that’s exactly what pops into my head several times per episode. The ideas are fresh and the characters are surprisingly distinctive for being so early in the show’s run.

Give it a look on Syfy on Tuesday nights and let me know what you think. As for me, I’ll be visiting Warehouse 13 as long as the doors are open and the contents intriguing.