“Warehouse 13’ was one of the last science fiction oriented scripted series of the Syfy channel in America, and it’s finished its run. Airing on a network that now only cares about making and saving money at the expense of quality by pushing more unscripted fare, “Warehouse 13” was given an unfair eviction notice; one not deserving of a series so entertaining, rich in character and mythos, and filled with a flawless ensemble cast. “Warehouse 13” was a light hearted mix of “X-Files” with “Friday the 13th: The Series” and a touch of “Moonlighting” for good measure.
It was noir, it was horror, it was fantasy, it explored time travel, time paradoxes, the price of power, and the responsibility of wielding it. Though low budget, it actually worked in favor of “Warehouse 13,” as it compiled a slew of excellent character actors, and turned them in to an ensemble filled with energy, comedy, and remarkable chemistry that has yet to be matched by anything Syfy is airing these days, or has aired in years. And like all the best show ever put on Syfy, “Warehouse 13” always got the short end of the stick despite high ratings and a loyal fan base.
We waited practically entire years for new seasons, the new seasons would start with very little warning for fans to anticipate, and the fate of the series was always up in the air. To make things worse, Syfy gave the final episodes little fan fare, no hype, and only allowed the fans and the series six episodes to wrap everything up in to one little bow. We learned character Claudia had a sister she thought was dead for years in the end of season four, and the writers literally had to begin and end the massive storyline in five fucking episodes. I don’t know how they did it, but they did it well.
The final six episodes weren’t perfect, but they were really aiming to give fans one last hurrah before the series closed. Syfy seriously couldn’t have given fans twelve episodes to say goodbye? Were they spending too much of their money on reality shows about haunted highways, haunted collectibles, haunted mines, and a show about plumbers looking for ghosts that has far worn out its novelty?
Seriously, if the world was half as haunted with demons and ghosts as Syfy and these stupid ghost investigator shows claim, we’d have to create our very own “Ghostbusters” agency in every country. And like many quality shows before “Warehouse 13,” I think we’ll be seeing the show again, but only on online streaming websites, and DVD sets. Syfy loves to cancel their shows and pretend they never existed. Hey, remember that great show “Invisible Man” and the movie they planned to end it all with? Remember “Eureka”? Remember the half assed promotion for the finale of “Mystery Science Theater 3000”?
I also assume the talked about spin off with the adventures of HG Wells is also completely off the table. Thanks for nothing, Syfy. But hey, at least we have a game show about stupid people freaking out in pitch black rooms while touching random objects! “Warehouse 13” and its final episodes tried everything possible to give fans their last bid of respect, while closing up everything we knew and have yet to know about our favorite characters. You can definitely sense the writers scrambling to rush to the final episode with grace, and for the most part it’s a solid landing.
The Spanish novella episode was pure filler (and a bit too silly for the series if you ask me), but at least wrapped up the plot line with Pete’s old girlfriend, and gave us the final realization that Pete was in love with Myka. And there’s nothing at all wrong with seeing the always stunning Joanne Kelly as a leggy Spanish maid. The final episodes did very much wrap up everything by giving us what we wanted, and surprising us with a few twists. Pete and Myka realized they loved one another and are officially a romantic couple teeming with sexual chemistry.
Artie confessed his love for the people in the warehouse and the warehouse itself, and we found out he actually has a son that loves him dearly. Claudia gained some iota of happiness by reviving her big sister, and Jinks finally realized that he belonged among the Warehouse 13 crew, all along. I was very sure that Aaron Ashmore’s addition to the group in season three would be a Jump the Shark moment, but Ashmore’s great acting paired with the sharp writing made him and his conflict very compelling. And his death is still one of the most heartbreaking moments of the series.
And who didn’t see the surprise appearance of former B&B innkeeper Lena in a flashback coming? “Warehouse 13” and its finale ended like most science fiction series try to. They ended the storyline of characters we love as gracefully as possible, while ensuring us that the series will always live on, if we keep them alive through memories and remaining loyal fans. It’s just a damn shame Syfy never gave it a true respect and that it deserved and will probably tuck it away in amidst a sea of half assed reality and game shows. But hey, at least we got four and a half seasons of an excellent series, and enough laughs and heart felt moments to keep us smiling for years.
“Warehouse 13” was so good that not only did the characters fall in love with one another, but the fans fell in love with the characters, to boot. And we fell hard. You’d have to be made of stone not to connect or relate to at least one character, and in the end, they left as they came: an unofficial family unit, and one of the great science fiction teams of all time. Thanks for everything, the cast and crew from “Warehouse 13.” You’ll be sorely missed.