Posted on: June 15th, 2009 Sci-fi TV Preview: Warehouse 13
Last week I wrote a story about the Sci-Fi (SyFy) channel’s latest original series, Sanctuary. The show is set to return for a second season this fall, and I couldn’t be more excited. As I stated in the story, the show is an amazing, intriguing and original concept that is likely to be a big hit. Funny, because it was not long ago that the network’s original programming was nothing more than just a joke. But finding success in Sanctuary could be a sign that those in charge of finding quality new programming have finally got in a groove. I like to think that there will be plenty of good things coming from the network over the next year. One such program is set to premiere this July, and it will be another off-the-wall yet intriguing concept. Warehouse 13 will have a special 2 hour premiere on July 7th at 9/8c on Sci-Fi (SyFy), and I think you should be prepared to set your tivo’s. But before I tell you why, take a look at the official line on the series:
“After saving the life of the President, two Secret Service agents find themselves abruptly transferred to Warehouse 13 – a massive, top-secret storage facility in windswept South Dakota that houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and supernatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. The Warehouse’s caretaker Artie (Saul Rubinek) charges Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka(Joanne Kelly) with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in search of new objects to cache at the Warehouse, as well as helping him to control the warehouse, itself.
Warehouse 13 comes from Universal Cable Productions and is executive produced by Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel), who also serves as showrunner. David Simkins (Dresden Files) is executive producer; Jace Alexander (Burn Notice, Rescue Me) is co-executive producer and director; and Stephen Surjik (Monk, Burn Notice) is producer/director.”
A series like this would never work on another network because of it’s bizarre concept, but it’s that bizarre concept that could make it a success on the Sci-Fi (SyFy) channel. Personally, I love the ideas behind all of the network’s programming over the last few years. I can’t get enough of the originality, even if the acting can be horrific at times. There is such a lack of creativity in Hollywood this last decade, both on film and on television, so concepts like this are refreshing. But my opinion alone won’t keep shows like this on air. This could sink fast if it doesn’t get the publicity it deserves. I want to help keep the genre fresh, so I submit to you a couple of reasons why you should give Warehouse 13 a shot.
The idea behind the show feels like a completely original idea even though it has elements of a couple different sci-fi programs from the last decade. Imagine the possibilities of a series that could shift from alien attacks to monsters and mythical creatures, then shift from there to paranormal events. This could keep the show feeling fresh and intriguing not only from episode to episode, but from season to season as well. I’m inclined to think that the creators of the show, Brent Mote and Jane Espenson, had a multiple season plan from the get go. If Warehouse 13 takes off, it’s great to think that there is a plan for where the series will go, so the viewers don’t have to suffer through a new series trying to find it’s niche, it’s place in the tv world, so to speak. I also get a bit of an X-Files vibe from the show. I think there is the potential to include some serious plot lines and dramatic under tones almost hidden underneath all the amazing science fiction action. Fans of the X-Files can tell you that a big part of the show’s success stemmed from great writing and great range. You could watch an episode revolving around an extra-terrestrial, and the next week you could see an episode about bugs exacting revenge on loggers in the Pacific Northwest. I’m not trying to say that Warehouse 13 could even come close to the quality of the X-Files, just that it has the potential to be successful in a similar fashion.
What’s more likely to signal success for the series is the perceived potential here. The series has lined up some amazing guest talent, some of whom are being considered to be semi-regular stars of the series. If you are a sci-fi fan, there are a few names on this list that you’ll recognize right off the bat. Here’s a list of some of the guest stars in season 1: Ivan Sergei (Crossing Jordan, Charmed), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice), Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis, First Monday), James Naughton (Ally McBeal, Gossip Girl), Roger Rees (Cheers, The West Wing), Erica Cerra (Eureka, The L Word), Joe Morton (Eureka, Terminator 2), Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica, The L Word), and Mark Sheppard (24, Battlestar Galactica). Obviously, it’s in a network’s best interest to hype the show and generally do whatever it takes to ensure success for a new series. But to line up guest stars like this for season 1 tells me that the network really believes in this show. Why else line up so many guest stars? Aside from just lining up guests, the Sci-Fi (SyFy) channel is promoting this show like it is the second coming of Christ. I see a commercial for the show nearly every commercial break during every show or B-movie I watch on the network. They want to see this show succeed, and I think it will.
The show also has some amazing creative minds working off screen. Just look at the included list of directors and producers! Names like David Simkins and Jace Alexander carry certain expectations because of their amazing past works. All together, the people in charge of making this show have worked on some of the most well received series’ in recent memory, namely Monk, Burn Notice, Rescue Me, and Dresden Files. Now, I know these shows are not all related to what we do here at GKS, and it’s possible that some of you don’t really know much about the listed programs. But the critics have been singing their praises for quite a while. I can also say that I’ve watched all of them, and they are some of my favorite tv programs regardless of their genre. Warehouse 13 is in really good hands. These people know how to make entertaining television. The shows also span across several different genres including hilarious comedy, high octane action and dark dramas. Those are a lot of different influences at work. Perhaps the series can incorporate a little bit of all of those genres, who knows. But with each one of those series’ being successful, I think we can trust that the right decisions will be made, and the best interests of the series will always be in mind.
I loved the X-Files, I love Sanctuary, and I generally love science fiction television. I’ll definitely tune in. I can see so many different directions this show can go in, and all sorts of different plot lines. It’s exciting. Like I’ve said before, with so many quality shows getting the axe, it’s nice to have something to look forward to. I just can’t wait to see the first time they use alien technology to avert a crisis. It will be thrilling when they use some sort of black magic device to stave off a paranormal threat. The series will premiere with a 2 hour, special event extravaganza on July 7th at 9/8c on the Sci-Fichannel. With a unique plot, sci-fi vets starring and guest starring, and a network desperately trying to pimp it’s new series out to sci-fi fans everywhere, it’s safe to assume that this show will be interesting at the very least. So get ready to set your tivo’s people! I’ll keep you informed on the latest developments, including full episode recaps each week. Until then, take a second to check out the Sci-Fi channel page for Warehouse 13, where you can stave off your hunger for intriguing sci-fi tv withphoto galleries, promo video’s and a forum that serves as a means of sharing your excitement with other fans. Enjoy!
5 Responses to “Sci-fi TV Preview: Warehouse 13”
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Richard Christensen Says:
June 15th, 2009 at 11:53 amI hate Canadian TV, always have to track where and when these shows air, and hope I subscibe to the chanel. Oh well, I will put a liitle more effort into tracking this one down, right up my alley, being and X-Files fan, striving to fill the void that X-Files left, so far th closest thing i have fopund has been Fringe, this might just do the trick.
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Sylvia Knowles Says:
June 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pmI am looking forward to this show. Particularly the guest stars, as I have never heard of the two leads.
My favorite has got to be Joe Flanigan, I hope he ends up getting another guest spot or two down the road. -
Jon Stephens Says:
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pmCarefull now Rich. I really don’t want to disappoint anyone by making them think this show will be like the X-Files. It has that sort of vibe to me, that’s about it. That said, I think it will be really good, and seeing as how you loved X-Files and enjoy Fringe, I think this will be right up your alley.
Thanks for stopping by Sylvia! The show’s leads are relative unknowns. This is surely their biggest spot to date, but I’d think that’s a good thing. The network would be more willing to give unknowns a longer shot at succeeding because there are no expectations for the series that would be there if there were big name stars as the leads. Imagine, two big names as leads, and the show getting consistently okay to bad ratings over the first four eps. The show would likely get cancelled because if stars can’t make it work, it just won’t work. At least, that’s how I choose to look at it.
I am very much looking forward to the guest appearances. There are some great sci-fi actors on that list, some of my fav characters were portrayed by some of these actors. I can’t wait to see the premiere!
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Richard Christensen Says:
June 15th, 2009 at 2:00 pmI don’t think you came across as saying it was just like X-Files, because I don’t think it is, it just happens to reside in the same nieghborhood as X-Files, with a little twist
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Stargate Atlantis Says:
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 amI found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.