Do you believe in the Butterfly Effect? Have you noticed the smell of fudge, when there is no fudge? Tonight (12/6) Syfy gifts Warehouse 13 fans with a dazzling nod to Frank Capra's Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life, in which Agent Pete Lattimer's swept from existence causing tragic effects to his beloved teammates' lives.

Executive Producer Jack Kenny deftly helms this heartwarming tale named, "The Greatest Gift," after the story Capra's cherished classic was based on. When I last spoke with series co-lead Eddie McClintock for TVOM (previewing Warehouse 13's season finale) he still hadn't seen this episode but was proud that Kenny had asked him to up the angst since last year's Christmas special was criticized by a certain segment of fandom. Eddie reiterates on the subject, "I just like this year's Christmas episode better because I felt it was a little too, dare I say, "Schmaltzy" last year. Not that it was a bad episode, I enjoyed it but I just like this one better. Roger Rees is back as Macpherson, you know, there's an actual 'bad guy' and the stakes are much higher this year. Don't get me wrong, there's still some good lighthearted, funny stuff and there's some good heartfelt moments as well. It's not that dark, but I think what it primarily does is give you the same feeling, I think, that It's a Wonderful Life provided for viewers. That sense of redemption and struggle and at the end I think it'll leave everybody nice and happy and ready to go see Santa."

Questions routinely arise about Syfy special episode timelines, and, where they fit in within their respective shows? McClintock clarifies, "The episode exists out of time. It doesn't exist within the timeline of the show, so you know, Jinks and everybody is still alive. There's been no deaths yet."

Holiday specials were a tradition in the McClintock home which is why getting the network's flagship Christmas show right is very important to him, "When I was growing up you couldn't just dial up a Christmas show on iTunes or watch it on your phone, you actually had to wait an entire year to see those shows again. So it was exciting, it was like, "Wow, I remember this from last year." You know, I mean, my kids watch Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer now like once a month. So, hopefully, the tradition will be able to stand up in the face of all this new technology."

Either as Agent Lattimer or in real life, Eddie is usually the funniest guy in the room and never fails to bring a sense of fun and wonderment to everything he does. So, what did the funnest guy on set find most fun about making the Christmas special? "I think any chance for Pete to nestle his head between Mrs. Frederic's ample bosom will be a fan favorite. And it kind of comes out of nowhere. That was really fun because everybody's so,... the viewers and everybody on the show, all the characters, are so afraid of Mrs. Frederic and the fact that she ends up spending Christmas with us gives Pete a chance to give her a big hug at the end. I don't know if that's a spoiler or not but that whole scene at the end with everybody there, when Pete tells them how happy he is to have them in his life and how much he loves them, it was really nice for me because I really feel that way about my cast-mates. So it was a sneak chance for me to tell everybody how I felt about them and then just be able to say, "Hey it's just my character." So I would say the funnest part for me was that - the last scene there where everybody kind of comes together."

In case you wondered if the mood is different while filming a holiday special, Eddie describes how he felt, "It was very joyous for me. It was our last episode so when we finished we were all able to leave Toronto and go back to our respective lives. Nothing against Toronto, but my life is here in L.A. and I spend six months in Toronto each year; in the middle of winter - alone." Rest assured the multi-talented family man won't be alone during the holiday, "We take our boys over to Scottsdale to see their 'pap-pap', my dad. And that's really become the new tradition for us. It's good to be able to spend time with my dad and my two sons, Jack and Max."

What was Eddie's all-time favorite Christmas present? "I remember waking up one Christmas morning and my parents had gotten me The Guns of Navarone action set. So it was, you know, this like plastic mountain with the two guns. There was a bunch of German soldiers. And then I had like American landing ships and commandos. And then I got tanks and stuff. And then I had like a rubber alligator that I'd put in the water. And the rubber alligator would eat the guys and then the Germans would fall into the water and then the alligator would eat them too. The Guns of Navarone action set; I swear, I had it"

Keeping in the spirit of the season, Eddie shared his Christmas wish for his happy-go-lucky character, "I'd like Pete to find himself a good woman. You know, he gets tired of being alone at night back at Leena's." Speaking of, Leena plays a great part in this story which somehow managed to make me an even bigger fan of her character. Show your love for Leena by getting an attractive tee promoting her Bed & Breakfast in Univille for yourself, a friend or loved one here.

Warehouse 13 premieres its intense Christmas episode tonight at 9/8c on Syfy.

Just for fun, here's a brief interview clip featuring Allison Scagliotti describing her favorite part of the holidays.

Warehouse 13 Christmas Episode: Eddie McClintock Q&A

Warehouse 13, Syfy's highest rated original series, is concluding its third season tonight and according to Eddie McClintock, "They've really raised the stakes for the last two episodes." W13's affable male lead answered questions last week about tonight's two-hour finale and TV Over Mind joined the fun. Already renewed for a fourth season and with its first spinoff in the works, Eddie assures fans that this year's finale will be very different than last season's controversial ender. "Last year's cliffhanger to me wasn't really a cliffhanger. To me a cliffhanger is like, the damsel is tied to the railroad tracks, the train's coming, the guy's racing to get there, 'What's going to happen next,' not, 'Oh no, one of the characters left.' It kind of ticked a lot of people off. I remember getting a lot of twitters about, 'I'm not going to watch the show if Myka's not going to be on there. No way, that's uncool. You guys are [expletive deleted],' and so... I get it. It's like, 'What? That's the cliffhanger? One of the most loved characters is just walking away?' I understand it as a plot, as a storyline for the plot sure, but to leave that as the cliffhanger, especially when the fans have to wait a year to see what happened,... it's just rough man. So I would say this year they definitely upped the stakes. It's a straight up dramatic cliffhanger. And I think people may be shedding a few tears on this one. I don't think it'll leave people going, 'Hey, I'm not going to watch anymore,' it's going to make people go, 'I can't wait till next year to see the show.'"

Controversy's been no stranger to Eddie's character either. Regarding the less-than-hardboiled attitude of Agent Pete Lattimer Eddie reveals, "I've read that some fans think Pete is juvenile, stupid and/or a goof, and that's always kind of hit me the wrong way, because I just think Pete is putting on. He's just having fun. I love the fact that Pete can be insanely childish and silly sometimes. And he loves that about himself. He likes to pull Myka's strings. He likes to pull Artie's strings. He likes to get everybody going and everybody kind of riled up. Apparently, it's worked with the fans too. He is also incredibly brave and strong and loyal and loving. I mean, I get to play all those things. I get to play comedy, I get to play drama, I get to play action, I get to play romance. And to me that's the perfect combination. I think Pete is just awesome. I love playing Pete. He's the funnest character I've ever had the privilege of playing." If Eddie could ask the writers to do anything at all with his character what would it be? "Please continue to make Pete all the things that you've made him so far."

In addition to being a family man, actor, (former) athlete and drummer, Eddie's also a talented photographer and seriously impressive artist (re: drawings, paintings, and graphic renderings). Influenced by the art of M.C. Escher, Salvador Dali, and H.R. Giger among others, McClintock also draws inspiration from artists such as Mad Magazine's legendary Don Martin and confesses, "Herb Trimpe was probably the greatest influence for me, he drew the Hulk back in the 70s." Continuing, "I think I'm pretty good and I have, like, a niche thing that I do. But in my mind, I look at guys that do comics and think, 'Man, those are the artists. Those are the guys that can do it.'" See for yourself whether Eddie can do it or not by visiting his artist website ETM 369 where you can view and/or purchase reproductions of his work.

Star Trek fans have grown accustomed to seeing former Trek stars on the series and Trek gets referenced by W13 characters nearly every episode, at least. The love of Trek behind the scenes at Warehouse 13 encompasses not only the writers room, showrunners and casting department, but even Eddie's first ad lib on the show (early in season one) was him ending a scene with the line, "Kirk out." As luck would have it, two of Trekdoms most treasured women, Kate Mulgrew & Jeri Ryan (both former stars of ST:VOY) have guested on W13 directly tied to McClintock's character. "When I found out that a Star Fleet Captain (Mulgrew) was my mom I just thought that that was so awesome! If you went to Dragon*Con or the Las Vegas Star Trek convention you'd have seen that Kate and I get along better than I could've ever even dreamed of. So to have her play my mom seems completely natural. Although she'd of had to've been, like, four when she had me,... which you know, we're going to have to overlook. Suspension of disbelief, we'll call it. Then when I found out that a sci-fi icon (Jeri Ryan) was going to be my wife, my ex-wife, I told her "Do you realize that my stud cred just increased 10-fold?" Happily adding, "It just turned out that both ladies were really cool and good to have around."

Along with Mulgrew and Ryan, Eddie names WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes, Aaron Ashmore (former recruit Steve Jinks), Anthony Michael Hall (Walter Sykes) and Jaime Murray (H.G. Wells) as some of his favorite guest stars to've graced the show. "In regards to Anthony Michael Hall, I mean I grew up with all of those great movies that he did when he was younger. And he really kind of grew into himself, because he's like 6' 2" now and probably weighs about 200 pounds and none of it's fat, he's just a big dude. He looks - actually he looks like Steve McQueen I think. He's amazing and great fun to work with and just, for me, it's like getting to meet some of your childhood heroes and the people that you admired and the people whose work you admired. And to have him come on the show and play such a strong character is pretty thrilling for me." On Rhodes, "Cody Rhodes is a great young kid and a good guy. He played Myka's love interest last year. I'd like to do an episode of the WWE. You know, I'd put on some tights and a cod piece and put some clothespins on my nipples and a latex mask. I wrestled in grade school and then in high school and in college, collegiate wrestling, not WWE style. But still, it would be fun to get in there, and scream and have people throw stuff at you." As to Jaime Murray? "I love Jaime. She's fantastic. I know there's been talk about spinning her off and doing her own series but whatever the end result may be, I sure hope we can continue to work together. She and I did some stuff last year when we were on hiatus and we really got to know each other well. She's a great actress and whatever she ends up doing I wish her well."

The proposed W13 spinoff prequel, requested by the network, will be a period production set in the 1890s focused on Jaime Murray as H.G. Wells. Rumor is that Anthony Michael Hall (as Sykes) and possibly even Aaron Ashmore will join the cast. Whether the spinoff ultimately materializes or not, there's no doubt that the world of Warehouse 13's been expanding. Recent crossovers by W13 characters have linked fellow series Eureka & Alphas into a shared universe, prompting the obvious question, which would Eddie most like to share an arc with? "I would like to do any of those shows - just because I think they're all so much fun. I would like to go do Sanctuary because I've gotten to know Robin Dunne pretty well and I think the way they shoot their show, I guess it's a lot of green screen stuff, must be pretty challenging. I know when we do a lot of green screen it's hard because not only do you have to act, but you have to imagine your surroundings as well."

When it comes to children having safe playgrounds in which to play, Eddie's moved beyond imagination and has helped raise funds for the national non-profit charity KaBoom! Hollywood Treasure viewers will remember McClintock donated a screen-used Tesla prop gun (from W13) to be auctioned on behalf of KaBoom! "I think it's important that kids have a place to get their ya-yas out and have some exercise and have a good time." If you share KaBoom!'s vision of a place to play within walking distance of every child, consider joining the effort by taking their pledge.

Speaking of the spirit-of-giving, Warehouse 13 will again be showcasing a Christmas episode (shot in July). Eddie offered a few non-spoilery insights, "It's edgier than last year's. Even though it's a standalone episode there's a lot of drama and a lot of heart and a lot of action -- just like every good Warehouse 13 episode." Executive producer Jack Kenny recently revealed at Comic-Con that the holiday special will center on Eddie's character and focus on an artifact connected to the short story that was the basis for the original It's a Wonderful Life story. "Jack directed that episode. I don't know if he wrote that episode too? He came to me the week before and just said, 'Hey man, I need you to bring it. Because there's a lot of stuff in it for you and there's a lot of dramatic stuff in it for you and I want it to be great.' I don't think I disappointed him. I mean I worked really hard and I think that, as I said earlier, 'It's not a fluff piece.' It's not a fluffy Christmas story. There's still some Warehouse 13 fluff, don't get me wrong, but it's a little more dramatic this year. It's Warehouse 13's version of It's a Wonderful Life."

Augmenting warehouse duty, McClintock has two films in the post-production pipeline: a scary Syfy original shot in Bulgaria last year titled, The Boogey Man, scheduled to premiere early next year, and, a drama Eddie just finished in Canada titled, A Fish Story. W13 stunt coordinator Matt Birman (X-Men) directed A Fish Story, a drama McClintock promises has "a lot of heart." Elaborating, "there are nice family moments but there aren't many if any comedic moments. It's just not that type of a movie."

Lest fans worry that filmdom will pull him away from Syfy's most successful series, Eddie assures us he feels Warehouse 13 is just getting started. "They always say it takes a show a season to find its legs. And, I've said wholeheartedly that I think this season has been the best season of the series so far. If you go back and watch an episode from the first season of Cheers or the first seasons of Friends or Seinfeld they barely resemble the show(s) that people know, love and really remember. And that's based on a 22 episode season. Since we only get 13 episodes per season, really it's 12 because the Christmas episodes don't count, we're really just starting our second season. So I think the show has really just found itself. The writers have really zeroed in on what makes the show work and I think the show just keeps getting better and better."

Investigate the tense sneak peek (below) then say hello to the season ending action tonight at 9/8c, guest starring Jaime Murray, Aaron Ashmore, Anthony Michael Hall, Sasha Roiz and Kate Mulgrew, only on Syfy!

Warehouse 13 Q&A: Eddie McClintock Previews Tonight's Two-Hour Season Finale and More!

Syfy has announced that Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager) will be crossing paths with Myka, Pete, and the gang on an upcoming episode of Warehouse 13. On August 1st, Ryan will reportedly be playing a bride exposed to a life threatening artifact that could have some serious collateral damage for everyone in her life. Ryan will be one of several guest stars on the successful show's third season, including Jaime Murray, Ashley Williams, and Faran Tahir, among others.

Most known to sci-fi fans as Borg Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager, Ryan has since appeared on Leverage, Boston Public, Dark Skies, and Shark. The veteran actress and former Miss Illinois can currently be seen on ABC's Body of Proof as Dr. Kate Murphy, the superior to series heroine Megan Hunt. The show was recently picked up for a second season, which will premiere Tuesday, September 20th.

Warehouse 13 airs on Mondays at 9:00 on Syfy.

What other beloved sci-fi actor/actresses would you like to see pop up on Syfy shows? Do you think Ryan's episode sounds solid enough? How have you been enjoying the new season of Warehouse 13?

Jeri Ryan to Guest Star on Warehouse 13 August 1st

Actor Neil Grayston is the moderator for the Warehouse 13 panel, which had executive producer Jack Kenny and stars Allison Scagliotti (Claudia), Saul Rubinek (Artie), Eddie McClintock (Pete) and Joanne Kelly (Myka).

The Warehouse 13 team talked a lot about Aaron Ashmore (Steve) joining the cast in season 3 as one of the new Warehouse agents. The writers didn’t want everyone to just assume that Myka would return to the Warehouse after quitting and wanted to bring in a replacement. They actually cast Aaron only days before the table reading of the season premiere. EP Jack says that Aaron’s character is a very funny addition to the cast.

Also, Allison said that Steve is the first person in the Warehouse who can really be a peer for Claudia and will have a hand in her evolution of becoming a Warehouse agent. The realtionship between Claudia and Steve will be complex and the end of the season will be “mind blowing”.

Joanne also explained that season 2 was an emotional year for Myka, while season 3 will be about her working her way back into the Warehouse family. Eddie says that Pete definitely wants Myka back, because the two are like brother and sister, so Pete is obviously upset about her leaving.

Season 3 Spoilers

The cast actually gave out quite a few teasers about season 3. First, each episode of the season will have a different tone. Also, one upcoming episode (with Neil Grayston guest starring) will be taking place inside of a video game. Saul will be playing a Monty Python version of Artie, while Eddie will be playing a gladiator.  This will be either episode 3.05 or 3.06 and is called "Don't Hate the Player"

The upcoming Christmas episode will be full of fan easter eggs. The writers constantly ask themselves whether fans will like potential storylines and make an effort to make fans happy.

Star Trek’s Kate Mulgrew will be guest starring for a four episode arc in season 3 and fans will see pieces of different Warehouses this season (including the one in Constantinople).

EP Jack said that they’re actually pitching the idea of a Warehouse 12 spin-off (with HG Wells) to Syfy and the network seems very interested in pursuing the idea. It’s early days, but the possibility of a spin-off seems promising.

clarissa @ tvovermind.com
twitter.com/clarissa373
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Warehouse 13 at Comic-Con: Season 3 Spoilers

Syfy's hit show Warehouse 13 will return for its third season on Monday, July 11 at 9:00 p.m.

Warehouse 13 is Syfy's most successful series ever, and is about a team of government agents who work in a top-secret Warehouse that holds mysterious relics and artifacts collected by the U.S. government.  Artie Nielson (Saul Rubinek) acts as the Warehouse's caretaker, and he guides Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock), Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) as they help him collect more relics to store at the Warehouse.  He also helps guide his young apprentice Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti) and newcomer Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore).

The season 3 premiere will shed some light on mysteries from the season 2 finale.  Has Myka left the team for good?  Will we see H.G. Wells again?  How will Pete's new partner, Steve Jinks, affect the dynamics of the Warehouse?  Ashley Williams (Good Morning Miami) will be playing FBI agent Sally Stukowski in the premiere episode, where she will be locking horns with Pete.

We've already posted promo photos for the upcoming season 3 premiere of Warehouse 13 (view them here) and now Syfy has released a trailer for season 3, as well as a sneak peek from the season premiere.  You can view them below.

clarissa @ tvovermind.com
twitter.com/clarissa373
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Warehouse 13 Sneak Peek: Season 3 Premiere

Syfy's hit scripted show, Warehouse 13, returns for its third season on July 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET.  But we have your first look at the new season right here!

If you're new to Warehouse 13, it involves a team of government agents who work at a secret storage facility that houses very strange and mysterious artifacts and relics, all collected over time by the U.S. government.  Artie Nielson (Saul Rubinek) is the Warehouse's caretaker.  Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) were originally recruited after a run-in with a mysterious artifact to help protect the Warehouse and its contents.  Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti) and Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore) have joined the Warehouse to help investigate reports of supernatural and paranormal activity and find new objects.

There are a lot of questions leading into the third season of Warehouse 13.  Has Myka left the Warehouse team for good? How will newcomer Steve Jinks (recruited by Mrs. Frederic to be Pete's new partner) impact the relationships already established among the crew?  And have we seen the last of villainous H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray)?

In the premiere episode, Ashley Williams (Good Morning Miami) will guest star as a tough-as-nails FBI agent Sally Stukowski, who locks horns with Pete.

Below are promo images from season 3 of Warehouse 13.  Don't miss the premiere on July 11 on Syfy!

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WAREHOUSE 13 -- "The New Guy" Episode 301 -- Pictured: Eddie McClintock as Pete Lattimer -- Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy

clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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Warehouse 13: First Look at Season 3

We're now about a month away from the end of the TV season, so you know what that means? Summer TV! Yes, networks have been rolling their summer schedules out gradually with Syfy being the latest to announce their offerings during the warmest months of the year. Not only do you have Warehouse 13 (July 11th at 9:00), Eureka (July 11th at 8:00), and Haven (July 15th at 10:00) coming to your screen for seasons 3, 4.5, and 2, respectively, there's a new scripted show on the horizon (Alphas at 10:00 on July 11th), new reality shows (Haunter Collector at 9:00 on June 1st, Legend Quest at 10:00 on July 13th), and new seasons of reality shows (Hollywood Treasure at 10:00 on June 1st, Ghost Hunters International at 9:00 on July 13th). Additionally, there are Saturday original movies about topics ranging from volcanos to dragons to ice creatures and swamp sharks.

Check out the press release below for in depth looks at each show and you can always head to Syfy.com to check out video previews of each respective show. Will you be watching any Syfy shows this summer? Which ones?

SYFY'S SIZZLING SUMMER 2011 WILL FEATURE PREMIERE OF ALPHAS, RETURN OF WAREHOUSE 13, EUREKA AND HAVENDEBUT OF REALITY SERIES HAUNTED COLLECTOR AND LEGEND QUEST

NEW SEASONS OF HOLLYWOOD TREASURE AND GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL

SATURDAY ORIGINAL MOVIES INCLUDE RED FACTION: ORIGINS AND ICE ROAD TERROR

NEW YORK - April 15, 2011 - Syfy will heat up Summer 2011 by launching four scripted series in July -- the most ever in a single month -- with newcomer Alphas joining powerhouses Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven.

Along with expanding its popular scripted franchise, Syfy is building on successful reality programming such as Ghost Hunters, Face Off and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files by introducing two new series. Haunted Collector will be paired with the second season return of Hollywood Treasure on June 1, while Legend Quest debuts in July following the third season premiere of Ghost Hunters International.

Hot weather Saturday Original Movies will include Red Faction: Origins -- based on the popular Red Faction video game franchise -- Swamp Shark and Ice Road Terror.

Syfy Summer 2011 kicks off with a Star Trek movie marathon on Memorial Day weekend and will also include a July 4th Twilight Zone marathon.

Highlights of Syfy Summer 2011 Programming

June 2011

HAUNTED COLLECTOR **NEW ORIGINAL REALITY SERIES**

Wednesday, June 1, at 9PM (ET/PT) -- Ghosts and spirits inhabit more than just homes and buildings -- they can also live in objects. In the new Syfy reality seriesHaunted Collector, a family of paranormal investigators hunt down haunted items bedeviling their owners. For 30 years John Zaffis, eminent paranormal researcher and demonologist, has been consulted on countless hauntings for clients all over the country, desperate to return their lives to normalcy. Author of the critically acclaimed book "Shadows of the Dark," Zaffis has amassed thousands of possessed objects that reside in the bizarre museum which he built next to his house in Connecticut. Along with his son Chris, daughter Amy, and paranormal investigators Beth Ezzo and Brian Cano, Zaffis tracks down haunted items such as paintings, guns, jewelry and antiques. Once identified, the items are collected and stored in the museum. Haunted Collector is produced by Gurney Productions. Executive producers are Scott Gurney and Dierdre Gurney.
HOLLYWOOD TREASURE MID-SEASON RETURN

Wednesday, June 1, at 10PM (ET/PT) -- All new episodes of Hollywood Treasure, which premiered its first season in October, introduced Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History and the world's largest auctioneer of original movie, television and pop culture collectibles. In these new episodes, Joe tracks down one-of-a-kind pieces from Forbidden Planet and Lost in Space. He also works with Debbie Reynolds, who entrusts Joe with the task of selling her multi-million dollar collection. Hollywood Treasure is produced by Zupon Entertainment, LLC. Mark Zupon is executive producer. Joseph Boyle is co-executive producer.
July 2011

ALPHAS **NEW ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES**

Monday, July 11 @ 10pm (ET/PT) -- Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. Taking the law into their own hands, the unlikely team, led by Dr. Leigh Rosen (Emmy Award-winner and Oscar nominee David Strathairn) investigates cases that suggest other Alpha activity to uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able, or willing, to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy. Alphas also stars Malik Yoba, Warren Christie, Laura Mennell, Ryan Cartwright and Azita Ghanizada, and is a production of Universal Cable Productions and BermanBraun Television. Executive producers are Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun, Zak Penn and Ira Steven Behr.

LEGEND QUEST **NEW ORIGINAL REALITY SERIES**

Wednesday, July 13 @ 10pm (ET/PT) -- This fast-paced action-adventure series follows Ashley Cowie, an archaeological explorer and expert in ancient symbols, as he travels the world in search of some of history's greatest and most mysterious artifacts. From King Arthur's famous sword to the Lost Ark of the Covenant, all of the elusive items are believed to hold hidden powers and mystical significance for ancient and modern cultures. Each of the six episodes will include Indiana Jones-type adventure and Da Vinci Code-style puzzle solving as the secreted truths and alternative theories of these mythical relics are explored. Cowie and his team leave no stone unturned as they hack through dense jungles, squeeze through tiny caves and trek through forbidding deserts to find their next clue. Their expeditions will reveal secrets that have been guarded for centuries and are still being protected today. Legend Quest is executive produced by John Brenkus and Mickey Stern for BASE Productions.

EUREKA SEASON 4.5

Monday, July 11 @ 8pm (ET/PT) -- In the season 4.5 return of Eureka, as the timeline changes from their trip to 1947 continue to surprise Carter, Allison, Henry, Jo and Fargo, an accident of astronomical proportions launches Eureka's most ambitious project yet. The entire town rallies to go where no man has gone before, pitting scientist against scientist to be one of the chosen few. But our heroes' new relationships are tested as secrets begin to surface. And the competition grows fierce when darker forces threaten to bring everyone down if they fail. During its fourth season, Eureka averaged 3.16 million total viewers, 1.40 million Adults 18-49, 1.58 million Adults 25-54 and a 2.25 household rating, based on Live+7 DVR data. Eurekastars Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston and Niall Matter. Co-creator Jaime Paglia and Bruce Miller are executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

WAREHOUSE 13 SEASON 3

Monday, July 11 @ 9pm (ET/PT) -- Warehouse 13, Syfy's most successful series ever, returns for a third season with a key question looming from the gripping season two finale: has Myka (Joanne Kelly) left the Warehouse for good? Joining the Warehouse team is Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore, Smallville), an ATF agent with an innate ability to detect when someone's lying.

Warehouse 13 follows a team of government agents who work at a massive, top-secret storage facility in South Dakota which houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and preternatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. The Warehouse's caretaker Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek) charges Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock), Myka Bering (Kelly) and young apprentice Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti) with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in search of new objects to cache. During its second season,Warehouse 13 averaged 3.43 million total viewers, 1.51 million Adults 18-49, 1.80 million Adults 25-54 and a 2.4 household rating, based on DVR Live +7 data.Warehouse 13 is produced for Syfy by Universal Cable Productions. Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel) is executive producer and showrunner.

HAVEN SEASON 2

Friday, July 15 @ 10pm (ET/PT) -- Last season, when FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) arrived in the town of Haven, Maine on a routine case, her knack for unraveling mysteries proved an asset when she discovered that the seemingly sleepy town was, in fact, a longtime refuge for people with supernatural afflictions. Now, in Season Two, Audrey must not only stay on top of Haven's many afflictions -which continue to be revealed in every episode - but also solve her most challenging case yet: the secret of her own lost past and its ties to Haven.

With the help of Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant), a handsome local cop with his own trouble, and Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour) a local smuggler and reluctant aide in solving Haven's troubles, Audrey digs deeper into uncovering her identity. Guest stars Jason Priestley (who will also direct an episode) and Vinessa Antoine join the cast for season two, which is currently in production on 13 episodes in Nova Scotia. Haven, from leading independent producer Entertainment One (eOne) is co-commissioned by Shaw Media in Canada and globally via Universal Networks International (UNI).

The creative team behind the second season of Haven includes Executive Producers John Morayniss (Hung, Goodnight for Justice) and Noreen Halpern (Call me Fitz, Rookie Blue) from eOne and David MacLeod (Legends of the Fall, The Ray Bradbury Theater) of Big Motion Pictures, who are joined by Lloyd Segan, Shawn Piller, Scott Shepherd (Stephen King's The Dead Zone) and Matt McGuiness (Journeyman) as well as and Sam Ernst & Jim Dunn (Stephen King's The Dead Zone) who also developed the series.

Haven is produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Big Motion Pictures in association with Piller/Segan/Shepherd and airs on Syfy in the U.S., Showcase in Canada and internationally on UNI's multiple Syfy Universal channels. Entertainment One controls the worldwide distribution rights to the one-hour series and concluded a deal with Germany's Tele München Group (TMG) for the television rights in continental Europe.

GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL SEASON 3

Wednesday, July 13 @ 9pm (ET/PT) -- Ghost Hunters International -- The GHI team kicks off the third season traveling deep into the rainforest of Trinidad, where it's reported that the spirit of Count Lopinot, a cruel slave master, rises from the grave of his cocoa plantation. Ghost Hunters International features a squad of paranormal investigators who use their principles of scientific techniques to explore some of the most legendary haunted spots around the world. Each week the team travels to the far corners of the globe, searching for answers to bizarre supernatural mysteries. The team of investigators is led by Barry FitzGerald and Kris Williams and also stars Joe Chin, Susan Slaughter, Paul Bradford and Scott Tepperman. Ghost Hunters International is produced in association with Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Films and Television (Dirty Jobs, The Ultimate Fighter, My Fair Wedding). Piligian and Thomas Thayer, along with Rob Katz and Alan David, serve as executive producers.

Saturday Original Movies

Red Faction: Origins -- Saturday, June 4, at 9PM (ET/PT) -- Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), Brian J. Smith (Stargate Universe) and Kate Vernon (Battlestar Galactica) star inRed Faction: Origins, based on the hugely successful Red Faction video game franchise. Twenty-five years have passed since Alec Mason (Patrick) led the Martian Colonies to freedom and 12 years since vengeful enemies killed his wife, kidnapped his daughter Lyra (Tamzin Merchant), and left a broken hero in their wake. Jake Mason (Smith), Alec's only son and an officer in the Red Faction Militia, has his world turned inside out when he discovers that now, 12 years after her kidnapping, his sister is still alive. As a powerful new enemy swarms across the planet, Jake goes out to find her, only to learn that his lost sister is one of them -- a cold-blooded soldier sworn to destroy the Red Faction. Vernon portrays The Matriarch, leader of the tribal Marauders sect. Red Faction: Origins is produced by Universal Cable Productions and UFO Films.

Ice Road Terror - Saturday, June 11, at 9PM (ET/PT) -- Truckers (Brea Grant, Michael Hogan) face a deadly ice creature on the frozen roads. A production of ARO Entertainment.

Swamp Shark - Saturday, June 25, at 9PM (ET/PT) -- Kristy Swanson, D.B. Sweeney and Robert Davi star in the story of mutant sharks terrorizing the Louisiana bayous. A production of Active Entertainment.

Age of Dragons - July - Danny Glover stars in a re-imagining of Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick, set in a mythical realm where Captain Ahab and crew hunt dragons for the vitriol that powers their world. A production of Dragon Quest Productions LLC.

Super Eruption -- July -- A scientist and a park ranger (Juliet Aubrey, Richard Burgi) try to stop the eruption of a massive volcano under Yellowstone Park. A production of MarVista Entertainment.

Syfy Announces Summer Premiere Dates

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SyFy has been a controversial channel this year, following its dramatic name change in 2009. It's managed to stay in the headlines by cancelling some fan favorites such as Caprica and Stargate Universe. But this poll isn't about the network, it's about the shows themselves. Which show deserves the credit for being the best show on SyFy?

Vote below, and ensure your show has a spot in the next round of the awards by spreading the word! The winner of this poll will compete on Day 3 for the "Best Show on Cable" award. Stay posted today, though, for more chances to pick your cable favorites!

This poll will close at 2:30 EST on December 30, 2010.

[poll id="9"]

TVO Awards - Day 1 - Best Show of 2010, Round 1.1 - Best Show on SyFy

The second season premiere of Warehouse 13 scored a major coup on Tuesday night. The sophomore bow of Syfy’s scripted drama beat out new telecasts of TNT’s Hawthorne and Memphis Beat, as well as ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars. Warehouse 13 bagged 1.58 million viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo and 1.35 million viewers in the key demo of Adults 18-49. Surprisingly, this even beat Rescue Me, FX’s critically acclaimed firehouse drama.

Warehouse 13 not only won the night, but won its timeslot, the 9-10 PM hour quite handily. It beat the new episode of TNT’s Hawthorne by +29% in Adults 18-49, +33% in Adults 25-54 and +8% in total viewers.

In addition to winning the night and its time slot, the premiere episode of Warehouse 13 is now slated as Syfy’s most watched telecast of the year, bringing in 2.96 million total viewers while increasing 13% in Adults 18-49 over the season one average.

This new season of Warehouse 13 has some a slew of interesting tidbits that should keep viewers plastered to their screens, as well as bring in some new viewers. In hopes of garnering some more of those Joss Whedon fans, next week’s episode reunites Jewel Staite and Sean Maher of Firefly fame in the strange story of a dangerous object that brings physical changes to Maher’s unassuming character.

This upcoming season also features a special crossover episode with Syfy’s hit show Eureka; Warehouse 13’s Allison Scagliotti visits the town of Eureka and Neil Grayston of Eureka pops into Warehouse 13. Both of these episodes will air during the week of August 3rd.

There is also a procession of high profile guest stars this season on Warehouse 13: Lindsay Wagner, Tia Carrere, Rene Augerjonois, David Anders, WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes and of course, the aforementioned Jewel Staite and Sean Maher.

New episodes of Warehouse 13 air on Tuesdays on the Syfy channel at 9 PM (ET/PT).

Warehouse 13 Buries the Competition

The second season of Warehouse 13 will be premiering on Tuesday, July 6 on SyFy.  The network has released short episode descriptions for all of the July episodes of the show.

Episode 201: “Time Will Tell”
Air Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 @ 9PM ET/PT

In the season two premiere, we pick up right where we left off.  MacPherson has blown Artie to smithereens, and disappeared.  Is Leena really a traitor?  Where has Claudia gone?  How will Pete, Myka and the Warehouse fare without Artie?  What other havoc did MacPherson wreak when he was alone in the Warehouse?  And is there yet a new villain on the horizon?

Episode 202: “Mild-Mannered”
Air Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 @ 9PM ET/PT

A masked vigilante with an artifact is cleaning up the mean streets of Detroit.  But when the very object that granted this mild-mannered samaritan his amazing super-powers threatens to destroy him and his city, it's the dynamic duo of Lattimer and Bering who must now come to the rescue.

Episode 203: “Beyond Our Control”
Air Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 9PM ET/PT

When an artifact meant for the Warehouse turns up in the small town next door, the team finds themselves in the middle of a B-movie meltdown complete with cowboys, gladiators, sci-fi robots and beach storming marines.  Their only chance of survival rests with the man who invented television, Philo T. Farnsworth.

Episode 204: “Age Before Beauty”
Air Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 9PM ET/PT

When young super models rapidly age 50 years overnight, Pete and Myka go undercover in the glam world of high fashion to discover who - and what - is behind the transformations.

Warehouse 13 Spoilers - Episode Descriptions for July

Warehouse 13 was a huge hit for SyFy last summer and the network has decided to implement a huge multi-media campaign involving social networking, outdoor screenings, a strong Comic Con presence and other promotions.

Season 2 of Warehouse 13 will be premiere at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6.  The release below explains the various marketing tactics SyFy will be using to promote the show in its sophomore year:

In making the announcement, Blake Callaway, Senior Vice President, Brand and Strategic Marketing, Syfy, said: “As viewers told us by the millions when they made Warehouse 13 the smash hit of summer 2009, the series has universal appeal.  Warehouse 13 is a witty, character-driven adventure series featuring relatable stories with an imaginative twist. In this season’s marketing campaign, we are committed to bringing even more fans to the popular show.”

Syfy.com looks for answers in the stars as Warehouse 13 brings the power of the Zodiac to America’s Attic. In each episode of season two, a symbol of the astrological calendar will be hidden and/or referenced at various points in the on-screen action. Viewers can watch the episode on Syfy, and then come to Syfy.com’s Warehouse 13 site to show off their detective skills, answer questions and point out where they spotted that week’s symbol. Afterward, they’ll be able to enter a sweepstakes to win prizes

Syfy.com’s Warehouse 13 site will contain several innovative new games such as Agent Profile Center, where users can create their own agent profiles, which is also available as an iPhone App. The site will provide full episodes the day after they premiere on-air, along with mini-documentaries, video blogs and sneak peeks, as well as cast Twitter feeds.

Syfy will fill the Warehouse with social butterflies ranging from YouTube, Facebook, Meebo, and takeover Yahoo! Messenger, along with custom content (including video embedding and season pass recaps) created for digital distribution partners from iTunes, XBox 360, Zune, Amazon.com, Hulu and IMDb to Sony Play Station.

Starting immediately, consumers can get caught up on Warehouse 13 season one digitally on Syfy.com, VOD and Hulu.

Complementing outdoor media in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit, Syfy will promote the series at more than 1,300 fast food and restaurants like Carl’s Jr., KFC and Wendy’s.

Syfy marketing for Warehouse 13 will have a strong nationwide presence in the summer’s most hotly anticipated movies: Eclipse, Jonah Hex, Knight and Day, The Last Airbender, The A-Team and The Karate Kid. The channel is also partnering with AMC Theatres on a special promotion, enabling moviegoers to win $13 gift cards courtesy of Warehouse 13.

Syfy will be promoting Warehouse 13 at outdoor movie festivals. For the third consecutive year, Syfy will sponsor Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s outdoor film series Movies with a View. This year’s partnership with Time Out New York will be highlighted by the country’s first ever RealD 3D outdoor screening on Thursday, July 15 with Monsters vs Aliens. Syfy will also promote Warehouse 13 at the Hudson River Flicks outdoor movie series, running July 7-August 18.

To support Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) in driving revenue generating units and local ad sales, Syfy will be offering the “Warehouse 13 Pick & Pack Promotion.”  This flexible, turnkey opportunity will feature a Warehouse 13 branded Web site where participating affiliates can redeem points to select -- via a virtual forklift -- cutting-edge electronics and gift cards to warehouse stores.  The enrollment deadline is June 22.  The promotion will run through August 17.

Continuing its major media presence at ComicCon in San Diego July 21-25, Syfy will present a Warehouse 13 talent panel along with Warehouse 13 themed menu items, among other tasty treats, at Café Diem, the channel’s official Convention headquarters.

SyFy Launches Multi-Media Campaign for Warehouse 13

Warehouse 13 is delivering up a Myka (Joanne Kelly) centric episode next Tuesday, and we have a little clip of the antics after the jump.

I have to say the way the producers have been distributing the character arcs on Warehouse 13 is one of the show's better features, and it looks like Duped continues in that tradition. So far, Warehouse 13 has proven to be a great fun show with nothing but above par writing and acting. In case you missed the note, Warehouse 13 was given a second season by SyFy - so look for more of it next year. You can't help but wonder, if Warehouse 13 continues to gain in popularity could Universal be tempted to give it a run on NBC?

As you can see in the clip below, this episode has Myka playing a slightly villainous arc, due to an artifact - naturally. Looks like Pete saves the day, for now.

Says Syfy:

WAREHOUSE 13
Tuesday, August 25 @ 9/8c – “Duped”

Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) are dispatched to Las Vegas to retrieve an artifact that seems to grant good fortune to a couple of gamblers. But their simple snag it, bag it, tag it mission gets complicated when Myka accidentally gets trapped in Lewis Carroll’s mirror—unleashing the malevolent entity that was trapped inside.

Warehouse 13 - "Duped" Promo Clip

SyFy channel has ordered a 13 episode second season for Warehouse 13. In its first season, Warehouse 13 rose to the top of the cable channel's offerings, becoming its most watched original series ever - surpassing even Battlestar Galactica. Warehouse 13 seems to fill the void for 'fun' science fiction, offering quirky episodic stories with an easy-going mythology that doesn't demand the level of scrutiny and dedication as shows like LOST.  This simple formula has struck a chord with fans, who are no doubt rejoicing at the renewal.  The second season will reunite the current leads Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek and Allison Scagliotti. Warehouse 13 season one will air its finale on September 22 at  9pm ET/PT with guest stars CH Pounder (The Shield) and Roger Rees (West Wing).

Here are some quick facts from SyFy on Warehouse 13's various milestones:

• In its first season, Warehouse 13 has delivered a 2.9 Household rating (including only the weeks for which full DVR data is available), 4.02 million total viewers, 1.99 million Adults 25-54 and 1.57 million Adults 18-49.
• Having just reached the mid-point of the season, Warehouse 13 is tracking to be the highest-rated and most-watched first season ever for a Syfy original series, even topping Battlestar Galactica’s 2.4 Household rating and 2.86 million total viewer averages.
• It is currently averaging over 4 million total viewers per episode and has delivered more viewers than many scripted series on competing networks this summer, including TNT's Hawthorne, Raising the Bar, Dark Blue and Saving Grace; FX's Rescue Me and Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva.
• Warehouse 13 has grown its audience since its premiere, setting series highs for total viewers with its second and fourth telecasts.
• Warehouse 13 episodes account for three of the network's top five most-watched original series telecasts ever.
• The fourth episode which aired on Tuesday, July 28 at 9PM (ET/PT) delivered the most Females (1.9 million) of any series telecast in Syfy's 17-year history.

SyFy Channel Renews Warehouse 13

Warehouse 13 is gaining a hip new cast member in tonight's episode "Claudia," which airs at 9:00pm est on SyFy - immediately following a replay of last week's episode "Magnetism." The Claudia of the title is Claudia Donovan, who may have something to do with the recent hacking of the Warehouse's various security firewalls - but is she evil? Our for revenge? Both? Claudia is played by Allison Scagliotti, who previously played another smart chick as Mindy on Drake and Josh, but Claudia is a geek of an entirely different color.

Having fallen in love with Warehouse 13 already, I was a bit nervous about Scagliotti's introduction. Sure, it's natural to suspect they added the young and hip Claudia in an attempt to broaden the demographics of the show - as those sketchy TV people often do. Regardless of the reasoning Claudia's introduction is smooth, very appropriate for the storyline, and introduces a chemistry to Warehouse 13 that ramps the appeal ten-fold.

I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with Allison about "Claudia," and beyond. Beware of light spoilers.

The chemistry between you and Saul’s Artie is great, one of the all time great pairings on TV. Did that chemistry come naturally for you?

We clicked. We totally clicked. I’ve been talking about that a lot, actually. The second I met Saul we just got on like old Jewish women, and in every scene we had this really fluid chemistry together. It was a joy and a delight to work with him, I learned so much from him and I think he learned how to deal with his teenage daughter from me. We are the ultimate duo.

Where would you say your character is on the Warehouse 13 playing board. Is she Saul’s assistant, will she be involved in the field with Pete and Myka?

A little bit of both, actually. Claudia is primarily the new techie/apprentice to Artie’s curator. She likes to impress Artie with her new take on his steam-punk devices, [which is] a very important skill-set - very important to running interference during a mission. In some of the episodes towards the end of the season Claudia does get to go out and help Pete and Myka a lot, while Artie holds down the fort. It’s great, I’ve gotten to do so many cool things with my character - I love it.

One of the show’s most creative aspects - of course - is the artifacts. Do you guys ever come up with artifact idea on set?

Oh yeah, all the time. I mean, usually they are really inappropriate [laughs]. I thought of one the other day, what if Marilyn Monroe’s lipstick granted you the ability make men everywhere fall in love with you - and it had to be in the warehouse because it would eventually make you end your life the way she did. The possibilities are kind of endless. Saul came up with Albert Einstein’s comb, or [Nazi Propoganda Cheif] Goebbels’ microphone.

You’ve played a similar character to Claudia before, Mindy on Drake and Josh. Do you have to be overly conscious to differentiate Claudia as a different ‘sort’ of super-intelligent young woman?

Oh, yeah. In my mind, Mindy and Claudia are totally different. Like if they met on the street they probably wouldn’t know what to do with one another. Mindy is a domesticated animal, where Claudia is feral. While they are both strong and smart and they go after what they want, Mindy was far more buttoned up and conservative where Claudia’s not afraid to dance in the aisles, get in trouble with the artifacts, and maybe talk back to Artie a couple of times. She’s definitely a punk, the style is completely different. Mindy was very preppy, a lot of American Eagle track suits going on for Mindy. With Claudia I had the pleasure of bringing some of my own style to her with Rock and Roll buttons, leather, and beat-up converse high tops.

Are you a fan of science fiction?

Sci-Fi was never really my niche, besides the standard devotion to Star Wars and idolizing Sigourney Weaver. When I watched this pilot before I auditioned I was hooked on it because while it is this fantasy show there is this balance of some comedy, and sexual tension between the leads, it’s just really fun to watch. There is something for everyone in Warehouse 13.

Interview: Warehouse 13's "Claudia" - Allison Scagliotti

Warehouse 13 was a huge success with last weeks supernaturally entertaining two-hour pilot, clobbering veterans Saving Grace and Rescue Me while humbling fellow new-comer Hawthorne.  The fun is just beginning for the channel's loyalists as this weeks episode, "Resonance," kicks of a string of guest stars hailing from the newly minted SyFy's bedrock, beginning with super-sexy Cylon Tricia Helfer.

Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) must stop a team of bank robbers who have an unusual weapon – a LP record of an unreleased pop song written by a music genius – that causes instant bliss in those who hear it, allowing the thieves to take what they want.  Back at the Warehouse, Artie (Saul Rubinek) pinpoints the breach and heads to Washington.

No word on whether Helfer will be playing one of the thieves or a different character, but odds are she'll be yummy in whatever she does for Warehouse 13. As for the "breach," in case you haven't heard a new character is being added to Warehouse 13.  Someone who will apparently be doing a lot of work at the Warehouse itself, so I'm smelling a foil for Artie, but we'll have to wait another week to get any info on that.   In the meantime, here are a few promo pics for "Resonance" for you to check out - sorry guys, no 'red dress' pics.

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Preview - Galactica's Tricia Helfer in the (Ware)house (13)

It's an emotional day for the folks at SyFy.  Today is the re branding and along with it the launch of the network's summer linchpin for scripted programming, Warehouse 13.  At this point, I think it is fair to say that Warehouse 13 has been wildly hyped - superglued to the re-branding hoopla, and therefore a reluctant barometer of its success.  You can bet that if science fiction buffs reject Warehouse 13, the cynical sector of the entertainment punditry - ie, all of us - will be claiming the re-branding efforts were poorly received. In other words, there is a lot riding on Warehouse 13. Good news.  It's great.

There has been a trend in science fiction that - for lack of a better term - we will call SciFi noir.  Morally ambiguous characters with deeply damaged souls servicing their human appetites amongst a fantasy backdrop that embodies elements of science fiction and mysticism.  Usually, the ebb and flow of their grungy souls somehow fans the plot in one direction or another, but ultimately they emerge from their blind-date with the bizarre on the merits of some catharsis of their danker self.  Warehouse 13 is not that show. Thankfully.

Warehouse 13 is, simply put, pulp sci-fi.  It is a return to the Amazing Stories inspired genre of fantasy, with a setup that allows every episode to be a new experience instead of a return to the well of tease-and-deny that shows like LOST and Heroes rely on to keep viewers coming back.  It's a very brave move by show-runner Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel) and company because it declares, boldly, that his show is about the entertainment value.  There is a definite underlying thread of mythology that is very effective and interesting as well, but Warehouse 13 seems more inclined to bring you back on the strength of the adventures it offers rather than backstory.

The setup is relatively simple.  Two secret service agents, the by-the-book and drop dead gorgeous Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly of "Vanished," "Jeremiah") and the very capable bad boy Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock "Bones," "Desperate Housewives") are brought together by an ultra secret arm of the government to Warehouse 13, the store-place for objects of paranormal capabilities.  Warehouse 13's custodian is Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek "Nero Wolf," "Frasier"), a fellow agent who serves both as the comic relief and the vital gateway into the mythology of Warehouse 13's contents.  The objects themselves tend to have historical significance with names like "Houdini" being dropped left and right, and represent a wide range of abilities.  Objects are neutralized by a mysterious goo and stored away from society.  Myka and Pete will be in charge of retrieving stray objects, all under the direction of a mysterious and ageless overseer Mrs. Frederic.

The interplay between the characters is excellent, everybody is a pro here and they do their jobs well.  There is a definite boyish wonder to Pete that makes his character instantly likable, while Myka's toughness keeps the dynamic from drifting too far into trite sexual tension or story-book fantasy.  Trust me, it may not be of the uber-dark franchise we have too much of, but it's not exactly kids stuff either.

Will the new name succeed or not?  Who knows.  One thing is for sure, Warehouse 13 looks to be a winner - especially if your tired of programming that requires a PHD in philosophy to unlock.  Warehouse 13 is everything that SciFi/Fantasy should be:  suitably bizarre with a hint of a higher order, great characters, and enjoyable adventures.  Try it.

Should You Enter Warehouse 13? Why Not!?

Warehouse 13, a new show set to premiere on the Sci Fi Channel in July, seems to be a mish-mash of various other shows, such as:

(1) The X-Files, which I loved. You’ve got the two partners here (male and female). The male is slightly more eccentric and a rule-breaker. He’s also the kind of guy who follows hunches, whereas the female partner is much more by-the-book. The difference between X-Files and Warehouse 13? There’s no aliens. Yet.

(2) Relic Hunter. I never watched that show, but Warehouse 13 has an old-world sort of feel to it, particularly the kind of equipment used on the show. This comparison might be bad, because I’m making this judgment based solely on commercials for Relic Hunter, but this makes sense to me.

(3) The Librarian TV movies. I love Noah Wyle and these TV movies were actually kind of cute. It’s about a guy who goes around the world collecting relics, which is pretty much what Warehouse 13 is about (more on that below).

Having just watched the pilot episode for Warehouse 13, I can say that I actually enjoyed it. Created by Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and executive produced by Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel), the show follows two secret service agents in their pursuit to find and secure mysterious and paranormal relics.

Eddie McClintock (Bones, Desperate Housewives) plays Agent Peter Latimer, a cavalier rule-breaker. His life seems kind of empty in the pilot episode, and while he’s good at his job, he’s suspended after an incident at a museum. Peter may or may not have some psychic properties, because he gets a lot of hunches and feelings that help guide him through his job (and which he once ignored to his father’s peril).

Joanne Kelly (Jeremiah, The Dresden Files) plays Agent Myka Bering (pronounced Mi-cah). She’s a very straight shooter type of agent who likes to come up with a lot of plans and follow protocol. A rising star in the Secret Service, she has a past that she just can’t seem to shake, because something very traumatizing happened to her in a previous assisgnment.

Myka and Peter, naturally, do not get along, but both are recruited by the mysterious, and ageless, Mrs. Fredric, who is played by CCH Pounder (Law and Order: SVU, ER). She sends them off to South Dakota to work with Agent Artie Nielsen (played by Saul Rubinek from Fraiser and Wall Street) who is in charge of Warehouse 13.

During their first visit to the warehouse, Myka and Peter learn that many paranormal and crazy relics and inventions are stored there, including cars that run on human energy (which was apparently turned down by Henry Ford) and Pandora’s Box. Myka and Peter are quickly sent off to Iowa to investigate a domestic abuse case between a college student and his girlfriend which could possibly involve some crazy relic that makes people crazy.

I’m not going to spoil the plot or give away too many details, but the agents get to play with some cool toys and there are actually some interesting relics stored in Warehouse 13 (including what may be a genie’s lamp that is actually a large kettle). The leads have some cute chemistry and easy banter. Overall, I’m interested in seeing how this plays out. I suspect it may become a sort of one-off episode show, where each episode involves a new case to be solved and then discarded, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I wonder if they’ll go the X-Files route and introduce a series-long mythology aspect as well. Time will tell.

Warehouse 13 premieres on the Sci Fi Channel on July 7, 2009.

Review: Warehouse 13 Pilot from Sci Fi