If a singular element of Warehouse 13's teetering-on-too-cheesy, summer-TV blend propelled the first season (more than any other), it was the manipulation of the Artifact of the Week by the Villain of the Week. The schemes of our foes, last season, were far more compelling than the returned rally of our heroes. Or maybe I'm just remembering Lewis Carroll's mirror really fondly, but that's beside the point!
Especially in last night's For the Team, this season is proving to be more rooted in the interaction of the role-shifting warehouse family -- sometimes at the expense of focused, meaningful conflict. On that note, Tuesday's episode, while thankfully bringing back the shiftily aligned H.G. Wells, ended up being about a magic ladle.
More in a moment, but first a brief summary: Pete annoyed everyone so much last week that Artie decided to send Claudia out with Myka to investigate a spontaneously combusting college wrestling team. That gave Myka a chance to try out her best surrogate big sister shoulder nudges on Claudia, and Pete a chance to try out his best bro pep talk on Artie, who was trying to woo Lindsay Wagner. (As evidenced by the awkward ending montage [see below], both of these worked out swimmingly.) And H.G. Wells showed up long enough to join forces with Myka and make everyone wonder if she's not actually a good guy after all (and to realize she might have more chemistry with Myka than Pete does).
Artifact: Strength-amplifying ladle
Specifications: In addition to making you spontaneously combust with extended use, this ladle also severely convolutes the plot of anything.
Covetability: Super low. Here's the thing: Not knowing the artifact exists until the second or third red herring villain crops up seriously undermines the covetability quotient. So by the time H.G. Wells mumbles something indiscernible about its back story (that I obviously didn't catch), no one actually cares.
Artifact: Lindsay Wagner
Specifications: So tantalizing, she makes Artie use P.T. Barnum's top to regrow his appendix year after year just so she, the warehouse doctor, can come and remove it.
Covetability: High. Because also, she inspires Artie and Pete to have a heart-to-heart, in which Pete demonstrates a rare moment of maturity and, on the subject of lonely, wasted lives, says something like, "I'd be honored if I had a life like yours." Aww.
Artifact: Awkward ending montage
Specifications: Claudia applies for college! Artie goes on a date with the Bionic Woman! Pete goes on a date with the Univille veterinarian! Myka shelves H.G. Wells' grappling-hook gun! Everything that appeared in this montage took about 10 seconds (chiefly Myka stowing the gun). It's just weird to see that stretched out over a minute and a half, right?
Covetability: Low.
So, as far as season arc developments go, H.G. Wells is still mysterious, but probably operating at peak suspiciousness. Any predictions?