“Pilot”

If I had to use one word to describe Warehouse 13′s pilot it would be this. Potential.

There is a TON of potential. On both sides of the coin. This could be a fun thrill ride of a series. On the other hand it could be a sloppy boring mess as well. The Pilot certainly showed flashes of both. The premise, while not rivetingly original, is certainly a good formula for a fun time. Think a cross between X-Files and Indiana Jones…or even more think back to the 80s tv series Friday the 13th.

However, due to the unoriginality it needs something…a spark to get it going. A good cast would be a starter…and that’s not something I’m sold on at all yet.

There were three major characters that are going to need to carry the series. Peter Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) is the easy going guy who goes on vibe. Not about the book, a little rogue. I’ll give him a chance but McClintock seems like he was the 50th choice for the role at best. He doesn’t have the charsima needed…but again it was only the first episode.

Secondly, his partner Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly). She is the opposite. Detail oriented. By the book. A hero who just saved the life of the president. Kelly was better suited for her role than McClintock for his, but I’m not too drawn to her either.

Thirdly and possibly Warehouse 13′s ace in the hole, is Artie Nielsen played by the subtle Saul Rubinek. He is a unique individual who plays things close to the chest, no matter the oddities surrounding him. He is certainly the most intriguing character of the three and hopefully we’ll get to know him better.

The show itself? For a pilot it seemed fairly unepic and quite a bit of filler. Granted there was a lot of indoctrination time and getting to know the characters. But beyond that the scope was lesser. Granted the mission was a sort of test run so it would make sense to start with something small but it didn’t lead to very good television.

Ok let’s go back a bit. The show opens with Lattimer and Myka on a special mission protecting the president. An object (an Aztec Bloodstone) causes a scientist to go bonkers and try to assassinate the president. Lattimer notices the stone has blood on it and tracks it down before meeting up with Artie who disappears with the stone.

Meanwhile Myka does her job admirably despite not believing in Lattimer’s gut instinct that something is not right.

Afterwards they are both visited by a spook who gives them new orders to report to South Dagota.

Warehouse 13. The home of all the supernatural type items that have been found over the years by the US government and itemized and catalogued by Artie. Lattimer and Myka’s new roles are gatherers and chroniclers, much to Myka’s chagrin. Lattimer is less disgusted and doesn’t seem to mind as much.

The two go on their first assignment which seems to be the filler part. They are sent to Iowa where a noble honor student slapped his girlfriend around iwthout reason or provocation.

Sure enough one of the items is behind it and it is up to our twosome to bag it and tag it. Along the way Myka begins to warm up to the prospect of working on the team.

We get a few insights into all three characters and that was done well. But I’m hoping the story is going to be more epic in thought. Because if it ends up being an object of the week storyline, which it has the danger of being, it’ll lose the audience fast.

ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

1. Aztec Bloodstone
2. The Rugby Football
3. Wish Granting Tea Kettle
4. Harry Houdini’s Wallet
5. Lucretia Borgia’s Comb

Overall, I’m still watching for now. But it has a lot of work to do.

C-

Next – 1.02