I wrote about the script for the pilot episode of Warehouse 13 back in January, then got a look at the screener last month. I considered writing a preview post about the episode, but, with few exceptions, the episode isn’t a whole lot different than the script.
It’s probably of little surprise to most people that sometimes (most times?) the written word doesn’t translate as well to the small or big screen. For example, the warehouse itself appeared a lot more spectacular and awesome in size than it appeared on screen. In the script, the warehouse was etched into the side of a mountain of enormous size and, inside, seemed to almost have its own ecosystem and atmosphere. Think the fictional ship Rama, complete with far-off sounds of unseen and far-off creatures, living amongst the piles of artifacts.
Something else that was different in the script was the amount of artifacts we got to see. The actual episode did a lot more character setup than introducing us to some of the peculiar items in the warehouse, which was probably a good idea. In the end, we’re supposed to be caring about the characters, not the warehouse. Though the warehouse items are really freakin’ cool — I won’t spoil the ones we didn’t see yet.
I’m glad the show’s writers decided to keep the show quirky and not get too X-Files-like, trying to take itself too seriously. The show tends to lean a lot more toward something like Eureka than it does The X-Files. The kinds of things these characters are going to encounter in the warehouse are going to bring out their quirky personalities more, and as we’ve seen in this episode, they’re not necessarily meant to be taken seriously.
Based on this episode alone, I’m in this for the long haul. Warehouse 13 is the sort of show I can get behind. It’s got millions of mythical and mystical gadgets that open up a whole world of possibilities, and the casting is spot-on for the kinds of people I want to see interacting with this new world opened up to us.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Jul 07, 2009 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
Like the potential of the show. I think it will move more quickly and hold my attention better as an hour long episode.
I understand why it was over 2 hours and it worked ok for the pilot.
But, still don’t get the whole SyFy thing. I guess since the change has finally come, I will just accept it and watch the shows I like.
Totally agree about the casting. All of the major roles are just right. And based on the preview clips, it looks like there are a lot of fun guest spots coming up as well.
I enjoyed it … and I am willing to overlook first-episode stiffness in the actors … as they still need to get into the roles (just watch the pilot of ST:TNG for how bad a first episode can be)
I give it a thumbs up
Tough for me to overlook the lame, idiotic ending. They clearly stated the the electric gun effects the short term memory, yet it failed to do so at the end. A show like this needs better writing!!!
The show like this needs better acting, writing, and an a lot more. The warehouse looked really lame. I rather watch Eureka, they have the same feel.
I have it recorded and plan on watching tonight or tomorrow. Question: Is this something my 12 year can see? The deal breaker would be anything sexual.
That is what I am going to do, watch it later, probably Friday. My cable went out yesterday but I managed to get it on the dvr in time.
I don’t think it would be a problem with most 12 year-olds. Spoilers follow (I miss ROT13):
The most questionable scenes would be a woman in Lattimer’s bed at the beginning (body mostly covered up, not even titillating, establishes their relationship for later) and a man dousing himself in gasoline (him actually lighting himself is only vaguely seen reflected in window glass) followed by a rather tame shot of his charred corpse later. It’s not a completely family-friendly show, but it’s nowhere near as explicit as NCIS/Bones/X-files.
As to Jack Cross’s comment above, that’s easy enough to rationalize. Artie said to start the Tesla gun at setting 2, so Lattimer obviously dialed it down to 1 when shooting his own partner.
Thanks Ryan, that does help!
Crap. Sorry, I inserted a bunch of blank lines after my spoiler warning, but the site deleted them, just as it does the double space after my periods.
I enjoyed the Pilot, looking forward to watching more.
However, I’m looking forward more to the return of Eureka.