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Producers hint at the mystery behind Warehouse 13
The writers of Syfy's new original series Warehouse 13 didn't arbitrarily choose that number for the title or intend it to pay homage to Jason Voorhees.
Rather, the "13" will directly tie into the history of the enigmatic building housing all the powerful objects gathered by a covert government agency. (Possible spoilers ahead!)
"We just finished a document that sort of tracks the chronology of the warehouses," executive producer David Simkins revealed to reporters in a conference call last week. "In our mythology, the first warehouse was created by Alexander [the Great] in an effort to keep hold of the artifacts that he collected on his wars. And it didn't last long, because Alexander died young, but then the library at Alexandria was a warehouse, too, where research and development and things were stored, and books. And so we've tracked the chronology of empires, and our feeling is that the warehouse has moved from empire to empire throughout the ages, moving to the country that was best able to protect it. It was in the Western [Roman] Empire, the Hunnic Empire, the Byzantine Empire, all the way up through the Russian Empire, the British Empire and then, finally, the United States."
In Warehouse 13, two ace 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.
Simkins elaborated on the show's deep backstory. "It was in one of the early warehouses in iterations where it established that a board of directors essentially would be in charge of it, an ever-changing sort of Supreme Court called the Regents," he said. "And the Regents were in charge of deciding when and where to move the warehouse. I think the longest it lasted was in the Western Roman Empire for about 500 years, and the shortest was about 14 years in ... I think it was the Khmer Empire. So, yeah, we've established this long history of the number of warehouses that have gone through the ages, and eventually, when we get it all polished up, it will maybe show up on the Web site or something."
Fans will be elated when a host of familiar science fiction faces drop by the warehouse. "Joe Flanigan [Stargate Atlantis] is going to join us, and he is going to be—sorry, I have to do math in my head as I talk, because, like I said, sometimes not knowing what the artifact is is part of the fun of the episode, and sometimes you know right up front, so I want to make sure," executive producer Jack Kenny said. "It's an episode where we're chasing these four sculptures that create something, and we don't know what they create until the end. And Joe is one of the guys chasing it, and James Naughton [Ally McBeal] is kind of his nemesis, also chasing them. Pete and Myka are trying to figure out ... what they're after and why they're after them."
Roger Rees (The Prestige) will also guest on the show for a three-episode arc as Artie's longtime nemesis, a former partner who went bad about 15 years ago, Kenny added. "In the story you'll find out in the season finale," he teased. "But he rears his head a couple of times in terms of the guy that is the warehouse competition, the guy who's also looking for a lot of the same things, and for an entirely different reason."
Battlestar Galactica alum Michael Hogan and Tricia Helfer will also be guest-starring. "She plays a hardcore FBI agent that kind of gets under the skin of Myka, but not so much Pete," hints leading man McClintock. "Pete takes a bit of a shine to her."
Warehouse 13 will also borrow a few cast members from another popular Syfy series. "Niall [Matter] and Erica [Cerra] from Eureka are joining us as a couple of con men that Pete and Myka stumble into in Las Vegas," Simkins said. "[Eureka co-star] Joe Morton is a prison preacher in an episode where nasty things are happening at a Florida state penitentiary."
Warehouse 13 premieres tonight with a two-hour pilot, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
By aorguaruob at 6:51 AM ON 07/07/09
The 13 is a reference to it being ten levels inferior to Steve Jackson Games' Warehouse 23.
By blue4scifi at 9:24 AM ON 07/07/09
Looks like another stupid show...
By Joe B. at 12:24 PM ON 07/07/09
SyFy? What's that? Is it anything like Sci Fi which used to be the coolest network around? Naw, couldn't be...sounds too hokey...
We want Sci Fi back!!!!
By TauCetiPrime at 12:38 PM ON 07/07/09
Nice save. Sorta like File 13 is the re-engineering of Majestic 12.
By looks poor at 12:41 PM ON 07/07/09
Been getting some medicore reviews in the NY papers today.
By J at 1:01 PM ON 07/07/09
I've read positive reviews from both the Denver Post and the L.A. Times.
By JW at 1:23 PM ON 07/07/09
Bring back Moonlight ans SG1
By too lightweight at 1:42 PM ON 07/07/09
Looks lightweight. This is going to be their trademark show?
By dayl8t&a$short at 5:15 PM ON 07/07/09
Just shows how far behind I am. I remember that it was Harlen Ellison who refused to pronounce the network label "sci fi" because it insulted Science Fiction. And now we have 'sy fy" which is an even bigger embarrassment. And BTW I thought Whorehouse 13 was A Homage to that cheesy and embarrassing TV series Friday The 13th.
By SYFYLOVA at 10:31 PM ON 07/07/09
I think I'm gonna be a huge fan of this series! ...
By IronMountain at 11:25 PM ON 07/07/09
I thought the show was terrific, I am not going to miss next weeks show, thats for sure.
By Impy at 11:57 PM ON 07/07/09
How fitting all the unemployed SCI-FI channel actors show up at Warehouse 13, never to be seen again...
By Tarc at 12:02 AM ON 07/08/09
I'm excited to see Warehouse 13, but I'm more than a little annoyed at Siffy for deleting my earlier post. Apparently you're not allowed to express that you hate the new lipstick that just got applied. Syfy is a *terrible* new name, particularly when no new name was needed. Again, was the PR department bored last summer? Ugh.
By IsoTek at 12:28 AM ON 07/08/09
Basically they are copying of the canadian based syndicated series from the 80's called "Friday the 13th". Instead of it being an antiques shop, its a warehouse with the cursed objects being historical trinkets with mysterious powers. Same premise, different characters, totally not original. However, it is funnier than the Friday the 13th show. Will it last, I don't know but I was not totally wowed by it.
By Chipotle at 2:11 AM ON 07/08/09
Okay, people don't like the "Syfy" name -- but I'm not seeing any real difference in the programming. BSG would have still gone off the air and this same new slate of shows would have still appeared if "Sci-Fi" had stayed, and not to put too fine a point on it, but the new name cannot be retroactively blamed for the cancellation of "Farscape" or for any other original series/movie that you hated. In other words, it's still pretty much the same network.
By looks good at 3:07 AM ON 07/08/09
So, far the show looks interesting. Need to get some scene facts right. The "badland" of South Dakota don't look right and then "7 miles down the road for the bed and breakfast" There is nothing out there with those kinds of grass,trees, etc. but that is sci-fi for you. Hope it gets some humor like Eureka, which is a great show.
By MyrnaLynne at 11:24 AM ON 07/08/09
Warehouse 13 was okay - it's a lot like 'The Librarian' only maybe a tiny bit less humorous. Yes - Syfy (shudder) why mess with a good name? (Although not as awful as the WB becoming CW - did it show country & western shows? No!) South Dakota doesn't look right because I'm pretty sure it's Canada, as I recognize some actors from "Dresden Files." Since there is nothing else on TV (except Eureka starting Friday) - something to watch.
By ColMac at 1:56 PM ON 07/08/09
Warehouse 13 has a great deal of effect but there are shortfalls: 1) No regular security force - The information available in WH 13 would be in great demand by Spies, Scientists, Paranormal Investigators etc. 2) No task force support for a large operation like the first incident - read "Men in Black" backup force physical or maintenance. 3) Internet Support - Anytime a new item is discovered or used, the internet would be the first search engine used by those wishing more information or to form a support group - Should someone be watching the net for such clues. There is a great deal that can be added to this premise of WH 13 but the reality of those of us who understand the real world of "Special Operations" expect TV to be a little more realistic. (ie "The Unit " is good but not realistic to what we really do.)
By rickh at 4:13 PM ON 07/08/09
Was Warehouse 13 the "great American TV show"? No it was not nor, do I think, was it meant to be.
But did it entertain me? Yes it did
Did it make me want to watch it again? Yes it did
Did it keep my attention? Yes it did
Were the character interesting? Yes they were
Did it make me want to learn more about the people and place? Yes it did.
So for those reasons, as far as I am concerned and that is the only one I speak for, it did what I wanted it to do. It kept me entertained and wanting to see more.
By Mandy at 6:06 PM ON 07/08/09
I didn't like the pacing.
By Andy at 7:34 PM ON 07/08/09
I liked the Warehouse 13 premiere a lot. Was better than I expected.
Will definitely be watching more.
By scaper989 at 4:22 PM ON 07/10/09
"the new name cannot be retroactively blamed for the cancellation of "Farscape" or for any other original series"
Ahh, but canceling Farscape was the beginning of this network's downfall.
By Chris at 2:03 AM ON 07/11/09
You guys are tards. Syfy is a trademark-able word, SciFi is not. That's the reason for the change.
This show is really the new Friday the 13th The Series. It's not bad. Heck I haven't seriously watched the SciFi channel for a decade because it's mostly crap. I mean it's even the reason for the phrase "it was worse than a SciFi Channel original movie".
Anyway, I think it's a good idea to rebrand and try to reach a bigger audience. It worked for Nintendo, and everyone hated the Wii name when they first announced it.
By driver49 at 9:31 AM ON 07/15/09
If you'd like to read more about the Philo Farnsworth who is the "unrecognized inventor of television," and the name sake of the video communicator featured on Warehouse 13, visit
By theblade1959 at 9:46 AM ON 07/20/09
I have found the series interesting so far, though I did find it a bit early to show Leena at the warehouse. I figured she was mysterious. They could have left a bit more to her for later.
But more interestingly to me, when Pete and Myca were driving to the bed & breakfast, it appeared to me they were driving INTO town, yet the sign they passed said "Now Leaving Unnamed Non-incorporated Town." I found it humorous, but in the second episode, when they were talking to the musician's caretaker in the doorway, you could see a large mantlepiece over his head in the background. You couldn't really read all the words, but there was one, "unanswered."
Something tells me this is a clue to something.
And now in the above comment, someone mentions Philo Farnsworth was the "unrecognized" inventor of television.
Will they be drinking the "Un-" cola in the next episode?
By theblade1959 at 10:11 AM ON 07/20/09
I should have checked the clips again. Let me correct my above post.
In the pilot, the sign says, "UNNAMED UNINCORPORATED SETTLEMENT."
In Ep 2, the mantle says, "UNUSED", not "unanswered."
SHEESH, it's Monday.
By Paul at 9:09 PM ON 07/28/09
I got the impression this series was a take-off on the end of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where the Ark was wheeled into a massive warehouse for storage and possible study.
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Paul:
I got the impression this series was a take-off on the end of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where the Ark was wheeled i...More »