Season three of SyFy's Warehouse 13 begins in "The New Guy." With Myka (Joanne Kelly) still refusing to return to the Warehouse, a replacement is hired named Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore, Smallville), who can tell when someone is lying just by looking into their eyes. Pete (Eddie McClintock) at first clashes with his new partner, but they have a mission, so he buckles down. Perhaps a little too much, as he is missing Myka terribly. When the investigation uncovers a literary angle, Pete is quick to get Myka's help on it. She saves the day. Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder) arranges for the still reluctant Myka to have a chat with
H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray), who alone convinces Myka she should return to her odd job. Ironic, since Wells is part of the reason Myka left.
What an opening! The whole Jimi Hendrix guitar going haywire is a perfect Warehouse case, complete with their trademark brand of humor. It also introduces "The New Guy," Jinks, appropriately enough. Despite only seeing a sliver of this adventure, nothing feels missed. Following it up with one of Mrs. Frederic's creepy dark surprises gives fans everything they've been looking forward to from Warehouse 13 in the first few minutes.
It also sets up the new Pete, who is a lot more changed by Myka's leaving than many would expect. He is now immune to the charms of women. Similarly, Myka seems to have undergone a transformation into more of a geeky bookworm than when we first met her.
The two cannot thrive without each other, reduced to something less than their potential. Not only does this satisfy everyone who wishes them to remain partners, but it proves the depth of the feelings they harbor for each other. Fantastic!
Warehouse 13 could use some fresh blood, and choosing Ashmore, a sci-fi vet, is a smart decision. While Jinks gets a little annoying early in the episode with his frequent "You're lying"s, as soon as he stops saying it every five seconds, he melds well into the current ensemble. His inability to get Peter's humor at first (and really, who would?), coupled with his eagerness for the new career combine to make a valuable asset to the Warehouse. The only question is now, with Myka back, what is there for "The New Guy" to do? Will the Warehouse be sending out a team of three from now on?
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