WAREHOUSE 13 "Beyond Our Control" Review
Reviews, Warehouse 13
A movie marathon goes horribly wrong in the "Beyond Our Control" episode of WAREHOUSE 13 when an artifact unknowingly lost in the mail for over sixty years is suddenly used. The 1944 Gemini Project created a too real holographic camera and projector, and while the camera is safe in the warehouse, the projector has been collecting dust on the Univille post office shelf. When the Snuggie-wearing postmistress is laid off, she nabs the projector and uses it to watch Raymond St. James movies that come to life in the town. Pete and Mika try to protect the town until Artie and Claudia develop a last minute fix before the final film's explosive ending. Meanwhile, a brave and vulnerable Leena submits to Valda's plan to reinsert the pearl of wisdom to learn what MacPherson left behind in her subconscious.
This is a clever episode that builds nicely. From Claudia trying to pimp out her Farnsworth (it's never going to look like an iPhone, kid) and possibly breaking it to the room of pirated video, there are some fun red herrings. The projected films are perfectly cheesy with a vintage B movie feel. Poor dead tiger. The resolution is a bit rushed and sloppy but is completely saved by Artie's giant floating head.
Obviously much, MUCH disbelief must be suspended that the town buys the IRS cover given how many strange happenings occur in and around the warehouse, but the IRS is a mythically scary agency, so I'll go with it. I love seeing the gang in the town interacting, often badly, with non-Warehouse types and to have potential love interests pop up for Pete and Claudia is a bonus, though Claudia needs to learn to not knock out potential dates.
Because the movie plot is so jam-packed, the less flashy but more resonant Leena subplot is shor–changed, but Genelle Williams does nice work both showing Leena's worry and projecting MacPherson . and it's always nice to see Mark Sheppard as the ruthless Valda. While Leena seems fine at the end of the episode, the reappearance of Mrs. Frederick says otherwise. I like that it's not over.
As always there are some standout lines and moments. My top 5:
5. Artie's sad little victory dance and Claudia's reaction: "What, are you having a stroke?"
4. Leena, upon waking up, asking "Mrs. Frederick? Am I all right?"
3. After telling Claudia to shoot benign footage to replace the movie marathon, Artie yelling "Not me! I haven't been benign since 1953."
2. Myka's reply to Pete asking if the Farnsworth has a warranty: "I doubt it covers acts of Claudia"
1. After Myka asks Pete if he was hit in the gun battle, he replies "No, but I think my underwear is shot."
What line or moment from this episode of Warehouse 13 is your favorite? What do you think will happen with Leena? How long until Pete and Kelly—I mean Dr. Hernandez—get together?
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Michelle is a freelance writer and editor who became addicted to television by watching soaps with her grandmother at age six. She is pickier now, but not by much. Her free time is spent either watching TV or reading a book—often both at the same time—and the Kindle and Tivo are her all-time favorite inventions.
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