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Secret Santa Recap for Warehouse 13

By Wayne Hall Dec 8, 2010, 5:34 GMT

Judd Hirsch - "Numb3ers" 100th Episode Bash - Arrivals - Sunset Tower Hotel - West Hollywood, CA, USA © Tina Gill / PR Photos

Recap: ‘Warehouse 13’ – Secret Santa
 
Welcome, welcome, one and all to the first-ever ‘Warehouse 13’ holiday special! Will it be the only one? After tonight’s episode, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful ongoing seasonal relationship.
 
Here’s the episode summary from tv.com: “Pete and Myka have to track down a bad Santa while the rest of the team celebrates the holidays.”
 
This hour obviously takes place outside the show’s regular continuity because Myka is back at the Warehouse. She left in the season finale a few months ago.
 
Of course, what’s made all the headlines is Judd Hirsch’s guest-starring role as Artie’s estranged father. Hirsch has a long and revered history in television acting, from Taxi to Numb3rs. And he turns in a great performance as Artie’s dad. The scenes between Hirsch and Saul Rubinek are very touching and very warm—so much so you’d think they were father and son.
 
“Secret Santa” is a fun romp in the ‘Warehouse 13’ style, full of holiday music, allusions to seasonal events and stories, and lots of humor. The thing that made me laugh out loud, though, was Pete’s encounter with a nutcracker. I still chuckle when I think about it. Oh, and Artie’s encounter with the original mistletoe also got a laugh from me as well!
 
It was also great to see Paul Blackthorne, the actor who played Harry Dresden on ‘The Dresden Files,’ on Syfy again. He portrays Larry Newley (or “Larry Noodle”) as both the bad guy and the good guy—it’s up to you to figure out which is which. The storyline has something of “A Christmas Carol” feel to it, with Newley as a modern-age Scrooge who doesn’t think “Mom and Pop” stores have a future, and that malls (where people spend money) are actually where Christmas is celebrated.  When we found out who was in the Santa suit, that was an interesting surprise!
 
Claudia is the one who makes things happen, including surprising Artie, who just hates surprises. But even she gets a shock when she discovers Artie’s father. Nice touch!
 
The effects are great, the pacing is fast, the dialogue engaging and witty. Hey, it’s what we’ve come to expect from ‘Warehouse 13.’
 
As I said before, why not turn this into a yearly event? ‘Doctor Who’ has done it, so why not ‘W13?’ It could make the long break between seasons a bit more bearable.
 
If you liked this hour, you might also check out ‘Eureka’s’ holiday happening, called “O Little Town.” Otherwise, we’ll have to wait until next summer to enjoy more ‘Warehouse 13.’