I was sitting at a table outside of a local restaurant listening to philosophers talking about philosophy-y things when one of them mentioned the new series Caprica. My ears perked because, suddenly, they were speaking my language. After hearing them go on and on about whether the mind was a function of the brain, or if the mind can exist outside of a carbon based person with what we understand to be a brain, it was a bit refreshing to know that I had been exploring, along with the writers of the show, this exact thing.

Well, not exactly. Since I’m not a philosopher by trade and rather enjoy the escape of television, even knowing that research says it may end my life sooner, I was watching the next incarnation of a world that could not have been dreamed of back in the 70s when the original show was on. The most recent Battlestar Galactica took us on a mind bending ride where some viewers weren’t always sure which side they were on. The final two episodes were in part fantastic and disappointing, but the series itself was very satisfying.

There are a few things I would change about Caprica. First, I would change the theme music. Battlestar Galactica’s music was awesome. Haunting, beautiful, energetic, you connected the sound with the show and it made you excited to watch. In my real, non-online life, only a couple of people understand this, but the sound of the T.A.R.D.I.S. does something fantastic to my insides. I become very excited for the show. It means another hour of fantastic. I don’t feel that when I hear the Caprica music. I just think, wow, this is a really crappy opening theme for a really great show.

I would also change the robotic interaction. I mean, we’re six episodes in already. Let the damn robot do something. Also, why is Sister Claire so creepy. I know I’m not part of the writing staff and I don’t know what’s coming up, but, I mean, come on! With the complexity that was the Cylon’s version of God, Sister Claire does not exactly make me confident that it will get it’s due diligence.

There are a few things I love about the show. Esai Morales as Papa Joseph Adama. He perfectly fits the character that we’ve come to know as Bill Adama’s dad. It’s nice to see him fleshed out and Esai Morales brings to mind the best that was Edward James Olmos as William Adama, another man struggling with his past and present, and one can see why he was picked to be the Papa. Also, William Adama started out a bit milquetoast, but has shown some of the fire that is the Bill we grew to know and love from 4 seasons of BSG. I also wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the daughter character, Tamara Adama, but I think I may like the New Cap City/Grand Theft Auto/ mob boss thing they’re going for with this very emotional and virtual world powerful avatar. It remains to be seen…

Another thing I love about the show is Sasha Roiz as Sam Adama. I’m not one to like dangerous men. I like my men smart and nerdy and not afraid to be so. There is something about a man that knows who he is and what he thinks. That is present in the character of Sam Adama. He’s smart. That’s what makes him a good assassin. The hot bod, the AWESOME Tauron tattoos, and those beautiful, piercing eyes – yeah, I don’t care that his character is gay. I would totally do an “April” (from Parks and Rec) with him and his partner.

So, yeah, I’m in love with the Adama family (although what is up with the grandma?) but I also find Graystone fascinating. He appears to be very down to earth, a good guy who was smart enough to find a way for his family to do better in Caprica. That doesn’t take away from the decided menace that lies just underneath his surface, just kind of makes you still cheer for him even though it looks like he will be the one that causes the sentient Cylons to hate humanity. I like the hint of the “former” life of the Graystones before everything gets big. The strained relationship that begins to get better following the death of their daughter is also interesting as the Graystones try to put their lives back together. Also, the addition of Vergis and his need to destroy Graystone will make the remaining season very interesting.

Finally, the first Cylon… With the avatar of Zoe Graystone, killed when her boyfriend sets off a bomb on their way to Gemenon, alive and well and a little confused. The need, by Graystone, to get his daughter back results in the theft of a device that will animate the robot. It works, though as of the sixth episode, Daniel Graystone does not know that she is there. I like how the show goes between Avatar Zoe and Cylon Zoe. I’m also a fan of her going to the virtual world to hang out with her new friend, Dr. Philomon. That was a well done way of integrating the Zoe character, the virtual world, and Caprica series reality.

Despite not being a philosopher, some of the questions of mind, reality, humanity, etc. that Battlestar Galactica asked are also interesting questions asked in this series. It will be interesting to see where the show takes these questions and how our own minds validates, or reject, the answers they come up with.

The inaugural episode of the new show also ushered in the new moniker, Syfy, for the old Sci-Fi channel. Months ago, when the change was announced, we ridiculed the name change. Does Warehouse 13 give us that warm fuzzy feeling and takes us towards forgiveness?

Warehouse 13 is the story of two Secret Service Agents, Peter Lattimer played by Eddie McClintock and Myka Bering, played by Joanne Kelly. Lattimer bends the rules based on instinct. Myka is by the books and notices things that others might not. Together they are the perfect team, if only they actually got along with each other. In regular life, their unique abilities help them take care of the president and is no big deal, but in the life of Warehouse 13, each of them need their specific skill to track down the objects that Warehouse 13 houses.

The titular Warehouse is a holding place for objects that, scientifically, magically, or supernaturally, have been imbued with power and cause people to act outside of their character or help them commit crimes. Everything from Houdini’s watch to the guillotine that killed Marie Antoinette are suspect and it is up to Myka to notice when things are not quite right and Pete to sense what is causing the problem.

Four episodes in, I find that I like the show. McClintock plays Pete similar to the way Boreanaz plays Sealy Booth on Bones. He’s a lot cocky, he has a sense of humour, and he has a natural sexiness that he doesn’t work to exude. Kelly plays Myka as high strung striving to gain the approval of her father. She has honed her skills so that she can go right to the top, but finds her ladder climbing impeded by an assignment to the mysterious Warehouse 13 by a very intimidating CCH Pounder. Pounder is awesome as Mrs. Frederick, appearing as if out of thin air into each scene. Yes, I would have headed to South Dakota if CCH Pounder showed up in my office to tell me to do so. No question. Saul Rubinek as Artie is my least favourite, mainly because his character is rubbish. I love Saul Rubinek, don’t get me wrong, but he is waaaaay to caring to be written as this person that is socially awkward. They should have written him as a mother hen type character. He’s very smart and they do let that show, but when he is being awkward and rude, he ends up not being as funny, sometimes, as I think he could be.

A lot of people have compared Warehouse 13 to Bones, X-Files, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. Well at least a light, and sometimes less superior, version of these. But I think that the show is more on the level of Eureka. I love Eureka, mainly because of Sheriff Carter, but the thing about the show is that it is part comedy, part action/adventure. Warehouse 13 is not trying to be the X-Files or Bones. It is trying to be it’s own show in the same vein as what Eureka is doing. It is held up, not by the beauty of it’s budget, not by the dazzle of its fx, but by the content of the characters. I agree with IGN that this show is not enough to give SyFy room to boast about having the best SyFy show on television, but Warehouse 13 is watchable with characters you grow to like. Well, at least by 5 episodes in. I felt as if we were treading water with the Claudia episode, though, and don’t feel as if the payoff for all of the “let’s get into the Warehouse” shenanigans is paid in full by this episode… What do you think? Are you a Warehouse 13 fan or foe?