We join Myka and Pete mid chase to obtain an artifact. Once their mission is complete they set off on their respective “normal” weekends. But things don’t go as planned when the artifact switches their bodies, and now Myka is Pete and Pete is Myka. It’s a race against the clock to get them back into their own bodies before it kills them. But while all this is going on, Claudia is sent on her second field assignment, this time with Arty to figure out why a bunch of wealthy executives suddenly decided to drain all of their personal wealth.

What worked: I find it really funny that this episode aired only a few days removed from the latest Futurama episode which had a very similar plot. Actually, Warehouse 13 did what I wanted that episode of Futurama to do.

In the Futurama episode, everyone was switching bodies, but retained their own voices so they could be identified. But that’s not possible here, so the results were much funnier. Personally, I think Eddie McClintock did a better Myka than Joanne Kelly did as Pete. McClintock’s comedic sensibility really shined in this episode. And while I normally complain about Pete’s random jokes and antics, they really seemed natural in this episode. Even before the body switching.

I also like the idea of Pete’s alcoholism being explored again. I’m actually hoping that he does end up falling off the wagon because of this. I’m not sadist or anything, I just think it would add a much needed sense of dramatic depth to the show.

And from a film making stand point, just wow. I know all to well the difficulty of pulling off a match cut like what the production team pulled off with Myka and Pete swapping over and over again. So to that I say A++.

As for Claudia and Arty in this episode, it was gut busting hysterical. Saul Rubinek really really got to strut his acting chops in this episode. In fact, almost everyone got to stretch their acting muscle in this episode. I don’t think anyone will argue the difficulty that comes with playing a hypnotized version of a character, or playing another character all together. I say well done.

I’m also a fan of Arty really finding a new found respect for Claudia as an agent at the end of the episode. It was charming and very well deserved, considering she has been carrying the show on her own for almost the entire season.

This episode just hit every… single… beat, so well. It all felt fluid, and natural. There were no pacing issues, no half-assed writing, no dumb jokes, this episode was just excellent. Even Leena got to do some stuff, so YAY!

What didn’t: While Pete playing Myka was great, I don’t think Myka as Pete worked as well. I mean, certain parts of it were funny, like “Pete” checking out Myka’s breasts and other gags of that nature, but over all it doesn’t work on the same comedic level. But McClintock is a very unique kind actor, and it’s really hard to replicate what he brings to the table, so I forgive Kelly for that one.

Final thoughts: This was the best episode of the season, and I hope that the show can maintain this level of quality for the rest of it’s summer run.

Episode: “Merge with Caution” (Season 2, Episode 8)

Airs: SyFy, Tuesdays, 9pm

What’s next: Artie’s past as a traitor returns to haunt him when someone uses artifacts to murder, and he’s the prime suspect.

To listen to the latest episode of Merrill’s TV Podcast, The Idiot Boxers with Kevin Carr, head over to Fat Guys at the Movies.


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