Bitten by Books
Greetings, readers! Welcome to another new EXCLUSIVE Bitten by Books Screen Bites column, discussing television shows and the occasional movie with a paranormal slant.
This week we will have a dual discussion over Haven, a new series, and about the return of Warehouse 13.
Your hostesses: Brit and Carol
Haven, Fridays 10:00 p.m. EST. Syfy
Haven, a new series based on Stephen King’s “The Colorado Kid,” debuted Friday night. Being a lifelong fan of Stephen King, I will watch anything with his name attached to it, although I was confused as to why they chose this particular book. The only seemingly supernatural part was in the last few pages. Oh well, I guess it will just be loosely inspired by the book. So let’s discuss the episode.
The first twenty minutes were a little slow, mainly because that time was spent as an introduction of characters. After that it became more fast- paced and much more interesting. I am not sure how I feel about the actress who plays Audrey. Her delivery seems monotone and does not have a very expressive quality. It could just be she was trying to play the “serious” FBI agent. I guess we will see.
I have to say for a television series the special effects were pretty good. I was excited to see Nicole de Boer, the actress who played Sarah in The Dead Zone. She has a prominent role in the episode, but sadly only as a guest star. She has supernatural abilities she is unaware of that are fueled by her emotions. Hopefully she will be back during the season.
For me the most intriguing part was when Audrey was shown a twenty-seven year old newspaper photo of a woman that looks exactly like her. Of course I want to know if it is her mother and could the dead man,” The Colorado Kid” be her father. Any guesses?
What do you think of Agent Howard, Audrey’s boss? Is he her protector? Does he know something about her past and what happened to her parents or is he evil?
Even though the first episode was slow to start I am excited to watch next week to find out more of what will happen in the bizarre little town of Haven. What do you think? Will you watch and what characters did you like and which ones not so much?
Brit
Warehouse 13, Tuesdays 9:00 p.m. EST, SyFy
I thought this episode was a great start to the new season. I’m glad we found out fairly soon what was going on with Leena. The H.G. Wells storyline was wonderful fun, and it would seem this was the set-up for the ongoing mystery arc of the season. I do appreciate that aspect of the series — that they pull in historical and literary figures and elements to tell stories of the paranormal with contemporary impact.
As much as I love the relationship and banter between Pete and Myka, I think Claudia may be my favorite character. Her self-described “Warehouse 2.0″ status last season demonstrated how she perceived her role as an addition to the team, and in this first episode she really needed to prove both her innocence and the fact that she had earned her place.
What about you — which character is your favorite and why? What other sorts of adventures do you hope to see this season?
Carol
I haven’t seen either of these yet.
Haven, new for me. Off to add to DVR right now. Watched part of 1st season of Warehouse 13 last year and enjoyed it but we stay so busy in the summertime that it was hard to watch on a regular basis.
I really like Haven. I’m on the fence too about Audrey’s character. It’s like when they create an FBI character it has to fit a certain FBI mold, instead of having a character with a personality who turns out to be in the FBI. They then have trouble combining their “FBI character mold” with the personality of the character. (Hopefully some of that made some sense.)
I saw a little bit of her personality that I liked and hopefully they’ll flush it out more. But I really enjoy the side characters. I really like the guy who plays the cop Nathan. And Eric Balfour’s character Duke. I don’t know about the boss yet. I have some guesses, but I’ll keep them to myself for now. But I’ll definitely yune in again.
I haven’t read the Colorodo Kid. I don’t know if that’s a plus or a minus. Sometimes they mess up a book you love and sometimes it’s improved upon.
And Yay Warehouse 13! I love the dynamic and interaction between all of the characters. But I love Claudia. Sometimes she’s so nonchalant about things,like when she finished the chess game that Artie had been playing for so long.The exuberance and style of her character is so much fun that you can’t help but like her. I have to say that I also love the dialogue on this show. Very clever.
The show is nothing like the book. The book is more of a straight laced crime drama. It has been several years since I read it but I don’t think it would matter either way if you read the book or not.
I haven’t watched Haven. Honestly, I just wasn’t all that interested.
I thought the Warehouse13 premiere was excellent. I love HG Wells as the new villian on the loose. It should make for an interesting season. I would love an ep were they just walk through the warehouse showing all the cool stuff. Plus, I want to know what else was in the Esher vault, and why HG Wells was bronzed in the first place. Lots of good stuff. Claudia is a good addition to the team, but I’m not sure I have a favorite. i think the whole team just functions well together.
I enjoyed Haven, and I will keep watching it definitely! The character I am not sure of is Duke… The character just seems a bit … I don’t know .. flat I guess.
Warehouse 13 was interesting. I missed the first season, so I feel a bit behind, but I enjoyed it!
I’m a bit late on Haven. My son recorded it & I haven’t got to watch it yet. Warehouse 13 I love this show. It keeps getting better. I love when they aren’t suppose to touch anything & they do & it always causes trouble.
Huh, I didn’t know it was based on Stephen King’s books. I just had to tell hubby about it since he does like the man’s work. I’m ify. Sadly I can not offer who’s my favorite and stuff.
i didn’t realize that a series based on the colorado kid was out - i really liked that book! gonna go watch it now….
Haven’t seen Haven.
I like Warehouse 13. Missed the start of the new season though. I’ll have to catch it in repeat. SyFy likes to repeat last weeks episode just before the new one, at least with the more popular series.
I didn’t know anything about Warehouse 13 until reading this post.
I have not seen either of these two shows. I love Stephen King I have not seen everything he has put out t.v./movie wise. As for warehouse 13 it just didn’t seem like the type of show I would like. My mother loves warehouse 13 and I offen find we don’t usually like the same kinda shows which was another reason I didn’t watch it.
I love Warehouse 13. I watch it every week much to my daughter’s dismay..lol. I have not seen Haven but I am a huge Stephen King fan and am sorry to have missed the first episode.
I haven’t seen either of these show yet!
I think that Haven seemed like it was going to be a very short-lived show, until the last 5 minutes. That showed some potential for a season-long story arc. That might be enough to sustain my interest. They did a decent job with plot twist etc. I like the actor playing Duke, so I’m a teensy bit biased.
I loved W13′s season premiere! It rocked. I love Claudia and her attitude. It’s very refreshing.
I agree that Haven certainly didn’t start off with a bang which is what I hoped for. But if it doesn’t get canceled right away I think it has great potential.
I really liked the two old newspaper guys, I think they might bring some comic relief to the show.
I was intrigued by the first episode of Haven, and plan to keep watching. Of course, the “photo mystery” arc should keep things going somewhat. I am curious to see what other interesting powers, etc., may turn up amongst the townspeople.
And I agree, Brit — I like the newspaper guys. The scene with the bike was hilarious.
I love Stpehen King and I never heard about HAVEN. How did this happen” I am usually so up on these things! lol. I have heard of Warehouse 13 and even though I have not watched it yet, I do plan to check it out real soon!
I haven’t seen any of Warehouse 13 lately. I kind of lost interest after watching it a few times.
I didn’t even know about Haven , I guess I’ve been on some other planet lately. I’ll be looking for it now that I know
So, reviewers, tell me how these compare to previous adaptations of the works of King (who’s been on screen with award winning stuff) and Wells (whose works have been translated to screen in pretty awful fashion sometimes…)
Alana, Warehouse 13 is not an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ work, but the author was a character in this first episode, with a fun twist.
Oh, that’s brilliant — and eversomuch more appealing to me!
I don’t see much of a connection to the book with Haven but maybe that will happen in later episodes. Book adaptations are usually pretty bad.
I think Haven is “inspired” by the book so the writers will have a broader range of material they can cover.
I watched the first part of Haven and I was very bored. Not going to continue watching.
I loved W13 when the first season aired, but as soon as I found out Claudia was going to be a regular, I stopped watching. She annoyed me so much. The way she talked, acted (not acting but the way her character is), and she seemed really childish.
I found out s2 was starting, so I thought I’d give it another try and glad I did. The show is great as ever (didn’t have a problem with the show anyway) and I will continue to watch.
And wouldn’t you know, I actually like Claudia now. lol She’s funny, sarcastic and smart. Pete is still my favorite character. Love him! In a way, he’s the comic relief of the show. Crazy, funny, loves the ladies, there when you need him, and just an really nice guy.
The hubby and I watch Warehouse 13, good show!!
Did you watch Caprica at all?!?! OMG incredible!
Minn, Caprica should certainly get discussed here. I have the episodes in my DVR to watch this summer.
havent seen either of these, but Im not a fan of Stephen King and Stand by Me was the only movie based on his work I’ve enjoyed so far…so idk.
Anybody watch Being Human? I just ordered it thru netflix;hope its good
Bella, Season 2 of Being Human starts on BBC America 7/24, and we will begin discussing the show around that time.
I’ll be looking forward to that, I loved the first season!!
Thanks Carol! looking forward to it:)
I just realized Netflix wont have season 1 available till 7/20, so Im hoping I get it in time to catch up and then see season 2 regularly!
Not sure about these yet.
With as much as I love to read it may seem stange that I have never been able to read King. I don’t know why. So I haven’t a clue to the premis of Haven. Also I don’t watch tv so can’t really say much on this. I do watch shows by the season when they come out on dvd if they are based on a book I like or if friends or family have said they think I would enjoy it.
I keep wanting to watch these, but it seems they always conflict with something else that’s on, and I never get a chance to watch dvr’d shows so I just stopped bothering. But Eureka rocks!
I’ve seen wharehouse 13 and it’s good. I haven’t seen haven though.
I hadn’t heard of either of these, so I will have to look into them…once August comes. I need to focus on the Bar for now…
I havent seen either of them yet, but they look really good!
I haven’t seen either of the shows yet, but I have Syfy now and Warehouse 13 looks real interesting. Hopefully I will have a chance to watch it what with the 200channels I have available. Guess that’s when I write it on the calendar.
I am sure I will check out Haven since I do like some Stephen King books that have been turned into TV shows, mini series, and movies.
I love and adore Claudia. I mean, I agree Pete and Myka have a great relationship and I think they’re great characters, but there is something about Claudia that makes her stand out for me. And I when I went back to rewatch season one, I realized I liked it much more once her first episode aired.
I’m intrigued by Haven. I just set the DVR to record the re-run. For Warehouse 13, I watched the first two or three episodes but I couldn’t get into it. For my time, Torchwood is much more my speed.
I don’t care for Warehouse 13 that much and I haven’t had a chance to watch Haven yet. I have it on the DVR. Hope to get a chance to watch it before the next one comes on.
Julie S.
I Warehouse 13 1 time so I don’t know much about either of them….
[email protected] from USA
I still haven’t gotten to watch Haven, must make the time, but I did catch warehouse 13. Love that show. CLaudia is a hoot, I think the whole team are great, they have the characters interact well together. I am looking forward to the new season.
I haven’t watched any, but i can’t wait
these look really cool cant wait!
Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have not seen Haven, but sounds interesting to whatch. I have seen one episode of Wearhouse 13, and what I saw I liked. would like to see more and know that I know when it is on I will whatch. Thonight that is.
from wat u are decribeing they sound rly good haha my mom and dad got rid of the tv [
] soo i cant realy watch it but if i could u kow i soooooooooo would!!!
these sounds interesting but I don’t watch much television.
I have not seen haven but my 6 year old tried to dVr Warehouse for me. It actually looked pretty good. I just wish I had more time to devote to another series.
I haven’t yet seen either of the series, but I’d like to see W13 based on what I’ve already read about it, and I’m not so sure with Haven, though I’d probably give it a try.
Isn’t W13 based on some book too? I vaguely recall a book with the same title, but I’m not really sure.
I liked Haven. I would assume that she is the daughter of the Colorado Kid. I don’t have any idea about her boss. I will watch the next episode.
I like Warehousd 13. I don’t have a favorite character. I really don’t care what they do next, just so it it enertaining. Lisa D.
Did anyone watch Warehouse 13 last night? Another cool episode, I thought.
Not sure yet about the link with the Colorado Kid being the father; will wait and see. I usually watch Stephen King stuff too (like the entire run of the Dead Zone tv show). Not sure about Agent Howard yet (I don’t usually make a lot of guesses initially, though I do love mystery-solving). I will watch it again because the first episode isn’t always the best. The sandy-haired guy that was not the antique shop owner I liked. I can’t remember who he is, but he seemed helpful and mysterious.
Yesterday’s Warehouse 13 had a nice bit of vinyl in it.
I like how it kind of assumes you’re well-read and are knowledgable about a lot of history because I love to read and am a history buff (if only I could remember dates better). And the main pairing is hilarious as a team. 
I really like their dynamic. I think I like Pete best, and I hope to see a lot more historical artifacts come into play. I especially like items like Alice’s Looking Glass where they combine the literature with historical authors, for example. I am an Alice fan and have been for a long time so I enjoyed that. I’ve seen all of Warehouse 13. 
I do very much enjoy that aspect of Warehouse — the inclusion and combination of literature and history.
And how about that Firefly reunion?
I haven’t seen either show. But Warehouse 13 does look interesting on occasion.
I haven’t seen the shows, but I am a die-hard Stephen King fan. I have a little trouble getting into a lot of the shows and movies that are based on his books because while the books are such intense and in depth looks into the darkness that can occur inside a human’s mind, the movies and shows typically fall flat and disappoint me
I love Friday nights again!! Eureka and Haven are on and they do a repeat, SyFy happiness. Warehouse 13 is so fab and glad it’s on in the summer and I don’t have conflict on Tues night with NCIS, though I think Warehouse 13 would win out.
I know what you mean about Fridays, Vickie. However, I do wish that Warehouse and White Collar were not on at the same time…
CarolM: At least USA and SyFy channels both reshow their episodes at some point during the week. I don’t get to watch some shows that come on at 8pm and after during the week. It’s bath and bed time for Lady K and that means Mommie gets to do the same….I love White Collar, too.