Warehouse 13 tossed a unique twist at its viewers this week.

On "Around the Bend," a team member was affected by an artifact. I really enjoyed the angle that was taken with it. Up until the point that Myka went to see Kate, I really thought that Pete was on the track of a spy in the warehouse and he was totally sane.

In watching it a second time, I picked up on the photo that Myka looked at from the apartment window that did not show either of the two people Pete saw at the time. It was a nice, subtle, impressive touch.

I also think it helped that the writers weaved in just enough of Mr. Valda being himself (a total jerk) that we really wanted him to be the bad guy so that Pete would take him down. I like Mr. Valda as a protagonist for the team. Mark Sheppard brings a lot to the role, and the character has been very well used so far. 

Further, the irony of his first name being revealed as Benedict was not lost on me. My only real request is a bit more clarity on “The Regents." They have brought them up from time to time (more last season when Artie was suspected), but even in the opening “previously on” they never really get into what they do; some solid clarity on what they are suppose to be doing would be helpful.

Who else loved Pete getting his war-face on when he thought Valda had threatened Myka, Claudia, and Artie? I knew he would be protective but he surpassed my expectations. It was pretty interesting that his base fear is that his friends would be harmed and everything he was doing to stemmed from that fear.

On the flipside, I am also very scared of Pete when he goes bat-crap crazy. He and I share some similar traits. We both have a fondness for cookies, we both can act like big children, and we both have to touch or play with everything (ok, I never lick anything). So, it was a bit disturbing to see him totally “around the bend” (see what I did there) as I identify with the character so closely.  I am very glad that it was resolved in this one episode and he was back to the lovable Pete by the end.

On the topic of scary, I am not sure how I would feel about working some place that kept a list of ways to deal with me. While I understand the Warehouse is super-duper-secretive, the idea that there is a file on how to kill, dispose, or get rid of me would not let me sleep well at night. I do have to compliment Claudia on making the best of the situation with adding her own way she would like to go. What do you think she put down that would involve David Bowie?

My only complaint about this episode was the horribly under-use of the overly-advertised Tia Carrere. I love Carrere; she is a great actress and has done some fun parts. From Wayne’s World to True Lies, she has run the gambit of roles. As much as Syfy had been advertising her guest role on the show, I really thought she would be more involved in the case.

I think she had about eight to ten minutes of screen time through the entire episode. I am crossing my fingers that Agent Kate Logan will be back again with more of a presence.

What did you think of this episode? What do you think Claudia put down as her contingency plan that included David Bowie? Do you feel Tia Carrere was under used and should make a return visit? Review a few Warehouse 13 quotes from the installment below:

Valda: Well improvised Agent Nelson.
Artie: There is a madness to the method. | permalink

Artie: It's a museum, anything there could be an artifact. You can't let him touch anything.
Myka: Artie it's Pete, it's a win when he doesn't lick anything. | permalink

Kate: This isn't an elaborate plan just to see me is it?
Pete: You're hot, but not trash your place to get a date hot. | permalink

Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.