Nineties program The X-Files embraced the idea fictional character Sherlock Holmes was known to iterate; when you've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. FBI agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder investigated 'unusual' cases while battling serious sexual tension. International audiences lapped up the concept. In its heyday, X-Files exemplified the success of the man/woman/supernatural trifector, providing an outstanding prototype for procedural television with a paranormal twist.
Fringe is a relatively recent series working the whole mismatched personalities/sexual tension angle alongside investigation of, well, freaky-deaky stuff. Clashes between the female FBI agent and genius college dropout with questionable morals provide an extra dash of spice. Joshua Jackson's surprisingly suave as Peter Bishop, proving he has scope for more than just the teen angst showcased on Dawson's Creek.
I've only seen the first half of the debut season. Plotholes in the pilot episode were so big, you could fly the jet plane that crashed in the opening sequence right on through them... but perhaps the show found its way in season two? The third season begins screening in September, so Fringe obviously has enough of a following to stay on air.
Warehouse 13 is much more lighthearted, following the adventures of Myka and Pete, aka agents Bering and Lattima, members of the US Secret Service assigned to Warehouse 13, a storage space for bizarre 'artefacts' possessing extraordinary powers. The artefacts generally link to historical figures; ie Man Ray's camera (steals life force), or Dante's Death Mask (produces flames).
Currently in its second season, Warehouse 13 really is fun viewing. Hilarious quips and occasional action scenes bordering on slapstick make the show perfect for teens (or the inner adolescent). Sexual tension and unexplained phenomena are still on the menu, but like a dessert wine, the series aims to appeal to a lighter palette. Rather than following the hallowed, torturous path travelled by Mulder and Scully, Myka and Pete wander jauntily down a more frivolous road, though there are suggestions of a nebulous future for our protagonists:
Myka: Do you know, every former warehouse agent we know is either crazy, evil or dead?
Pete: Or all three.
Warehouse Thirteen, Season 2, episode 5.
Newbie to the scene is Haven, loosely based on a Stephen King novella. FBI agent Audrey Parker is played by Emily Rose, veteran of ER, Jericho and Brothers and Sisters. Parker arrives in the town of Haven, home to weird-as goings on. (The pilot includes a woman whose emotions effect the weather, and a vet whose constant line "maintain the perimeter" is because of a nervous telekinetic ability, rather than personal space issues).
She takes a job on the local force, partnering with intriguing character Nathan Wournos. Aside from a difficult relationship with his father (the chief of police), he's afflicted with idiopathic neuropathy, meaning he can't feel pain. Wournos doesn't talk much, while Parker can't seem to shut up, the characters easily establishing an almost instantaneous blend of camraderie and sexual tension.
Haven is just finding its feet, but so far, I really like Parker. She's got sass. The only flaw is how quickly, and casually, she seems to accept each paranormal-of-the-week explanation. Eric Balfour is a weak link in the supporting cast. (Remember him from the first two episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer? Probably not. He played Willow and Xander's bf Jesse. In true television fashion, Jesse was pretty much forgotten after his death, vampire reincarnation, and subsequent second death in the first two episodes).
Shows like Warehouse 13, Haven and Fringe are more niche-focused, in terms of audience pull. This means high fatality rates when networks come a cullin'. Luckily, there's a new kid on the block for every kooky effort that doesn't make the cut. Even better, each newbie bringing a twist of its own to the table.
All I can say, is hail the paranormal partner procedural dramas, a television sub-genre making good old cop shows so much more interesting... here's to you, Mulder and Scully.
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