Where do we go from here?
Interpretation of 4.15: Instinct
After 4.15: Instinct, the status of Bering and Wells is somewhat in chaos. A million interpretations of the episode abound regarding H.G. and the ship itself, but the two main theories/understandings appear to be:
1) H.G. Wells was happy and had finally found some peace.
2) H.G. Wells was, as Myka put it, denying who she really was and is currently unhappy.
Those two theories have plenty of variants and offshoots, but for the purposes of this outlook, the main gists are what matters.
These two understandings of the episode are vastly different, in that they are polar opposites and can never be reconciled with one another. They also are in regards to a very basic premise, which is central to a prominent figure's characterization on the show. Who H.G. Wells really is depends on which theory is correct, presuming one of them is correct.
I think the varying interpretations are the result of one of three things: 1) The show intentionally wrote it with the idea that it would set up H.G. returning in another episode once she stops living the lie she is in; 2) The show intentionally wrote it to end H.G.'s storyline in a positive way, but the actresses and director changed its actual execution, thus affecting its interpretation; 3) The show did not necessarily intend anything with the episode in regards to H.G., and it was written just to involve H.G. in a storyline
1) H.G. Wells was happy and had finally found some peace.
2) H.G. Wells was, as Myka put it, denying who she really was and is currently unhappy.
Those two theories have plenty of variants and offshoots, but for the purposes of this outlook, the main gists are what matters.
These two understandings of the episode are vastly different, in that they are polar opposites and can never be reconciled with one another. They also are in regards to a very basic premise, which is central to a prominent figure's characterization on the show. Who H.G. Wells really is depends on which theory is correct, presuming one of them is correct.
I think the varying interpretations are the result of one of three things: 1) The show intentionally wrote it with the idea that it would set up H.G. returning in another episode once she stops living the lie she is in; 2) The show intentionally wrote it to end H.G.'s storyline in a positive way, but the actresses and director changed its actual execution, thus affecting its interpretation; 3) The show did not necessarily intend anything with the episode in regards to H.G., and it was written just to involve H.G. in a storyline
Emily Lake or H.G. Wells?
If numbers 2 or 3 are correct, we've got a problem. In fact, I think that means we have a very, very big problem.
Why are those a problem?
If the answer is number 2, then it means we are fighting a losing battle. The writing is what matters and even though Joanne Kelly and Jaime Murray will continue to push Bering and Wells as much as they can (and they deserve a freaking statue built in their honor for all they have done so far), they are limited in what they can do. In the build up for 4.15: Instinct, both actresses discussed that show runner Jack Kenny only sees the couple as "really good friends," so they "mined [the material] for all the subtext [they] could find." Based on their herculean efforts, we received 4.15: Instinct, and God, that was really painful. Imagine what we would have seen if they had not made an effort to support the ship. It terrifies me. Sadly, I believe a majority of the mainstream media and a large portion of the Warehouse 13 audience still saw the episode as a happy resolution for H.G. and not involving any Bering and Wells elements. Even Syfy's Sync App, run by the show/Syfy, said in a recap of 4.15: Instinct that, "Myka gets closure with Helena and her new life when they solve the mystery and she sees how happy her friend is." What the f are they talking about? Not a great sign. I'm renaming the channel Sighfy.
Why are those a problem?
If the answer is number 2, then it means we are fighting a losing battle. The writing is what matters and even though Joanne Kelly and Jaime Murray will continue to push Bering and Wells as much as they can (and they deserve a freaking statue built in their honor for all they have done so far), they are limited in what they can do. In the build up for 4.15: Instinct, both actresses discussed that show runner Jack Kenny only sees the couple as "really good friends," so they "mined [the material] for all the subtext [they] could find." Based on their herculean efforts, we received 4.15: Instinct, and God, that was really painful. Imagine what we would have seen if they had not made an effort to support the ship. It terrifies me. Sadly, I believe a majority of the mainstream media and a large portion of the Warehouse 13 audience still saw the episode as a happy resolution for H.G. and not involving any Bering and Wells elements. Even Syfy's Sync App, run by the show/Syfy, said in a recap of 4.15: Instinct that, "Myka gets closure with Helena and her new life when they solve the mystery and she sees how happy her friend is." What the f are they talking about? Not a great sign. I'm renaming the channel Sighfy.
At the end of the day, if the persons at the controls of the show do not write for, recognize, or prioritize Bering and Wells, the outlook is not great.
If number 3 is the case, that may be an even scarier prospect to confront because then, what 4.15: Instinct really means may be determined after the fact. I am not so sure 4.15: Instinct was intentionally written to serve a specific purpose in some overarching plan for H.G. Wells' character or journey and if that is true, it's just bad for Warehouse 13 in general.
To give some (super nerdy) context, in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, a constant debate existed from the first book to the last as to whether Severus Snape was good or evil, whether his intentions were to help Harry Potter or not. I will not spoil it for you, as the answer does not matter here, but it was very clear that author J.K. Rowling wanted the question as to Snape's true nature to exist and wanted readers to struggle with coming to any conclusions. She had a very specific background and characterization in her head as to who Snape really was and where his story was going, so that each book and each depiction of him was a meticulously planned step in her overall storyline for the character.
Another relevant and commonly used story mechanism is the use of an obstacle getting in the way of a character's immediate goal, deferring it to a later, and oftentimes more glorious moment of success. On the L Word (ugh, don't get me started on that one; we'll get there eventually), ever since the end of season 1, Bette and Tina were constantly involved in a merry-go-round of bad timing, preventing them from reuniting until the end of season 5. Yes, of course, other issues were involved, but the show made them earn their reunion, and the experiences in between were part of their journey back to one another. This is not a difficult concept: do not give instant gratification to the audience or a character; instead, increase the audience's emotional involvement with a plot line by drawing it out and taking a longer route to the end goal.
The issue is: we might not have the same situation here. Obviously, as pretty much all shows do nowadays, there are different writers for each episode of Warehouse 13, which understandably results in different interpretations and different ideas about a character, but I do not agree that different writers should reach different conclusions about who a character is and where they are going, when we're talking about one show. The plot line and character should be consistent, regardless of who is writing. I worry that H.G.'s storyline in 4.15: Instinct was a one-off storyline, which may be explained later or it may never be, and that its meaning is dependent on who gets to write the next H.G. episode, if there is one.
On November 14, 2012, Warehouse 13 writer Drew Z. Greenberg tweeted something that relates to this discussion: he stated that "[he] like[s] to think, once HG had her freedom, Myka knew HG had to explore the world. Which she did have to do, btw." This implies that the reason behind H.G.'s absence during the majority of the first half of season 4 was not specifically discussed or determined by the writers. That's disconcerting and makes it seem like there is not an ultimate plan for H.G. Wells, which may be understandable in the sense that Jaime Murray's availability was and is questionable as of that moment. Yet, as they chose for that character to continue on the show and particularly to have an impact on a main character, Myka Bering, one would hope more thought would go into the motivations and experiences of her character. Regardless, I don't love that tweet.
As the saying goes, history is written by the victors. I fear H.G.'s storyline is whatever the next writer says it is, not because it is cohesive with past episodes, but just because they find a way to get Jaime Murray to return and then a storyline is created to include her after the fact. Yes, it could be pro-Bering and Wells; or no, it could not be, but if 4.15: Instinct was not intentionally created to build towards an end goal for H.G., then we have unfocused writing and a completely unpredictable outlook for the future.
Of course, I could be way, way far off, and to be honest, I am not sure what the real answer is (be it number 1, 2, 3, or something else), but I do believe legitimate concerns exist as to how 4.15: Instinct came about and its place in the Bering and Wells mythos. I'd love to hear others' opinions, whether they agree or disagree with my own analysis, as I'm sure my own views have not even touched the tip of the iceberg.
Potential Outcomes
At this point, there are a few scenarios that can happen in regards to H.G. Wells/Bering and Wells. Press "Start Prezi" below and click on the forward arrow to run through the potential outcomes that remain. You can also just freely move around the Prezi as well or press autoplay, where it runs with preset intervals.
At this point, there are a few scenarios that can happen in regards to H.G. Wells/Bering and Wells. Press "Start Prezi" below and click on the forward arrow to run through the potential outcomes that remain. You can also just freely move around the Prezi as well or press autoplay, where it runs with preset intervals.
Outlook as of July 3, 2013
So, as expected, more details regarding the final season of Warehouse 13 are starting to come out, as production for season 5 started June 24, 2013.
What we do know:
- Myka will survive her battle with cancer. They're not going to end the show recovering from or dealing with the death of a beloved character. The 6-episode final season is going to force them to resolve that storyline quickly (I presume similarly to the Warehouse destruction at the end of season 3 and the "sweating sickness" crisis that appeared in 4.10) and I assume by the end of 5.01, we're moving on. Dana Fairbanks, Myka is not - praise the gods.
- H.G. Wells will be back, in some way, for the final season. Consistent with Jaime Murray's June 3, 2013 tweets of hope, including this one, we will see the return of H.G. Jack Kenny confirmed this in a July 3, 2013 interview.
- Bering and Wells "will not be walking off hand in hand into the sunset." As uttered by the show creator himself, unless he was lying, Myka and H.G. will not be officially a couple when the show closes.
Jaime: Good, delete that and write in that we'll just make out the entire first half hour of the show.
Jo: Screw that, let's make out the entire hour.
Jo: Screw that, let's make out the entire hour.
Conclusion
As always, the Bering and Wells ship is in murky waters. Outlook is unknown at this point. There's reason for concern; there's reason for optimism. Regardless, the fate of Bering and Wells is already set (writing is done, shooting is about to begin), and we're just awaiting the verdict. For now, let's enjoy the fan fiction, the gifs, the graphics, the videos, the tweets, the Tumblr posts, the Bering and Wells storyline so far, and, in general, the fandom itself, as it will always survive and get us past anything, be it victory or defeat. Also, I mean, we're shipping gays here; if you're looking for resilience, you've found it. GLBT for the win!
As always, the Bering and Wells ship is in murky waters. Outlook is unknown at this point. There's reason for concern; there's reason for optimism. Regardless, the fate of Bering and Wells is already set (writing is done, shooting is about to begin), and we're just awaiting the verdict. For now, let's enjoy the fan fiction, the gifs, the graphics, the videos, the tweets, the Tumblr posts, the Bering and Wells storyline so far, and, in general, the fandom itself, as it will always survive and get us past anything, be it victory or defeat. Also, I mean, we're shipping gays here; if you're looking for resilience, you've found it. GLBT for the win!