Warehouse 13 is a beloved long-running sci-fi series that ran for five seasons (65 episodes) between 2009 and 2014 that focused on the titular secret government facility. The series follows two U.S. Secret Service Agents, Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock), who are tasked to the Warehouse and its incredible contents, featuring dangerous items and powerful artifacts that have paranormal or supernatural elements. The agents sort and uncover secrets about the contents, with storylines combining elements from their personal and professional lives.

The show feels like a mix of Doctor Who and The X-Files, with all the best aspects of both: a deeply personal character study of the lead characters mixed with fantastical sequences and other-worldly story arcs. A top-rated episode, like Season 1, Episode 12, 'Maherson' shows an emotional core combined with an exciting narrative, whereas another, like Season 3, Episode 6, 'Don't Hate the Player' shows the series' comedic side with a lighter-hearted plot. Overall, every season has brilliant elements, as well as a few detractions, with fans of the show finding it hard to pick a definitive favorite.

5 Season 5 Of Warehouse 13

Six Episodes Long

Season 5 was the final season of Warehouse 13, a tough but well-crafted goodbye that wrapped up many loose ends and was a fitting tribute to a fantastic show. Only running for six episodes - with seasons one to three all having 13 and season four having 20, split into two separate parts - it is the shortest season by far, focusing predominantly on the detective's final mission of stopping dangerous alchemist Paracelsus (Anthony Head). It also clears up long-running plotlines like Myka's cancer journey and Pete's overall growth as a person, ending the show on a positive note.

Though season five definitely delivers in of emotion, nostalgia, and overall expertly wrapping up the series, its shorter run length and frenetic pace unfortunately places it as the weakest of the five. While it does have some issues, it also has many highlights - the finale 'Endless' being the series' highest-rated episode on IMDb: 8.9/10 - with satisfying conclusions to many storylines and providing a poignant ending to the series as a whole. The six-episode length leaves some arcs feeling partially incomplete, such as Claudia's rise to the new caretaker, but overall, it sets out what it aims to achieve.

4 Season 1 Of Warehouse 13

13 Episodes Long

As with many longer-running series, the first season tends to be weaker, as while the premise and characters are fresh, the plotlines and chemistry take time to develop, and the overall feel and nuance of the show take time to come together. The first season lays the groundwork for Warehouse 13 as a series, establishing the relationship between Myka and Pete, and how they came to the facility. It also introduces the ensemble cast of characters, including their superior, Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek), and showcases the warehouse, the artifacts, and the supernatural elements that are integral to the series.

Season one is a fantastic mix of episodes and various themes, focusing on sci-fi, the supernatural, the characters, or the relationships between the detectives and families. Season 1, Episode 13, 'Claudia' does an excellent job introducing pivotal characters and elements that will be long-running throughout the seasons, while Season 1, Episode 8, 'Duped' feels like 'The Fly' episode of Breaking Bad, focusing on a unique story with no real narrative progression. Overall, it is a strong and cultured start to the series, but its slower building up of the world means it lacks the punch of the later seasons.

3 Season 2 Of Warehouse 13

13 Episodes Long

If season one was a solid start, season two is where things really start to come together, able to delve further into the character's backstories as well as the origins of the facility itself. The directing, writing, and acting all start to really find their grove, with exciting additions, such as season two's main antagonist, H.G. Wells (Jaime Murray), who adds a much-needed dose of tension and intrigue throughout the season's plotlines. The chemistry between all the characters starts to jump off the screen, with more time in the roles under their belts, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their depictions.

Episodes such as the Season premiere, Season 2, Episode 1, 'Time Will Tell' provide the foundation for the rest of the series, showing an incredibly intricate adventure that highlights the team's resolve and intelligence. Season two is widely acclaimed for its more personal character studies and the continued combination of fantastical elements with genuine moments of emotion and also humor, which starts to be sprinkled in more liberally as the show progresses. Though the second season is well-executed, it still lacks some of the consistently high-quality episodes and polish of the later seasons.

2 Season 4 Of Warehouse 13

20 Episodes Long

Season four is the longest season, consisting of 20 episodes split into part one and part two. Season four is often listed as the fan favorite, potentially as it has more episodes, but also because the show really starts to push boundaries in of character development and overall story arcs. After the unexpected destruction of the warehouse in season three, the show introduces some new characters, including sect leader Brother Adrian (Brent Spiner), who adds a unique dynamic, and the finale season's main villain, Paracelsus (Anthony Head), who appears in the last three episodes of season four.

After SYFY renewed Warehouse 13 for a fourth season for the usual 13 episodes, they then ordered an extension of seven episodes, showing immense faith in the production.

The writers went all out in this season, taking the characters on new and exciting adventures, exploring more dangerous aspects of the artifacts and their preservation, and a continued exploration of the characters themselves. Claudia finds herself transitioning into her future role as the caretaker, a pivotal and long-running storyline, and many episodes deal with darker themes while also playing into some more comedic elements in specific moments. The season's length and consistent quality, as well as the epic story progression, make it an incredible run of 20 episodes, but it just falls short of the best season title.

1 Season 3 Of Warehouse 13

13 Episodes Long

Season three combines all the best elements of all the others, turning it into one incredible season: the potential of one, the progression of two, the excitement of four, and the emotion of five. The third season introduces new agent Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore) as well as adds a redemption arc for season two's antagonist, H.G. Wells, which beautifully rounds out and deepens every aspect of the show, from storylines to characters and the relationships between both. Every episode feels like its own short film, with a perfectly paced story arc that seamlessly weaves throughout every minute of the show.

While all the other seasons have their good and bad points, it's hard to find fault with season three in of any element of the show or production, from character development to narrative structure. The season's best episode, Season 3, Episode 12, 'Stand' encomes everything that makes Warehouse 13 special, expertly combining comedy, action, emotion, and science fiction to create the perfect amalgam of all aspects of the series. Season three is not just the best season of Warehouse 13, it's truly one of the best sci-fi seasons in television history and firmly remains an enduring fan favorite.