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"She is me and I am her and we are all together."
From a pure entertainment perspective, I always liked "Eve" - thought it was a good solid episode. However, it wasn't until I sat down to look at it from a critical standpoint that I realized I was wrong. It's not a good episode. It's a great one. "Eve" is a Monster-of-the- Week episode that could give others lessons. Not only is it one of the better written episodes on the show (from what appear to be non- staffers) with enough twists and turns to keep anyone guessing, from a technical perspective Director Fred Gerber (in sadly his only X-Files episode) fills the episode with interesting shots that make it a unique pleasure to watch. In addition to this, add some great supporting performances and Mulder/Scully fun and what you have is a highly successful outing.
The thing I think I like the most about "Eve" is that it doesn't tip its hand as to what exactly is going on until late in the episode. We aren't shown the "monster" in this tightly written episode so we are guessing and discovering along with Mulder and Scully with enough red herrings thrown in to make it a wild ride. The creepy teaser had me thinking "Hmm.. vampires", but then we have Mulder and his cattle mutilation UFO theories. From that we move onto Sally Kendrick and the whole "Litchfield experiment" thing - the plot becoming thicker by the moment, and it isn't until near the very end that the truth in all its glory is revealed. Of course, I should point out for you folks that never notice these moments, that while Mulder was cockily offering one weird theory after another involving everything from cut off cow genitals to red lightening, it was Scully who first said "I was beginning to suspect the girls" to which Mulder, in his infinite wisdom, replies "No, no no no."
I want to mention a few choices made by Gerber in the way this was filmed that, for me, really enhanced the episode. When Mulder and Scully first enter the home where Teena is staying the camera gradually pulls back to reveal we've been watching them through a round window on the door as they then watch Teena. The whole first scene in the Reardon's back yard is one long tracking shot that follows Mulder and Scully around and around the swing set as they discuss the case. Actually, this director used a lot of long shots rather than quick back and forth cuts I'm sure making the episode a challenging one to film from a technical perspective. Then there is the mirror shot as we get to watch Mulder and Scully watching Dr. Kendrick's infomercial-like pitch for invitro fertilization on the television, and, my personal favorite of the episode, the look at Scully through the pipes as she tracks the girls in the parking lot. All in all a visually appealing episode. From an editing and score perspective there is one moment that I find just haunting as we cut from Mulder and Deep Throat's conversation to a voice over that takes us up to their arrival at the lockup where Eve is located. Something about watching Mulder and Scully with Jerry Hardin's perfect delivery over one of Mark Snow's many inspired moments sets the mood for what is to come.
And what is to come is one of those stellar supporting performances that we have come to expect on this show. Harriet Harris in multiple roles - well sort of multiple roles - is at her frenzied best as a straightjacketed wild eyed Eve with a penchant for biting with her snapping yellowed teeth. This character is one that stays with you as she captures the insane genius with a masterful performance (complete with a great death scene) I always remember as one of my favorites on the show. I don't know if the deadpan nature of Erika and Sabrina Krievins as the murderous twins comes from lack of acting experience or the fact that they were just really good. Whatever it was it worked. Their calm, matter of fact nature as they discuss exsanguination, family deaths, or plot murder with just an edge of glee made them all the more frightening.
By the time "Eve" rolled around first season the partnership had really come into its own. Mulder and Scully have at this point learned how to work together and work together well. From their gentle technique as they interview the children ("That's a nice bunny Teena" always cracks me up for some reason), to the genuinely perplexed look they share when Cindy opens the door, to Scully knowing just when to step in to try to smooth things over as Mulder pushes Mrs. Reardon too hard. You have to smile as Mulder later rushes Scully out of his room much to her suspicion. Frankly, I'm surprised she bought the movie excuse given the way he tenaciously pursues a case. It seems a bit silly that he'd be taking a time out from work to catch a SpectraVision special. There is a real comfort in their interaction now, making the trip to the truck stop for caffeine look like Ma and Pa taking the little ones on a road trip complete with "Dad" letting his daughter pay for the drinks. The highlight was the confused look Scully gives Mulder as he gallantly tells her he "just wanted to open the car door" after he'd told her earlier "What's a girl?".
The X-Files often ends on a note that leaves things open to further possibilities. This is one case where I would heartily welcome a sequel. "We're just little girls" - indeed.
-The date stamp on the pathologist's report Scully is reading about the first death is Nov. 07/93.
-This is really one of my favorite teasers - the grey skies, seemingly shocked little girl clutching the teddy bear and that last "Daddy?". Wonderful!
-Ah, the first Lariat bumper sticker. A tradition is born!
-Frank's Fashion Spot: I have to say that I adore those matching red outfits they dressed the twins in. They really added another devilish edge to them.
-When Mulder and Scully visit with Mrs. Reardon, Cindy is watching a cartoon, but soon changes the station to CNN where she becomes ever so absorbed in the story - no wonder - it was all bout the signing of a juvenile crime bill and punishment for juvenile killers.
-Mulder and Scully in a nutshell:
"One girl was just abducted."
"Kidnapped."
"Poh-tay-toe Poh-tah-toe."
-I've got to say I really miss the slide shows. Seems we hardly get them anymore.
-I always enjoy the Scully scowl. Check out the look on her face after Mulder shoots down this SRE: "Well, there is the random possibility that two people can have an unrelated likeness" with this response: "Who both just happened to see their fathers exsanguinated. I'd like to get the odds on that in Vegas." She just hates it when he does that.
-Why in the world does Dr. Scully need that simplistic lesson on invitro fertilization? Even I knew that stuff.
-So how exactly does this contacting Deep Throat on the road thing work? Does he call back after Scully has left the room or does two clicks on the phone mean ditch your partner and head for the nearest body of water? I've always found it interesting that Mulder's contacts are so nervous about Scully - Deep Throat says "Are you certain she hasn't followed you?" - even if Mulder trusts her it is apparent they don't. I'm sure she's just thrilled to hear about these little clandestine meetings as well as he rushes her off to pursue some new angle.
-I was kind of surprised to see Scully taken down so easily by that shove on the stairs - there was no left temple contact even - she's had much worse. Maybe that's why Scully seems to stress that she has exceptional strength for her size.
-Why does one blast through a glass door instead of simply opening it? To make as much noise as possible when you are trying to get away?
-When they reach the holding cell for Eve Mulder has to unbuckle his belt to get his holster off - which is probably why Scully opts to hand hers over unholstered.
Autumn
"Mulder, why would alien beings travel light years to Earth in order
to play Doctor on cattle?"