Autumn Tysko's X-Files Reviews

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Soft Light

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"Let's forget for the moment that there's no scientific theory to support it."
"Okay."

I've always been able to forgive the scientific inaccuracies of this somewhat convoluted version of "Me and My Shadow" because it was a solid first effort from Vince Gilligan. The writing was tight (with a few minor exceptions - Mulder makes some pretty big leaps) and it held my attention in an enjoyable manner even if the premise always sounded a bit stupid. I'm a sucker for interesting character moments and am impressed with the character development in this script that proved not only fun, but also insightful. Plus, there were those wonderful moments of actual continuity - I laugh out loud when I see the skeptical Dr. Scully eyeballing the grate in the hotel room - and some would say she doesn't open herself up to extreme possibilities. There are also references to the fictional Morley tobacco company who put the cancer in CancerMan.

From a character standpoint this episode contains quite a bit of humor - one of my favorite moments being the exchange I open this review with. The whole Mulder/Scully interaction in the first scene with the "I've heard a lot about you" / "We'll talk later" bit was a welcome warm moment - complete with a rare Scully smile.

I also appreciate this episode for being one of the few times that Scully actually acknowledges the difficulties of being a woman in her profession. She corrects Mulder for assuming the killer is a man, and talks a bit about the "boy's club". I've often thought a lot of what makes Scully what she is - a woman who at times seems to try desperately to hide her emotions - is because of the way she deals with this difficulty. She is so afraid of being perceived as weak because of her physical size and gender that she has overcompensated in the other direction throughout her life and career. Mulder's response to Scully's feminist stance is well done. He recognizes what makes her a good agent, telling her "You never put yourself ahead of your work." Too bad we can't always say the same thing for him.

Something can be learned in this episode from the presence of X. Too many times in non-mythology episodes when one of the informants appears it is merely to hand over gift information - they are a plot device used to cover weak writing. This is not the case in "Soft Light". First off, X doesn't even help Mulder at all - he actually uses Mulder to get the information that he needs and his presence actually helps further our understanding of his character. Here we get hints of what we learn much later about X - the part he plays in the shadow government. Plus, as a bonus, he doesn't utter the words "bee husbandry" once and Steven Williams serves up a menacing and edgy performance that is sorely missed these days. That moment when you see his face suddenly appear through the door's small window is first rate.

From a supporting actor standpoint kudos also go to Tony Shalhoub for his performance as the haunted Dr. Banton - there is a moment where he stands facing X, his mouth duct taped and hands tied that just gives me the chills. Technically, there was a lot to appreciate about this episode. Mark Snow's score which starts the wonderful theme in the teaser has always been one of my favorites amongst so much great work from him. The cinematography makes me miss John Bartley all over again and the shadow blue light special effects were cool.

Random Musings
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-Retreads: Det. Ryan (Kate Twa) was the female half of the Genderbender alien and Kevin McNulty (Dr. Davey) was Agent Fuller in "Squeeze" and later "Apocrypha".

-Scully's connection to Det. Ryan has always confused me. She is said to have been a student of Scully's at Quantico and yet she is a police detective in Virginia. It makes me wonder if the FBI is in the habit of training other law enforcement officers in forensic techniques or if Ryan was just a washout with the FBI.

-I always liked X, but having to hear him say "I'm afraid I can't help you" yet again always made me want to just throttle him. What is that? His signature line?

-While the actual zapping effects were cool, they just couldn't make up their minds as to what those scorch marks should look like. One time it looks like grease on tile, another time like a pile of chunky ashes, another like a black smudge, and another like lumpy tar. Find something and just stick with it.

-Why in the world was Dr. Banton looking for his colleague Dr. Morris West at an upscale hotel in the beginning? Doesn't this guy have a home like everyone else?

-Don't let the fact that Scully actually gets to introduce us to the case distract from the point that they actually have no business being there for this one. Does the FBI have a special travel budget for personal favors?

-I don't know about you all, but I've never been fingerprinted when I stayed at a hotel. Which would make it pretty hard for Det. Ryan to check the prints on a light bulb against all the hotel guests some of whom have already left.

-Ever wonder just how deep those pockets are in Agent "I don't need no stinking purse" Scully's trenchcoat? She always seems to have just what they need. I wonder if she has more than one kind of prophylactic tucked away down there.

-I'm pretty amazed at Mulder's ability to go through a week's worth of video tape so quickly here - especially as it doesn't appear that they are even using fast forward.

-Just how does Mulder get in touch with X here? Put an X in his hotel room window? Hmmm…

-The shot used to establish the site where X meets Mulder at the end has actually been used before - in the episode "Sleepless".

Autumn
"For your birthday I'll buy you a utility belt"

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