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"That was a good one."
Poor Howard Gordon. "D.P.O", one of his better efforts, had the grave misfortune of during its initial airing being the first episode to follow that amazing conspiracy arc high of "Anasazi", "Blessing Way", and "Paperclip". How could fans not be disappointed on some level? We were taken forcibly back to the monster of the week format and thrown the tiniest of bones as a tie in. I liked this episode when I first saw it, and I like it more today. It's not a great episode, but it is a good one. I think it was just a case of bad timing.
What's to like about this X-Files outing? Well, first of all I have always been amazed at Kim Manner's claim that he directed this in a grief stricken haze because of the death of a friend as I consider it to be one of his best directing efforts. There are shots in it that are simply stunning. This episode may have the best constructed and executed teaser in the series. The bit where Jack's body lurches to the throbbing beat of "Ring the Bells" is close to perfect. Zero's quarter spilling fall as Oswald stands in a menacing pose before a stormy sky is another inspired moment. All in all a well directed episode with some pretty cool special lightening effects.
In the history of great supporting performances on the show Giovanni Ribisi (D.P.O.) shows us what a gifted actor he is as he is able to just *look* stupid. His portrayal actually makes you feel sorry for this misguided "monster" with his slow delivery, phased out eyes, and goofy laugh. Jack Black as Zero is equally effective at his take on a lost youth.
As far as the Mulder/Scully dynamic goes this is one of those rare episodes where not only are they working as a team they actually spend almost the whole episode together. I always wonder if Mulder is "testing" Scully in some subtle way by not jumping in on her initial conversation with the sheriff as he just walks around making little smirky faces. It just seemed a little odd to me the way he didn't "feel free to jump in anytime". It left me wondering if he was just curious based on past events how far she would now go to defend the unexplained. The moment with the plaster cast was fun, but if I was Scully I don't think I would have fessed up about the shoe size - just let Mulder go on wondering.
I was annoyed by seeing that season one throwback of Scully arriving just a tad too late to miss the actual fireworks. I'm not sure why they felt the need to do this as in the end it is also strongly implied that she believes that these "special powers" exist. Also, you are left wondering just what the hell she was doing after Mrs. Kiveat was dragged off.
-On the name game front the "Astadorian Lightening Observatory" is a nod to X-Files staffer Mary Astadorian, and the Rosemary's video features the names of X-Philes Mary Beth Clark (kipler), Deb Brown, and J Hartling from the AOL forum. The yearbook also featured a picture of director Manners.
-This episode has a subtle change in the whole Scully outlook when we *actually* hear She To Whom Science Is the Be All and End All say "Even science can't explain how lightening works." as a snappy comeback no less. Hmmm.
-I'm starting to think every female character on the show may be an Eve. In "Paperclip" Scully said "I just knew" and this week Mrs. Kiveat. Someone stop them before there's an exsanguination.
-The "after all we've just been through" transition scene did work for me as a bridge between the trilogy and this episode, but I couldn't help but want more. Also a date flub in the episode undercut it as well. We all know the MJ events took place in April but the video game dates this episode at 9-12-95, almost 4 full months later.
-I'm not a video game junkie, but I did find it odd that the high score screen didn't actually include any scores ...
-D.P.O spends the episode wearing various "Vandals" T-shirts one of which actually features that lovely song "Live Fast Diarrhea" on it that ended the episode. What other show would actually end an episode with that little ditty?
-Also, speaking of credits this is the only time we actually see a picture with Chris Carter's credit - and an inspired one at that.
-As usual I really enjoy the way they handle the porno references in the show. It amuses me to no end the way Scully never bats an eye as she tosses out comments like "I'm surprised you haven't read that issue". Well, at least we learned that "April is the cruelest month".
-When Scully said "I can hurt you too" did you find yourself REALLY believing her? I know I did. She kinda scares me with that gun now when she starts wagging it around.
-Love them Oklahoma mountains. I think it is the same chain that runs through Iowa in "731".
-Poor Scully is really at a loss on those warm days as she doesn't carry a purse and her trench with the bottomless pit pockets is just too warm. She's forced to hang those rarely seen ScullyShades on the front of her jacket.
Autumn
"No man, not the cows again."