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"My advice to you Scully - let Mulder do what he has to do. Don't get in his way. Don't try to hold him back - because you won't be able to."
Well, comedy hour at the X-Files is definitely over. This week we were given an episode that was dark and scary - one of Howard Gordon's bettermonster of the week efforts. This was an episode where the supporting players were the haunting music of Mark Snow and John Bartley's amazing cinematography. The mood was palpable. From the teaser we had a realsense of uneasiness and the introduction of a visual theme that carries through the show in the mixing of blood and charcoal on the white background. We see this imagery again and again - the slide show illuminated blood on Scully's pale face, the red flashing light of a police car shining on the partners, the stark way the blood stands outin the darkness of the studio, the red hot flame of the glassblower -the red herring. How many of you thought they saw some significance when Mostow (intensely played by Levani Outchaneichvili - *what* a name no wonder they only used the first name in the credits) bit Agent Nemhauser? But, lucky for us, this isn't "Murder She Wrote".
This episode was frightening in its exploration of the evil in the human mind. Like "Irresistible" it could be classified as technically not an X-File as the monster is madness and not a paranormal occurrence. Quite frankly, I find these types scripts more frightening than the mutants because they are more real. However, again like "Irresistible", whenthe evil is committed we see not the man but the monster - the gargoyle in the mind.
I found this to be one of the better acting showcases of the season - allaround nice performances from the supporting players (Levani, Kurtwood, Smith, and Mitch Pileggi), and some really great work by Duchovny and Anderson. I thought Duchovny's work was his best this season - a real moody eye opening look into how Mulder got the nickname "Spooky". One wonders if Mulder had stayed in the BSU if he might have tempted the same fate as Agent Patterson.
The initial meeting between the partners and Agent Patterson was something to watch with Scully caught up in her "It's an honor sir" FBI mode while an uncomfortable confrontation starts and, like it or not, she becomes "Mrs. Spooky" - in effect by the "strange company" she keeps. Though one has to believe that Patterson isn't the only agent in the FBI who - late at night - with a few beers in him starts telling "Mulder stories".
This was definitely a Mulder story, but it did have some interesting things to say about the state of the Mulder/Scully partnership. The rift continues, but they haven't lost everything yet. There is a sense of unease in their scenes together. When they first go to the crime scene there is a very telling moment where Mulder enters the darkness of the studio alone - only a very small flashlight to guide him - while Scully waits at the door asking him what he sees. She doesn't see what he sees, and what she does see frightens her - because she sees a person she doesn't know. Her visit to Mulder's apartment is a well done moment of discovery and fear as she sees Mulder beginning to try to catch the monster by becoming it.
Still, they are partners, and Scully remains loyal despite her fears. She is frustrated and afraid. "You weren't at home - in your office. I was scared Mulder, I didn't know where you were" (God knows this scares her more than anything). Mulder continues to distance himself from her- cocooning himself in the case - she tries to get answers to her doubts, but he has none. S: "Mulder, maybe you're just seeing what you want to see." M: "What makes you think I would want to see that?" There is an air of resignation as she asks almost to herself "Where are you going?" as Mulder leaves her again. Needing to blame someone, Agent Patterson gets that well deserved wrath-of-Scully look (man, does that woman have a *mean* look or what - don't hack her off).
So, the plot thickens - we find out that there are Mulder's prints on the murder weapon (yikes!) - the knife is gone out of the evidence room (double yikes!) - Scully's really getting scared for her partner now. Still, she slips on that mask of hers when she goes to talk to Skinner, but it is beginning to crack. Things may not be the greatest between our heroes, but when push comes to shove Scully still lies to Skinner to protect Mulder -- even if her face betrays her. She still offers "to work this thing out together". Though Scully clearly doesnot understand this side of Mulder she still tries to help. Maybe there is hope for these two to patch things up after all.
The end of this episode I found very good. The creepy revelation of Nemhauser's body and the eerie confrontation of Mulder and Patterson's demons. Plus, as a bonus, Mulder got to not only drop his gun, but also get it back in time to protect himself.
-Now, as much as I admire the capabilities of Agent Scully, she was superhuman in this episode. We all know from "731" and "Syzygy" that the gal can drive fast, but *wow*. She arrives at the studio in two minutes flat after hanging up the phone in her apartment *and* she had time to put on that fashionable coat so she looked good when she got there. What an amazing woman.
-Yes, I am irritated at the lack of continuity with "Syzygy", but I put that aside in order to judge this episode on its own merits.
-Scully Psychic Moment: She finds the exacto knife while distracted and driving away.
-Scully fashion: I love that red suit. They need to put her in it more often. Not just when it matches the color theme for an episode.
-Hmmm. Another gruesome pet licking up blood. Wonder if Scully's going to adopt that one too.
-Nice moment with the victim reacting to Agent Patterson's presence in the room. It was a clue that passed me by on the initial viewing.
-You know, it's a wonder Scully hasn't walked in on Mulder sooner she's always so free and easy with her pass key. One wonders if he gets the same privileges at her house.
-Funny how those guys *always* get each other on the cell phone - no matter whose phone they are using - no matter who they are calling. It really shouldn't surprise them anymore.... and why doesn't Mulder just tell her where he is whenever he answers - we all know she's gonna ask.
-Did we really hear *Scully* say "I thought it was one of those pictures coming to life". Boy she has been hanging out with Mulder too long.
-How 'bout them cool "Redwop" shades - I thought they were definitely happenin'.
Autumn
"Off the record ... so am I"