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For me, the measure of a good X-Files episode is how I feel upon a second viewing. I usually watch the show through the first time for entertainment and then watch it a second time, taking notes for my usual review. Second time through I was bored. Folks, this is *not* a common thing for me - in fact last time I remember it happening was "Fearful Symmetry" (Not that this episode was nearly that bad).
Maybe I was disappointed because the high hopes I had for a Chris Carter written/directed show after "Duane Barry". I dunno. It just didn't do much for me. It was an average episode in what has proven, for me at least, to be a spectacular season thus far. It made D.P.O. look much better. I found the plot and characters rather stereotypical. Gee a bad warden? Imagine that! Evil prison guards? NO! Inmates harassing a female visitor? Say it ain't so! Was I surprised by the warden's death? I was waiting for it.
Then there was the old gross out factor. Just how many maggots did they need for this episode? High gross out factor for no real reason. Bring back the sploogy boils.
OK, enough of my whining. What did I like?
-Well, I like that this season they are letting Scully smile a lot more. Gillian Anderson has a beautiful smile.
-I loved the Mulder/Scully interplay on the "I only get five?"/ "I remembered your birthday this year didn't I Scully?" exchange.
-I liked the emotion we saw from Scully as she was clearly freaked by her first experiences at the prison.
-And, of course
This time I only thought "sophomore slump".
Autumn