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"Mulder, what are these people dying for? Is it for the truth
or for the lies?"
"It's got to be for the truth. If we owe them anything it's to
make sure of that."
Sometimes, like Scully, I wonder what these people are dying for, and frankly, I'm not as convinced as Mulder that it is for the truth. The X-Files' death toll rises again in its most gratuitous example yet, and I've yet to figure out a reason. Pendrell knew too much? Yeah right. We don't have enough Scullyangst with dead family members and terminal brain cancer? Sure. Fine. Whatever. My bet is either the writing staff is just plain sadistic (after all even pets aren't safe), or they created a character that they just didn't know what to do with and fell back on the old "death to up the stakes" ploy they've only used - what? - five times now? Find a new trick guys because an otherwise good episode was marred by this. For the record, I'm not some huge Pendrell fan who will be weeping over his passing (though I always thought Brendan Beiser did a delightful job making the Scully-smitten Pendrell into a memorable character with relatively little screen time). What I am is a fan of innovation and clever writing - something I usually find on this show.
Now, despite starting off this review with a rather lengthy complaint, I want to reiterate that I did like this episode - it was a solid conclusion to an interesting two parter that for once didn't feel compelled to wrap itself in the confusing mytharc episode shroud of cigarettes, oiliens, and one-armed bandits. Though sometimes after I watch episodes like these the biggest question I have is why Mulder and Scully don't get brain damage from beating their heads against the wall repeatedly. I was struck by Max's video and how it, in a way, seemed to express so much of the struggle we have seen on the show from a different perspective. He speaks of finding proof for the skeptics and describes the conspiracy of government, aliens, FBI, and military we have come to know even tieing in the use of alien technology by the military. It's a credit to Scott Bellis that as we watch this goofy recitation that the truth sinks in. Mulder is lucky that when he says things like this it doesn't sound half as crazy or Scully really would have to worry about him being committed.
Another great episode for Gillian Anderson, the master of subtle emotion. The mixture of guilt and sadness she shows at the death of the colleague they took for granted is nicely portrayed. Also, I won't have to continue my CancerWatch countdown as we are finally given a sign (and learn that Scully now always carries a tissue in her pocket). I liked the way in which this was done. Scully sternly ordering the paramedics that Pendrell is "not going to die" as the signs of her own mortality show. That little moment Anderson gives us as she sees the blood and the thoughts flicker across her face was brilliant. The ensuing scene with Skinner was also nicely executed. I've always enjoyed the mileage that Pileggi and Anderson get out of their moments together - they are layered with a subtext of affection, respect, defiance and authority. There is almost a parent/child feel to this one as Scully is "caught" having a nosebleed with Skinner hinting about pulling her out of the field as her eyes get just ever so slightly teary and she tells him (and us) in typical Scully fashion that she is fine.
We do get some interesting insights into the ever complex relationship between Mulder and Scully this episode as well. It isn't often that Scully shares her thoughts on Mulder or their partnership and she does it freely this episode. It seems that cancer has made Scully more philosophical as she has tended to wax poetic of late. She tells us she sees Mulder and Max as similar: "Men with spartan lives simple in their creature comforts if only to allow for the complexity of their passions". Despite walking behind Mulder and Millar with a less than amused look on her face while Mulder tells his "whopper" she admits that it is a good story. Then, of course, we get the riddle of the key chain. Mulder and Scully staring into the night sky in their "play clothes" while Scully, in my estimation, does a pretty good job of nailing why Mulder gave her that gift - I think his typical Mulder deflective response to when she gets too close emotionally reinforces that she is right. It isn't just a "pretty cool key chain".
I neglected in last week's review to mention Mark Snow's superb score for this two parter, so let me do it now - that wonderful tinkling theme was perfect. I also have to once again praise the special effects for this outing - those abduction scenes with the floating in the light were eerie, and, to tell the truth, as a frequent traveler the people being sucked out of the plane were some of the most frightening things I've ever seen on this show. Kudos for great execution in these sequences to all involved.
-I know I shouldn't have been laughing at the dramatic shootout at the Headless Woman Pub, but seeing Scully shove Army-Boy to the ground and then tell Pendrell with the sucking chest wound "I'll be right back" caught me as funny. I'm sure Pendrell was thinking "It's OK Dana, whenever you can get around to me will be fine". After all, part of his fantasy did come true - Scully did take off his shirt and tie while telling him she wanted to celebrate her birthday with him. Too bad she was splattered by his blood at the time.
-While all that green water effect was cool, it was pretty hard to tell what the heck was going on in the Scuba!Mulder section. I was just amazed that a guy with no Scuba experience managed to get off his tank and weight belt in a hurry and then pop to the surface in total disregard to safety precautions.
-Pretty boy Mulder does have all the luck though - not only does he not get that lovely scuba mask face welt, but despite the fact that everyone else exposed to the radiation gets the ugliest boils on their faces this side of "F. Emasculata" Mulder gets a few dainty bumps easily covered by his Season 4 bangs.
-Mulder, it seems, has no qualms about getting undressed in front of Scully. However, the ever modest St. Scully turns discreetly away even though she's seen him in his underwear (though not those scary military issue pale lime green things)before - no doubt so as not to give the guard the wrong impression. I wonder if they did that strip just to make all that obligatory Scully exposition more interesting.
-One thing I've always enjoyed about the two-parters is when they have to repeat a bit of time they tend to use different camera angles thus giving us a fresh look at the events.
-That said, in another X-Fileish occurrence, Agent Scully fires one shot in "Tempus Fugit", but in the re-edited version this week fires two - hitting the wall and the shooter's leg. I'm not going to comment on her aim as I know she is a good shot. She was just a bit off because Pendrell was busy dying in her way.
-So, the ever-bright FBI Agent Scully, who is trained to be observant didn't even know Pendrell's first name? I don't think so. Somehow I believe in all the time she'd spent with him and at his lab she'd be able to read a nameplate or his badge. I think it's the writers who didn't know his name. Is the same thing going to happen to Mrs. Mulder eventually when they return to the tired kill-a-character well again? Mulder: "Gee, I don't know, I just always called her Mom."
-I don't know why Mulder was all concerned about the missing few minutes on his watch. He should have been more surprised at the way he and Scully were able to suddenly leap into the future as the date on his watch read March 8 and when the episode started it was the early AM of February 26th.
-I thought the use of Soul Coughing's "Unmarked Helicopters" in this episode was great - I've always thought the song epitomized the struggle of Mulder & Scully (she even cracks a slight smile when she hears it). Plus, it's my favorite on "Songs in the Key of X" along with the Sheryl Crow tune (which always reminds me of a song Scully might play if she was ever sitting around alone in her apartment having a beer and throwing herself a pity party).
-Mulder's work phone number: 202-555-2350.
-Amongst the hilarious photos and clippings adorning Chateau Max I caught the following headline (complete with photo): "Giants from outer space take robot for walkies in Russian park".
-Another note on Air-X: since when does a flight attendant take your coat to hang up in coach. I must be flying the unfriendly skies myself...
-I don't even want to see Mulder's GTE SkyPhone bill after he leaves the phone off the hook. Have fun trying to expense that one pal.
-In a true testament to her vast skill as an actress, Gillian Anderson actually manages to give a completely new reading to "Mulder, it's me. Where are you?" despite having said this line in various ways approximately a kabillion times over four years. Where is Mulder? Why in front of the Lariat rent car counter of course!
-I bet Grumman's isn't too thrilled by the like-sounding "Cummin's" as the evil aerospace company.
-Watching that other female agent run down the jet way in pumps certainly has give me an appreciation at how effortless Gillian makes it look.
Autumn
"He needs to be intubated immediately"