Index to all seasons | Abbey Home Page
"Dana, if, um, early in the four years we've been working together an event occurred that suggested - or somebody told you that - we've been friends together in other lifetimes - always - would it have changed some of the ways we've looked at one another?"
"Even if I knew for certain, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe that flukeman thing. I could've lived without that just fine."
This is the episode I so wanted "Home" to be - a character junkie's dream - Morgan & Wong at their best. It was one of the most finely tuned I've seen. I would not be surprised to see this episode submitted by almost everyone involved for consideration when Emmy nomination time rolls around next year. Rob Bowman did a truly wonderful job both in getting first class performances out of the actors and in staging some beautiful shots - the sweeping teaser shot but one example of this. Mark Snow was similarly inspired as he was allowed to get out of scare/chase mode and give us a truly lovely piano score.
It is however the acting that really brought this all together. Kristen Cloke, in a really difficult part to pull off, was inspired as Melissa wearing her different roles physically. Duchovny, apparently bound and determined to be Emmy nominated next time, gives one of his very best performances. Director Bowman's choice to use a tight closeup on Duchovny's face during the regression scene pays off handsomely allowing us to see all the emotion, transitions and subtlety. The pained reading on "We're always taken away" highlighting lifetimes of loss was simply brilliant. Combined with his quiet realizations throughout the evening this was a masterful performance.
Whatever that magic is between Anderson and Duchovny it was stoked tonight. These two can even argue by passing notes - how typically Mulder and Scully - "multiple personality" - no - "past lives". Scully is absolutely right when she recognizes Mulder's behavior as selfishness rather than concern for the fifty lives - though true to her loyal form she plays along with him. However, one of the episode's high points for me was that major snit car conversation (which may be one of their all time crankiest moments) where Scully reads Mulder big time for calling Vernon a sociopath for the same things he is now believing. The great thing about the Scully/Mulder relationship has always been the way they can argue and move on. When Mulder needs Scully for sympathy (always one of her strong suits) she is there for him and the moment in the car forgotten.
I am frankly mystified by all the moaning and gnashing of teeth about this episode somehow changing the Mulder/Scully dynamic as I found it to be one of the most affirming of their special bond. Whether or not you believe Mulder's Shirley Maclaine turn - he believed it - and much to my surprise Scully (who we know believes those under hypnosis are prone to confabulation) appeared to as well. (Why else would she ask if he saw the bunkers as Sullivan Biddle?) We find that their souls are linked tightly as well - "souls come back together - different, but always together". Mulder and Scully's discussion of their bond, which, as usual, is said more through their eyes than the words, was quite touching and Scully's flukeman joke an unexpected treat. A truly fine moment by Duchovny and Anderson. I did find it quite amusing that in both cited past life instances she was a male authority figure. No wonder she can be so bossy. Heck, she was ordering the other agents around this episode like she was running the show.
The real problem with the hypnotic regression that takes place in this episode is, of course, the time frames. CancerMan as Gestapo in Poland? Not if we are to believe the "Apocrypha" teaser. During WWII he would already be CancerBoy no doubt pulling the wings off butterflies and sneaking his first cigarettes. I really don't think that this negates the power or emotion of anything though. I find Mulder's belief that this is true and his belief in the connection to those important to him to be the crux of the story. What's really sad in all this is that it was all for naught. Despite Mulder running into the compound in one of his all time stupidest moments everyone died - which is far more tragic than a torn photo of a lost love.
"At times I almost dream. I too have spent a life the sage's way and tred once more familiar paths."
-The date stamp we get for this episode is shortly after November 5, 1996 - the time found on Sydney's first recorded message to the ATF.
-Retread alert. Though there were quite a few in this episode the most recognizable was the ATF Agent played by Doug Abraham as he has appeared in "The Pilot", "GenderBender", "Die Hand", and "Hell Money".
-Well, as if we didn't already know we were witnessing a tender bonding moment, Mulder drives it home by affectionately calling Scully "Dana" for the first time since season one. Now, if we could only get her to try "Fox" just one more time ...
-I always wondered when we'd finally get around to seeing Mulder and Scully in the sort of FBI situation that we see so often on the news these days even if their reason for being there was real weak. It's OK, really. We can believe that they do real FBI agent things too without a paranormal angle.
-Love our heroes in raid wear and playing with the other agents - even if their disdain for "our man Spooky" is evident. Gives Scully the chance to pull out those boots too.
-OK, show of hands - how many of you wanted to see Scully do that thing with her tongue when challenged with "Can you do this?" - I know I did.
-Well, the Scully "Home" grab is, I believe, finally proven to be an aborted notebook grab beyond a shadow of a doubt. This time when she went fishing she came up with something.
-Apparently Mulder & Scully are going through a sport utility phase right now, or finally getting around to using all those upgrade certificates they must own.
-If I were Scully I might get a complex from hearing about someone dying punctuated with "He is Scully". Perhaps it is time to dig out the curvier suits.
-What a great library Scully found! Not only is it open at 4:12AM, but it has drawers conveniently labeled "Photographs - People - Civil War" - and looky! Just the pictures she needed! Someone give that librarian a raise.
Autumn
"Time is flying and we've got six wives to question."