Autumn Tysko's X-Files Reviews

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Tunguska

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"They fear one thing - exposure. You expose him - expose his crimes - you destroy the destroyer's ability to destroy."

This is why I love the X-Files. Sure, the show can be uneven at times, but when it is good, when it is at its very best, there is no beating it. This was one of those edge of your seat, spun up until the end, and pacing during the commercial breaks shows - the best start to a two-parter since "Anasazi" or "Colony".

The teaser was practically perfection - and oh so fitting of the name teaser. Our dear St. Scully being threatened with contempt of congress for her unfailing loyalty to Mulder and the truth - how far this character has come over the years to now be unafraid to voice her own paranoia about the government. I found this scene (and the others of her zipped-lip approach) interesting in context to her taking-a-stand statement to Mulder about not knowing how far she can follow him. I'd call getting thrown in jail for protecting him pretty damn far myself. Gillian Anderson plays this subcommittee scene flawlessly - rock 'em sock 'em Scully at her best. Though while appearing calm and collected she lets us know just how nervous Scully is by the slightest hitch in her voice and tremor in her hand. Sometimes when I watch her perform I hear the words of an old acting coach of mine echoing in my head: "Less is more". Perfect.

If that weren't enough to get us going we get the return of the "oilien" in Honolulu possessing a dorky fumble-fingered customs agent (who gets payback for ordering that body cavity search apparently). And then - be still my heart - Mulder and Scully in full riot gear - it's enough to make you squeal in delight sometimes. If you thought Scully looked tough playing with her gun in "War of the Coprophages" she was downright butch slapping the magazine into that rifle here - a 5'2" helmeted female action hero - I love it when the show uses Scully or Mulder to throw typical male/female conventions on their ear.

It gets even better, RatBoy is back - though his description of his liberation was a little lame - these militants let him out of the silo but didn't notice the huge oilien spacecraft? Yeah, OK. Nic Lea really does a great job with this part - bringing all sorts of nuances into it and letting us see his fears. Spotnitz and Carter even had a little fun with our nickname for Krycek with that learning "to live with the rats" dialogue. Krycek (or maybe we should rename him PunchingBagBoy after this episode) seems to be a magnet for abuse here as he tries to convince the duo that they should become the three musketeers against CancerMan - only Scully refrains from taking out her frustrations on him. Mulder delivers the best insult between punches, calling him an "invertebrate scum sucker whose moral dipstick is two drops short of bone dry". Apparently thinking up that insult took a lot out of Mulder as he later resorts to things like "Stupid-ass haircut" - uh, kettle - this is Mulder - you're black.

I liked the way that they used Skinner in this episode - so many times he appears to be an after thought, but here he was critical to the action - and able to get in a little payback of his own. I'm sure Pileggi fans were swooning from the shirtless pants zipping scene.

So, now a word about the UniBlonder. How much longer until Scully regrets getting her address for Mulder? I'm betting not too long at all. I find Marita sort of interesting, I certainly don't resent her as much as some do. What I did not like, however, was the fact that gauzy lighting and soft piano score music were used in this scene as to play up to some sort of romance angle. At least Mulder didn't appear to be letting it all bother him too much as he just seemed to sleep soundly in her chair.

I guess I should address what was technically yet another international ditch. I say technically because A) I got the impression that Mulder kept Scully well informed this time and B) If I were her I'd be really really glad I didn't go with him. You would think that sooner or later Mulder would put two and two together and realize every time he runs off by himself he invariably ends up getting more than a few fresh scars to add to his ever growing collection. Oh well, he'll never learn - this time he takes Krycek with him because Krycek conveniently swears at him in Russian. That doesn't end up doing him or us a whole lot of good because we still can't understand a thing being said until RatBoy gives Mulder the kiss-off at the end.

So we wrap up with Mulder's little break into the Gulag back firing on him big time as he becomes a whipping boy himself. Our last shot of a trussed up Mulder - nose poking through chicken wire - having oilien squirted on him was classic. Especially as we know how icky it is to get rid of those darn oiliens once they get in you - just ask Krycek. And what were we to infer from the bloodied band-aid on his arm suspiciously in the same area as a smallpox vaccination scar? Tune in next week - same X time, same X channel - for another exciting Moose and Squirrel adventure.

Random Musings

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- Apparently Skinner's new apartment has some interesting residents - he even has a "Highlander" opening the door for him at the "Viva Tower". I wonder if Mulder & Scully will be investigating strange beheadings next...

- Speaking of the apartment - it looks like the little reconciliation moment at the end of "Avatar" fell through and our man Walter is a single guy now. Hasta La Vista Sharon.

- From Scully's opening speech she mentions becoming an FBI agent four years ago. I had always though she'd taught at Quantico for a while before teaming up with Mulder. This would make her *really* green when they first hooked up.

- Every single time I see Scully running full tilt in those heels - and down a jetway no less - I wait for the day when we hear that Gillian Anderson has broken an ankle. As a woman I have always considered this the most amazing stunt work on the show.

- Why does Scully still knock on Mulder's door? It's not like she waits for him to say "Come in".

- Finally, we got the return of "Mulder, it's me" - I was getting worried. Funny though this time Skinner got to ask Mulder where he was.

- Now, far be it for me to ever accuse Scully of a selfish action, but I'm beginning to think she may be using poor Pendrell. It's as if she knows the love-struck lab boy will do anything for her so she constantly drags him into her latest mess. She's going to have to pay him back someday - maybe that's just what Pendrell is hoping.

Autumn
"There is a culture of lawlessness that has prevented me from doing my job." <- I'm going to try this one at work myself.

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