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"You give me these things, the only things I ever
wanted and I can't think of any reason for you to
do so."
"Well that's true, no act is completely selfless."
This episode, the 100th episode of the X-Files filmed (and who woulda thunk that years ago) should have been offered to us on Halloween because it was truly full of tricks and treats. It was almost as if writer Chris Carter had decided that he would reward our patience with his mythology madness by giving us some candy. Of course, being the master manipulator that he is, all the treats had a sour angsty center - just the way we like it. So yeah, I enjoyed "Redux II" for all the reasons I usually enjoy X-Files episodes - great character moments and interesting twists. I just wonder did we really need three episodes to do this?
The first treat we were given was the surprising return of Samantha. Despite the fact that this did not go the way that Mulder wanted it to go it rang true. Reunions are not necessarily happy moments tied up with a pretty bow, and both of these characters had their worlds turned upside down. This was such a richly written scene and kudos to Megan Leitch for playing this Samantha with a vulnerability so different from the clone we saw her as last. It is especially potent that this woman has everything Mulder does not - a father whom she loves and trusts, and a real life with a family - all things Mulder has lost or forsaken on his quest. The desperation on both parts during the "Please, let me go" scene was shattering as we know it is the one thing Mulder can't do.
The next treat we are given is Scully's remission (and I suppose since the word remission is used we will still have the cancer threat hanging over us). We were teased by Frank Spotnitz that no one on the internet had guessed the resolution which leaves me confused. We were basically given three options all of which I'd seen discussed since the start of this whole cancer thing: putting a chip back in, whatever this "unconventional" treatment the doctor is doing is, or a miracle due to Scully's return to faith. Maybe what he meant is that we hadn't guessed that the answer would be "I don't think we'll ever know". So we are left to choose our cure. Personally, I don't like the idea of Scully going around setting off metal detectors for the rest of her life and perhaps allowing the consortium to tap into her mental processes as was inferred with the first chip. I'll take option "C" myself.
The strength of the relationship between Mulder and Scully is yet another treat. There is such an amazing bond between these two it almost makes the word love seem trite. With the threat of death the Dynamic Duo went into super snuggly mode and since they can never seem to verbalize how they feel about each other (because we can't have the audience getting the wrong impression, right?) they are left with conveying their emotions in meaningful looks, tender hand holding, and, the new addition, the friendly kiss. Scully so willing to destroy her reputation as a last gift to Mulder and his refusal to let her says more about their relationship than any emotional confession ever will. Their last scene together was a thing of beauty. Mulder telling her he knows she'd talk him out of the wrong choice and Scully grasping his hand and telling him "You'll be in my prayers".
Then we were given the death squad ending. First off, anyone who actually believes that CancerMan is dead is fooling themselves. No body, no death. The only really interesting thing about all that was that we now know that he has to be a total free agent as the consortium ordered his execution. He can't play in their sandbox anymore. What we are left to ponder is exactly why he is helping Mulder - out of loyalty to Samantha? Blevins, however, is dead (and he looked like he would have died from a heart attack if he wasn't shot). Chris Carter likes to kill people off and this time he cut us some slack in bringing back a character from the beginning of season 1 that we didn't care about to off instead of killing yet another supporting character that we were fond of. For that I am thankful. I liked the fact that he was killed by his own toady little helper. This guy is still a threat as he is on the OPC review board (in addition to always hanging around Blevins he was in the panel that questioned Scully in "Anasazi").
However, the real treat for me this episode was the exploration of faith. It is the only way I can, as Scully says, "give some meaning to what's happened to [her]". Otherwise the whole cancer arc was nothing but a manipulative bloody-nosed diversion. "Redux II" gives us Scully grabbing at straws to save herself, but stubbornly refusing her heart. She ponders miracles and then finally asks the question we've all been wondering for years - "Why do I wear this?". Oh my God I feel faint, could this be St. Scully coming out of denial mode? Trusting in that simple faith instead of pushing it away? I adore the layers and contradictions of this character. Seeing this strong intelligent woman tearfully mumbling the rosary as a testimony to her faith is a character moment forever etched in my mind.
Here's the thing about Gillian Anderson. I never see her working. I never see the actor. I only see the character, this wonderful complex person she has created. I am in awe during scenes like the one between her and Sheila Larken. I am completely and totally in the moment. Here's the thing about David Duchovny. I sometimes see him working. There are times when I should be totally in the moment when the little voice in my head that sounds like Jon Lovitz goes "ACTING!". He has some wonderful scenes in this episode - I thought he was especially good with Bill Scully, Samantha, and the conversations with Scully, but then there are times when I am wondering if he is chewing on Scully's arm instead of being there with the character emotionally. In a time when I wanted to be pondering the loss of faith for both characters I was just wondering how Scully could sleep through all that.
I know that Bill Scully is going to take some heat from folks after all this, but I just can't hate him. First of all Pat Skipper has done an absolutely fabulous job in bringing this character to life and secondly everything he has said has been the truth. It may be painful. It may hurt Mulder, but he is not wrong - his family is a tragedy because of someone else's quest for "little green aliens". Obviously he didn't tell Mulder anything that hadn't already crossed his mind - or for that matter crossed any of ours. When he tells Mulder "She's your big defender, but I think the truth is she just doesn't want to disappoint you" there is a lot of truth to it. No, I don't think Mulder is "one sorry son of a bitch", but I can certainly see why Bill does.
As far as the mythology goes, all the balls are once again up in the air - imagine that. Hoax or not a hoax, truth or "beautiful lies", Samantha here but gone - we're back to where we started.
-My absolute favorite thing about this episode: perhaps it will finally stop the "Hey, I've got a new theory" posts about Scully being Samantha or CancerMan being Mulder's dad. Thank God for that if nothing else.
-"One Breath" flashback - anyone else get that feeling as Mulder stormed around confronting the most unhelpful hospital staff in the DC area?
-Skinner tells us that Scully went into "hypovolemic shock" from blood loss - My God the woman must be running quarts low if three drips from the nose will do that to a girl.
-If I could turn back time: The clocks were very amusing in "Redux II". When Mulder enters Trinity hospital at 5:13AM the clock over his shoulder reads 5:30. Later in the scene it is back to 5:13. Then at the diner, Samantha drives up at 9:37 and yet it is 10:13 before they get around to meaningful conversation? Did they spend all that time talking about the Yankees and the weather?
-Mulder seems so floored to see Scully in the hospital. Has he been in complete denial or has Scully's "Love Story" beautiful cancer fooled him too. At least they finally let her look like she was dying this time.
-So these consortium guys practically run the world but they can't afford a good dentist? Looks like Chunky Italian could use a little "Purity Control" Crest.
-It seems we weren't the only ones trying to figure out the whole Scully and lying scenario. Almost everyone in this episode was asking why she lied as well.
-It was fun to see Bill Scully use the "science fiction" comeback on Dana as it is one of her favorites.
-Frank's Fashion Spot: The Frohike scary vests are back. Loved the fur fringe on this one - excuse my language, but it was "too freakin' amazing".
-Speaking of the Lone Gunmen, maybe it is just me, but wouldn't you love to see Scully going to them without Mulder for a change? I think that would have a lot of fun potential.
-Quiz: You are a crackerjack FBI investigator who has based his whole life on a single quest. You've just found out that not only did your mother sleep with the enemy, but your long lost sister is the product of that union. Do you A) Head off immediately to speak with your mother and sort this all out or B) Decide to go to an FBI convention?
-All of a sudden CancerMan is a loving Papa. Guess his claims of no family in "One Breath" and that Christmas angst in "Musings" was all a big bluff.
-Yes, it is cool that cloning is now an issue and you can watch CSPAN hearings on it, but what purpose did it serve to show Skinner there?
-Best Mulderism: "Please tell me you're here with severe chest pains."
-So Skinner isn't a bad guy - what a surprise - though I think we should start calling him by Mulder's new pet name "Buddy". Hey, did you see Buddy actually attempt a smile at the end? That might have been the biggest shocker in the episode. Maybe if he smiled more Scully wouldn't always get the wrong impression as to his intentions. At least it looks like in the end all is forgiven between Scully and Buddy once again.
-The big question: Will Sheila Larken EVER get to appear in a non-angst fest episode or will she always remain Scully's shoulder to cry on?
-So, is the consortium funded by an organization called Rousch? Have we seen the last of Kritschgau now that his son has been killed? Does it really take this new hit man all day to put his gun together? Where are the bees? Oops, sorry, I liked that they were missing.
Autumn
"I've come so far in my life on simple faith, and now
when I need it the most I just push it away."