Autumn Tysko's X-Files Reviews

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All Souls

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"Father do you believe that God has his reasons?"
"Yes, I'm certain of it. It's how he rewards our faith."

In a way I felt as if my faith had been rewarded. I've waited a very long time for a story that delved into Scully's inner struggle between faith and science, and it made an emotionally charged and riveting episode. Despite the many hands present in the writing of "All Souls" (it started out as an idea by released writers Brown & Angel before ending up as a Shiban/Spotnitz collaboration), the story rang strong and clear for me. I think the main reason I am so fond of "All Souls" is that it did something that the X-Files does not often do: it fulfilled a lot of promises. Instead of toying endlessly with the viewers it confronted several issues. We've danced with Scully's faith before but never so passionately. We've flirted with her role as a chosen protector and it surfaces again here. The idea of Psychic!Scully has been around since her first visions in season one and here she finally acknowledges them instead of rationalizing and dismissing. We've waited patiently for the emotional fall out following "Christmas Carol"/"Emily" and all these things finally came to a head in one beautiful episode. Plus, from a purely personal stand point, I don't think anyone could possibly question why we call her St. Scully now.

I think we've found our Emmy submission episode for the season as far as Gillian Anderson is concerned. There was so much about her performance to love, but for me the highlight was the autopsy scene where we see Scully trying frantically to regain her composure after she is shaken to the core. It was especially effective that this happened in a place where she is usually her most competent and comfortable. The thing I have always enjoyed about her acting is the way, despite what Scully may be saying or doing, her eyes are always a window to her soul. As this was a show where the battle for the character was internal rather than external those windows were everything. We see the Scully who has a maddening habit of sublimating or denying events and emotions no longer choosing that path.

"All Souls" makes a perfect companion piece to "Revelations". We find a Scully who, after her cancer scare, seems determined to work on her faith. The Scully who wondered if God was speaking and no one's listening is listening herself so intently that she is convinced that everyone is speaking directly to her and about her in a way that she is only meant to understand. She comes back again and again to what she sees as signs that she is being called. That she is meant to save this girl. The use of Emily to convey this message is especially interesting. While I was not overly thrilled with the way the episode "Emily" handled this whole situation, here I see Emily as more of a symbol for all of Scully's grief and loss - her barrenness, her loneliness, all the things that have been eating at her but she has not faced. Yes, technically she did lose a daughter, but what she really lost was that hope for children and normalcy. In the end she comes to the conclusion that accepting her loss is what faith is for her.

Episodes with religious themes are always controversial - mostly I think because in trying to understand characters we relate them to ourselves. Myself, I have never seen her faith as a weakness. Here I see her finally strong enough to face her grief and pain. Part of what has always made Scully such a fascinating and complex character to me was the juggling of science and faith, skepticism and belief. As heartbreaking as it can be to see this character grieving so openly, it is better than having her muddle through life a cold shell who glances furtively at night a picture of what could have been.

Mulder's part in this story, while limited, is crucial. Given their history of conflict in religious based cases her reticence to discuss things with him is natural. Their cautious discussion where Scully questions his ruling out the supernatural speaks to the past they have with this issue. This makes it all the more poignant that she does (obviously learning from her "Elegy" faux pas) admit to first finding something "wing like" and then to seeing visions to him. (At which point I must admit I begged to the TV "please Mulder don't be a punk" - and it obviously worked). I was also struck by Mulder's admission that her vulnerability was scaring him - this is clearly a Scully he does not understand. At the same time she is using him to help her find her way to make sure her judgement is not clouded even though she eventually decides she is right.

It was beautifully shot. I've never been shy about how much I miss John Bartley's cinematography but here Joel Ransom teams up with Director Allen Coulter very successfully. The teaser image of the two figures clasped together in the raging storm below the cross of the telephone pole was stunning. Mix that with the shadowed confessional, the glowing stained glass of the church, and the bright bathing light of the visions and you have a visual treat. I was also quite impressed with the way they had the light continually catching Scully's cross early on, its twinkling drawing our attention to it. The set design crew did a nice job of even having the graffiti in the warehouse have a stained glass feel to it. The prevalent visual theme seemed to be windows - they were everywhere - meshing up nicely for me with the idea of the eyes being windows into the soul.

I was also quite fond of Jody Racicot's work as Father Red Herring, I mean Gregory. His character draws fear and suspicion because he is different. There is a lack of understanding on our part about his particular brand of faith while he too is trying to do the right thing. Mark Snow's score was perfect, mixing hymn-like music with chants and what sounded like speaking in tongues in places enhancing the episode with great effect.

I've complained a lot this season about the lack of episodes where Mulder and Scully act as a team, but this is the type of episode we need if we have to from time to time focus on one or the other. Not a vacation disrupted by the hokey pokey or a flashed wedding ring - instead an exploration of the heart and soul.

Random Musings

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-The Easter date stamp gives this episode a time frame of the week following April 12.

-What a joy to find out that Scully really does use that Apollo 11 key chain. Though as big as it is you'd think she'd have no trouble holding onto it.

-Speaking of props, a moment of silence for the apparent passing of something that has been with us since season 1 - the big clunky white Scully phone. It seems she finally retired that thing - for a slightly smaller white phone.

-For some reason I was really struck by the fact that Scully was attending Easter services alone instead of with family. It really helped to underscore the fact that she was alone in this.

-I must say that as soon as I saw that flea market art black velvet painting of the child in Mr. Dyer's home it was evident that evil was about.

-Well Porno!Mulder is back. "Tailing a possible suspect" indeed. I think he was interested in suspect tail. I guess "A Decade of Dirty Delinquents" wasn't available yet on video.

-I don't know how well I'd sleep after this if I were Scully. There's something bout the devil calling out your name that seems like it would be a bit unsettling. Though she did remain pretty damn calm when all that was going on.

-I'm a little curious as to why Scully was able to survive if it is true that to look upon the seraphim in all it's glory is to give up one's soul to heaven. Was he only putting on a half glory show for her just to make a point?

-Frank's Fashion Spot: Up until the end I had nothing but good things to say. We got an X-Files rarity - Scully in a dress. Both the brown print and her yellow Easter outfit were quite lovely. I was delighted to see her dressed up but not in a suit. However, just when I thought it was going to be a good fashion episode all the way through what should appear but that horrid black zippered jacket. I must admit I was terrified when I realized that was the outfit she was going to confront the devil in as I am sure he had a hand in its design.

-Well Mulder got a little taste of what it is like to be Scully this week as she gets to be the "Secret squirrel" instead of his usual mysterious moose. I have to admit I enjoyed her sending him on an errand with no details or explanation. At least she says "I'm sorry" when giving him cryptic instructions.

-Geez that confessional priest certainly got an earful. Here he'd probably thought he was going to get another afternoon of lust and lies and instead he gets to hear about the struggle between good and evil for all souls.

Autumn
"Science only teaches us how, not why."

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