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"Now how do we get things back to normal?"
I liked "Dreamland II" significantly more than "Dreamland" . Still, I've been wrestling with something about this two-parter. Trying to pin point exactly why, on the whole, I seem to have come down with a big case of "coulda, shoulda, woulda" in reaction to it. I think the key lies in what we have known all along: the X-Files really succeeds on the interaction of its stars. You know when "Dreamland" and "Dreamland II" worked? When Duchovny and Anderson shared the screen. Unfortunately, for a two part episode those times were too few and far between. Try as they might Duchovny/Dunn or Anderson/McKean don't have that magical undercurrent. It is just not as interesting.
Case in point is that wonderful meeting between Mulder and Scully towards the end when they lament about getting things back to normal. Funny, but it is this scene and not all the silly goofing for laughs that I'm sure looked good on paper, that makes sitting through these episodes worth it. Anderson and Duchovny pushed the UST pedal to the metal as Scully and Mulder said goodbye to what they had. When they work it they can even make sunflower seeds seem like the most touching gift in the world. A beautifully acted scene perfectly lit in a wash of headlights.
As much as I enjoyed the bedroom tour scene I couldn't help but once again hunger to see this all through Scully's point of view. The few shots through the mirror served only to tease us with what could have been. Still, hats off to Anderson here. I delighted in the way she played the scene on the edge of uncomfortable at Faux!Mulder's touches, and the forced seductiveness as she put her plan in place. There was also a certain wistfulness in her "No, I don't hate it" that made this a very layered scene for Scully.
I think a big factor in making this episode more successful was we were not forced to endure a clueless Scully running about the whole time getting her ass slapped and looking shocked. Scully once again shows her willingness to go with the unbelievable once she's gathered enough evidence to convince herself, and she's going with the evidence of her heart on this one. She's still a bit afraid as she has to ask more than once if it is really Mulder inside of Morris' body. Even the Lone Gunmen seem more than a little taken aback as she tries to explain. I really thought it was funny how it was Scully providing them with all the direction and answers here but they kept asking "Mulder" the questions. They just aren't used to Scully seeking their help yet, but I have to say I find her willingness of late to use them as a resource delightful.
The corruption of Scully to the ways of Mulder it seems has neared total completion. You can hear her chastising herself when she says "I've been telling you for years you should play more by the book, haven't I?" It is finally to the point where she is categorized as "willful, insubordinate, and not a team player" and she continues that behavior until she is fired.
This was also our first exposure to the new guy on the team: director Michael Watkins. I was impressed with his touch in this effort. Especially the way in which he handled the previously mentioned "goodbye" scene and the lovely little phone conversation at the end where Scully is genuinely sorry for Mulder at what she thinks is a lack of paranormal phenomena and Mulder actually *thanks Scully* (excuse me I feel faint) for giving up normal life for him. Watkins obviously has a keen emotional handle on how these characters interact and highlighted it nicely.
Despite all the good points about "Dreamland II" it was once again the over the top, trying too hard to be funny moments that brought this Gilligan/Spotnitz/Shiban script down. The X-Files has always had a natural humor to it. However, too often here you could see them working for it. The bedroom joke for one. I'd buy a messy bedroom sure, but the old closet joke? Give us a break. They could have also toned down Morris a notch or two on the letch-o-meter and still found a lot of humor. Or perhaps not gone for the obvious throwing all the belongings in the front yard gag. When you take away the small window of believability you lose the natural humor of circumstance that Darin Morgan was such a master at. It's easy to go for the obvious laugh, like telling us that Saddam is a low rent Tulsa dinner theatre refugee, but in doing so you cheapen the effort on the whole.
I've always been a fan of experimental episodes. I enjoy the forays into humor. I adored "Post Modern Prometheus" and "Triangle" . However, at this point even though "X-Files Lite" may taste great, it is less filling. Timing is everything, and right now I'm in the mood for a good old fashioned spooky tale. Yes, and I'm even pining for a little angst. How twisted is it that I've reached the point where I want the X-Files to depress me? God, I hope it happens soon.
-Lot's of interesting info from "Field Office Criminal Investigative and Administrative File" # X-71009. Mulder's Social Security Number: 123-32-1321, his place of birth is listed as Chilmark, MA, he's moved back to his almost identical Alexandria digs after that movie Arlington booboo (maybe this means Scully's apartment will be back to normal soon too), his start date with the FBI is listed as 10/24/86, and even though in the credits her name appears as "Tena" here we learn his mother's maiden name is Teena Kuipers. Plus he won an "Award for Public Service" from the FBI at some point.
-OK, I'll admit it. Mulder as little Spock was pretty damn funny. And it was interesting to hear another person's take on Mulder's life. Even if you drop out the whole alien abduction scenario, there was a real impact to just hearing about his sister disappearing overlapping a goofy home movie. It's a family tragedy no matter what the circumstances.
-I did like the effect of the champagne ejaculation complete with the confused "Baby?" - which we learn is NOT the endearing phrase to use around Ms. Scully, especially when she has a gun.
-Speaking of that gun, I found Scully's continued threats of using it ("Still got my gun" ) quite entertaining - especially at the end when Morris tries one last shot and even calls her "Danes" . (I know the closed captioning reads different here, but I swear that is what he said. Then again what do I know, I'm one of those who still hears "I saw it" every time I watch the movie...)
-Frank's Fashion Spot: Apparently, after the movie Scully has a new fashion plan code named "Detective Decolletage" . Not that there's anything wrong with that.
-I keep hoping they will back off a little, but they never do. Apparently the writers at 1013 just think Mulder's porn habit is so damn appealing that they need to share it with us as often as possible. So, now we know Mulder's bedroom was filled with boxes containing back issues of "PlayPen" amongst other things. What was that scary fuzzy dice collection?
-I couldn't help but wonder how much this "Little A'Le'inn" establishment resembles the original in Nevada.
-Enough with the self-referential John Gillnitz jokes guys. We get it already.
-Breakfast with the boys was fun, and I have to admit "back off Sneezy" was one of my favorite lines this episode.
-So just who is picking up the tab for these little unnoticed "field trips" now that the FBI is onto their expense reports? Seems ghostbusting has gotten a little more expensive for Our Heroes - plus Mulder has all that new furniture to pay off now.
-While I mentioned earlier the chemistry problems inherent in this body switch I will say that Dunn and McKean did a very nice job of showing us that they did connect on some level. Both the scene where he sees his upset wife at the bar and Morris convincing her at the end what happened were nicely done by the actors despite the cliche of the script.
-Some fun details from "The Lone Gunman: The Newsletter For Those Who Want to Stay Informed and Alive" . The Saddam issue was Vol. X No. 11, November 1998 (the closest thing we get to a date this episode). It's also published monthly at a buck an issue, ten bucks a year or the bargain rate of twenty five bucks for three years. Pretty cheap way to find out if Monica is a mandroid or not.
-Speaking of, I do wish both Lone Gunman covers we saw had not featured the mandroid. Surely those boys write about other things.
-Our Little Sailor: "The son of a bitch confesses to Kersh even more than I do to my priest." -Our Little 'Planet of the Apes' Sailor: "I'd kiss you if you weren't so damned ugly." -Kudos to Julia Vera AKA "Grandma TopGun" for doing such a number with that role. Her spread-leg macho Maverick bravado was great fun. I laughed out loud at "You're my bitch now pencil neck." -When we got to the "dude" kids I have to admit I missed our favorite stoners. I wish that the duo had decided take a turn through Nevada after their time in "Quagmire" and "War of the Coprophages".
-If Mulder thinks his "new" apartment is frightening (and I loved that look at the door number at the end) just wait until he gets to the office and finds that scary car model on his desk and Tiger Woods on his PC.
-I will admit there certainly is some humor to be found in the whole idea of "Special Tramp Dana Scully" . That and Scully being called a "home wrecker" is pretty damn funny.
Autumn
"Baby me and you'll be peeing through a catheter."