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"I like Hickey."
I like him too. Hell, I like all three of them. I was reminded why again in "Three of a Kind". As eccentric as the Lone Gunmen are these actors manage to make these characters real people instead of a throwaway comic relief joke. So, as someone who really prefers a meaty X-Files episode involving Mulder and Scully rather than the supporting players, if we have to move the spotlight every so often these three are up to the task. I'll never count this episode among my favorites, but I was involved, laughed, and enjoyed the story. While I hope the last season of the X-Files keeps its focus on the show's core, if the need to free up time arises, I'll take this any day over dreck like "Travelers".
X-Files has been hit and miss in doing episode sequels. Sometimes we get "Tooms" and then there is "Kitsunegari". In this case the more emotionally involving "Three of a Kind" does even better than its predecessor "Unusual Suspects". If "Three of a Kind" called on anyone to step up it was Bruce Harwood. I've often thought Harwood did well with what he has been given on this series and he does another fine job here. There was a real nice undercurrent in the scene between Braidwood and Harwood that showed a lot of humanity in the way Frohike and Byers relate to each other. Harwood was especially good with his mixture of desperation and honesty in his "I'm here to save you" scene and the touching moment at the end where Modeski asked him to come with her.
Signy Coleman reminded me of everything I liked about her performance in "Unusual Suspects" in a welcome reprise of that role and Michael McKean reminded me of everything I didn't like in the "Dreamland" episodes in a throw away cameo seemingly designed just to allow Scully to swat his ass. While, as I said, the Lone Gunmen are enjoyable because they come across as real, albeit eccentric, people, the other supporting players in geekdom are too broadly drawn by writers Gilligan and Shiban. The "Jimmy and Timmy" geek standoff and "boobage" or naked shooting lessons were over the top. As was the Scully Golightly bar scene. As fun as it was seeing Gillian Anderson draw that cigarette out of the pack, the whole scene was written as just trying too hard to be amusing rather than relying on the actors to find the humor in the moment.
Who would have thunk that we'd ever see an episode with the Lone Gunmen where Scully is called upon to be the comic relief. Well, I think those people who have hypothesized that Gillian Anderson can't do comedy should be shut up by now. Between the more subtle stuff she has done in episodes like "Bad Blood" and the slapstick here I think it is clear she can. Her "medical opinion" on the cause of death and fruitless table pushing had me howling. Actually, what is really interesting about the autopsy scene is that at the start we see Scully's humor as she toys a little with Langly who clearly can't stomach what she does. The exaggerated *snap* of the mask as she starts slicing is a nice moment. Then we find out just what is left if you impede Scully's higher brain function and the answer is: not much. The childlike reactions to the ongoing conversation were amusing, but my favorite little moment was just hearing her say "hi" as Modeski ran her hands through Scully's hair looking for an injection mark. There was also a glimmer of real Scully in the bar scene, when despite her state, she tells the "dandy" whispering in her ear "that's not nice". At least even drugged she's still a kind person.
This is the first X-Files episode directed by Bryan Spicer and let me say bring this man back any time. This episode was filled with innovative shots that really made the camera use entertaining. The teaser was wonderful as we swooped down from the sky and then floated with Byers through his dream house and back outside without a cut. He also had a penchant for unusual placement: peering out from inside vents, bags, an ice bucket and even an ice machine. However, my favorite moment was the use of reflection during the autopsy scene. Through Scully's goggles we saw her precise detail while Langly's lenses show a muddle of red reflecting their internal states and showing the audience all it needed to see of Scully's task. After all, blood and guts can bother some people.
-In the "Those pants aren't going anywhere" department we have Frohike sporting both suspenders and a belt under his puffy shirt waiter garb.
-I don't know whose idea this was, but they ought to be pleased with themselves: when Frohike and Byers come to cart Modeski's body away. Frohike's latex gloves have the fingers cut out of them just like the leather numbers he is so fond of.
-Perhaps they need to make those "Privacy Please" signs in some other language besides English since the maid just waltzes into the room without even knocking when it is hanging there. Maybe she likes the floor shows too.
-Despite the lack of discretion by the staff I'd love to stay in that hotel just to take a bath in that gorgeous spitting swan tub.
-Poor Frohike. First he's trapped in a room with an undressing woman, then he's got a loopy Scully pinching his ass and he can't do a damn thing about it.
-My vote for fun transition moment - the sound overlap from the ding ding ding of a casino win to the ring ring ring of Scully's cell phone.
-Frank's Fashion Spot: Dark red satin jammies. Need we say more? I thought not. Scully is also still sporting the black bra under the white shirt look as the unbuttoned down to here bar scene revealed. I must admit that is one thing about this character that never makes sense to me and she's been doing it for years.
-Nice touch that everyone inflicted with the drug seems to think Langly is a "cutie".
-After all that shooting and "blood" explosions none of it gets on Modeski's white undershirt? I have a hard time buying that.
-If we learned anything this episode it is that Langly's "Michael Bolton" looks are far superior to a slicked back or short look on him. I can't tell you how relieved I was to see the pony tail just tucked in the back of the jacket.
-Apparently Langly does not do much flying if he thinks that is "seriously jet lagged". Either that or I'm not having nearly enough fun on business trips.
-Good plan to call Scully in the middle of the night when she was sure to be groggy. That's our Scully. Mulder can call her day or night, give her no information, toss out trust, and she's Vegas bound.
-I also found it amusing that Scully was the one they called on because Mulder is too high profile with the geek set. I guess she's simply "that which he cannot live without" to them as well. Frankly, I'm starting to think there is a whole line of people whose asses Scully needs to kick.
-Could they have found a larger actor to play the security guard? Braidwood and Anderson barely cleared that guy's belt buckle.
Autumn
"I just can't decide who lights my fire."