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"Dear Diary, today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested spontaneous human combustion."
Dear Diary, tonight my heart leapt when the X-Files delivered an episode that was tense, intelligent, and enjoyable. It didn't feel the need to give us a clumsy wink with over the top self-referential humor. The "monster" was complex, scary, and intriguing instead of unintentionally laughable. All the characters were sharply drawn and well acted. Our Heroes actually acted like the smart investigators we know they are, and they worked wonderfully together to find the solutions. Diary, why is it this year that it takes a script from two freelance writers to make the X-Files feel like the X-Files again?
Jim Guttridge and Ken Hawryliw I'd like to thank you for writing "Trevor". We so needed this type of an episode this season. Feel free to come back any time. I enjoyed this script on a lot of levels, mostly because the characters were not just cardboard cutouts but quirky individuals. I liked the theme of wanting another chance. Pinker is a hardened violent man thinking he has been infused with God's will who wants his son to love him, but is too maladjusted to see how his behavior is terrifying until the end. June is the happy homemaker trying to run from her sleazy bad boy babe past by attempting to become June Cleaver. Plus, the idea itself of someone who could change the molecular structure of objects was both fascinating and visually appealing.
I also really liked the way that Mulder and Scully were written in "Trevor". The banter as they first came to the case was delightful. Plus, as a huge bonus, they didn't make Scully into the closed off skeptic weaker scripts can easily fall back on. How fun to see Scully grudgingly hypothesizing the paranormal solution while Mulder posits murder. The interaction here from the "Mulder shut up" when he wasn't saying anything out loud to the gleeful "will wonders never cease" look on his face as Scully proves once again she does her homework and spouts her combustion theory was a joy. I think Mulder almost felt bad that it wasn't spontaneous human combustion. Duchovny and Anderson really gave the episode a charge here as the investigation got rolling. Speaking of investigations, there actually was one. They even managed to work Scully's knowledge of physics in to find creative ways to fight or flee from Pinker. And I have to give a nod to that moment when Mulder and Scully realize together where the boy is: teamwork and that crackling unspoken communication unite to great effect.
I do want to take some time to mention the supporting players as well. This episode was exceptionally well cast with strong actors. John Diehl as Pinker did a great job of portraying this troubled man. I especially enjoyed his spooky/silly closing in on an armed Bo, and his trying to connect with the terrified boy. Catherine Dent was also very strong as the secretive June desperate to change her life by submerging herself in an exaggerated definition of normalcy that includes glue-gunning butterflies to her sweaters. I don't know who the actor was who played the prison guard who found the body, but it was a perfect example of someone making a complete character out of a few lines of dialogue.
Director Bowman and the visual effects team managed to make this episode a real visual treat. The charred burn effects, especially Bo-Bo the Nofaced Boy were very effective. The pulsing ceiling over June was another favorite moment along with Mulder making dust of the door and chest of drawers Pinker had walked through with a simple kick and the pile of clothes slumping to the ground as Pinker escaped through a wall.
Frankly, there is very little to pick at in this episode, and I can't tell you what a welcome change that is. Thanks to all who made this such a solid and respectable outing.
-Now admittedly I'm not well versed in prison lingo, but even with a pretty damn good imagination I can't figure out how calling someone "Charley Potatoes" is an insult.
-I have to admit I do love it when the X-Files finds a new and creative way to kill a person just to see that look on Scully's face when she uncovers the body. Guess she has not seen it all quite yet.
-Jeers for feeling the need to once again have Mulder toss off a prison rape reference and play with the jumbo condoms. I wish the boys at 1013 didn't find this sort of thing as amusing as they obviously seem to.
-Prison farm life must be very very hard because if Pinker Rawls was indeed 34 they were very rough years.
-In the "It's the little things that count" category points go to Pinker losing his clothes every time he passes through a wall. It's one of those things you would not immediately think of yet makes perfect sense. Plus, it's not every day Mulder and Scully get to confront a naked psycho killer.
-That Bo certainly doesn't have to be worried about being featured in "Better Homes and Gardens". Why buy pictures when you can just decorate your home with hubcaps? You can take the Bo out of the trailer but you can't take the trailer out of the boy.
-I just liked hearing Mulder say "I'm not saying it can't be explained scientifically". I guess that was payback for Scully's earlier theory.
-Frank's Fashion Spot: The halter top from hell worn by Jackie. I think the costumer was reaching a little too far for white trash with this one. Especially since it looked like they tried to find a fabric pattern to match the tattoo on her arm. They've got Jackie hardly wearing anything most of the episode yet Trevor's got two shirts on in the house. I guess slaving over that chicken soup got mighty hot.
-That classic stance of guns and flashlights as Mulder and Scully busted into Jackie's place brought a smile to my face.
-I'm trying to figure out why the trunk light in the car was on when the trunk was closed. Surely they could have found another way to show us Pinker was in the trunk. For that matter, I did not need to see him at all. The lingering glance at the trunk as they left was plenty to clue me in. Drop the trunk shot entirely next time just for old times sake when you didn't need to spell things out.
-It was nice to see that Mulder and Scully are back renting from Lariat again. It was a touch I'd missed.
-Lovely story about Pinker following a guy who cut him off 62 miles to crack his skull. I think we have a new definition for road rage.
-90,000 bucks doesn't go far anymore if a down payment on a house in Mississippi, 2 sofas, chintz curtains, and a PC drain it. Then again she did buy that glue gun for herself.
-Speaking of, the Mississippi Martha Stewart wannabe stuff was almost too over the top. If making the baskets was not enough, that house was covered with bows on the walls, silk flowers, and a wreath on the wall of every room. Eeek!
-Anyone else keep waiting for the maid to fall through the ceiling of the hotel while cleaning the upstairs room?
-If Pinker was indeed carrying out "God's will" he certainly found a very Old Testament way for smiting his enemies.
-As fun as it was to see ShotGun!Mulder I have to admit there was a part of me that wished it had been Scully blasting away and Mulder running off with the boy.
-Still, Scully acting as the protector of children is always interesting. Anderson gave Scully a wonderful intensity as she came to the phone booth conclusion and rushed the boy into it.
-Why in the world does that kitchen pantry have that sort of lock on it? Is Jackie afraid the grits are going to sneak out at night and attack them in their sleep?
-"My name's Pinker, but you can call me Pinky." Yeah right, you look like a Pinky.
-A last nod to the special effects in the end. Wow. What a way to go. Pesky glass.
Autumn
"Mulder shut up."