You'd like to help, but you left your lightsaber at home...

Well gang, another Sunday night, another solid season 8 ep. Old conspiracies are back, and John Boy has donned tight blue jeans. Without a doubt, Vienen is a very enjoyable episode. A season 2 feel with a twist, and some interesting turns to consider.

As far as the general atmosphere for the story, Vienen definitely invokes aspects of Ice and Dod Kalm. There is a familiar feeling of creepiness here, the idea of being trapped in a hostile and isolated environment, while a deadly contagion lurks nearby, potentially only inches away. Indeed, the "isolation/contagion" strategy has set the backdrop for a number of classic X-File episodes, and now provides the same feeling for Vienen, just one reason why this episode scores instantly.

Also notable in this episode, of course, is the return of the black oil, appearing in a form not seen since the likes of Piper Maru and Tunguska/Terma. Definitely great to see this bit of mythology revisited. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wondered where the oil had gone :-)

But mythology aside, the main focus of this ep is definitely Mulder and Doggett. The animosity between the two of them is again visible here, especially in the early segments. Also detectable--and I find this interesting--is a touch of jealously on Mulder's part, centred on Doggett's relationship with Scully. Yes, Doggett definitely has a soft spot for Scully, but beyond that, there really isn't much basis for Mulder's emotion. Still, Mulder is very territorial. It just goes with his character.

Oops.. I guess I got off on a little tangent there :-) Back to what I was saying before. Definitely, the main focus of this episode is the "passing of the torch," so to speak, from Mulder to Doggett. I know some of you may be freaking out because of Mulder's sudden boot from the bureau, but don't panic. I actually see a ton of potential here. Indeed, almost from the beginning of this ep, Mulder seems to be looking for a way out, apparent in his risk-taking behaviour--he seems to seal his own fate by breaking protocol and pursuing the case on his own. Mulder, in fact, really no longer has any power in the FBI. The X-Files, as an assignment, are virtually out of his reach, and with Kersh in charge, it will likely stay that way for as long as Mulder remains an FBI agent.
But freed from his FBI restrictions, Mulder has more room to maneouver. In a twist of events, he now likely has more power outside the FBI than within it. He can now act free from Kersh's scrutiny. More than this, his ties to the X-Files are just as strong as before. He now has Scully--and Doggett--as informants. Indeed, by pushing Doggett to the limit, by allowing him to see just enough, Mulder has given him reason to join his quest. So, Scully and Doggett now operate from the inside, Mulder from the outside. Definitely a powerful punch. In fact, it almost works like a Star Wars scenario, if you allow me the analogy :-) Mulder is now an Obi-Wan Kenobi of sorts; by having Kersh strike him down--by removing him from the X-Files--he has only been made more powerful; just as Obi-Wan was made more powerful when Vader struck him down.... ok. Ok. It's a stretch... though maybe not too much of a stretch, since Star Wars was mentioned in this ep (the lightsaber allusion *giggle*). Ah, who am I kidding. I'm a little under the weather tonight, and very tired. I'm starting to make wacky analogies *giggle*
Anyway, in a nutshell, the passing of the torch to Doggett, this combo of Mulder on the outside and Doggett and Scully on the inside, could potentially yeild some very interesting results.

As for Mr. Doggett himself, I think he's scared shitless enough now for his curiousity to be piqued. He's seen a lot now; enough, maybe, to at least want to believe. Just as Mulder had hoped.

Anyway, gang, as I'm rather tired and only rambling, I'm going to close for tonight. Definitely some interesting stuff in this ep. Provided the X-Files continues as a series, I'm very interested to see how this new dynamic of "inside/outside" plays out. Definitely a few cool twists and turns here.

Squall's rating: 7

Some things happen for different reasons...

Two words, gang. Loved it. A bit of a different feel for the X-Files, but that's what makes Empedocles so grand. A mystical episode with a fantastic medley of character personalities, Empedocles definitely stamps itself out as one of the finer episodes of the season. If the rest of the season plays out like this, all I have to say is, bring it on :-)

Well, I'm going to get it out in the open. I know I have voiced some doubts about Monica Reyes. I admit that I wasn't crazy about her in TINH, and I still say that her initial introduction to the series left much to be desired. She didn't seem to quite fit in with TINH; she was wishy-washy, and her presense was somewhat forced and awkward. I don't take back my first impressions; I feel they were warranted *G* But despite my intial feelings about her, tonight, I warmed up to her immediately. Her presense is Empedocles is much more natural, much more believable. She plays off both Doggett and Mulder perfectly, and the awkwardness that trailed her person in TINH has all but dissolved. If Reyes stays at this level in the future, she will become a fine addition to the X-Files.

But enough about Reyes. You know the drill. I will now talk about my favourite season 8 subject :-) Ah, Doggett. My oh my. Tonight, we learn why it is exactly that Doggett is afraid to believe. He's afraid that if he accepts the vision as fact, he will also accept some responsibility for his son's death. He wants to believe that he did everything he could for his son. But believing in the vision casts doubt on his own integrity. Doggett, then, dismisses the paranormal, hiding behind the rigid guise of rationality in order to protect himself from emotional turmoil.

Interestingly, the only person who is able to help Doggett take an important step forward is Scully. As it has been from the beginning, Doggett has a unexplained connection to her, a deep respect and admiration that he doesn't seem to have for anyone else. Scully tells Doggett that it is fear that is holding him back. And indeed, armed with this knowledge from Scully, Doggett himself reveals his fear to Monica--and to us, because we finally get a tantalizing look inside Doggett's head. All I have to say is, show me more :-)

Another intesting fact is the suggestion that Doggett himself is psychic. We already know that Monica can see auras; it seems that Doggett too shares in this ability, only he is reluctant to accept this power, and in fact, nearly denies it altogether. It will be interesting to see how this is developed throughout the season.

Moving on. Doggett and Mulder. In Three Words, we saw Mulder try to beat the shit out of Doggett. Tonight, the tables are turned, and Doggett, almost justifiably, turns on Mulder, telling him to stay the hell out of his business--ironically, much like Mulder was telling Doggett to say out of his. But by the end of the ep, Mulder reaches out to Doggett, offering a shaky truce, and the two are now at least tolerant of one another, if not almost amicable. Not to say that this will spark an instant "guys' night in" or a game of basketball in the FBI parking lot, but at least the two of them know that they have much more in common than they initially speculated, and that they are both on the same side. We may now see a sort of reluctant allegiance form between the two of them. Definitely some cool potential here.

Now, the whole Doggett-Mulder-Scully-Reyes quadrangle. If two is company, and three is a crowd, then four is perfection. I admit I had my doubts about how this multi-agent scenario would play out, but as it turns out, it makes for a very interesting dynamic. A great medley; and great combination of personalities. Definitely some great potential here.

The one thing I was disappointed with in this ep--though this is more a fault with the season as a whole as opposed to Empedocles itself--is, once again, the lack of attention paid to the paternity of Scully's child. I mean, you'd think this would be a crucial matter, that it would arguably be the central issue of the season. But again tonight, we dance eggshells around it. A few humourous hints are dropped, but nothing solid is revealed--though for a brief moment, I thought that Scully's mention of Mulder's "second gift" might be an indication that he is in fact the father, but again, this is not resolved to any definitive degree. Rather irritating. Perhaps Mulder's visible annoyance at being kept in the dark--manifested in his allusions to the pizza man--is also a reflection of the viewer's frustration. I mean, if nobody knows where this baby came from--and presumably, from her reaction to the news in Requiem, Scully herself does not--you'd think somebody would be a little worried. Oddly, nobody seems to care, Scully least of all. Look at it this way. Girls, would you not be somewhat concerned if you woke up one morning and discovered you were pregnant, with no explanation? Or that you might be about to give birth to a squid kid? You'd think. Anyway, I for one am growing a little weary of being led down the garden path, or of having the trail skipped altogether. In a nutshell, I want answers, and I want them soon. *sigh* At least I have John Boy to keep me occupied in the interim :-)

Anyway, gang, that's about it for tonight. Except for the annoying lack of info on Scully's pregnancy, Emepedocles is a great ep. Wonderful character dynamics, and some great material to build on. Definitely worth a second look.

Squall's Rating: 8

Fight the Future...

Well. My goodness. I have to say that this ep definitely stands out as one of the finer episodes of the season. An ep brimming with sadness, tension, angst and excitement, Three Words picks up again with Mulder in tow and doesn't miss a beat. If this is any indication of what is to come, we're in for one hell of a ride.

What I am immediately drawn to in this episode is the opening scenes with Mulder. If ever this character illicited a pang of empathy from me, it is here. Only now do we truly realize the extent of Mulder's ordeal, the fact that he has lost 6 months of his life, that he is emotionally torn, and that he is no longer sure where he belongs in the grand scheme of things, if he really has any claim to the life he left behind. There's also a moment where reality sets in; as much as Scully prayed for his return, as much as Mulder is happy to be back with her, there is definite awkwardness between the two of them. Indeed, how do you accept a person back into your life who has been gone for so long? And from Mulder's angle, how do you pick up again when everything has gone on ahead without you? I have to commend the writers, and the actors, for capturing these sentiments brilliantly. Definitely a natural reaction to Mulder's return.

One more thing to add about Mulder, though. Mulder may be fine physically, but it is implied that not everything is right emotionally; arguably where it counts. Indeed, I suspect that Mulder is playing the "I'm fine" game. And in X-Files land, that only works for so long.

Moving on, however, to my favourite topic of season 8--and what might that be, you ask? Yes friends, it's Agent Doggett :-) I'm just soaking this character up, as usual. Such a noble man. Wanting to keep the X-Files open at all costs, and not wanting to tread on Mulder's territory, or keep Mulder from his rightful place. And getting a little stand-offish with Kersh too, I might add.
But more to the point. Tonight Doggett gets drawn into the conspiracy, getting his first taste of a world he had no idea even existed. And though he is inexperienced, he explores this world to the best of his ability, continuing his devotion to Scully, and risking his life to collect information for Mulder--even though Mulder is in no position to trust him. Mulder, in fact, seems just a little miffed that Doggy is on his turf. And though Doggett is not willing to make this a territorial battle, Mulder doesn't know that yet. Ah, boys will be boys.

Interestly, there is a certain level of dualism taking place with Doggett here. While Mulder and Skinner and trying to figure out where Doggett's allegiances lie, Doggett too is trying to figure out exactly where he fits into the grand scheme of things; or more precisely, where he wants to fit. By the end, however, he seems to figure out where he belongs; just as Mulder is figuring out that it might just be alright to trust this guy. At any rate, from here on, it will be interesting to see exactly how the Mulder-Doggett dynamic plays out.

What we also see tonight is a new developing angle on the alien conspiracy. It seems that colonization *has* begun, first with the strategic replacement of pivotal social figures. Colonization, phase I? It seems that the fight for the future is not yet over. And it seems that we have a new informant on such matters... one who is not what he seems...

One minor infuriating thing about this ep: once again, the lack of attention being paid to Scully's pregnany. I've said it before, and now I'll say it more bluntly. Doesn't anybody care where this baby came from?! Sheesh!

Anyway. Beyond that, this was a fantastic episode. Nice to see the conspiracy back in full force. Nice to see Mulder back. Nice to see an episode with so much eye candy... Mulder and Doggett and Skinner oh my! Needless to say, I like what I see.

Squall's rating: 8

I can't believe this is happening...

Good evening, gang! Well, I hate to start back from the break on the wrong foot, but I'm unfortunately going to have to speed thru this review. My lovely computer decided to crash on me yesterday, taking my entire 4th year term paper with it. I've managed to rewrite some of it, but I've lost precious hours. And to top it off, it's daylight savings this week too *LOL* Consequently, everything tonight will be superficial. I won't be able to go into much detail. I apologize profusely!

Anyway, enough about my life, and down to business.

Goodness. I know you all want me to talk about Mulder, but can I just say two words first? John Doggett. Throw tomatoes at me if you want. I'm sorry. The man may be overly-rational and stubborn, but his heart is in the right place (and I say this even while heeding certain previews from next week *giggle*). What you can definitely say about Doggett is that the man is devoted. Not even knowing what he's getting into, he chases after Krycek, putting his life on the line, all for the sake of Scully and Mulder, a woman he still hardly knows, and a man he hasn't even met. That's devotion. Also, it was very noble of him to allow Scully and Mulder some "alone time" at the end of the ep. Doggett is a good guy.

On another note, I have to admit that I very much enjoyed the Terminatoresque overtones in the car park scene; JD clinging to the car was very reminiscent certain T-1000 maneouvers in Terminator. So nice to see :-)

Oh, and one more thing to add. JD now knows Krycek... and he knows why Skinner didn't make the deal. What he will do with this information, we can only speculate. Interesting.

But enough of the John Boy gushing. I will now skip ahead to the more crucial aspects of the episode.

First item on the agenda. Krycek. Yes, the man is finally back from the shadows, and apparently, he knows a great deal about Scully's pregnancy. Indeed, if her baby is important enough to him that he wants to stop it from being born, it must have a very crucial role in the grand scheme of things... whatever that may be at this point :-) Basically though, if this isn't enough to suggest that the kid is a squid, then I don't know what is.

As for the vaccine Krycek is peddling, is this the same vaccine for the alien virus Scully was exposed to in FTF? Or is this something entirely different? Again, I refuse to speculate at this point.

On that note, it is nice to see Krycek back. As you know, I seldom object to eye candy :-)

Sorry to leave out crucial details, but I must push on. I arrive now at the subject you're all dying for me to discuss; Mulder. Of course, his return is somewhat anti-climactic, in the sense that we of course knew the man wasn't dead, but it is sweet nonetheless. His "who are you" line to Scully is priceless, classic Mulder. In the end, it's great to have him back. We didn't see much of him tonight, but I think things will get interesting from here on end, especially now with the interesting dynamic that might form with Doggett.

Anyway, gang, there's a great deal more I'd like to say about this episode, especially in terms of the interesting tension between Doggett and Scully, but time is of the essence. I hope you can forgive me for my lack of insight! I will have much more to say next week. All in all, great ep, and great potential!

Squall's Rating: 8

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