One Breath

Mulder: Who are you to judge what is right?
Cancer Man: Who are you?

Shippy Rating: 8.5
Overall Rating: 9.5

"One Breath" is an episode that everyone can enjoy and learn from. It is about the essential things in life: truth, trust, love, faith, humanity, our inevitable mortality, and fragility.

In "One Breath" we are fully exposed to Mulder's unyielding love for Scully, only to be mirriored later in episodes lke "Rudux II" and "Momento Mori."  We are also exposed for the first time to David Duchovny's true acting talent. I believe he was finally getting used to his character, therefore, he was finally able to give Mulder some real humanity,   and start to erase the facade of the wry monotone. Good Job David!


"One Breath" had a lot of firsts. "One Breath" os also the first time we are really exposed to the true nature of Cancerman. To think that his role was originally going to be a silent. one! The amazing thing about Cancerman is that we don't know weather to love or hate him. He always gives me something to think about involving the human mind; the deep depths of it, the parts that we didn't know wre there, and don't really want to admit to. Cancerman gives a face to the  villian. Cancerman isn't just another talking head shouting orders, but he is actually inteligent, with something to say. In this episode, I was enthralled wth the scene between Cancerman and Mulder. Cancerman's question really got to me: Who are we to judge what is rght? Or wrong? Why do we even have to know? Humans are not God, and we shouldn't try to be God, like we do. Humans feel lost when they are not in control. But why? Why can't we just let it all happen? (This is an ironic realization, since it was started by CSM, who, of course, is the world-class control freak).

Do we not all love Mom Scully? I can just see her tears? It's incredible. She was a quite enjoyable addition to this trilogy.

The scenes with Scully in the row boat are marvelous. They still give me chills up my spine to this day. The gentle flow of the water, Scully's look of despair and desparation are all but too real. The sound of the rope as it snaps, and the floating of Scully ever so slowly back really s dramatic for me. The scenes are superbly "creepy and wonderful" as Chris Carter said in an interview concerning E.B.E.

"One Breath will always be a classic. No episode has ever made me think so hard about so many things since the Biogenisis/Sixth Extiction/Amor Fati trilogy. Simply Beaututiful. These episodes are why I continue to watch.