Justice for Scully
In the age of theX-Filesrevival, you might tell a mythology episode by the struggle.
Part 1 belonged to Mulder.
Part 2 was Scullys.
Credit: Robert Falconer/FOX
It might also be ours.
I suspect his claim wont turn out to be true, but thats not the point.
CSMs story has always been marked by subjectivity, every suspicious detail told through his eyes.
We never even knew more of his name than he wanted us to.
(Now he says its Carl.
Its still a relevant theme.
But so too is sexual abuse and consent, and this show has a shaky history there.
She might be able to have kids!
She had a baby anyway!
But was the baby Mulders?
Actually, this premiere already does that.
Her neurologist, Dr. Joyet, tells Mulder, Neurologically speaking, her brains on fire.
Sure, that checks out medically.
This is one of my favorite Mulder-and-Scully M.O.s: They swap places when one of them is in danger.
And I cant save you), and Mulder listens.
(Next: The aliens arent coming)
Unfortunately for Mulder, Dr. Joyet has obviously seen some things.
You tried, Mulder.
(Recall that Mulders second informant was known as Mr. X.
The alphabet is running out.)
He and Price want Mulder to kill the Cigarette Smoking Man so you can save humanity from extermination.
They dont explain why they or their broad-shouldered goon cant be the ones to pull the trigger.
Its just like anX-Filesvillain to refuse to take responsibility.
He isntbad, he says; hes just practical, taking advantage of mankinds tendency toward self-destruction.
We made too big a mess of this planet.
It works better thematically, exposing how cowardice masquerades as cynicism.
Mulder can come along if he does their bidding.
In D.C., another deal is being offered by another man who thinks hes above it all.
Shell lose Mulder in the new world order, but shell have her son.
Spender disappears so quickly that its tempting to think he isnt real, just a product of Scullys mind.
But products of Scullys mind dont leave voicemails for Mulder…probably.
The threat of watching Mulder die obviously has her rattled.
I have to find our son, she tells him over the phone.
You need him, and I need you.
(Why kill Scully?
If hes out to stop CSMs plan, why not go straight to CSM?)
Scullys consistent helplessness in this episode is an unfortunate complement to the reveal that ends it.
I dont know how, she admits, but I know that hes guiding me.
That idea, at least, is a promising one.
But first, Skinner and Mulder have to get into a confrontation.
Why add a witness?
Will that housekeeper turn out to be Erika Price?
Or is this shift meant to tip us off that CSM is manipulating the truth again?
And yet theres no escaping that ending.
Scully was raped (by science?)
and she still doesnt know it, and Mulder might be his sons half-brother.
Its enough to make you wish the aliens would just come back and end the world already.
