Summary
Classic TXF and another example of an episode that would unquestionably wind up near the top of anyone's "best of" list. Most of us view this as the middle part of a three-episode arc that terminates with One Breath, creating the most significant of all TXF subplots — the abduction and return of Dana Scully, which (surprise!) is the basis of virtually everything else that happens to her throughout the remainder of this series. The pace is almost unbearable here, as we feel Mulder's desperation and are shocked by the extent of Krycek's villainy. We also get emotional, character-defining moments between Mulder and Mrs. Scully, moments that speak volumes with minimal words. But mostly, this was an hour for action. In terms of that action, the scene of Mulder dangling from the tram stands out for me. (And since I actually went up to Grouse Mountain in 1989, it was one of those moments where I thought to myself — hmm... wonder if that's the same car I rode in?) |
| DD's crazy stunt |
I've always liked Ascension more than Duane Barry. While the latter is suitably tension-filled (and well deserving of its various accolades), this one is frenetically paced and emotionally wrenching. It stays that way on any number of rewatches.
So — without thinking beyond this episode — who took Scully? Well, Duane Barry is convinced that he has been repeatedly taken by aliens; that much I believe. But let's not forget that Duane Barry is mentally ill to a certain point. I never did believe that aliens were doing all of this "testing", despite all the scenes from the previous episode that showed bright lights, saucer beams and skinny grey guys milling around. (I don't know why, but the thought of malevolent aliens has always been hard for me to fathom. The way I see it, if we ever develop the technology to go out and actually find "new worlds and new civilizations", I don't see us being so mean and hostile. So maybe I'm projecting, but I've always figured that those with greater knowledge would somehow be more peaceful and understanding.) At this point in the game, I am totally on board with the government conspiracy theory, especially with Krycek's seeming involvement with Barry's death and the possible revelation of Scully's "availability" to him. (Although, as I am well aware and as Nick Lea will always tell you, we never see Krycek doing any of the above.)
And to that end, I liked that Krycek's inner motivations are somewhat nebulous. I mean, he's obviously taking orders from the Syndicate but when you look at him starting and re-starting the tram, there's just enough there to make you wonder.
Picayune Peculiarities
As I took a look this time, I had to pick some nits and ask silly questions, too. Why was Scully's apartment so damn dark? (So that we can get the really ominous feeling caused by incessantly popping flashbulbs?) What took Barry so long to get to his destination, given that he seemed to be in a rush? From timestamps, we see that it's 11:23 pm when Mulder gets to Scully's apartment. (We don't know when she was taken, but with wet blood around, it couldn't have been that long.) It's the next morning (8:03 am) when Skinner tells Mulder to go home and rest. In the next scene where the highway patrolman bites the dust, we see that it's been at least twelve hours since Barry took Scully, as the timestamp again reads 11:23 (am this time). By the time Mulder is reviewing the video from the camera, it's 3:11 pm. (Oh, and of course, you just have to lust after the government's amazingly awesome, stupendously superior software... on display once more in the area of photographic enhancement.) Skip forward two and a half hours and Mulder and Krycek just miss crashing into a big Mack truck as they make their way to Skyland Mountain. When they arrive at the tram station, apparently Barry has only started up the back way forty-five minutes ago, on a trip that takes about an hour. Long complaint short, I've had more than one occasion to wonder about confusing time frames. On a show that likes to display onscreen time and date stamps on a regular basis, the information provided often leads to "huh?" moments like this.
Best or Worst Moment
DD creates quite a "look" for himself in this episode (and into One Breath), through which you can clearly see that Mulder's very sanity is teetering on the brink. My specific favourite moment is the closing sequence where Mulder is surveying the scene again on top of Skyland Mountain (after that wonderful conversation with Mrs. Scully)... and then looks up forlornly into the dark sky. This theme is repeated at the end of the next episode, 3, when Mulder sits alone on a hillside fingering Scully's cross.
Worst moment: the EMTs seemed to take an excruciatingly long time to start their CPR. Did they want Duane Barry to be dead too? Runner up worst moment: Skinner telling Mulder, "As of right now, I'm re-opening the X-Files. That's what they fear the most." Really?
Original Rating: * * * *
Revised Rating: * * * *
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