4X22 - Elegy [REVISITED]

Summary

I've gained appreciation for this episode as time goes on. The "I see dead people" angle is not my favourite part (because it merely adds to Scully's "list of paranormal experiences I've lived that I'll totally ignore") but I will admit that it made a lot of sense within the context of this show. We're gradually leading up to the immediacy and seriousness of Scully's illness and the fact that she's had this "inner window" opened to death is significant. Loved the entire overlay of tension that blankets our heroes as the story progresses. I liked the character of Harold and most of the supporting players at the psychiatric center — they seemed both funny and real. If anything, it was the climax of this one that was lacking. While the attack on Scully was unexpected, it was textbook cliche to have the culprit be no better than a "scorned woman". Okay, scorned woman on drugs...

Scully, after seeing the ghost of Harold Spuller

If it weren't for the "scorned woman on drugs" ending, I would say that this one really, really deserved a four star rating. But, as a salute to all the rest of the good stuff that's in this episode, I will give it a four anyway. As we approach the end of the season, it's very realistic to have Scully be reminded of her illness and for her to acknowledge that she's dealing with it on a weekly basis. I know for a fact that no one who has cancer can ever get it totally out of his/her mind. I especially liked seeing the session that Scully has with Karen Kosseff, where they touched on some very important points about how Scully views Mulder. Let's just say that if I received a terminal cancer diagnosis, I would choose to surround myself with the people who mean the most to me for as long as I can. And in Scully's case, that means continuing to work with Mulder, not because she owes him, not because she fears failing him, but because she receives comfort and validation from being with him. (Yes, I know it's usual to say that Mulder gets that from Scully, but I think it bears pointing out that it works both ways.)

And of course, you have to appreciate the conversation that M&S have at the end, when Scully reveals to Mulder that she had seen something that she didn't want to believe. Mulder's answer was quite appropriate: "You can believe what you want to believe, Scully, but you can't hide the truth from me..." When he says that he's afraid of the same thing that she is, she tells him that the doctor said she was fine. It wasn't until this viewing that I truly understood what Mulder meant when he replied, "I hope that's the truth." He hopes that Scully is telling him the truth, not the doctor.

Best or Worst Moment

Gotta say that Mr. Shiban created some very poignant moments between Mulder and Scully in this episode. (The actors gave it their all, in my humble opinion.) There are several good ones (including the "confrontation" scene near the end) but the one I want to highlight happens just prior to Scully entering the bathroom and having her "vision". A drop of red blood drips onto a white page as she leans over it. The fear, sadness, and anxiety expressed by Mulder/DD as he whispers, "Oh, Scully..." said it all.

Original Rating: * * *
Revised Rating: * * * *