5X03 - Redux II [REVISITED]

Summary

Powerful close to a somewhat confusing cliff-hanging mytharc. Great performances all around, with a tight script that moved along intensely and effectively. What I remember most about first watching this episode was that total "blow me away" feeling that I got from seeing all that "touchy-feely" stuff, though. (Whoa — CC actually allowed all that to get expressed??) Overall, this was a wonderful story about love and sacrifice and the price that we'll pay to get what we want. Nothing exactly X-File-ish in that sense, but a long overdue look at how far Mulder and Scully have travelled and their unwavering commitment to each other. CC and the boys should be required to take a closer look at this ep every time they spout that "plot-driven not character-driven" refrain. We got both here.

Some of that "touchy feely" stuff

"As a friend..." So why do so many people want to be Mulder's friend this week? I mean, he could sure use one, what with his partner at death's door and his long-lost sister rebuking him.

I didn't draw this connection before, but this episode opens with a scene reminiscent of an early scene from One Breath: Mulder being held back after losing control at the sight of Dana Scully in a hospital bed. Very effectively played.

And I've sung my praises of this episode here and on my top ten list, so perhaps I will take this opportunity to ask some questions after this revisitation. Because didn't the final half hour of this story arc leave you virtually gasping for answers? And weren't you among the many who still had question marks hanging over your heads as we were then led into Unusual Suspects and (especially) Detour?

1) So Blevins was just a baddie planted in the FBI by Roush Technologies? And his major contribution was to send a green agent like Dana Scully to "spy" on Fox Mulder? And we don't need to know any more about him or Roush since he was so quickly disposed of?

2) So what is the point of a sniper getting a target in the crosshairs — and this happens on other shows too, so it's not just a TXF vexation — and then not pulling the trigger? Why was the Syndicate even trying to kill CSM? (And then being so sloppy as to not confirm him as being dead? Just a way for CC to play with us viewers again, huh?)

3) Uh, didn't Mulder still murder the DoD guy? Just because Blevins runs away from the Red Room (didn't the lighting in that place drive you crazy??) and gets himself killed, all charges are dropped?

4) Come on, CC... what was this Samantha all about? She had quite the story to tell and for all intents and purposes, this incident could have halfway resolved the Samantha story arc. Instead, you seem to change your mind a year later by having Cassandra Spender declare, "Nah, that wasn't her". (Never mind what transpired yet another year after that.)

Best or Worst Moment

You can't go wrong in choosing any of the M&S moments in this total showcase of great M&S moments. But my personal favourite is the final few seconds of the show when Mulder is considering the photo of himself and his sister, splattered with what would appear to be CSM's blood. It hurts even to imagine the pain of what he might be feeling, having just met the "sister" who wants nothing to do with him.

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