This episode really establishes the conspiracy theme of the
series. We have an Air Force pilot with
a mysterious affliction, a top-secret base, brutal government agents wearing
shades, and a great UFO scene with Mulder under the lights.
Just as importantly, we see major character development for
Mulder and Scully. We begin to realize
just how far Mulder is willing to go in pursuit of his obsession, putting himself in
extreme danger for the sake of the truth. We see Scully get to practice her trademark
looks of indignation, vexation, and annoyance.
And we see how tough and relentless she can be when she goes to rescue
Mulder…
Security Man: There
are other ways to go about this.
Scully, holding a gun
to his head: Yeah, I’ve already seen where you get with tears and a sad
story.
It makes you wonder why Scully’s Funko Pop! figure is holding a
flashlight while Mulder’s gets the gun. (#feminism)
The show reveals its willingness to make moral reflections
on society and ethics, as when Mulder asks, “When does the human cost become
too high for the building of a better machine?”
Finally, we have that wonderful scene between Fox and Deep Throat on the athletic field. I vividly remember the
lines from my old cd of the score (which had dialogue mixed in!). That delightfully evasive exchange…
Deep Throat: Mr.
Mulder, why are those like yourself who believe in the existence of
extraterrestrial life on this Earth not dissuaded by all the evidence to the
contrary?
Mulder: Because
all the evidence to the contrary is not entirely dissuasive.
Deep Throat:
Precisely.
The pilot episode was okay, but this one really demonstrated the show's potential: resplendent conspiratorial fugues, brilliant chemistry between the leads, and evocative cinematography.
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