The Goldberg Variation

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PLOT: Mulder and Scully find a man who is literally the luckiest person on Earth.

I was pleasantly surprised of this latest episode by Jeffrey Bell. This is definitely as X-Files "light" as you can get without going into a stupor. Yet, it was a very compelling episode that brought about the right blend of humor, action, interesting characters and that all important Mulder/Scully interaction. All these elements were brought together very well, and this was a much more fluid episode than Bell's "Rain King" last season.

Now who wouldn't want to have luck like Henry Weems? Apparently, Weems himself. Though the episode does not try to go deeper than the "cause and effect" scenarios as figuratively displayed by the Goldberg contraptions that Weems likes to make as a hobby, it is also somewhat reminiscent of the current holiday season's all-time movie: "It's a Wonderful Life." As Mulder states, every person we meet is an integral part of someone's life, whether directly or indirectly. Weems understands that his luck makes others suffer. Yet, he is willing to sacrifice his own inner peace and rub off a few "goombas" along the way to help a dying boy, Richie. While those that think about nothing but themselves, like Jimmy Catrona and that punk dude in the lottery shop, end up with very bad luck indeed.

What really struck me about this episode after a second viewing were that *so* many elements being juggled rather expertly by Bell. We meet Catrona, the most cut-up characature of an Italian gangster I've ever seen, then Henry Weems, a very nerdy type who at first appears to be in over his head. Then, Mulder and Scully enter the picture followed by Maggie and Richie. Then, the two thugs that Catrona sent to "waste" Weems. And just so we don't fully understand the burden Weems must endure on a daily basis, Bell aptly illustrates with that poor punker dude and a delivery truck. As a side note, the Goldberg contraptions were nicely situated in many appropriate scenes to further signify the episode's theme of "cause and effect."

Another nice thing to see is the obvious affection Mulder and Scully showed during the case. Not really sure if this episode's timeline was before "Millennium," but there was a glee in Mulder's eye and an obvious amusement in Scully's face. It's just nice to see that they *enjoyed* each other's presence. Mulder's theories tend to have Scully roll her eyes more often than not, but as a continuing trend in the past season and a half, she seems to almost relish his ideas. To explain how a man can survive being thrown off a building, Mulder initially suggests some type of invulnerability or incredible ability to quickly heal. Scully thinks it's just dumb luck. No X-File here as far as she's concerned. And Scully hinted it with her "plan" on leaving Weems with the local FBI field office, flying back to D.C. and "all is right with the world." Scully obviously had her mind very much on something else than the case. Wonder what that could have been?

The other aspect I liked about this episode was the humor was not forced but very much implicit in the actual story-line. It was ironic that Scully mentioned Wile E. Coyote. I certainly laugh at the crazy predicaments that he gets himself into and walks away with nary a scratch. Weems seems to be the living embodiment of Mr. Coyote. Besides Weems falling 30 stories in the teaser and walking away minus a glass eye, it was almost hilarious to watch the incredible brushes with death that he faces with nary a scratch. I must have replayed the scene where the bullet bounces off Weems pocket knife, off Mulder's arm and how many walls before nicely being placed in the middle of the Italian mobster's back about five times. I just found it rather *funny*. Only the bad one got hurt.

As usual, I am always amazed at how Mulder can figure out the most bizarre crime scenes as easy as we can count to 10. His amusing re-enactment of how the "Animal" died while in Weem's apartment was a total bullseye. Even Scully was amused and amazed. And of course, it was Mulder who figures out how Weems gained his luck and why he has been a total recluse for the past 10 years.

Willie Garson played Weems with a "nerdy nobility" that was both appropriate and endearing. Garson is a very memorable character actor who has been seen in a variety of roles including Season 3's "The Walk." The other actors played their almost cartoonish roles very effectively. While David and Gillian continue to show their fondness for their characters and the on-screen magic to make it all work.

The Goldberg Variation harks back to the mischievous nature of such classics as "Clyde Bruckman" and "Small Potatoes." Just as in those episodes, the main character has an unusual ability that both helps and hurts the people they interact with. There is plenty of humor, and the interaction between Mulder and Scully is always a pleasant addition to the plot. Hopefully, this season continues to produce top-notch episodes as this one. Bell wrote one great script. Any episode having an interesting plot and plenty of Mulder/Scully magic definitely qualifies as a classic in my eye.

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