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PLOT:Mulder and Scully are the subjects of a Hollywood movie.
Over the past seven seasons of the X-Files, episodes have been categorized as bad, mediocre, excellent and instant classics. Unfortunately, the first two categories have been filled with lots of them, particularly from this season. The third category is mainly from the first five seasons. While episodes designated in the last category have been rare and too far in between. To be an instant classic, the episode not only has to have a feasible yet enjoyable plot to stand up to repeated viewings, but the characters also experience something extraordinary and take the audience along for the ride. Also, the episode has to feel like an "event," because it's viewing is almost considered mandatory for the true x-phile. It can be serious (i.e. "Memento Mori," "Redux II," the feature film) or satirically hilarious (i.e. "Jose Chung's From Outer Space," "Small Potatoes," "Bad Blood"). As for David Duchovny's latest "written and directed" effort, "Hollywood A.D.," it can arguably be considered an instant classic.
The teaser already establishes that this episode is definitely an "event," in every sense of the word. We see an unusual opening where it goes right into the action and noticably on a wide-screen format. To the naked eye, it looks like a typical action sequence from an episode, except for one thing: it's not really Mulder and Scully. After a few moments, we see that it is actually a movie screen we are viewing in a theater of an obvious Hollywood opening. The cameo appearances by David Alan Grier, Minnie Driver and Chris Carter kind of gave that away. Yet, it is also an "inside" joke (an abundance of them in this episode) by Duchovny as his co-stars of his latest feature film, "Return to Me," are present as well as the actual creator of the whole X-Files universe. We also get to see "Mulder and Scully" from the silver screen in the guise of Garry Shandling and Mrs. David Duchovny, Tea Leoni. But the most telling faces are those of the real Mulder and Scully as they are practically gaping at the screen in disbelief. Let the ride begin!
When it comes to satire, David is definitely among the best, particularly to the
show that he will forever be remembered for. "Hollywood A.D." was not only filled with the insight of someone who has lived the life of the series, but
it also spoofs it! I remember reading somewhere that when it comes to comedy, the X-Files can be funnier than most sitcoms. This episode definitely lives
up to the reputation! Besides having some of the most funniest moments ever in the series, it showcased an intriguing X-File and never strayed to absolute
silliness while keeping the main characters true to form. The "feature film" shown in the teaser is a prime example of how Hollywood can take something
serious or honorable and make it shallow and somewhat moronic. The dialogue that Shandling and Leoni uttered as their versions of Mulder and Scully made me
laugh but also made me cringe. It was as though David wanted to make a point as to how silly the series could have been if the producers and writers didn't
care enough to make it the excellent show it is. Though the "romance" between Mulder and Scully looked rather ridiculous on the silver screen, David still
injected the "magic" the characters possess, and Shandling and Leoni did more than an admirable job in showcasing the underlying devotion Mulder and Scully
have for each other with their looks. Of course, this was all before their scene in the casket.
The x-file itself was intriguing enough, though I admit that I am not familiar with the Lazarus Bowl story. I am more familiar with the Shroud of Turin, or the Mary Magdalene connection to Jesus. On the other hand, I often didn't pay attention during those religion classes when I went to Catholic School all those years ago. Yet, David does enough with that part of the plot to make it very interesting as we impatiently waited for the Hollywood sections. Though this was another religious theme that appears to be a trend this season, the implications are much more profound. Both the Lazarus Bowl and the heretical texts shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Imagine if Jesus was the Micah Hoffman version of a very *human* Jesus who not only healed the sick but lived a life of Larry Flynt or Hugh Hefner back in the day? Priests always recount Jesus resurrection, or the miracles he produced. Now, here's this bowl that can possibly raise the dead. Of course, as is tradition on the X-Files, it is Scully who seems to experience all the religious paranormal events. David was certainly bold to introduce such a highly controversial religious topic and off-set it with the Hollywood spoof we see in the teaser.
However, this episode was David's way of showing his fondness and his boredom of the show. The Hollywood version was an "amalgamation" of the serie's worst episodes, while the x-file Mulder and Scully investigate showcase some of the best hard core episodes reminiscent of the first two seasons when the conspiracy was mainly mentioned during sweeps period. Then, there is the way David treats the very magical relationship of Mulder and Scully. As in his previous effort, "The Unnatural," Mulder and Scully thoroughly enjoy being together. Unlike that previous episode, we get more of it in "Hollywood A.D." The best scenes were definitely the ones that Mulder and Scully were the central focus: the "Sister Spooky" reference, the "Plan 9 from Outer Space" scene, the beautiful split-screen for the bubble baths and the laughing Mulder and Scully walking hand-in-hand out of the Lazarus Bowl movie set. These images and the obvious affection the two characters have for each other are so readily apparent that it was no wonder the movie took it beyond the romance and made it into a make-out scene in a casket!
There is no way I can end this review without mentioning the clever inside jokes that David sprinkled throughout the episode. The x-file that is the basis for the plot of the movie occurred some 18 months previous, which is roughly about the same time that the entire series moved to the sunny state of California. The Richard Gere reference was humorous, because David did a Gere impersonation when he hosted Saturday Night Live a few years ago. The look on everyone's faces at the theater were one of delight as "Mulder and Scully" in the guise of Shandling and Leoni unleash their passions for all to see. Everyone that is except the real Mulder and Scully who sit gaping at "themselves" kissing on-screen. When the duo meet Shandling and Leoni for the first time, notice how sheepish Mulder acts around Leoni and mentions that he's a "big fan." Then, the hilarous scene that followed when Shandling inquired on how Mulder dressed and kept looking down at his crotch, while we see Scully running back and forth in the background to demonstrate to Leoni how to run in high heels. Also, notice how *huge* the cross that Leoni wears in contrast to Scully's. David has his beloved dog, Blue, trotting around the set for no apparent reason.
The bubble bath scene was absolutely brilliant! Besides the fact that David must have been jealous that Gillian was able to do a scene in a bubble bath from Season 5's "Chinga," he incorporates himself and Skinner in one. I wasn't sure what was funnier: Mulder talking about Skinner to Scully when Skinner was still on the line or watching Mulder's reaction to Scully mentioning that Shandling might have a crush on him. That was an obvious reference to the Larry Sanders show, which Duchovny had a running gag that everyone thought he had a crush on Larry. Of course, this episode casts no doubt that David is a true shipper, and he seems to keep up with fanfic stories. In the movie scene, "Scully" states that she is "in love with Assistant Director Walter Skinner." That was a nice tease for the Skinner-Scully shippers. But Mulder jumps up the moment after he hears it as though he didn't like the implication of that statement. It's funny to notice that he seemed to be the only one to disagree as he stormed out of the theater. The scene on the movie set was very touching, and it is always great to see Mulder and Scully share a laugh and walk away hand-in-hand. Too bad we didn't find out what they spent with that Bureau credit card.
"Hollywood A.D." spoofs the show but also reaffirms the strengths of the series as well. David was able to delve into a particularly disturbing x-file and show us how it would be handled by Hollywood brass. We see the lighter side of Mulder and Scully, and the Hollywood impression of Mulder and Scully. We see David take a show that has been part of the cultural lexicon these past seven years and make it even more memorable. If that wasn't enough, we get to see Mulder and Scully at their shipper best under David's loving direction. Is this episode an instant classic? Let's just say that the last three episodes of the season are going to have a difficult time following this one.
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