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Little boy? Little girl?
As usual, the boys at Ten-Thirteen are beating around the bush about Scully's baby. It seems that even Mulder is as much in the dark as all of the fans. For the love of God, don't they know it's killing us?!?!?
Other than that complaint, this was a great episode considering that Mulder and Scully had very little to do in it. I was thoroughly impressed with this Frank Spotnitz story as well as his directorial debut. Do I sound like I'm gushing? It can't be helped. "Alone" had one element that made it very special. They wrote in a character based on a fellow x-phile and fanfic writer, Leyla Harrison. For those of you unfamiliar with her work, she was known in x-phile circles as "the enigmatic Dr. Scully" and wrote some great fanfic. Unfortunately, she had been battling cancer most of her adult life, and past away earlier this year. If you have never had the priviledge to read her work, go here. Having a character named after her on the show was a touching tribute to Leyla and every fan in the world. Thanks Ten-Thirteen!
Okay...back to the episode...
When George Lazenby took over the role of James Bond (albeit in *one* film) from Sean Connery in the movie, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," there were several little "in" jokes from the producers as a wink to the audience that they were viewing a different Bond. In one scene when we first see Lazenby, he looks right into the camera and says "This never happened to the other guy." In another scene, Bond is cleaning out his desk and we see souvenirs from earlier Bond adventures: an item that Ursula Andress had in "Dr. No," the deadly choking watch in "From Russia With Love". These were ways to help the audience realize that even though it's a different actor playing the suave British agent, it's still James Bond that we know and love.
That's exactly what I thought of when Scully was cleaning out her desk. We see the melded coins from "Dreamland," the dog tag "Queequeg" that was eaten by a huge alligator or Big Blue (we're not for sure) in "Quagmire." Then, when Doggett comes in and notices Scully packing, she decides to give him the Apollo 11 key chain that Mulder had given to her for her birthday in "Tempus Fugit." So many memories that it is almost too sad to watch sometimes. Yet, the series and the characters have to move on.
This episode is really the "official" set up for next season, though another season hasn't been made official by FOX. Scully is going on maternity leave and spoilers have already confirmed that she will be giving birth by the final episode. Notice that Scully doesn't say a word when Doggett asks her if she is coming back after her maternity leave. Though Gillian Anderson has signed on for a 9th season, it will most likely be in a limited capacity as David's appearances were this season. And speaking of David, I wouldn't bet my life savings on him coming back in *any* capacity, except possibly feature films.
I found it interesting to note that Doggett had a concerned look on his face as Scully was leaving and then a relieved smile when he thought he heard her come back when it was actually Agent Harrison. Is it possible that Doggett is nervous about taking over the X-Files, which isn't even his work to begin with? It seems that he was depending on Scully's expertise in their cases to help him understand to a certain degree what their cases were. So now, he does not have that crutch anymore. He has to enter the unknown all by himself. I like how Doggett is looking around the office as he realizes the immense task and responsibility that he has to take over when finally stopping on that famous poster, "I Want To Believe." It seems that mantra is fitting.
Agent Harrison is more green than Scully ever was upon joining the X-Files. At least Scully has a scientific background. I'm not exactly sure how Harrison even appears to be qualified for any kind of violent crimes unit, much less something as extra ordinary as the X-Files. She came from accounting? I find that bizarre to begin with. I know Kersh hates Doggett and the X-Files almost as much as he hates Mulder, but assigning a pencil pusher to a field unit? I would say that's grounds for a hearing. We only wish....
I had to laugh at Harrison's zealousness in the field. She based every little clue to another related X-File Mulder and Scully were on. I can understand why Doggett was more quiet than usual. I wonder if he ever had to break in a new partner before. He probably doesn't want to be reminded of the big shoes he has to fill. While Harrison hasn't realized that reading about a case is a hell of a lot different from actually being in the field. Fortunately, she didn't get killed finding out.
It must really be nice to not have a job and not have to worry about how to pay the bills. I assume that Mulder must be living off of his parents' estate. How else can you explain his carefree ways? I know that if I lost my job, I would be hitting the internet faster than greased lightening to find another one pronto! It must be nice to have such worry free lives in TV land.
It was a nice treat to have Harrison asking a question to Mulder and Scully that has been discussed ad nauseum on the internet. If anyone wondered if the boys at Ten-Thirteen peruse the internet regarding the show, I believe this episode pretty much answers that. Though our duo never did answer how they came back home when their snowcat ran out of gas, it was amusing to see them banter so freely with each other. That magic will always be there between them. It only gets to be sadly nostalgic as the twilight for their characters and partnership slowly approaches.
As for Doggett, I can see why he is portrayed as a loner. He did okay with Scully, simply because she was distracted with Mulder's disappearance. As much as Scully respects him, Doggett will never be that close to her as Mulder is. Mulder has Scully, and Scully has Mulder. For all of his integrity and loyalty, Doggett has no one to turn to at the moment. Of course, we have a certain agent in New Orleans that will appear again. Follow my thinking?
Overall, this was an above average episode for Season 8. Considering it was another MOTW and very limited scenes with Mulder and Scully, I liked it. Too bad that Agent Harrison didn't stick around, but her appearance was a nice touch by the producers. It does show they do care about what the fans think, though that doesn't mean they'll tell us who fathered Scully's baby...
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