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The most difficult thing when reviewing an episode of "The X-Files" is detachment. I have to pretend that I am detached so that I can be objective enough to criticize as well as praise what works and what doesn't in an episode. Being a fan gives me the enthusiasm to want to state my thoughts on a particular episode I've seen, but it hinders me when I realize that I tend to overlook flaws that are obvious to a casual observer. Thus, "This Is Not Happening" (TINH) is doubly difficult for me to review when I have felt lost and confused throughout most of Season 8, only to find myself thoroughly enthralled with this emotional roller coaster of a story.
Yet, the focus was certainly on Scully. I almost cringe when I read other people's reviews this past season. True, many of the eps have been all over the place in plot and quality, yet the biggest criticism is the lack of continuity. Many fans are disturbed that Scully hasn't worn her heart on her sleeve for Mulder in some of the past episodes. It seems to them that she can just go all about the country investigating with her new manly-man partner with nary a tear for Mulder. I'm not even going to comment on the loose timeline with her pregnancy, which is a major plot point that many people still despise to this day.
However, TINH shows us exactly how much Scully has truly lost this past season. Her control over her own emotions is lacking with each ensuing scene. She has no patience for any theories that do not pertain to the search for Mulder. Her cold behavior towards first meeting Special Agent Monica Reyes shows a lack of trust that someone new, particularly another female, is involved with the case. Her pain is so obvious to everyone, particularly Doggett, that noone knows how to react around her. She is part of the walking wounded, and every scene just adds more salt to her pain. More on that later...
So what made TINH so special? Other than Scully, two things instantly come to mind. First is the continuity. It's nice that characters and plot points from previous episodes are mentioned. There was Teresa and Rich from "Requiem." We see Jeremiah Smith for the first time since "Herrenvolk." All the returned abductees show signs of suffering from the same type of painful experiments that Mulder endures in "Within" and "Without." Scully talked to Skinner about starlight, which was last mentioned in "Closure." She also sees what is apparently Mulder's apparition in her hotel room, much like what Mulder experienced in "Closure." Also, there is the minor mention of Doggett's son, which was hinted at in "Invocation."
Second is the pacing of the plot. It went along nicely without any real hiccups or pause for concern. Like I mentioned before, there was so much to absorb in this episode that time didn't matter, and the hour just zoomed by too quickly. I also like the whole "feel" of the episode, which was very reminiscent of classically dramatic eps of Season 3 and 4. Though I admit that I wasn't watching too closely for plot holes, this episode is really just the set-up for the next part, so I'm sure more answers will follow.
Also, the supporting cast helped immensely in the believeability of the emotions that everyone, particularly Scully, was feeling. I love the fact that Skinner went along with Doggett and Scully rather than stay behind in D.C. His presence was very much needed, especially for Scully's emotional well-being. As much as finding Mulder is important to him, Skinner is also very aware of how the investigation affects Scully's emotions. She needed a friend, and he was more than willing to offer his shoulder to cry on.
Meanwhile, Carter and Spotnitz did a nice job with the sub-plot of Doggett and Reyes. Neither really had many scenes in this one, but they did shine in the ones they were in. We also find out a little bit more of Doggett and also some nice background of Reyes. Doggett did indeed have a missing son. Unlike Mulder's missing sister, Doggett does not want to rehash the memories of his death. It also explains why he is concerned for Scully, because he knows *exactly* what she's experiencing. While Reyes not only worked closely with him on that particular case, but also reveals to Scully that she is the "black sheep" of her New Orleans field office because of her outlandish beliefs. Sound familiar?
Some of my friends have mixed feelings regarding the introduction of Reyes. Honestly, I don't have an opinion at the moment. I admit that I found her to be rather charming if not confusing at times. She kind of reminds me of a Season 1 Mulder with all the "wild theories with a smile" attitude. I've read some people's suspicions regarding her smoking habit. Just because she smokes Morley's does not mean that she is part of another Syndicate group, ala Diana Fowley. I find her to be rather genuine, intuitive, open-minded and intelligent. She showed honest concern over Scully's emotions. Reyes may be new on the block, but she's not ignorant, either. I certainly look forward to how she interacts with our main agents in the future.
Fortunately, all of these story elements only enhance the anguish we witness Scully enduring. TINH is the kind of story that makes a person realize how important life truly is and to never lose hope when everything seems to be caving in on you. The emotional resonance Scully felt with each new fact added to the investigation was heart-breaking to say the least. There were several scenes that I found myself rewinding over and over again because of how Scully reacted.
Two of the best scenes were the starlight talk with Skinner and the autopsy scene. In both cases, Scully tries to stay detached in some shape or form. When she's talking to Skinner, it's a fond memory of Mulder. When she's speaking into the cassette recorder, it's her professionalism as a medical examiner. Yet, neither of those tricks work. Her somber mood immediately took over, and the tears flowed freely.
However, Carter and Spotnitz saved the best for last as the final five minutes reveal how much Scully has suffered. Doggett said it best earlier in the episode when he told Scully that she wants to find Mulder, but she's also afraid in what she will find. Thus, the final minutes shock us into realizing that Scully's spirit is almost extinguished once she finds Mulder. Every ebb of her being has been dreading this moment, because of all the events leading up to it. Once it's confirmed, she tries one last-ditch effort in helping her partner. Of course, that isn't meant to be. As she drops to her knees in total emotional pain, because her worst nightmare has come true, we feel it as well.
No matter how people may view the Mulder-Scully relationship, this last scene only proves that Mulder is more important to her than any other relationship she has ever had. Scully's sense of self was thoroughly defined by her relationship with Mulder. Together, they made up something very special. Apart, they are just going through the motions. Now, it seems that Scully might not ever be whole again.
TINH is undoubtedly the episode that most die-hard fans have been waiting for this season. For pure emotional angst, none get better than this. Yet, that is what Carter and Spotnitz do so well: set up the ensuing two-parter with a knock-out roller-coaster ride in Part 1. The real test is if they are able to get the big pay off that everyone is anxiously awaiting come April 1st or will it be the most cruel April Fool's Day joke ever? We have *four* agonizing weeks to wait and see.
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