Medusa

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PLOT: Scully and Doggett investigate a possible contagion within the tunnels of the Boston subway system.

Maybe it was just me, but I thought the timing of this episode was terrible. Last week's episode, "The Gift," whetted our appetite for the one plot point that had been vastly ignored through much of this season: Mulder's disappearance. Though it didn't give much of a clue as to what happened to Mulder, it helps set the stage for upcoming episodes that *will* tackle that plot point head on. So I must ask the Fox brass, what was this drivel called "Medusa"?

I admit that it served a unique segue from some of the other MOTW eps of this season. Instead of a tangible, gruesome monster, we get something akin to jellyfish as our culprit for the week. Though that sounds laughable on paper, the effect it left on a poor victim was truly shocking. Like Scully, I empathized with the teams' plight in having to survey an area that had the environment of a sauna, the lighting of a cave and the creepiness of any dark nightmare. On top of all that, she had *no* idea what they were supposed to find.

There were strong characterizations between Doggett and Scully as each had to fight bureaucracy and fear on their own respective turfs. I was truly impressed at how calmly Doggett lead the team through the tunnels without ever truly being concerned about his own safety or welfare. Either that or he hid it extremely well. While Scully, concerned about the safety of her unborn child, decided to stick it out with watching the action unfold via viewscreens and communicating through radios.

The creepiness factor was well served in "Medusa." The unknown is always something to fear, but to walk into it willingly increases that fear tenfold. So as the four people went further into the tunnels, I can almost feel their anxiety building to an almost claustrophobic level. Add Scully's own fears of not being able to figure out what's killing people, and the adrenaline is shooting through the roof.

One thing that was good to see but also a bit suspect was the teamwork between Scully and Doggett. The modest Doggett who proclaims that Scully is "the expert," and he is "just tagging along" is the one from earlier in the season. Compare that to his unwillingness to accept any outlandish theories in "Badlaa," and you can see my wariness. Doggett even admits to Lt. Bianco that Scully is "the boss" even though he hasn't known her that long. Where was that kind of respect in the last few episodes? Thus far this season, Carter and Spotnitz seem to be the only writers who know how Doggett *should* react to certain situations.

After viewing the horrible outcome of the undercover cop in the teaser, I wondered how something that destructive could be undetected for any extended period. Scully figured out that the three bodies found wrapped up in an old side tunnel were actually dead much longer than anyone first suspected. Thus, the local transit authority knew about this before the death of the cop. I was mildly surprised that Scully looked somewhat intimidated by that one transit authority guy. Not until he was going to make the three bodies disappear did Scully assert herself more.

It was strange to see Doggett in mortal danger again after he was actually killed in "The Gift." It seems writer Frank Spotnitz likes to put him in jeopardy situations without any cause for concern. Yet, even Doggett seems unaffected by the fact that he could spark up like a firefly in any given moment.

I guess that was the biggest thing that bothered me about the episode. As much as the *feeling* of danger was quite evident everywhere in the episode, I didn't feel interested enough to care. Why? Because guess what? Doggett makes it and another weak plot point of why these little jellyfish are all of a sudden volatile to humans is left up in the air. Also, any explanation on why the little boy was running around playing hide and seek?

"Medusa" was fairly (and I say that lightly) solid compared to some of the other weaker plots we've been privy to watch. Yet, the timing is just wrong. This is February sweeps month. Before, Carter and gang would just put us through the literal wringer with conspiracy theories and alien invasions. Since that avenue has already been used up for the moment, it is high time that he kept the promise of having Mulder at the very center of Season 8 and queue his return as soon as possible. Considering that the internet has been buzzing about the next episode, "Per Manum," and all the Mulder/Scully moments we've sorely missed this past season, "Medusa" just serves to remind us how we've been stuck in MOTW hell all of this time.

I'm sure that I'll make up for this short review of another "blah" episode with next week's "Per Manum." From the little clips I've seen on Fandom and other sites, the Mulder/Scully magic is in full force and not to be missed!

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