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PLOT: The search for Mulder is on, but Scully and Skinner must answer some questions and report to a new boss within the Bureau.
Okay, I admit it. I was thoroughly worried about this episode, because it seemed that the series had everything to lose. "Within" will set the tone for the rest of the season, whether Fox's gamble and Duchovny's absence would thoroughly invigorate the dynamic of the show. All I can truly say about this episode is....IT WORKS!
If there is one thing that is difficult to overcome for a long-running series is change. That word alone is a dichotomy in itself as change can either be good or bad. Most X-Philes knew that Season 8 would have its own set of challenges, particularly with the absence of Duchovny from a majority of the eps and the addition of a no-nonsense ex-cop as a new partner for Scully. Would the show survive such radical changes without the normally excellent quality suffering or the patented Mulder/Scully dynamic? From what I saw, I think so.
From the opening credits, the show has definitely changed. For the past seven seasons, the opening sequence was unchanged and remained the constant for the series. Now, there are different pics on the IDs of Mulder and Scully and an additional ID that was credited. Then, the images of a developing fetus and a falling Mulder merging with an obvious eyeball that can only belong to Scully. The first half of the credits were business as usual that I had to rewind the latter half of the credits to double check that I saw the changes. It is more eerie than the original credits, since it states rather boldly that this season will be focused almost exclusively on finding Mulder.
Many of the images we saw of scary and painful-looking
instruments experimenting on Mulder are questionable. Were the images entirely in Scully's mind or actually happening to him? This is
very reminiscent of Season 2 when Scully was missing, and Mulder's mind was going rampant with very troubling images of alien
experimentation on Scully. Unfortunately, those images were very true. Could the same be happening to Mulder?
Some of the plot elements that Carter decided to add in were nice touches and only made the potential of Season 8 look more than promising. Promoting Kersh (remember him?) to Deputy Director thus making him Skinner's boss was a brilliant stroke of inspiration. While most fans are focusing on external threats to Scully's and Skinner's efforts in finding Mulder, Carter had hinted the internal threat within the Bureau in "Requiem" when the X-Files were being audited. As I had mentioned in my review of "Requiem," I found it highly unrealistic that Mulder and Scully were just able to take off to parts unknown without being reigned in more often by the Bureau. With the advancement of Kersh into a very high position, the X-Files are even more in jeopardy than usual. He refuses to have the X-Files discredit the Bureau and has openly threatened both Scully and Skinner with their jobs if any mention of "aliens" or "UFOs" are present in their statements regarding Mulder's disappearance. The upcoming eps will see how Scully and Skinner cope with that added stress as they try to figure out how to find Mulder.
The continuity factor was very evident in the episode as Scully's pregnancy was not conveniently forgotten and cleverly laced within the plot without making it so obvious. Also, I always wondered whatever happened to Gibson Praise. He literally disappeared at the beginning of Season 6 and nothing was ever mentioned of him again. Now, he is a key to finding Mulder. What has he done all this time? I can't believe how easy it appeared for the Bureau to find him when he had been absent for almost two years. His presence fits almost too perfectly in the alien's plans to ensure that no hard evidence of extraterrestrial existence will ever be revealed to the general population. Yet, it also makes sense as the main objective of all the abductions. As Scully stated, Gibson is "absolute proof" of alien existence that even she denied for the longest time.
As for the introduction of Special Agent John Doggett, he shows to the audience that he is a no-nonsense agent. He wants to find out what happened to Mulder even if his actions are somewhat questionable. Though his initial introduction to Scully was very sneaky and rather crude, it makes sense with his background. He was a Marine and a former New York cop. Those two elements make him much more determined to meet an objective rather than tip-toe around sensitive issues along the way. Thus, his first meeting with Scully was very consistent with his style of investigating. I must admit that Doggett's character definitely grew on me. Yes, he is an unflappable realist who scoffs at the idea of alien abductions and the like. Yet, there is that underlying admiration he subtly shows towards Scully and to a certain extent, Mulder. The scene where he asks Kersh whether there is another investigation proves his loyalty is to the truth and not to Kersh or his own personal agenda. Doggett is someone that has no problem in defending his own turf and not intimidated by much, if anything. He also seems to know that Scully harbors more feelings towards Mulder than just the normal close relationship that long-time partners develop. Scully may project a defensive wall to everyone regarding her feelings for Mulder, but Doggett appears to see through all that and is not the least bit surprised to find Scully sleeping on Mulder's bed. Though we do see an instant antagonism between the two, there is also the underlying chemistry "to agree to disagree." Also, it has already been mentioned on several on-line sources that Doggett will never replace Mulder in Scully's heart. From what I saw, there is no other kind of chemistry between Doggett and Scully other than begrudging respect for the other's talents and nothing more. It would be truly difficult to imagine them in any kind of social situations that Mulder and Scully were in like "Je Souhaite" when they were sitting in the living room watching a movie together with buttered popcorn.
Another plot development that thoroughly surprised me more than any of the previous elements mentioned was the discovery by Doggett that Mulder was dying. The shock shown in both Scully and Skinner was evidence that they literally had no idea what was going on with Mulder. But was his health truly deteriorating? A headstone representing the sad history of the Mulder family shows Fox Mulder's name newly engraved at the very bottom to further support the medical evidence. Though I have not seen the followup to this episode yet, I have a sneaking suspicion who has been going around town impersonating Mulder. From that perspective, it isn't difficult to fathom that his medical records may have been tampered with to further promote Doggett's theory that Mulder could have staged his own abduction to leave some kind of legacy. All this information that seems to wear on Scully's last nerve is still not enough to make her believe that Mulder's abduction was faked. Though Mulder did fake his own death in "Redux," Scully believes what Skinner witnessed without hesitation and only wants to find Mulder. She has finally crossed the line that she has tip-toed around for the last seven years. Skinner has become a devout believer after he witnessed the UFO from "Requiem." He has even asked the aid of The Lone Gunmen to help him find some pattern in recent UFO activity to help search for Mulder. From all the speculation circulating around the three, who is right?
Overall, the plot seemed simple enough: find Mulder. This is definitely a welcome change considering the often convuluted and confusing storylines in the past couple of seasons involving the overall conspiracy by the former Syndicate headed by Cigarette Smoking Man. Now, the story is much more internal with the alien abduction making it more compelling and ironic. From this very first episode of the new season, we see the plot elements that will carry the intrigue and interest for the rest of the season: Mulder's whereabouts...the promotion of Kersh...Doggett's involvement with the X-Files...Scully's ongoing pregnancy...Skinner's determination in finding Mulder...Scully's more open-minded attitude...finding out more about Doggett...and who fathered Scully's baby. Season 8 is definitely shaping up to be a very good season indeed.
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