PLOT: The Lone Gunmen make the ultimate sacrifice as they
are reunited with Yves and Jimmy to help stop a terrorist conspiracy to kill thousands.
For those dozen or so people (myself included) to actually *watch* the Lone Gunmen
series last year , it was nice to see some kind of closure to that now-defunct
series and its characters. Of course, the closure that I had in mind was
TOTALLY different from what the Ten-Thirteen crew did, but I guess this is one
way for the most lovable of conspiracy geeks to actually get some respect. I say
that with just a hint of sarcasm.
I'm not exactly sure what Gilligan, Shiban and Spotnitz had in mind with this rather
mundane plot. Considering that the TLG series was not the most clever of series, it
still invoked plenty of that trio's charm and humor, which this swan song did not.
The serious nature of the plot involving terrorism (which ironically involved the very
first episode of the TLG series) seemed a bit tasteless in the world's current state of affairs
when presented here. On top of that, TLG were not allowed to truly show their
unique take on things from their mostly paranoid view of the world. Instead, we
initially find them broke and almost bitter. The world has ignored their efforts
to right the wrongs and in essence, they are just mere shadows of their once former selves.
This episode does not appear to resolve anything from the exciting cliffhanger that the
few of us had seen in TLG's final episode last year. We find that Yves Adele Harlowe is
nowhere to be found and Jimmy seems missing, too. The appearance of Morris Fletcher
seems too contrived even though he helps propel the plot to a point in the beginning of
the episode. While Doggett and Reyes seems as though they were out of place through most
of the episode. Funny how those two were not really involved in an X-File of any nature but
more of the current FBI's goal of stopping terrorism. But even in that, they were not put
to any good use. The plot is written to make their appearance useless in the end.
I did notice the characterizations were WAY off. I've never heard Langley speak so
passionately about something that didn't involve conspiracies or computers. Frohike acted
like the bitter, lonely man he is rather than the acerbic, amusing man we've seen. Byers looks
as though he has given up on life in general. Yves appears to be the same person she was
in the series but a bit more vulnerable and not as selfish. I found it odd that she is a daughter
of some notorious criminal when she did MANY criminal acts in the TLG series. And Lois Runtz?
I find that hard to believe that someone with her exotic looks would be named "Lois". And then
there's Jimmy. What the hell happened to him in the past year? I find it very unbelieveable
that the same Jimmy, who definitely was as naive as Gomer Pyle and just as clever, would be able
to keep up with Yves all over the world. He also seems a bit more serious than the amiable, friendly
young man that we all remember. It just seemed too bizarre.
What we see in this episode is a terrorist plot that somehow Yve's father is involved with and
eventually has the trio and Jimmy tagging along as well. It was initially confusing to learn from
Morris that Yves was now a super soldier. It didn't make any sense until she was actually caught
trying to stop the second man. Why did she think that her father's actions are her responsibility?
It goes against the same Yves in the series who always tried to find the financial angle in every scam
that she happened across with the Gunmen. We're privy to the fact that Yves actually has
a conscience! Definitely a degree of surprise in the highest order. Yet, the plot does not flow
that well as though we had to be guided along by the Ten-Thirteen crew. I found myself daydreaming
through some of the scenes since extrapolations were abundant by the characters themselves for me to
even want to figure it out for myself.
I just want one question to be answered by Ten-Thirteen. What is there to gain for the X-Files
franchise to have three loveable characters die? They obviously had to make a decision in the
climactic scene to ensure that the man would not kill others, yet I think they could have easily
detained him and still sealed the area to prevent any contamination while they were safely on the
other side of the door. It wasn't as though they had to stick around to make sure the man would
not get away. It just seemed so unnatural.
The funeral scene was sad to say the least, since I really loved those guys, but
I found it too contrived again with the Arlington Cemetary burial. What kind of
influence did Skinner have to be able to do this for three people he thought
were a nuisance much of the time yet not be able to ensure Mulder's safety?
Being a naval veteran myself, I found it rather disappointing to think that
anyone could be buried there when the trio were very critical of the military's
involvement in many conspiracy coverups. The Gunmen were heroes for sure, but
being buried in a place that symbolized military servicemen who died for their
country seemed both ironic and hypocritical.
Skinner's and Scully's very brief appearance looked like an afterthought.
Skinner seemed as though he needed to rush back to the office, and Scully
looked as though she was on Valium. I think she showed more emotion when
Queequeg died. Doggett and Reyes really shouldn't have even been there.
Considering that for the exception of Jimmy and Yves, none of them would even
have known the trio if it wasn't for Mulder. Since David was definitely
agreeable to be on the show then, it would have been nice to see him make a
cameo appearance in the background or something without any of the other
characters noticing.
Though I honestly don't think this was the closure that the TLG series should
have gotten, I am a bit worried that with four episodes left in the series,
how trivial will the Ten-Thirteen crew show the importance of what the show
originally represented: the search for the truth. This sub-par effort did not
endear TLG fans to look forward to the rest of the X-Files if all they want to
do is just close the book as quickly as possible without any logical reason for
some of the plotlines they come up with. Remember the wrap-up of the Samantha
plotline? That was one of the most disappointing endings this series has ever
shown. I'm afraid that the series finale will fall just as flat as this episode
and disappoint the majority of fans. I can only hope that isn't true.
Four more to go...
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