1X02 SQUEEZE

"Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night."
Pete Townsend's words, sung by Roger Daltrey, of The Who

SYNOPSIS

Scully is brought in to help investigate a case by a colleague in which murders have been happening in areas with no clear means of entry. Mulder joins in when he discovers that the case is actually an old X File in which the same man comes out of hibernation every 30 years for sustenance.

SCULLYVISION

Once again, the first person we see after the opening credits is Scully, as she's having lunch with Tom Colton, jerk. How could she ever have been friends with that guy? During this episode, Scully is torn between her life as it was just months before and old friends such as Tom, and her respect for her partner and their work.

It's Scully who brings Mulder into the case. Sure, it was an X File for years, but Mulder wouldn't have thought to investigate it if she hadn't have made friends with Colton earlier.

Mulder says the words, "You were right, Scully" two times!

The other agents make 'close encounter' comments that she does not find amusing. One particular comment draws a most notable look from Scully, when they called her "Mrs. Spooky." Her reaction conveys the complexity of all her feelings. It demeans Mulder, herself and her quest to make her own mark in the bureau. She really drives that point home when she tells her corporate ladder climbing friend that she can't wait to see him fall off that ladder and land on his ass.

Her loyalty to Mulder at that point in her life doesn't outweigh the bigger picture. When Mulder tells her that they can have their own investigation, she doesn't respond. We don't think it's because she doesn't know what side would be best for her career. When the other agents go on the stake out without Mulder, Scully goes along with them. This may be because, as she announces when asked whose side is she on, she is "on the side of the victim". Not the agents side and not really Mulder's, either.

Despite Mulder's ability to make remarkable investigative leaps to solve this case, Scully remains skeptical of the paranormal aspects to the end. She still doesn't believe and doesn't want to believe. As a scientist, Scully is loyal to her profession.

Scully has to fend off the enemy herself at her apartment when Tooms comes for dinner, with a good old fashioned punch. Man, did she land it! She wasn't a helpless victim and that's another reason why we love her so. Thank goodness Mulder showed up to divert Tooms' attention so she could handcuff him to the tub.

At the end of the episode, Scully's still working, she's ordered tests on Tooms. While Mulder is moved by the shocking scene of Eugene making a paper-mache nest in his prison cell, Scully is detached in disbelief. Scully makes no connection to Eugene as a "monster" in the non-human sense of the word.

OH COME ON!

How in the world was Tooms able to refasten the screws of the vent cover, while he was in the vent?

How long did it take for Mulder to figure out how to manipulate the fingerprint without a techie who knew that program helping him?

Frank Briggs can take evidence out of the police station and keep it in a box under his bed in the nursing home?

I know Scully lives alone, but she leaves her gun out in the open on the back of her couch when she gets home and is going to take a bath? How about put it in a drawer...

Scully and Mulder put elongated-fingerprints-Eugene in handcuffs?

LESSONS LEARNED
Or, All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned from the X Files

Room dimensions are important for murder cases.

Scanning microfiche causes dizziness.

Saliva from a mutant makes an excellent adhesive, mucilage, if you will.

Wait around for 25 years, and some agents will come to see you and solve your unsolved case for you.

Jack's MonsterVision

Well the show had to start somewhere with their Monster of the Week episodes. In my opinion, Eugene Victor Tooms was a good monster to start with. Through some sort of genetic mutation, this guy is able to contort his body so he could squeeze (hence the title of this episode) through openings as small as 6 by18 inches and has super human strength. You have to be strong to pull out those livers by hand. But his genetic mutation comes at a cost. To survive, he has to hibernate. To sustain his hibernation, he awakes every 30 years to forage for his nutrition, which just happens to be human livers.

I have to admit this guy is cool. We have all dreamed of being able to go where our bodies don't allow us to, this guy can basically go where ever he wants, whenever he wants. Plus, as Scully said in her profile, he has above average intelligence which makes him an even bigger force to reckon with.

Over the 90 years he has existed, he's developed into quite a vain guy. His victims are all attacked in the one place they feel the safest, their homes or a high-security office building. He doesn't go for the easy pickin' street walker or vagrant out on the open. Or maybe Tooms was thinking, he does want a GOOD liver. He picks his prey, does what it takes to get to him or her, and pounce. After his meal, he takes a small personal affect, to remember the murder.

Tooms' arrogance became his undoing when for his last liver, Scully's. She wasn't an oblivious victim and he knew it. She knew about his motives and his means of entry, and was a trained officer who could defend herself, but he still took her necklace and went after her.

Tooms is the first of the MOTWs to be one who has to feed on his victims to live. Some of these monsters you could feel sorry for. They don't want to kill people, they need to in order to survive. Tooms' arrogance, intelligence, adaptability of how he can portray what others expect him to be and his lack of remorse for his victims separates Tooms from that bunch of monsters.

I give Eugene Victor Tooms a rating of 4 out of 5 Ripped out Livers.

SFX

In the teaser, the use of slo-mo and fading color explained more in the director space. Stretching of Tooms' limbs, which was made even more creepy by the use of sound effects of crunching bones. Tooms' eyes and face in the storm drain. Fitting into the fireplace.

RECURRING CHARACTERS

Eugene Victor Tooms

WRITER
Glen Morgan

Created a kickin' monster of the week to introduce the concept for the audience.

DIRECTOR
James Wong

Created the right mood in many scenes. From creepiness to subtlety, to fun, to suspense. That opening teaser that included the show's first use of slo-mo was effective to get into what the monster was focusing on. When Tooms' eyes grew yellow, ready for a meal, the target is kept in color and everything else around him fades. I'm not sure if Wong showed Tooms actually lick his lips while in that storm drain looking at Usher walk, but it sure conveyed that feeling to me.

RUNNING TALLIES
Flashlights
Guns
Sunflower Seeds
Scully wears glasses
Mulder wears glasses
Scully typed out report
Mulder saved ScullyBig Clunky White Cordless Phone Sighting

SCORE CARD FOR SAVING EACH OTHER'S ASS

Scully - 1 Mulder - 1
Sure, Scully handcuffed Tooms, but
he wouldn't have been distracted if Mulder hadn't shown up

POINT/COUNTERPOINT

Scully,

Seems like you've now been initiated in to the Bureau's exclusive "most unwanted" club. I know you were taking heat from your buddies. I also know that my taunting them probably made them pick on you all the more. It will only get worse.

Maybe you should reconsider your assignment to debunk and vacate. I saw that look on your face when you said "that's why they put you in the basement." There is no room for pity down here, Scully. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the boiler room.

If I'm being tough it's because we just might encounter more monsters like Tooms. There's no time to be worried that people will think you're weird. Weird is better than watching Eugene dine on your liver.

X-Files take no prisoners Scully. Are you up to the challenge?

Your Spooky Partner

~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder,

I don't worry about what other people think of me (a lot), so don't berate me. I agreed to go down in the basement, and I'm staying here. Maybe one day, we'll be able to move upstairs, have a window that we can see more than just looking up at the sky. And maybe I'll get a desk. I'm not going to vacate my position, so you don't have to feel threatened if I branch out to work with others on a case or two. It's only for the greater good. I enjoy your jokes, but try to cut back on the taunting.

The thought that we'll come across more monsters is daunting, I admit it. But, I'm also saying, with complete confidence, that we can triumph over anything, if we work together. Hm, you sound like Clint Eastwood at the end there. Stop it. Let me remind you that I do autopsies, while you stand around looking sick, don't give me grief. I am certainly up to the challenge.

And yes, Mulder, I do feel better now that Tooms is locked up and I've had time to get over the shock of being attacked. Thanks for asking.

Most importantly, thank you for covering my back.

Scully

ATHENAEUM

"Mr. Colton," The Curator pleasantly said. "Because I respect you as an FBI agent, I will defer your question until later."

"But why? It's an important question."

"It's even more important for you to know about fingerprints."

"I know all about fingerprints."

"Such as?"

"Such as fingerprints never change, identical twins have identical fingerprints, only humans and not animals or hibernating nest building, human-animals have fingerprints."

The Curator began to sing, "It was the myth of fingerprints, I've seen them all and man they're all the same." He looked at Colton, who hadn't joined in.

The man obviously needed to have 'just the facts', so the Curator complied, "Ah, the myth of fingerprints. Mr. Colton, you have indeed come to the right place. First of all you are almost right that prints don't change. They change but only microscopically as we grow, they stretch a little. Identical twins do not have identical fingerprints. In fact no two prints anywhere in the world are identical not even the prints on each of our individual fingers. And as for animals, the Koala has a fingerprint that looks exactly like a human print.

"I am not a student of Dermatoglyphics but I can tell you that the use of fingerprints dates back to prehistoric times. In ancient China, fingerprints were used as signatures on legal documents. In 1911 in this country fingerprint evidence was upheld in court for the first time. And in 1924 the FBI created it's Identification Division."

"Well that's all well and good," Tom impatiently said. "But will you please answer my original question?"

Without missing a beat, the Curator responded, "Eleven reticulira... or about three hundred and fifty dollars in American money, per pound." Some people just weren't made to have fun with.

Pleased with the answer, Tom made his way back to the door.

QUOTES

SCULLY Mulder's ideas maybe a bit out there but he is a great agent.

TOM COLTON Maybe you won't have to be Mrs. Spooky anymore.

MULDER Reputation? I have a reputation?

MULDER Spooky? Do you think I'm spooky?

MULDER Grey. You said green men, a Reticulan skin tone is actually grey, they're notorious for their extraction of terrestrial human livers. Due to iron depletion in the Reticulan galaxy.

MULDER Do you have any idea what liver and onions go for on Reticula?

MULDER You wouldn't shoot an unarmed man, would ya, Copper?

MULDER Seeds?

EXAMINER Are you over one hundred years old?

TOM COLTON You said Mulder was out there... that guy's insane.

SCULLY It seems like you were acting very territorial.

MULDER So what is this, the Anti-Waltons?

FRANK BRIGGS I've waited 25 years for you.

SCULLY Oh my God, Mulder, it's smells like... I think it's bile.
MULDER Is there any way I can get it off my fingers quickly without betraying my cool exterior?

MULDER He's not gonna get his quota this year.

MULDER Look at him, he's building another nest.

MULDER All these people putting bars on their windows, spending good money on hi-tech security systems, trying to feel safe. I look at this guy and I think... It ain't enough.