"The Beginning"

And oh, what a beginning it was!

It was hardly smooth sailing for our dynamic duo as they set off to pursue the truth (or at least some answers) regarding the violent aliens they met in the movie.  I was happy they appropriately incorporated the almost-kiss into the "previously on the X-Files" sequence in the beginning.  So they weren't planning on forgetting it ever happened after all!!

Due to inevitable strains in their relationship brought on not only by the arrival of Diana "the Fowl" Fowley on the scene (about whom I have several theories) and the torching of their office, but also the incredible revelations they met in Fight the Future, Mulder and Scully hardly knew what to do with themselves.  Mulder, who was up to his eyeballs in what he figured was undeniable proof, was quickly reduced to ridicule by sarcastic comments about alien beings by the review board.  Scully didn't know whether to make heads or tails of her experience and was desperately trying to find some scientific basis for what she had seen.  Neither of them knew how to deal with the events that occurred so they reverted back to the basis upon which their entire friendship was based: their separate beliefs.

So all-in-all, not the best way to begin a case, especially when the X-Files gets handed over to that little blankety-blank Spender and the Fowl.  I have a theory which I will share with you about the "Fox" problem.  You see, it annoys me greatly when Diana calls Mulder "Fox."  Yes, yes, I know it's his first name but he asked Scully not to call him by his first name so what's the problem with her?  Well, my theory is that she has always called him Fox and when she ripped out his heart and did the mamba on it before winging off to Saudi Arabia, he couldn't stand to be called that anymore because it reminded him of Diana.  It is not (I repeat, is not) a sign that he doesn't want to be close to Scully.  Moving on...

So Diana walks in and characteristically says "Fox." in greeting <clenches teeth in annoyance>.  Mulder's reply was better than I had hoped.

Mulder: Diana, back on your feet.  I guess that's the only way you could stab me in the back.

...and he proceeds to stalk off and consult with his soul mate.  They visit the home of the man (Sandy) who accidentally infected himself with the alien virus.  (Not to be ignored: Mulder in chino's with a new, adorable, short haircut!)  While they aren't getting along all that well, they continue to rely on each other for support and work as a team.  If Mulder had truly been mad, he wouldn't have brought her along to check out the house.  They take the alien claw out of the wall (somebody broke a nail!) and narrowly miss being caught by CSM and that goateed twit.

They have I can't believe yet/why can't you believe conversation #2 in which Mulder tones it down a bit, half-jokingly saying:

"What does it take?  For these things to come up and bite you on the ass?"

The fact that he would even make reference to her ass...well, we'll discuss that later maybe. Scully takes Mulder's hand (movie deja-vu!) and repeats to him what he told her in his apartment, how her science and her made him a whole person and kept him honest.  It obviously touched her if she would bring it up again.  Mulder tells her how he saw the alien, how she would have, too but she was passed out over his shoulder.  I noticed that Mulder referred to her being unconscious very possessively, almost tenderly, as if he were her protector.  He has always protected her and almost needs to.  Scully has yet to find an adequate way to thank him for all he did for her, but recognizes his efforts here before he tells her he's sorry, but her science is wrong.

Scully is still wary of Diana, especially after their meeting at the nuclear plant but is less depressed about Mulder's past relations with her.  She appears more confident and resilient.  Scully and Mulder come across Gibson in the back of their car and take him back to their hotel. It was odd how they adopted the aura of parents when they were around Gibson, very quiet and caring.  While in their care, Gibson tells Scully:

Gibson: You already know what it is.  You just don't want to believe it.

Hell-o!  Revelation to Mulder there as he gains insight into how Scully is feeling.  Scully has always evolved belief-wise in small, solid steps and not doing so would be untrue to her character.  Her reluctance is not indicative of her distrust, but of her fear.  Now, we don't see a lot of fear in Scully, but it's my theory that this is the way she expresses it when she's not tied up or in a frozen coma :o).

When their new positions come down and they are told that they will now answer to Kersh, Scully looks to see Mulder's reaction.

Scully comes in to see Mulder in the end and Mulder says:

Mulder: It would help if you'd shut the door.  It would make it harder for them to see that I'm totally disregarding everything I was told.

Scully: Everything we were told, Mulder.

Scully informs Mulder of Diana's report and tells him, "I hope you haven't been betrayed."  For some reason Mulder defends Diana and tells her that at least Diana saw the alien and believes in it.  I doubt he believes this (I think he wanted to see Scully's reaction) but this obviously hurts Scully, to the point where she looked like she might cry.  She says:

Scully: I don't doubt what you saw, Mulder.  I don't doubt you.

That's Mulder's fear.  He fears that she doesn't trust him as much as he trusts and relies on her. He's afraid that she doesn't take him seriously.

Scully then says:

Quote of the Week:

Scully: It comes down to a matter of trust...I guess it always has. Mulder: You're asking me to make a choice? Scully: I'm asking you to trust my judgment.  To trust me.

and it becomes clear that they have both been fearing the same thing.  The thing it comes down to.  Trust.  They have to trust each other, even in these huge revelations and changes that have occurred.  Scully shows him DNA tests that reveal that Gibson may be extra-terrestrial in some significant part and that we all might be in some way.  Scully made the connection for him, and proved that they need both aspects of their beliefs to get to the truth.

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