Episode Guide of the M&STD

Welcome to our X-Files episode guide!

The M&STDer's Relationshipper Guide to The X-Files

Here we have the ultimate shipper guide to the X-Files. Each episode is listed in chronological order and rated. Remember, this is a relationshipper page, not to be confused with a guide judging X-Files quality. The ratings have to do with Mulder and Scully interaction only, not the validity of the episode (for an example of the plot vs. shippy- ness idea, think of Detour). Comprende? The purpose of this guide is so we can weed out all the evil, non-shippy episodes that were written, directed, and produced by mistake, and concentrate on the M&STD friendly episodes only. Here's how the rating system works:
No stars: Completely non-shippy, usually occurs during the absence of our heroes. (see: Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man)
- Only when there is significant undesirable tension between our heroes , not to be confused with Unresolved Sexual Tension.
- A basic, boring, non-shippy but not arguing episode. Nothing for the M&STDers to work with.
- A few shards of UST thrown randomly about. Perhaps some innuendo as well. Some possible Mulder/Scully angst, which is not always considered beneficial, but could possibly lead to some crying on a shoulder.... maybe?
- UST abounds ruthlessly, with lots of angst. Shippers have a field day. Even if our heroes are at odds, we know'll they'll eventually crack under all the UST and run to each other's arms. (For an example of this, see Never Again)
*- The highest and most elusive rating. Only a few charished episodes have this lucky branding. M&STDers collapse and give thanks to the gods in Vancouver.

FIRST SEASON

PILOT ****

In retrospect, this episode is more shippy than upon first inspection , since at that time we could have had no idea where the relationship was going. But there were a lot of good history-sharing moments, as necessitated by it being the first episode ever. Plus a nice Scully- freak-out-and-run-to-Mulder-to-be-inspected- and-reassured USTy moment.

DEEP THROAT ***

It's hard to rate episodes this early in the game, since Mulder and Scully are still testing each other out. Scully goes to lengths to save Mulder, which is a good sign, I suppose. Mulder and Scully gazing up at the night sky together... ooh la la!! :)

SQUEEZE ***

This episode deserves kudos because Scully is forced to choose between the FBI mainstream and sticking it out with Mulder. She chooses Mulder, of course. And there's always something inherently shippy whenever Mulder races to Scully's recue, or vice versa.

CONDUIT ****

Can we say MAJOR Mulder angst? Scully delves deep into Mulder's history. She's leaning towards feeling sympathetic towards Mulder, and sympathy leads to....well, we'll see.

THE JERSEY DEVIL ***

Ooh, Scully has a date. But by now she knows her heart belongs to Mulder, even though she coyly replies to his inquiry about her 'life' with: "Keep it up, Mulder, and I'll hurt you like that Beast Woman did." Wouldn't he like that!

SHADOWS **

Eh, kind of boring. An interesting concept in the plot, but remember this is not a guide to measure plot worthiness. The whole thing was run- of-the-mill.

GHOST IN THE MACHINE **

The highlight of this otherwise unfulfilling episode was, of course, the elevator scene. Stuck with Mulder? Hee hee hee.... Plus, for some reason this really amuses me, Scully looked SO proud of herself when she tells Mulder she traced the phone call to Eurisko.

ICE ****

Can we say, partnership is strenghening? The most stressful of situations, and Mulder and Scully come out sane and still partners. What a team!! I know I'm getting into plot here, but this was the first truly suspenseful episode ever. I loved it!!

SPACE **

A basically non-shippy episode not helped by the weak myth plot. There's a little bonding by the end, but it's fairly insignificant. By that point any conversation between our heroes at all would have sufficed as UST.

FALLEN ANGEL ***

A fun, fun episode with Max Fenig. Mulder and Scully exchange a few coquettish one-liners, but the highlight of the episode is, of course, our beloved Max. Oh yeah, and it's "the enigmatic Dr. Scully."

EVE ***

I'm tempted to give this one four stars, but I can't quite. It was so cute with Mulder and Scully each holding the hand of a little Eve, looking very much the happy family. Well, until the Eves tried to kill them.

FIRE ****

Phoebe Green may be the devil incarnate, but she's a UST making machine. Scully acts a little short with her- jealousy, perhaps? Mulder without a shirt! Now there's a reason to celebrate.

BEYOND THE SEA *****

Holy cow!!! WARNING: MAY CONTAIN LARGE AMOUNTS OF SCULLY ANGST. A role reversal too, with Scully wanting to believe Luther Boggs badly, but Mulder refusing to get swept up in it. A lovely hospital scene. You know, it's too bad being an FBI agent involves lying ina hospital bed while your partner confesses stuff to you and holds you hand. Yeah, too bad.

GENDERBENDER **

Not a bad episode, but as far as shippy-ness goes, the highlight was Mulder embarrassing Scully about almost "doing the wild thing" with Brother Andew.

LAZARUS ***

It has to have three stars, on account of former boyfriend Jack Willis showing up. Nothing like a little Mulder jealousy. (A dose of his own medicine after FIRE.) Most of the interaction was between Scully and Willis, but it still managed to be enthralling. Mulder says Dana.

YOUNG AT HEART ***

Some good Mulder angst, and a bit of Mulder-Scully tension when she rifles through his past. The plot is a bit weedy, but that's beside the point.

E.B.E. ****

Thank the Lord!! The Lone Gunmen have arrived!! It IS plausible that somebody, somewhere, could think Scully's hot. But we know she doesn't have to look very far- that person's standing right in front of her!

MIRACLE MAN **

Aside from some Mulder angst about Samantha, this episode focuses on the myth of an evangelical miracle man. Mulder's too concerned with Samantha at this point in time anyway. It's won't be until fifth season that he finally admits his major focus is now Scully (a huge day of thanks among the M&STDers).

SHAPES **

A nice little myth of the week, but little Mulder-Scully interaction, which in M&STD terms translates as "boring."

DARKNESS FALLS ****

Ok, by now we've figured it out. Sitting on a bed together equals tremendous UST. And it was a cool story, which is a plus even if shippy- ness is our major focus here.

TOOMS *****

At last, our first outright, majorly shippy episode. The car scene is a classic, surviving through four more seasons as one of the shippiest moments of all time. "If there's iced tea in that bag.... could be love. " "I wouldn't put my life on the line for anyone but you." AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! What more can be said?

BORN AGAIN **

Did someone say, "Bor-ing Again"? Little to no meaningful Mulder and Scully chats. Ho hum. Where's a good liver-eating hundred-year-old mutant when you need one?

ROLAND **

A nice episode, but no fireworks. The head shattering on the floor made it all worthwhile. Now that's entertaiment.

THE ERLENMEYER FLASK ****

LOTS and LOTS of good tension, ending the season with the bang we missed in the last two episodes. Scully finally gets to save Mulder. That's the Scully we love- stong, caretaking, brave. And Mulder likes it too, I'm sure. (Poor Deep Throat.)

stay tuned for season 2 guide..... Suzannah

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