"Biogenesis"

To the ends of the earth...

I'm not quite sure why I am continually surprised at the levels of closeness Mulder and Scully have been demonstrating towards each other in the last season dispite all the factors against them.  They disagree over the validity of work, theories, evidence, and witnesses, yet still they manage to turn extremely subtle elements of physical contact into something so intimate you almost (and I stress almost) feel intrusive watching.  There is nothing on earth they wouldn't do to save the other and this was demonstrated quite clearly in Biogenesis.

Scully's concern for Mulder's well-being being are in the forefront of her investigation of the mysterious artifacts.  Although she initially dismissed the rubbing as a fake, along with the artifact from which it was taken, Mulder's affliction brings forth intense concern for her partner, and also a willingness to believe.  When Skinner phones Scully to tell her that Mulder has been hospitalized, the fear in her eyes is ignited.  She arrives, breathless from the rush of three back-to-back flights, only to be greeted with even worse news: his condition in psychological.  Skinner, well aware of Scully's emotional fragility without the strength of her partner (and vice versa), takes her hand gently to break the news to her and called her by her first name to get her attention.  The word, "Dana," evokes an extremely serious atmosphere right off the bat.  It has only been brought up in times of tumult or high emotion (and is generally reserved for the lips of her partner, but she didn't have the interest or patience to correct him with one of those icy, "It's Scully,"'s).  Scully knows immediately that Mulder needs her.

Arriving in a room filled with computers monitoring Mulder's behaviour, Scully practically plasters herself to a monitor in her extreme desire to comfort her partner.  Even the dreaded Diana Fowley reveals that Mulder had been asking for her the night before.  Scully pays little mind to this detail, however, and demands to be let into his room.  When told he is a danger to everyone, she replies certainly, "Not to me."  Their connection cannot be broken by distance, death, or dimentia and, through his senseless rage and incoherant screams, Mulder yells the one name he still trusts, the person he wants to hold him and tell him everything is alright.  Through the depths of psychosis he yells, "Scully!" as he stares into the monitor as if somehow he knows she's there wanting as desperately to comfort him as he needs to be comforted.  

Her wish is not granted, however, when Scully is called out into the hallway by Diana.  Scully stares her down icily, asking what this is all about and how Mulder got into this state.  Diana's ridiculous attempt to invoke jealousy in Scully falls flat.  She claims that Mulder phoned her the night before saying that she was the only one who would believe him and that she took him to his apartment to rest.  Scully, very aware of Diana's duality and her interest in Mulder, dismisses her statements without the slightest pause of consideration or doubt.  Her voice, a spine-tingling mixture of rage and danger is the vocal equivalent of slapping Diana's oil-of-olay-deprived face around the block.  "You're a liar," she spits out with delicious disgust.  Her eyes flash angrilly with threats of unspoken violence if Mulder does not recover.  Skinner takes Scully by the wrist in an attempt to stop her from walking away.  Scully yanks her hand violently away, refusing physical contact of any sort.  "You're both liars," she hisses.

I must pause here to reflect upon the scene that is ingrained in both of our memories: that of Diana Fowley taking her shirt off in Mulder's apartment <shudder>.  We don't have any answers as of yet as to what she was doing but I have something that may make you all feel much better.  In the original version of the script (which doesn't have Scully calling Diana a liar), we see Diana enter Mulder's bedroom and inject him with a serum after hanging up the phone (with CSM). We know, from his conversation with Scully, that he was fine up until she started her little stripper routine.  Before the drug takes hold of him, we see in Mulder's eyes the realization of Diana's true nature and confirmation of his suspicions.  In taking out this scene, it would appear that it may be put back into context in the premiere.  Mulder will see Diana's evil intentions yet, if he hasn't already.

And we certainly can't forget some of the best moments of Biogenesis (and mythology episodes in general, which tend to be anti-shipper) which involve the ever-worshipped invasion of personal space!  Their initial conversation in the elevator involved Scully standing right next to Mulder (it was seriously approaching snuggling) as they talk, the contact between them undeniable.  No more Scully on one side of the elevator and Mulder on the other, apparently - hooray!  Other notable scenes involve Mulder's attacks, one of which occurring during a slide presentation.  Scully is immediately drawn to his side, leading him into the hallway gently by a touch on his forearms.  She checks his forehead carefully for signs of fever and expresses her concern.  Throughout the episode, their conversations were done in physical closeness, their faces inches apart and their eyes alone told volumes of their feelings.  Scully travels all the way to the Ivory Coast to find answers to save Mulder's sanity.  We all know she's capable but it's going to be a long wait to find out how she does it.

This feels like an eternity - how am I going to make it to November?!

Quote of the Week:

Scully (to Diana): You're a liar. Skinner: Scully... Scully: You're both liars.

LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULT:  The best moment in Field Trip was Mulder and Scully looking caringly at each other and caressing hands in the back of the ambulance at 68%.

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