Don't Be Afraid of the Dork: Sundays with the X Files

THE PLOT

I hate how Season 6 begins. With The Beginning. We've just come off what for me was the giddiness of Fight the Future and into a bunch of conflict between our favorite wacko FBI characters who are acting...well...out of character. Remember, how at the end of the movie Scully grabbed Mulder's hand and gave him a Rah Rah speech about how committed she was to the cause and how he should be too? Well apparently she's regretting those words by the time we get to The Beginning. Or you know, 1013 forgot there was a movie (except when they need to humiliate Scully). Basically the season starts with the X Files', and Mulder and Scully's, future in limbo. The X Files is re-opened but Agent Spender and Diana Fowley are put in charge. At first Mulder acts like a petty child about this but then he decides that Diana Fowley is the best person he has ever known and even tells Scully that she can't hope to compare to Diana. Whatever 1013. In the meantime, Scully is trying to milk and use Gibson Praise, the key to everything, to ingratiate herself again with Mulder. Because that is totally what Scully would do. And of course she's incompetent and loses him to which everyone shrugs, oh well. I really don't like this initial episode! We do find out, though it doesn't make much sense really, that the big mean aliens metamorphose into the little grey guys we've been seeing up until Fight the Future.

But despite the rough start, the season continues in an upward fashion, though Mulder and Scully are in the FBI equivalent of the Steno pool doing background checks and such. In the mythology there are a few intriguing developments though things are getting more and more muddled. In Episode 11, Two Fathers, we revisit the shady railroad of clandestine surgeries and this time Cassandra Spender has been their "patient". She is apparently the key to everything (wait I thought Gibson was...oh never mind) and informs Mulder and Scully that the aliens are not benevolent as she previously thought. We find out that, surprise surprise, CSM is the worst father ever who sends his son Agent Spender off to perform an assassination with Krycek to prove that he is even a 1/4 of the man Mulder is. This episode ends with conclusive evidence that Diana Fowley is working for CSM. This min-arc concludes in Episode 12, One Son, where we think the colonization is about to occur but at the last minute the alien freedom fighters come and wipe out the entire syndicate and their families (except Fowley and CSM). Bold move, X Files, wiping out all your bad guys! But also in this episode: CSM convinces Mulder to give up, Mulder apparently lurves Diana Fowley (whatever X Files), Deep throat #3 is still around but not faring well as a test subject for the syndicate, Spender grows a spine and does the right thing, and his FATHER (CSM) shoots him in the face for it. Phew - those two episodes packed quite a wallop. The mythology gets a re-boot in the last episode of the season (Ep. 22 Biogenesis) when Mulder starts to suffer from a mysterious ailment associated with some strange artifacts found in Africa...

Despite being off the X Files and working for the dreaded AD Kersh for half the season, Mulder and Scully investigate lots of other things: a mysterious ailment caused by military communications equipment that makes people's heads explode if they are not traveling fast enough in a car, Mulder spends some time on a 1939 luxury liner the Queen Anne during 1939, Mulder accidentally switches bodies with an Army bureaucrat working at Area 51, Mulder and Scully shoot each other for Christmas then exchange gifts, they investigate a guy who is probably a devil, they play matchmaker for a guy who can control the weather, Skinner almost dies because of something Krycek puts in his blood, Scully investigates a photographer who can't die and who can see when other people are about to die. Then begins the monster portion of the season and they go after a sea monster, a garbage monster, a supernatural japanese dog. Finally they investigate: an escaped prisoner who can walk through walls, a novelist who is obsessed with Scully and they play some baseball which apparently aliens are really good at. Scully unwittingly provides some assistance to TLG when Byers' hot lady shows up again. They top it off by almost being eaten by a giant fungus which keeps them pliant with hallucinations.

Other interesting tidbits:

- CSM's real name is C.G.B. Spender.
- Scully with all her higher brain functions disabled is pretty hilarious (Ep. 20 Three of a Kind)
- To reiterate: CSM is a TERRIBLE father. And husband for that matter.
- For Christmas I speculate that Mulder got Scully a new flashlight and Scully got Mulder an addition to his porno collection (based on the packages' shape and size).
- At one point Scully kisses AD Skinner full on the mouth (Ep. 3 Triangle).

CHARACTER and RELATIONSHIP CORNER

Season 6 is sometimes put forth as the shippiest of seasons. In my reckoning it is...and it isn't. On the one hand there is a lot of conflict between Scully and Mulder. Much of the conflict stems from Scully, who starts acting a lot like her caricature from season 5's Bad Blood. It seems like every case begins with her demanding petulantly why they are even bothering with the case. Ummm... because your an FBI agent and investigating things that could include unexplainable phenomena with your partner of 5 years who is pretty darn perfect (at least as far as we have seen) at sniffing these cases out is kind of your job? For starters? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Scully is exerting a little more free will these days and not just shouting "How high?" when Mulder yells "Jumps!", but her behavior is irrational and comes across as whiny and dumb. Her job is to argue with and question Mulder, forcing him to justify his claims of paranormal activity with evidence and facts, it's not to just blindly say "This is stupid and I want to go home" without even investigating, which seems to be her mantra this season. I think it's meant to highlight Scully's continued slide into dissatisfaction with her life in the X Files and to contrast her more starkly with Diana Fowley. And THAT irritates me, that 1013 would make a beloved character act out of character in order to set up a conflict with a character they don't develop enough or give enough screen time to. But more on that later. Back to Scully. This is the season where it becomes more and more unbelievable that Scully does not believe but I think there are a couple of episodes (Ep. 10 Tithonus, Ep. 21 Field Trip)where they present clearly that Scully does believe, but she needs to be able to explain and answer the question why.

On the other very shippy hand, there is a LOT to grin goofily about in this season. It starts of course with the almost kiss and incredible rescue of Scully in Fight the Future. Then in episode 3 Triangle we get the first kiss between Mulder and Scully and it's long and lingering and passionate and totally in Mulder's head. But it shows that he has been thinking about kissing Scully A LOT lately. We also get a declaration of love from Mulder (the only one ever?) but because it is while he is hopped up on drugs, it is blown off. I actually think it's pretty genuine on Mulder's part and it took the drugs to give Mulder the courage to do it. This is quickly followed by episode 5 Dreamland II and the sunflower seeds of love. When Mulder and Scully think they are to be separated forever, Mulder solemnly gives Scully a handful of his beloved sunflower seeds. This is a sober Mulder's declaration of love - much less direct:0). Then in episode 8 The Rain King, the weatherman observes to Mulder that he and Scully gaze at each other a lot and Scully indulges in a little girl talk about she and Mulder's romantic relationship (or current lack thereof). In episode 15, Arcadia, Mulder and Scully get to play house on an undercover assignment and there is lots of fun flirty banter. In episode 18, Milagro, a psychotic novel writer recognizes that "...Agent Scully is already in love..." and that she's "...just trying to get his attention...". Scully and Mulder also cling to one another desperately at the close of the episode. Episode 19, The Unnatural, features the sexiest session of batting practice I've ever seen. Finally, there's some hand-holding at the end of episode 21 Field Trip.

So lots and lots of shippiness. But then there's Diana Fowley. Sigh..... Get ready for a rant and not because I hate the character or her introduction into the show. What I hate is how poorly and lazily they incorporated her and her storyline.

Point being, even as an unapologetic 'shipper I don't have a problem with the concept of Diana Fowley. I think she could have been a really interesting character and a cool device to bring some interesting dynamics to the story and Mulder and Scully's characters and relationship. Mimi Rogers also does a fine job. The problem is they don't commit to the storyline or character. Everything about this storyline is messy and lazy. Maybe it’s because they could only afford to get Mimi Rogers for limited episodes but in that case they should'nt have gone there. They want to create a little frisson of conflict between Mulder and Scully. Great, fine, than do it properly! Have Fowley around, have Mulder interacting with her - give him some reason, besides a vaguely hinted at past relationship, to so blindly trust her. Give him a reason to think he loves her. Something that would make it even remotely plausible that he would so easily dick over Scully for this other woman. Even if you deny all the shippy stuff, it still doesn’t make sense that Mulder would so easily ally with Fowley particularly if it meant alienating Scully. I mean, she’s supposed to be working on the X Files but all we see on any regular basis is Spender. Shouldn’t Mulder and she be clandestinely and constantly collaborating? Her absence in Two Fathers is completely inexplicable. It’s like when she’s not on screen she doesn’t exist but when she is on screen she’s everything. If you do count the shipper stuff, Mulder and Scully came 1/16^th of an inch from kissing in Fight the Future. Mulder kissed Scully in Triangle even if it was only in his own head. And it weren’t no peck of friendship. There is no doubt in my mind nor should there be in anyone’s mind that while Mulder is confused and conflicted about how to proceed with Scully, he most certainly has strong and romantic feeling for her. But he has the gall to accuse Scully in One Son of making her distrust of Fowley too personal?? Seriously X Files you’re going to have him put his head that far up his ass? Of course it's personal Mulder. Scully can no longer have children (except those that are genetically engineered and who die by the age of 3) and almost died of cancer you bastard. That’s Effin personal! And again in One Son when he meets Diana in her apartment he essentially tells her that he loves her and they share a kiss. He waited there because he wants to save her. 1013 tries to make it less repugnant and OOC by having him then call Scully when he’s on the way to safety with Diana. The problem is this episode makes me hate Mulder a little bit – like actually hate him and wish Scully would get far far away from him. And it could have been easily avoided by making this an actual real storyline and not just one of convenience. Don't even get me started about the end of the episode when they re-assign Scully and Mulder to the X Files. Dare I ask, where did Fowley go??? Bad Job X Files, Bad Job. *rant over*

So..um.. to wrap up? Pretending along with rest of the X Files cast 98% of the time that Fowley doesn't exist? Despite her strong words at the end of Fight the Future Scully really just wants to settle down and have a normal life. She's tired of the constant travel and danger and workaholism. The problem? She's in love with Mulder to whom a normal life would be tantamount to death. He's like a border collie, hyperactive and super smart - he's not going to be happy being a couch potato. The truth is his cause, his passion, his life. Scully can't ask him to give that up so she keeps on, keepin on but is pretty whiny and surly about it. For Mulder's part, he loves Scully and he knows it but she is so important to his professional life and his cause that he really doesn't want to mess that up in any way. So instead he sends crazy mixed signals. Good times are had by all.

FAVORITE and NOTABLE EPISODES

episodes with * are my favorites

Episode 1 The Beginning: This episode infuriates me - Scully acts out of character and Mulder is a jerk. Also it seems like pretty much everyone forgot most of what happened in Fight the Future which preceded it. Particularly all the resolutions about how they're the best partners ever and they must continue to investigate with enthusiasm. But it's a mythology episode so it's included in this list. Scully's in denial that anything extraterrestrial happened in the arctic and Mulder is hella frustrated with her. Gibson is still the key to something but we'll never know what because he is kidnapped again after being in Scully's possession for less than 24 hours. Also there are still some aliens incubating in people out there and once they get somewhere warm they transform into the little gray aliens we've seen before. The X Files are re-opened but Spender and Fowley are put in charge.

*Episode 3 Triangle: Mulder goes in search of a luxury liner that disappeared in the Bermuda triangle back in 1939 and has just re-appeared. He ends up being caught in a time anomaly that puts him on the boat in 1939 or else he dreams it - it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that there are Nazis trying to take over the British ship and all of Mulder's favorite people are there - Scully, Skinner, Spender and CSM. The set on the ship is gorgeous. In the present timeline Scully and TLG are looking for Mulder and there is this fun continuous shot as Scully races around the Hoover building trying to get some satellite imagery they need. She kisses Skinner full on the mouth. And that's not the only kissing. Mulder kisses 1939 Scully in what is arguably the best kiss they share in the whole show even though it's really dark. Too bad its a dream. He also tells Scully he loves her though because he's on painkillers at the time she does not take him seriously.

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* Episode 4 and 5 Dreamland Part 1 and 2: The body swap episodes are always so much fun and this double header is a nice blend of funny and substantive story. They do have to make Scully particularly dense for her not to believe Mulder-as-Morris' story but I guess it doesn't make sense when Morris-as-Mulder ain't complaining. But his behavior is so bizarre, I can't believe it takes Scully so long to know that THIS Mulder isn't HER Mulder. Then there are the Sunflower Seeds of Love...

*Episode 10 Tithonus: This episode focuses on Scully as she investigates a photographer who has an uncanny ability to be on the spot when someone dies. It turns out he is 149 years old and has been passed over by death. He now longs for death. It's a nice look at how Scully has been changed by her work with Mulder as she clashes with the traditional agent she's paired with and forms a connection with the photographer. The actor who plays the photographer is great. We also get some insight into Scully's approach to life. It's not that she doesn't believe but she needs to explain. To know why.

*Episode 11 and 12 Two Fathers and One Son: So much goes on in these two episodes some of which I don't like (see my rant above in the character/relationship section) but overall it's a substantive couple of episodes. The Syndicate goes down which signals a turning point in the conspiracy and the mythology. Spender goes from enemy to friend and gets killed for his efforts. He also happens to be Mulder's half brother. The CSM is apparently fond and rather proud of Mulder despite their antagonistic relationship. The family imagery throughout adds another layer of meaning to everything.

*Episode 13 Agua Mala: Despite a whiny start, Scully ends up seriously kicking ass and this episode blends funny and scary really well.

*Episode 15 Arcadia: For pure fun. Seeing Mulder and Scully posing as the ultimate yuppie couple is a blast. It's a hilarious send-up of suburban culture. Mulder is particularly hilarious and adorable.

*Episode 18 Milagro: This episode is kind of pretentious and overwrought but it reveals lot about Scully and what's going on with her at this point in the show. Duchovny and Anderson's acting also keep it from crossing the line into maudlin. The point is that Scully is pining for Mulder and insecure about her place in his life personally and professionally.

*Episode 19 The Unnatural: Kind of outside the "established" mythology but as long as you're cool with that it's Baseball and Aliens and awesome. Definitely the best episode with very little Mulder and Scully.

*Episode 21 Field Trip: A fungi makes Mulder and Scully hallucinate while it slowly digests them underground. The hallucinations are presented in such a way that they seem real except for one or two little things that are off. It's really well done. It addresses one of the biggest issues of the show at that time, i.e. Scully's continued obstinate disbelief. It sort of brilliantly elucidates her role and also allows her deductions to be those that ultimately result in their escape.

Episode 22 Biogenesis: This episode kinda sorta starts up a new phase of the mythology. Some rubbings of text that come off of a spaceship suggest that Aliens may have been the origin founders of the planet and may be the source of all the major religions. Not one of my favorite season finales but not bad.

FAVORITE QUOTES and MOMENTS

Episode 2 Drive>>

MULDER: “On behalf of the international Jewish conspiracy I have to inform you that we’re almost out of gas.”

Episode 3 Triangle>>

SCULLY about SPENDER: “That Rat Bastard”

MULDER: “I thought I would never see you again. But you believed me.” SCULLY: “In your dreams.: MULDER: “Hey Scully.” SCULLY: “Yes.” MULDER: “I love you.” SCULLY: “Oh Brother.” Then he feels his cheek where the 1939 Scully had punched him and smiles goofily.

Episode 4 Dreamland Part I>>

SCULLY: "Mulder, it's the dim hope of finding that proof that's kept us in this car, or one very much like it for more nights than I care to remember." (Mulder looks at her fondly) "Driving hundreds if not thousands of miles through neighborhoods and cities and towns where people are raising families and buying homes and playing with their kids and their dogs, and... in short, living their lives. While we - we - we just keep driving." MULDER: "What is your point?" SCULLY: "Don't you ever just want to stop? Get out of the damn car? Settle down and live something approaching a normal life?" MULDER: (defensive) "This is a normal life." [Scully smiles to herself.]

Episode 5 Dreamland Part II>>

SCULLY: “I’d kiss you if you weren’t so damn ugly.” Then Mulder gives her a handful of sunflower seeds. There is no greater love. I jest but seriously, that is as close as I think Mulder gets!

MULDER about Morris: “If I shoot him is that murder or suicide.” SCULLY: “Neither if I do it first.”

Episode 8 The Rain King>>

SCULLY: (on phone) Mulder, it's me. MULDER: (on phone) I'm on my way. SCULLY: I'm not so sure. Have you looked outside lately? It's pea soup. Our plane can't take off until after this fog lifts. MULDER: Fog? (looks accusingly at Holman) Holman! [Holman shrugs.]SCULLY: Holman? MULDER: Yeah... he wants advice. Dating advice. SCULLY: Dating advice? From whom? MULDER: Yours truly. (VERY long pause) Hello? Hey, Scully. Scully, you there? SCULLY: I heard you. Mulder, when was the last time you went on a date? MULDER: (pauses; in a controlled way, one word at a time) I will talk to you later. SCULLY: (to herself, after hanging up) The blind leading the blind.

HOLMAN: I've been envious of men like you my whole life. Based on your physical bearing, I'd assumed you were... More experienced. I mean... You spend every day with agent Scully a beautiful, enchanting woman. And you two never, uh...? (no response from Mulder) I... confess I find that shocking. I... I've seen how you two gaze at one another. [Long pause. Mulder puts his arm on Holman's shoulders; they walk toward Sheila's office.] MULDER : This is about you, Holman. I'm here to help you. I'm perfectly happy with my friendship with Agent Scully. HOLMAN: So according to your theory I walk in there, tell her I love her and the drought will end? MULDER: Just tell her how you feel. (Holman starts walking inside) And Holman. I do not gaze at Scully.

SCULLY: (about Sheila and Holman) Well, it seems to me that the best relationships - the ones that last - are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is... suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with. (seems to realize she could be talking about herself and Mulder)

MULDER: I didn't know reunions could be so... SCULLY: Wet? [Holman and Sheila approach.] MULDER: Well, how'd it go? HOLMAN: You should try it sometime (with a slight nod towards Scully).

Episode 11 Two Fathers>>

So there’s a little scene at the beginning here where Mulder is playing basketball at the gym. Scully walks in looking striking and lovely and Mulder gets completely distracted and sort of does this once over look with, I'm pretty sure, some dirty thoughts behind it. When his teammates complain, he turns, sinks a basket then stalks toward Scully and has a playful, dare I say flirty little conversation with her. And here’s the thing – you could interpret this scene differently and there is no way of knowing if that was the intended impression from the scene but I think at this point Duchovny and Anderson are playing their characters like they are secretly in love and want each other.

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Episode 12 One Son>>
MULDER: “Scully,You’re making this personal.” SCULLY: “Because it is personal Mulder. Because without the FBI personal interest is all I have. And if you take that away there is no reason for me to continue.”

Episode 15 Arcadia>>
MULDER: “Let’s get it on Honey”

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SCULLY: "Huge creatures aside, do you want to hear what I think?" MULDER: "Always." My Note: This is why I can’t give up on Mulder.

Episode 17 Trevor>>

SCULLY: Spontaneous human combustion? MULDER (in wonder): Scully. SCULLY: Well, isn’t that where you are going with this? MULDER: Dear Diary, today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested spontaneous human combustion. SCULLY: There are one or two somewhat well documented cases. MULDER looks pensive and nods cartoonishly. SCULLY: Shut up Mulder.

Episode 18 Milagro>>

PHILLIP PADGETT: It would be a plain face, an average face... A face people would be prone to trust. She knew this inherently, being naturally trusting herself. But the image she conjured up was no better than the useless sketch composites that littered her files. Preconsciously, she knew this wasn't her strength as an investigator. She was a marshall of cold facts, quick to organize, connect, shuffle, reorder and synthesize their relative hard values into discreet categories. Imprecision would only invite sexist criticism that she was soft, malleable not up to her male counterparts.

PHILLIP PADGETT: Even now, as she pushed an errant strand of titian hair behind her ear she worried her partner would know instinctively what she could only guess. To be thought of as simply a beautiful woman was bridling, unthinkable. But she was beautiful... fatally, stunningly prepossessing. Yet the compensatory respect she commanded only deepened the yearnings of her heart... to let it open, to let someone in.

PHILLIP PADGETT: Best not to question it. (pause) See? You are curious about me. SCULLY: Well, you lead a curious life. PHILLIP PADGETT: It's not so different from yours I imagine - lonely. SCULLY: (looks away) Loneliness is a choice.

PHILLIP PADGETT: I made a mistake myself. MULDER: What's that, Mr. Padgett? PHILLIP PADGETT: In my book, I'd written that Agent Scully falls in love but that's obviously impossible. (looking at Mulder) Agent Scully is already in love.

PHILLIP PADGETT: “She’s only trying to get his attention but doesn’t know it.”

Episode 19 The Unnatural>>

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SCULLY: Mulder, it is such a gorgeous day outside. Have you ever entertained the idea of trying to find life on this planet? MULDER: I have seen the life on this planet, Scully, and that is exactly why I am looking elsewhere. (Scully opens a paper bag and takes out something that looks like ice cream) Did you bring enough ice cream to share with the rest of the class? SCULLY: (smugly, eating) It's not ice cream. It's a nonfat tofutti rice dreamsicle. MULDER: (returning to his book, disgusted) Ugh. Bet the air in my mouth tastes better than that. You sure know how to live it up, Scully. SCULLY: (continuing to eat) Oh, you're Mr. Live-it-up. Mulder, you're really Mr. Squeeze-every-last-drop-out-of-this-sweet-life, aren't you? On this precious Saturday you've got us grabbing life by the testes - stealing reference books from the FBI library in order to go through New Mexico newspaper obituaries for the years 1940 to 1949, and for what joyful purpose? MULDER: Looking for anomalies, Scully. Do you know how many so-called "flying disc" reports there were in New Mexico in the 1940s? SCULLY: I don't care. Mulder, this is a needle in a haystack. These poor souls have been dead for 50 years. Let them rest in peace. Let sleeping dogs lie. MULDER: No, I won't sit idly by as you hurl cliches at me. "Preparation is the father of inspiration." SCULLY: "Necessity is the mother of invention." MULDER: "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." SCULLY: (taking another bite) "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die." MULDER: "I scream, you scream, we all scream for"- nonfat tofutti rice dreamsicles! (sets the book down; lunges for Scully. He grabs her arm and takes a bite of the dreamsicle, breaking it; it splatters on the page) SCULLY: No-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! (laughing) Mulder! (she looks at the page; accusingly) Mulder!? You cheat. I can't believe that you've been reading about baseball this whole time. MULDER: Reading the box scores, Scully. You'd like it. It's like the Pythagorean Theorem for jocks. It distills all the chaos and action of any game in the history of all baseball games into one tiny, perfect, rectangular sequence of numbers. I can look at this box and I can recreate exactly what happened on some sunny summer day back in 1947. It's like the numbers talk to me, they comfort me. They tell me that even though lots of things can change some things do remain the same. It's... SCULLY: (interrupting) Boring. Mulder, can I ask you a personal question? MULDER: Of course not.

Episode 21 Field Trip>>

SCULLY: "Mulder can’t you just for once just for the novelty of it come up with the simplest explanation, the most logical one instead of automatically jumping to big foot or UFOs or … " MULDER: "Scully, in 6 years How often have I been wrong?" Scully looks down. "No Seriously. I mean every time I bring in a new case we go through this perfunctory dance where you tell me I’m not being scientifically rigorous and I’m off my nut and then in the end who turns out to be right 98.9% of the time. I just feel like I’ve earned a little benefit of the doubt here."

SCULLY: "My role in the X Files has always been to provide a rational scientific perspective to cases that would seem to defy explanation. A counterpoint to Agent Mulder." (Skinner says she's done well at this) SCULLY: "Have I? How many X Files has my scientific approach fully and satisfactorily explained."

Episode 22 Biogenesis>>

SCULLY: “….this endless pursuit of the truth, I’m just not sure I can do it anymore.”

AWARDS

No not the real ones. These are ones I made up.

Best Episode: I think my answer here would change depending on my mood. Ep. 10 Tithonus is an interesting moody piece, Arcadia is a fun watch, Dreamland Parts I and II has an interesting plot and lots of humor.

Worst Episode: Ep. 20 Three of a Kind I like TLG as secondary characters but don't really think they work as main characters which is why I never watched the spin off featuring them.

Most Paranoid: Ep. 12 One Son for Scully's suspicion of Diana Fowley though Mulder balances it out with his complete trust. Ep. 22 Biogenesis because Scully is super fierce and doesn't trust anyone as Mulder gets sicker.

Best Mulder Episode: Ep. 4/5 Dreamland Parts I and II. Mulder flailing around with Morris' family but eventually being much kinder. He's alone and doesn't have Scully to back him up but he figures things out and avoids getting into trouble. He has a lot of good eps this season.

Best Scully Episode: Ep.22 Biogenesis Scully holds it together as Mulder gets sicker and sicker and it leaves her isolated unsure of who to trust. And then she goes to flippin' Africa!

Best Episode for Shippers: Ep. 3 Triangle. This is a hard one during this most shippiest of seasons but there is a pretty awesome kiss as well as Mulder professing his love even if Scully doesn't believe him.

Worst Episode for Shippers: Every episode that Fowley is in.

CONCLUSION

OVERALL GRADE: A-
I found this season to be really strong and I think it is in hot contention for best season up there with 3 and 4. It is the first season they were filming in L.A. (rather than Vancouver) and it has a somewhat shinier lighter feel to the episodes. There are no major tragedies for either of the main characters so it's hard to compare really. There are some major developments in the mythology Arc which I'm not sure were good or bad. Things just keep getting more complicated, more contradictory and making less sense.