REVIEWED BY: JJC ON: January 29, 2000
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: January 16, 2000
This is the kind of episode that fulfills those desires for something lighthearted and fun, and the only reason why it worked is because of the lack of seriousness. Otherwise, Mulder's once again amzing leaps of intuition (forget The Amazing Maleeni -- we've got =Mulder=! *g*) would have been rather annoying. Is this guy NEVER wrong? But perhaps I am glad for that this time, simply because it was a useful tool in explaining the events that occurred.
The details of the "plot" were so convoluted, the elements so scattered, random, and convenient, that by the end I almost didn't care =what= Maleeni and LaBonge were up to –- it was simply too much. Near the end of the episode, Mulder says, "I began to wonder, why did they need so elaborate a setup? Why so high profile? Why draw the attention of the FBI in the first place?"
Ricky Jay made a wonderful Maleeni/Pinchbeck, and I thought Jonathan Levit was great as his accomplice LaBonge. No complaints from me on either of their performances.
All that said, I believe that the "true" plot (or maybe because that's all I pay attention to *g*) was the Mulder/Scully dynamic, as it is in many episodes. It was certainly what made the episode worth watching. The scenes without them were...*yawn,* despite the capability of their able guest stars. The story just didn't lend itself well for interest in the third parties (unlike Hungry or Monday, for example).
If we learned anything in this episode, it is that appearances ARE deceiving. All isn't what they seem...Mulder and Scully are federal law enforcement agents partnered in a completely platonic relationship...yeah, right.
Did you SEE the way Scully was looking at Mulder? If he were Christmas dinner he would have been long devoured. It really lends credence to a piece of advice David Duchovny once gave to Mulder, free of charge: "For Christ's sake, fuck that girl. Look at the way she's looking at you. Are you blind? Why do you think her mouth is always open?"
Starting from her first couple of lines in response to Mulder's "Neat trick, huh?" -- "I can think of a neater one. How you convinced me to drop everything and get on the first plane to Los Angeles" -- Scully set the tone for how the relationship was going to be portrayed in this episode. As if we don't remember the thousand and one other instances in which Mulder got her to do something. As for location, can we say Las Vegas? The Lone Gunmen masquerading as Mulder? Ring any bells, Scully?
And isn't it interesting how all of their cases take place in Southern California now? Not that I don't love having them here, but really, every case...or damn near? All the events in this episode could have taken place in any suburban area -- the Santa Monica Pier could have been any pier, or there didn't have to be a pier at all, for that matter. It didn't add anything to the plot. It did, however, bring back fond memories of Drive and where that ended up. And since I seem determined to take this trip down memory lane anyway, let's also recall the Cradock Marine Bank where Pinchbeck worked was also the starring bank in Monday. Well, Vince Gilligan had his fingers in each of those pies, and he's nothing if not conscientious about continuity. From the very first episodes that he penned, you'll see references back to other eps that have aired. It's so =nice.= It gives Mulder and Scully a chance to "remember" their kiss in Millennium...
Anyhow, returning to the subject at hand -- Scully began the subtle flirtatiousness with her first line. Through the episode, she continues to act indulgent toward her partner. Even though Mulder's spinning wild theories left and right (she's used to this, after all) -- and getting them all correct, no less -- Scully is content to stand on the sideline and smirk, with the occasional offhand skeptical remark. However, one gets the feeling she doesn't really care one way or another.
She is predominantly indulgent; this is probably the most laid back I've ever seen her on a case. She does her job, but you get the feeling she's just there for the ride, and solving the case is like a game. There's obviously no sinister undertone to the episode, so this seems appropriate. There also isn't any professional antagonism that we have seen in episodes such as Revelations or Unruhe -- Scully is happy to let Mulder spin his tales, and I daresay that she is impressed -- delighted, even -- when they turn out to be true.
For his part, Mulder's no slouch in the cuteness department, either. Early on, Scully reasons that the reason why people do magic is "to impress, to delight, to gain attention." Is it a coincidence that later Mulder does a little magic trick??? I think not. He uses the example to "illustrate" the point he was trying to make about misdirection -- that's what Mulder wants Scully to believe, anyway, and what the writers (sort of) want us to believe. However, we all know it was done on purpose -- thanks for throwing us a bone, guys! And, of course, at the very end, Scully does her own trick for Mulder. I don't think it's too farfetched to then say that they are both trying "to impress, to delight" and to gain the attention of their partner.
And the LOOK on Mulder's face when LaBonge placed that top hat on Scully was priceless. A fleeting moment, but a source of speculation nonetheless. That was definitely not the look of a happy camper.
These are the major "events" that I wanted to call attention to, and that were significant enough to do that. But throughout the episode, there are many cute, subtle moments between the two of them that indicates their extraordinary comfort and familiarity with one another. Their verbal exchanges are growing more and more flirtatious. Starting with the end of season five, the UST has melted into something much sweeter, less explosive, but worth anticipating the culmination nonetheless. Now that the =love= is so apparent, I want to see it more than ever.
All in all, a fun episode. :)
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs...?"
Please feel free to
"The hand may be quicker than the eye, but it still leaves fingerprints."
"Provided they haven't dumped the trash."
"Skeptic."
This episode serves as a really good example of why a person should not read spoilers. You expect things that won't and don't happen. That said, even though I didn't see any interest in Scully by a magician, or anyone truly turn his/her head 360 degrees, much less Scully, I must say that I really enjoyed this episode.
You know, those are damn fine questions. I will, however, give the writers the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to -- once again, thatthis was a fun episode, and they perhaps quite deliberately devised a less-than-believable plot and ran around in circles with it. I especially enjoyed the Murder, She Wrote ending -- "here's exactly what happened, complete with flashbacks." That was great.
His behavior, coupled with hers, in the bank, was also rather intimate. First, Pinchbeck "mistakes" them for a married couple (happens a lot in Bell's work, if you haven't noticed...), and then when Mulder chooses a card, he doesn't simply flash it at Scully. No, they have to lean their heads in close together and =study= the damn thing. It's a King of Diamonds, already! No need for such intense perusal. Good grief.
Last, but not least, let's talk about the grin that splits his face when Scully gets down on her knees in front of him. (It's official -- I have definitely been reading too much fanfic.) He even puts his hands in his pockets, to bring THAT AREA to full light. *g* But alas, Scully is only doing a magic trick.
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2000 by JJC