Soft Light

Vince Gilligan debuts! I like the shadow-becomes-black-hole idea very very much! Though you could nitpick the hell out of this one if you really wanted to. Like how does his shadow reach under the door?

And why is Scully suddenly a feminist? Part of what makes gender (or race, or sexuality) equality truly work it not calling attention to it. That's why Scully is such a strong character; she doesn't have to prove that she's as good as Mulder, she just is. And also, how could she have taught anyone if she herself was fresh out of the academy in the Pilot? Plus her student was 30; about the same age as Scully (not that that's impossible, it just seems less likely)

Forgetting all of that, the episode has a few gems. Like M & S going over their theories.

S: Spontaneous human combustion?
M: I have over a dozen case files of human bodies reduced to ash without any attendant burning or melting. Rapid oxidation without heat.
S: Let's just forget for the moment that there's no scientific theory to support it.
M: OK. (walks into the elevator, leaving her standing there)



Or Mulder's introduction to Scully's former student.

RYAN: (to Mulder) Heard a lot about you.
M: (to Scully playfully) We'll talk later.
S:(smiles sheepishly- busted!)



Or a great reference to Victor Tooms!

RYAN: Agent Scully, what are you looking at?
S: Uh, the heat register.
RYAN: You don't think anyone could have squeezed in there?
M: You never know

Squeezed, har har har! Whatever, I'm easily amused. Also lots of elevator UST. Because all elevators= UST.



M: Check this out. My newest tool in the fight against crime - $49.95 at your local hardware store.(He produces a red flashlight from his pocket and shines a red light on the fixture, which shows the outline of some fingerprints.)
S: Neat trick. For your birthday, I'll buy you a utility belt.



Have you noticed yet I don't have much to say about this episode? Sorry! I guess I'm just keeping my nasty comments to myself.

Mostly I just don't like Scully getting all Germaine Greer on us.

M: That leaves us with 3 days of train station videotapes to cross-reference and hopefully find out who this guy is.
S: That's assuming we're looking for a guy.



What is that about? Even Mulder pauses and looks put-off for a sec before he continues. But she does this all through the episode and it's getting on my nerves!

Even after her student turns on them, Scully is still doing the feminist thing and defending her. Mulder, perhaps momentarily having a greater sense of loyalty to their partnership, loses interest in helping Ryan out. (oh I just noticed her last name is a man's name. Intentional commentary about a woman being in the man's world of law enforcement?)

S: She's a woman trying to survive the boys' club, Mulder. Believe me, I know how she feels.
M: The difference is you never put yourself ahead of your work, and that's what happening here.
S: Look. The fact is, we have no jurisdiction here. We were called in as a favor.
M: And as a favor, we just handed over the A-bomb over to the Boy Scouts.

Who hand the 'A-Bomb' over to X. Because he kicks ass and gets what he wants. Of course... Mulder is the one who led X to the scientist with the black hole shadow. I actually think it's his fault, but he doesn't have to know that.



I'm not even sorry when Ryan dies. Interestingly, she is the only person the scientist kills intentionally with his shadow.

I really like Mulder picking Scully up from her funeral though. What a nice partner she has.



M: I know it must be hard.
S: This shouldn't have happened. This never should have happened.

The ending to this episode is so great, because the camera closes in on his face while a bright light flashes... but every time it's lit up, it's just a little closer than it should be if the motion were at a constant pace. It is great to watch!