DPO

I always loved this episode, even before Giovanni Ribisi became one of my favourite actors. Jack Black was a total bonus because I sure didn't know who he was way back then! Yeah, I can barely believe these two are in the same episode. Wicked. Look how young they are!!



This was also the first episode that I read in book form- you know, those cute little green books that were geared for younger readers.

The use of popular music (Filter) as the prominent soundtrack gives the episode such an obvious 90s teen movie feel to it. It's kind of different so I like it, plus if it's going to work in an episode of the X-Files, it'll be the one about the troubled teenager.



So troubled. His obsessive crush on his teacher, who awkwardly also happens to be his boss's wife; the blatant and typical disregard for other human beings ("Damn ABS brakes!") and his interaction with adults make him one of the most believable villains. He has special powers, yes, but he uses them on cows and people because he's just an asshole.

Hiding a cut-out yearbook photo of his teacher in a dirty magazine is genius on the part of the writer. I so believe this kid exists.



Anyway, cool as this one is (and it is), the most shocking thing about it is the minimal mention of the events of the previous story arc. Not much more than:

S: Look, after everything that we’ve just been through, after all that we’ve just seen, I hope you’re not thinking this has anything to do with government conspiracies or UFOs.
M: (smiles at her) None of the evidence so far indicates either of those possibilities.

The effects can sort of be felt though, in the sense that their unity seems strong here (before their partnership, it is generally agreed, sort of degrades in this season; more on that as it comes up). They are playful. Mulder gleefully watches as Scully struggles with a combative local law enforcer.



S: (sort of annoyed) Feel free to jump in anytime.
M: (smiles at her, teasing) Why? You were doing just fine.

They don't believe the deaths have been caused by lightning.. but the sheriff has kind of trapped Scully in that they have no alternative explanation.



When Scully examines the shoe print left in the fulgurite (see, I did my homework), there is an adorable little exchange.
S: Well, considering it’s a partial imprint there’s a lot of information here.
M: That’s great. Now can you make me a little cherub that squirts water?
S: (smirks at his joke) The tread looks like a standard military boot … men’s … size 8½.
M: (genuinely impressed) 8½? That’s pretty impressive, Scully.
S: (best teasing face ever) Well, it says it right here on the bottom.
M: (under is breath, sort of embarrassed) Oooo.



Also, barely worth noting, I love their looks when they interview Mrs Kaveat about Darrin.

SHARON: See, at first, I didn’t believe him. I thought he was just mouthing off. But after what happened today …
M: Did you tell anyone?
SHARON: Who would have believed me? (M and S share a look.)



On Scully's part it's a 'well, I probably wouldn't have believed you' kind of look, but Mulder's is more of a 'well?' searching kind of look.



Darrin really shows his character when he kills his best friend Zero (Jack Black), believing he may have squealed on him.. and then frighteningly shoves Zero's dead body into the elevator where Mr Kaveat is recovering. He then attempts to abduct his teacher.





Forgive me for saying so, but this is where she really shows her character as well, when she pulls the whole 'oh you just don't understand him, I'll go with him, I can help him' kind of thing. She sympathizes with him- and maybe she's flattered by his crush- so she starts to view him as primarily a victim rather than a... psychopath.



...which he is.

DARREN: You were the only person that was ever nice to me. You know that? I mean .. Hey, you remember that first day in class when you wore that green dress with the yellow flowers on it? And when you stood in front of the window you could almost see through it?

See? Gross.

Lucky for everyone, they get him institutionalized.



No one is sure how to proceed with the cases... Let's just leave them ruled as lightning strikes.

(too bad).