The List

 

I guess this one doesn't do much for me- I keep getting it confused with the Walk, neither of which are really stand-out episodes for me. I like it when I watch it, but sometimes that's not quite enough, you know? That said, when I finally get around to watching it, it's always more clever than I give it credit for.

Prisoners are being killed off by a man who was recently executed, and rumour has it, they are all on a List. Scully is the really key character here, as the episode seems to focus on her fears and discomfort on death row. That's definitely the most interesting part, and it sort of feels like a throwback to Irresistible in that way.

Mulder seems to be picking up on that as well. Scully seems to be having a problem with the death row inmates.

Beyond that, their interaction in this episode is kind of cute.

M: Imagine if you could come back and take out five people who had caused you to suffer. Who would they be?

S: I only get five?

M:(pauses and looks up at her) I remembered your birthday this year, didn't I, Scully?

(see he's trying to make her feel better and it's working. That said, he most likely did not remember her birthday.)

M: The man was obsessed with reincarnation.

S: Being obsessed with it doesn't mean you can do it.

M: Well, unless he knew something we don't.

S: Like what? The secret password?

Also, you already know how I feel about slideshows ;)

I am also a fan of the Speranza character; he's like a fun cross between X and Ron "The Truth" Killings.

I enjoy stakeout scenes no matter what, but I particularly enjoy this little bit where they are staking out the inmate's wife; naturally she's seeing the warden himself.

S: A woman gets lonely ... sometimes she can't wait around for a man to be reincarnated.

Ultimately Scully is relieved when the whole thing is over. I don't blame her; the prison is creepy and it's run by creeps. And the maggots all over the dead bodies don't help anything. So it's perplexing to her when they are finished with their investigation and Mulder pulls the car over in the middle of nowhere. Mulder is still chewing the case over.

M: You know, it just doesn't make sense.

...

S: I thought we already went through this.

But Scully is so over this case

S: It's over, Mulder. Let's just go home.

In a moment Mulder relents and gets back in the car.

Pick your battles.