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FIGHT THE FUTURE

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Close up to fingers typing, sweeping to the FBI bullpen (when the X-files offices still seemed to be on the same floor as that bullpen) to one Special Agent Dana Scully in a navy blue suit and red blouse. She’s bouncing through the bull pen and we cut to a close up of Agent Mulder’s face, focused, deep in thought holding a “magazine”. Yes, it’s one of those. No, I don’t think it’s funny. Not yet. Actually, not ever.

This is the fifth episode and the fact that Mulder doesn’t even blink an eye nor tries to cover up, speaks volumes. Since this is the first time his porn obsession is addressed (and you’ll have to call it obsession when he keeps his tapes in the office), this looks like he’s trying to embarrass her. Since Scully is of course above such shenanigans (and TenThirteen’s idea of humour), she is barely able to contain her laughter at this feeble attempt to make her uncomfortable, thus making it clear that this will not work by uttering the infamous line “anti-gravity is right.” Mulder gets it right away and the magazine is thrown on to the desk. Still, he’s acting like a prick. Yes, pun intended.

She has more interesting news anyway. Still kind of bouncing, she announces this news with: “Sorry to interrupt your serious investigation but I just heard a story that’d just about take your knees out.” Now, I understand that Scully is young, happy to work with this attractive albeit weird and annoying partner and wants to tell him something he might appreciate but “take your knees out”? Who talks like that? Still, she’s so tickled by the whole story that I can forgive her. And Carter should thank the gods forever and ever Amen that Gillian Anderson could even at that young age make a clunker line like that work.

She tells him about a murder case in Atlantic City where the victim may have had his left shoulder and arm eaten off emphasizing “by a human”. There is a little back and forth whether it was the mob but she shoots that down quickly pointing out that the victim was a homeless man.

Mulder is clearly intrigued by the story and completely charmed by Scully’s excitement over the story. And he will keep her interested only to see her bounce around some more.

So, of course there is an X-file on the Jersey Devil that includes the case shown in the teaser. Again, if that’s the only reported case, the jumping to the Jersey Devil conclusion is a bit much, even for Mulder. Couldn’t they have a few more cases? No? Ok.

Mulder runs out the office telling Scully to read the file. She clearly has no time for that and probably finds it more amusing to listen to him recite the facts. After his rather dry description, she asks for the autopsy report which, of course, is missing, together with the original file. Mulder does mention that they found human bones and flesh in the 1947 beast man’s large intestine. That does point to digestive problems. Which will come up again.

This is the first time we see them requisitioning a car. I’d like to point out that Duchovny keeps talking while also quickly interrupting himself, asking for a requisitioning form, just like one would do while having a conversation. I like it. Generally, I think he could never hold a candle to Gillian Anderson acting-wise but sometimes I find his choices intriguing. Still, noticeable acting, though.

After some back and forth, Scully is of the opinion, “it’s a folktale, a myth”, he ends the argument with “we’ve got a cannibalised body in New Jersey. Someone or something is hungry.”

The highway to Atlantic City. Sorry, I have no idea whether this makes sense or not.

We cut to the morgue and the pathologist noting that this was no animal, the bite marks can only be human.

Scully, has a closer look while Mulder asks a few more questions as to who found the body (a park ranger). Sully inquires after looking at the teeth marks whether the victim was alive when it happened. The pathologist says that it’s hard to tell she assumes though that the owner of the teeth was a large adult male.

After watching way too many CSI’s I am thinking, one can tell whether an injury is pre- or post-mortem. But then, I hear they make stuff up, too?

Cue to Detective Thompson who is handling the case. Middle-aged, somewhat gruff, and he is not happy about the FBI standing around his corpse satisfying their curiosity. He’s not co-operative, and wants this snarky young FBI agent out of here. Which is never the way to keep Mulder away.

Of course, to set that up, we witness a delightful little scene where Scully points out that Mulder would be just as prissy if someone would interfere with one of his cases. Which is exactly what he is about to do, noting that the guy is without clue and this case needs super special agent Mulder. Scully is not too impressed with him, taunting him with ”you missed your opening, Mulder. You could have really humiliated him and told him who the perpetrator was. Beat The Jersey Devil.” She is seriously amused by the whole thing.

Can I just say, they’re both adorable here. Nobody can tell me that Mulder’s next lines weren’t an attempt to aehm, get to know Scully a little better. His whole demeanour screams clumsy pick-up line. Or it may just be Duchovny’s acting.

Scully still can’t take this seriously. She points out that she needs to be back in D.C. which prompts Mulder to ask whether she has a date. Luckily for him, not all is lost since it’s only her godson’s birthday. This also means he can let her go and throws her the keys. Which signals the end of Scully’s amusement when she whines, “it’s a three hour drive back by myself.” No reaction.“In Friday night traffic.” He keeps walking. Better get used to it, my dear.

Cut to arms pulling at slot machines, chips being thrown and the Mulder taking the Yellow pages to find the number for the Parks Service State of New Jersey. Note, they made a whole page with 555 numbers for the close-up. An older guy walks past and checks for change in the pay phone. Obviously, people in Atlantic City are all desperate gamblers.

Now we cut to the door of the talkative park ranger’s car and he points to the spot where he found the murder victim. That guy always makes me giggle. He always makes these little announcements where his intonation goes all ominous which is of course overkill with a guy like Mulder.