SEASON 1

SEASON 2

SEASON 3

SEASON 4

SEASON 5

FIGHT THE FUTURE

SEASON 6

SEASON 7

SEASON 8

SEASON 9

< PREVIOUS

Back downstairs in Mission Control, Belt asks about the attitude of the orbiter. I’ve never heard the word “attitude” used like that. I think he means “orientation.” You learn something new everyday. Scientist Guy says that it’s got its belly towards the sun, and that the flash evaporator is working but that it’s not enough to keep it cool. Cabin temperature is climbing to 116F. Ouch.

Michelle runs back in, telling Belt that someone or something is jamming their transmissions and that the shuttle isn’t responding to override commands. Belt orders them to cut off telemetry, i.e. cut off contact between Mission Control and the shuttle. Michelle says that they may not be able to re-establish contact. But Belt doesn’t care. He just wants to make sure they can regain control of the shuttle. But he also seems more concerned with making sure the payload gets delivered than with the safety of the men on board (yes, they’re all men). So Michelle reluctantly informs the astronauts that they’re going to temporarily cut off ground control, which Exposition Mulder explains to Scully. Michelle’s last words before contact is stopped: “David…you take care.” I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that David is the fiancé.

At the 45 second mark, Michelle says that if the astronauts were able to accomplish anything, they would have done it by now. They prepare to re-establish communication. Mulder bites his lip, anxiously awaiting any sign from the shuttle. The video signal has failed, and only static appears on the screen. Michelle calls the shuttle twice, and after what are probably the longest three seconds of her life, they respond. The rocket scientists start applauding, as they are wont to do Chez NASA. Aww, even Scully looks happy that they’re not, you know, dead. She glances over at Mulder, who’s smiling. Belt tells the astronauts to get some rest.

In the washroom, Belt is washing his face. He looks up slowly (and rather creepily, I might add) and stares into the mirror. What’s he looking at? Does he have a zit or something? Because The Face sure isn’t there. I don’t know. Moving on.

Belt is now standing in front of a room full of reporters, ready to give a statement. Michelle, Mulder, and Scully are in the back. Scully asks how Belt knew what he did was going to work. Michelle says that he didn’t, and that the astronauts could have died up there. Scully asks why he would have taken that risk, and Michelle tells her that bringing the astronauts back without delivering the payload would have resulted in millions of wasted dollars and a perfect reason for Congress to shut down NASA. As opposed to, say, a bunch of dead astronauts who would have inspired Congress to write a blank check for the program. The camera pans to Belt, who is explaining to the reporters what the crew has been up to. “After a beautiful night launch, the shuttle orbiter has performed magnificently.” Mulder’s eyes open wide, like a pair of saucers. Flying saucers. Michelle rolls her eyes, like she’s not the least bit surprised. “So much for your boyhood hero,” Scully tells Mulder. He looks so dejected.

Mulder chases Belt down the hallway, and before he even asks, Belt knows his question. He starts off with a gushy speech about how astronauts risk their lives for the goodness of mankind, and Mulder agrees. He laments how back in the day, astronauts were front page heroes, but now “they bury you in the back of the paper.” Well of course they do. We all know that (1993) people are much more interested in the tale of a 17-year-old popping a cap in her boyfriend’s wife’s head. Without the media circus surrounding that incident, we would never have the masterpiece that is “Beyond Control: The Amy Fisher Story.” I defy you to argue with that, Col. Belt. Where were we? Oh yeah. Why he lied. He says that you only make the front page today if you screw up. Mulder asks him again if he thinks someone is sabotaging the shuttle. He says to Mulder as he’s walking away: “My answer to you sir, will be to bring those men safely to earth.” The hell? That doesn’t even make sense. What kind of an answer is that? Then again, this is The X-Files, and a simple “yes” or “no” wouldn’t suffice. Belt walks away, leaving Mulder looking like a sad little kid who has just found out that his favourite baseball player is using steroids. Or that his favourite football player is murdering dogs. Or that his fav- you know what, I’ll just stop there. This could go on forever.

Belt walks back into his apartment, opens his freezer, takes out a bottle, and takes a swig. He walks over to the Window of Doom and gazes out for a second before climbing into bed. And the flashbacks begin again. We see him out in space, the Earth behind him, claiming that there’s something out there. We leave the flashback and see Belt’s face twisting into The Face again. It looks pretty painful. A misty greenish ghost comes out of his body, and he reaches for it as it floats away towards the window. The camera pans around, and the ghost seems to have disappeared. But it reappears, and this time it’s white. It disappears into the night sky.