SEASON 1

SEASON 2

SEASON 3

SEASON 4

SEASON 5

FIGHT THE FUTURE

SEASON 6

SEASON 7

SEASON 8

SEASON 9

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Fade to a close-up of a ceiling lamp and someone’s hands exposing the film to the light. We pan towards Henderson who points out to Mulder that he’s just made the worst mistake of his life. Oh, I don’t know, Diana Fowley or Phoebe Green might be contenders for that position. But then, it’s a stiff competition when it comes to mistakes in Mulder’s life. Getting abducted was pretty stupid too. Ok, I’ll stop here, otherwise we’re here for another 9 years. Oh, wait.

Mulder tries to get Henderson to admit that this isn’t an ecological disaster but a downed UFO. To no avail. I like Henderson, he’s really scary. His veiled threats to shoot Mulder if he doesn’t shut up and forgets what he thinks he saw are a thing of beauty.

Fade to another bright light and then we see Mulder being thrown into some sort of cage. He sits down, and we hear a voice asking him from off-camera:

“Are you Mufon or Cufos?”

And there we have our other guest star: May I introduce to you Max Fenig. Long hair, baseball hat on backwards, round dork glasses.

“Do you mind if I sit down?” Heh. They are in separate cages, so this is sufficiently weird but adorable.

“Let me guess, you’re with that new group. CSICOP, right?

Mulder isn’t impressed and doesn’t answer. Mulder, get off your rude high horse. The only difference between you and Max is you have an FBI badge and that is a precarious difference at the best of times. Max is a bit more understanding of Mulder’s attitude problems after what happened to JFK, thinking he’s just cautious, uttering the “trust no one” mantra. Hm. I’ve checked the scripts and this is the first time the phrase came up. I wonder if Mulder made it his password in memory of Max? Or Deep Throat?

Max introduces himself as a member of NICAP. Mulder’s indifference makes Max blabbering nervously. Shut up, Mulder. He asks Mulder if he could ask something.

This is the first time Mulder actually slides a bit down from his high horse and answers: “Go ahead.” Max takes this opportunity to ask if he saw anything, and to point out, loudly that he didn’t see anything. He has this cute apologizing chuckle that tells you that he is somewhat embarrassed that he didn’t see anything. It also tells you he is embarrassed that he is using this opportunity to make sure there is no reason to charge him with more than trespassing. He does however get serious when he points out to Mulder that it’s like the Roswell cover-up all over again. Mulder, sliding a little further down his high horse: “What makes you so sure that there’s something out there?” Max: “Same thing that makes you so sure?” Or in my words: “Why the hell else would you be here?”

And now we cut to the morning sunlight. We pan from Max’s empty bed to sleeping Mulder. The door opens and lets in the blinding sunlight and Scully. Hands on her hips.

Mulder: “I didn’t order room service.” Scully: “This isn’t funny.” Mulder evades her by looking for Max, who Scully couldn’t care less about. Maybe Mulder came all the way down from his high horse during the night since he refers to Max as “another intrepid soul in search of a close encounter.” Heh. How accurate.

Scully is pissed. Section Chief McGrath ordered an inquiry to shut down the X-files and to fire Mulder. Nothing new to Mulder but Scully doesn’t think that’s what Mulder really wants. Recall, the only difference between Mulder and Max is the badge. And I don’t think Mulder wants to give that up. The little sign that he might not just be a freak.