SEASON 1

SEASON 2

SEASON 3

SEASON 4

SEASON 5

FIGHT THE FUTURE

SEASON 6

SEASON 7

SEASON 8

SEASON 9

< PREVIOUS

We pan to Dr. Charles Goldsten, Ph.D, PsyD. Given what we find out he does, I'm thinking I might have preferred a psychiatrist to a psychologist here. Not that any of this is rational, but hallucinogenic drugs combined with holes in the head really should only be dealt by those with medical training, or not at all. Of course, not at all would likely always be the best choice. Mulder and Scully enter. Mulder introduces himself, and asks if they've met. Dr. Goldstein says that they haven't. Scully explains that they are there to investigate Amy and David Cassandra's deaths, and asks whether Amy was a patient. Dr. Goldstein confirms that she was. Dr. Goldstein says he was upset to learn about Amy. He was also the dead officer's doctor. Scully informs him he is also dead. Scully quizzes the doctor about Waxman Geschwind's Syndrome. Without Scully really saying much about her opinions, beyond the hint of disdain in her voice, he goes on a diatribe of how many people don't really suffer when they have it and says that Amy Cassandra was really quite happy a lot of the time. I realized somewhere in here that maybe I should know something about this disorder. So I looked it up on Wikipedia, and apparently it is a disorder associated with epileptics where they experience other differences in the brain. Significantly, two items listed that some believe occur are guilt and paranoia. Also, it is apparently not widely accepted. And I also really wanted to add this episode somewhere to the Wikipedia entry. But I have never actually added my vast amount of knowledge to the world of Wikipedia, and this seemed like an odd place to start. Though I might think of this as a fun side project for later, cross-referencing X-Files episodes to all kinds of Scully's odd disorders that she busts out as rational explanations. Anyway, Mulder starts looking like he is recalling things, and says some parting words and steps into the hall. Scully's not buying any of what Dr. Goldstein is selling and tells him icily, "I know what you do," and gives him a long, punishing look and walks out. I love when Scully dresses people down.

Mulder and Scully talk in the hall, and Mulder says he remembers being there with Amy Cassandra. Scully says she is pretty sure that this is not all Dr. Goldstein is lying about. Scully says she thinks he administered the ketamine to all the dead folks, as well as to Mulder and that Mulder was "treated" by him. Mulder agrees. Scully asks Mulder why he would do something as crazy and dangerous as this, which seems to be something of an understatement. Mulder has done plenty of crazy and dangerous, but this might really be at least in the top ten. Mulder asked a quack psychologist to put holes in his head while he was high on a veterinary drug, all on the referral of a woman featured in Abductee Magazine. This is some pretty messed up shit, even for Mulder. Scully doesn't really get the full opportunity to point this all out because Mulder takes this opportunity to start clutching his head in pain again. If the TV didn't show me this flashback, I would be convinced he was faking it to avoid Scully's wrath on this. Not that she should show him much sympathy, as the dude voluntarily put holes in his head.

But, here we go on another flashback. We just see Young CSM and Ma Mulder sharing a significant, intense look with CSM clutching her strangely behind the neck. Scully pulls Mulder out of it pretty quickly by loudly calling out his name. Mulder starts to stand up, telling Scully he's fine. "I'm not taking that for an answer," Scully yells him. Mulder gives her a brief, significant look that pretty much says, "Sure, whatever, Ms. I'm Fine Except For This Huge Brain Tumor." Scully tells him he needs to go to the hospital and shouldn't be working. Which really, again, is pretty rich coming from her, at this stage. Though I think she is also legitimately concerned that Mulder has really and truly gone over the deep end at this point. You know, having holes put in his head and all. Mulder continues to brush her off, glaring at her when she says that he is a danger to both himself and to her. She says he needs treatment, and he says that he doesn't want to be treated as whatever he has undergone is tapping into his unconscious memories. "The truth is in there, and I've gotten access to it," he tells her. Oh, so that's where the truth is! It's in there, not out there. Mulder says he thinks he is remembering details that will lead him to what happened to his sister. Then he asks for the keys. She asks him where he needs to go, willing to hear him out since he used the Samantha card. He tells her he needs to go to his mother's house in Greenwich. Scully ponders, and agrees, but says she's driving.

Greenwich, Connecticut. Mulder and Scully show up at Ma Mulder's house, with Ma Mulder looking out the window at them approaching. As soon as his mother opens the door, without ceremony Mulder busts out with, "I need to speak to you." His mother asks what's happened. Mulder tells her that he knows she has been keeping secrets from him, unwilling to meet her line of sight. Ma Mulder turns to Scully, asking her, "What's the matter with him?" as though Mulder's not in the room. Scully tells her that Mulder has undergone a "treatment" (I added the airquotes that I think Scully really needed to have used) that has helped him remember things. "Remember what?" she asks Mulder. Mulder tells her indignantly, still looking at the ground, "You told me when they took Samantha that it was because you had to make a choice. But that's not how it happened, because it wasn't your choice to make." Ma Mulder asks what he wants her to say. Mulder still won't look up at her, and tells her he needs to know what happened at the vacation house in the indecipherable town name I refuse to look up. (I will for some reason look up Waxman Geschwind, but not indecipherable city names. My laziness runs hot and cold, largely depending on my level of interest. Where the Mulder family vacationed isn't really that high up. And isn't it funny that someone who grew up on Martha's Vineyard has a vacation house? Did their money come from renting out their normal home during the peak season?) Anyhow, Mulder says he needs to speak with his mother alone. If this is to spare Scully of the awkwardness, it seems a bit too little too late.