The X-Files: Fallen Angel   Rewatch 
March 6, 2020 9:02 PM - Season 1, Episode 10 - Subscribe

Mulder and Scully investigate the government-quarantined site of a supposed toxic spill in Wisconsin.
posted by orange swan (4 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Mulder's reluctance to respond to Max when he first began to speak to him had its ironic side. Mulder's professional training and status are all that distinguish him from people like Max. He was leery of speaking to Max because he looked like such a crackpot, while being aware that his colleagues see him in much the same light as he sees Max.

Poor Max. Whatever horrors he has been through have really done a number on him. And then there were all those moaning burn victims. The supernatural phenomenon that occur in this show generally cause havoc on people's lives. This show almost always renders people's pain with respect and seriousness, and Mulder and Scully always respond with a professional sort of compassion.

Mulder's rushing over to Max and holding him while he was in the throes of a seizure, then helping him to lie down and carefully covering him up with a blanket afterwards, was lovely to see. Mulder's gentle care of those he loves, and of anyone in distress, is one of the things that make him such an appealing character.

"The enigmatic Dr. Scully."

And Deep Throat is both helping Mulder and protecting him as though he were a pawn. The X-Files is good at tantalizing the viewer with bits of information that raise more questions than they answer. Of course... when you plot a show that way, things should eventually make sense, but they never quite did with this show.
posted by orange swan at 5:42 PM on March 7, 2020 [2 favorites]


Max's NICAP hat is the best!
posted by valkane at 5:58 PM on March 7, 2020


The supernatural phenomenon that occur in this show generally cause havoc on people's lives. This show almost always renders people's pain with respect and seriousness, and Mulder and Scully always respond with a professional sort of compassion.

That's especially a hallmark of these earlier seasons, before the conspiracy plot really got into full swing. It's part of what elevates so many of the "monster of the week" stories to the level of classic television. You don't usually see so much time spent empathizing with victims.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:56 AM on March 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


Not sure why, but this episode felt particularly dated in terms of fx and costuming. Got a lot of 80s vibes for some reason. Maybe it's the graininess or maybe the cut-rate Predtor (1987) effect.

Do appreciate that they let Mulder have messy hair when it makes sense to.
posted by porpoise at 6:00 PM on March 23, 2020


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