The X-Files: Dæmonicus Rewatch

August 30, 2020 7:13 PM - Season 9, Episode 3

Doggett, Reyes, and Scully investigate a double murder with Satanic ritual overtones and connections to the inhabitants of a mental institution.
posted by orange swan (2 comments total)

I can't say this episode hangs together well. There are a few good moments, most of which are in the cold open, but the plot doesn't make much sense and it's humourless, which is a terrible combination.

This exchange didn't really work either:

Kobold: I've been thinking a lot about you, Agent Doggett.
Doggett: You're not answering my question, Professor.
Kobold: About why someone so ill-suited would draw this duty. Clearly, you have feelings for her.
Doggett: You ordered Dr. Richmond to kill these people, didn't you?
Kobold: But you can't compete with the long-lost Agent Mulder. With his easy good looks, his Oxford education.
Doggett: This is about you, Professor.
Kobold: Mulder has what you can't have. What you stumble for. The flat-footed cop, thinking he could put handcuffs on a demon.
Doggett: Answer the question!
Kobold: You want her, but she feels sorry for you. They both do.
[Doggett seizes Kobold in a rage, and is promptly vomited upon.]

I do think Doggett is attracted to Scully and knows there's no chance for him because she loves Mulder, but I don't believe he ever carried such a torch for her as to be enraged by the suggestion that that's the case. He certainly would know that Scully and Mulder don't look down on him in any way, that they like and respect him, and while he may have some doubts as to his fitness for the job he knows he's doing his best and managing to clear his cases. I don't believe he would take the bait like this -- it seems too off the mark, and I think he's too tough minded to be goaded so easily.

Wouldn't Scully have gotten a longer maternity leave than what she seems to have had? Not that she's really been out of the game for any significant period of time -- the woman could barely cuddle her baby without someone calling or showing up at her apartment, wanting her help.
posted by orange swan at 12:54 PM on September 2, 2020

Not generally a fan of episodes based on Christianity/ Catholicism.

Yeah, no. Doggett respects Scully and might even be attracted to her (especially for the strength that she shows) but he doesn't have that kind of crush on her. Nor on Reyes.

"This case isn't even close to being an X File."

Similar to ricochet biscuit's comment in Existence (Part 2/2), we've seen how this plays out before.

Teaching in front of a standing-room-only lecture hall becomes Scully.

Doggett's got some style with a subtle herringbone pinstripe suit. So of course it gets slimed with demon vomit. "So what are we talking now, the Ghostbusters?"

The Google Play version of this episode has atrocious sound mixing.
posted by porpoise at 6:56 PM on September 2, 2020