A is for Awful. -- X-Philes World-The Old Episodes

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Date Posted: 14:11:49 08/06/00 Sun
Author: c_shantal
Subject: A is for Awful.
In reply to: devlin 's message, "A is for Alpha" on 17:57:11 07/27/00 Thu

ewww, I've wanted to jump into this discussion all week. This episode has the distinction of being my least favorite episode, right at the top of the list. I even typed out a scathing review of this ep just to have the computer malfuncion and refuse to post it. I guess it was for the best 'cause I was really ugly. ;)

Devlin, you and Scully'sMyHero and CW have pretty much said what I would have said and in a much nicer way. I was furious with both Mulder and Scully in this episode. I was so put out with Scully's coldness, sarcasm and well, general bitchiness (and I'm sorry, I know alot of people object to that word, but it fits) in season 6, that when this episode aired it drove me over the top. Truly a case in point for Scully to go on hormone therapy I remember thinking. And Mulder, well I was ready to slap him silly for taking this verbal and emotional abuse from Scully without at least saying something to her. Can you imagine what this couple looked like to others? A very telling scene is the one where the three of them are watching the computer monitor and Mulder directs Karen's hand on the mouse. When Scully stalks out of the room after her very embarrassing behavior Karen's expression says it all - "You poor thing, to have to put up with that!?"

I had so much trouble understanding this episode. The plot was too vague - how dumb were the guys in the teaser?; the comparison everyone saw between Mulder and Karen I saw between Mulder and Detweiler; I did't see any of the 'enamourment' at all - Karen had called him out to help on a case, and Karen's comment to Scully that she didn't have any of Scully's womanly wiles was to me just that, a comment. She was acknowledging that Scully was far superior in the sexy, attractive way than she would ever be, and we saw that reaction in her expression when she met Scully, I thought. And I've already mentioned I hated the general characterization of M&S. Scully was indeed rude, personally and professionally and should have been called on it. I didn't see the 'protectivness' everyone saw, 'cause to me Karen was no threat. Even if she had been lets give Mulder some credit here writers. He's been in a lot of worse situations and managed for himself, thank you. If anything his judgement would have been off because of his concern for Scully for whatever she was going through to behave like she was, not a weak dying woman's preceived "threat". And Mulder was practically "turned off", lurking behind Scully like a pet on a leash, and un-characteristically slow at the hospital. Even all the references to wolfs and canines seemed just thrown in, not really fitting at all. I thought Scully's 'funny' lines weren't funny, but thinly masked sarcasm.

So I had it explained to me that the sole purpose of this episode was to clarify that Scully was the 'alpha' in the relationship between the two of them, and to get over it. She is the top dog, pun intended, the one "in control". That explanation made me even madder. What a waste of everyone's time I remember thinking. btw, that's one reason I don't read much fanfic. To read a truly awesome story where the characters are so well represented and the XFile really well written, then see a episode like this is just so disappointing.

But thanks for the positive points. I thought the actress that played Karen was very good. I have read much critism of her but I thought she portrayed the woman as sort of one-dimensional in a professional way, wrapped up in her canines and research as scientists often are. Is it possible Scully saw herself, her limitations, in Karen, and was apalled? The ending was the best part, IMHO, even if I did think Scully seemed to be sort of gloating. The return of the poster was a good touch. I liked seeing it in Karen's home. To me it was a great. As for the internet connection between these two, I loved it. How like all of us that have made friends with others with the same interests through the internet. A wonderful addition to see Mulder does that too. A nice touch of "reality" in a fictional universe. I thought perhaps they began corresponding about shape-shifters or werewolves or whatever Detweiler was supposed to be and maybe Mulder gave her other paranormal links to explore, and even sent her the poster to encourage her. And she sent it back. I thought how like Scully to be jealous of Mulder's internet time, yet I can't imagine her using the internet at all except for research. That part of Scully's jealousy I thought fit her character very well. Don't long term partners sometimes think they know everything about the other, and when they find out they don't are a little resentful?

Sorry for the ramblin' post, like I said I think all of you said it better.

Chantal

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