Quagmire

"Agent...Mulder? Mulder?" This episode aired when The X-Files was becoming widely popular. Mulder and Scully were practically household names, so it's funny to see the sheriff struggle to remember Mulder's. (Thanks to Sarah Blair on The X-Cast for pointing out this fun detail)

"I'd say you're a little outside your bell curve, Sheriff." Don't say that nobody likes math geeks, Mulder. I like you.

Maybe more interesting, Lake Heuvelmans is named after Bernard Heuvelmans, a Belgian-French (yep!) zoologist, considered as the founder of cryptozoology. He was a great friend of Hergé, and helped him for the amazing album Tintin au Tibet/Tintin in Tibet where Tintin meets the Yeti (one of my favourite story of Tintin). I recommand it to every X Phile in the world.

The most powerful scene comes at the very end. Mulder is disappointed that they didn't find Big Blue, because he sees hope in the possibility that such a creature is real. Earlier, on the boat, Mulder had reminded Scully of one of the tenets of her faith, "seek and ye shall find." Now Scully is returning the thought, assuring Mulder that there's still hope, people believe because they want to believe, and there's no reason to stop seeking. It's a lovely reminder of the human capacity for faith in things not seen...and then we see Big Blue.

I love all the boat, silly shipwreck and rock scenes. This whole sequence is a dream for shippers, all the actions and the conversations between Mulder and Scully are wonderful. There's not only the famous Conversation On the Rock, but also the scene in the boat that really starts their discussion, Scully beginning to question Mulder's motivations. And the idea that they are stuck on a little rock surrounded by darkness, water and maybe a monster is genius.

I'm very disappointed when Dr Faraday interrupts them. I would have wanted more of their banters and more adventures on this ship and rock. But well, the end is priceless (even if it's quite unbelievable): they are only a few meters from the bank!

When Scully tells Mulder she's taking Queequeg for a walk, he offers to go with her. She shows him her gun and says she'll be fine. Mulder chuckles, because he finds her adorable. It's a sweet moment between them that shows how fond they are of each other.

I wonder how Mulder and Scully have handled the case in regard to the Bureau. It seems like they are going on their days off, without informing the FBI -maybe they mean to do it on Monday-. I see that in details: Scully's allusions to the money deposit they could personally loose (for the car, the boat), the casual clothes they wear the second day (well, it's Sunday), their departure on a Saturday morning in a rush, the fact that Scully is not totally invested (for instance in examining the bodies)...

It's only a theory of mine, but I think it's interesting from a point of view of their relationship. Mulder is ready to investigate on slight hunches (just two missing bodies), bringing Scully with him, and Scully is ready to follow him in five minutes, trustful but nevertheless doubtful and inquisitive.

Their boat has been capsized and they hear the creature approaching. They draw their weapons, ready to fight for their lives against...a duck!

I laugh or smile a lot watching this episode, I'm a very good public for these sort of stories, not taking it seriously.

What makes me laugh out loud, even if it's a cheap gag, is the scene where the Sheriff is pulled into the water. As soon as he's on the shore, he screams "Close the lake!". The actor is good. In this scene, I can even see David Duchovny out of his role, smiling when the sheriff is in waters, just for a few seconds.

Of course there are a lot more funny moments or lines!

Apparently on their way from Massachusetts to Florida, Stoner and Chick stop at Heuvelmans Lake in Georgia. Stoner continues his pursuit of a new and better high, while Chick remains unimpressed. It was a fun little surprise to see these characters from War of the Coprophages reappear here.

In this episode Mulder is not at his really best behavior with Scully, he's quite a jerk -rushing her, not explaining his motivations on the case in the beginning, and just after Queequeg death-. But, he's typically Mulder, the way I like him with his flaws and enthusiasm. Nevertheless, I appreciate that in the end he thanks Scully, after convincing the sheriff to assist them. Mulder at last, is grateful to Scully and the way she is present and handles the case with him.

On the other hand, Scully is not fully supportive about Mulder's hypotheses, and for his will to close the lake in the beginning. Scully, at last, support him fully against the Sheriff.

A little surprising and kind moment, where they are -at last!- in sync, as we like them.

The character Ansel, who spends his life trying to capture the perfect nature photograph, is named for Ansel Adams, an American nature photographer and environmentalist. It's a little joke that Ansel's photos are so out of focus and unclear, because Ansel Adams photos are known for their clarity and sharp focus.

The most American moment in this episode is the discussion about Moby Dick, recognized as one Great American Novel. This novel and all the references coming along are not so well known in France; we don't study it at school. Now, thanks to The X Files, I know more about Moby Dick and his characters.

I can even order a 'double shot cappuccino with extra-foam' on the name Bob, in a famous Moby Dick name-related coffee shop, thinking at both Mulder/Bob and Scully/Starbuck.

"I know the difference between expectation and hope." This quote captures the theme of the episode for me. It's also fundamental to Mulder's existence. Mulder doesn't really expect to find Big Blue, but that doesn't diminish his hope that it will happen. In the same way, he doesn't expect to be taken seriously, or to find his sister, or to expose the truth and exact justice. But he has hope. That's what enables him to persevere.

"You can't turn your back on nature, or nature will turn her back on you!" says Dr Faraday.

"So my father told me to respect nature, because it has no respect fo you", says Scully.

More accurate than ever nowadays.

Mulder knows there's a danger that needs to be addressed and tries to convince the sheriff to close the lake. He's right, lives are in danger, more than just the typical amount in a busy season ("I'd say you're a little outside your bell curve, Sheriff"). Mulder perseveres, even though he gets no support from Scully. Unfortunately it takes another death and the sheriff's own close encounter to convince him to act.

"I've always wanted a peg leg."

I like this confidence from Mulder. Maybe it's not completely canon, because Mulder has already a kind of peg leg, Samantha's abduction, but I think this thought can fit Mulder. He's handsome, brilliant, coming from a wealthy family, and he's not made for a classic WASP life (though, he wears neckties!).

Finally at the end of the episode Scully recognizes there was value in the investigation they were conducting, and she tells Mulder he should be happy he's saved lives.

"It's the truth or a white whale. [...] You know Mulder, you are Ahab."

I like that Scully launches this discussion, comparing Mulder to Ahab, underlying the dangers of his personality. Mulder is an heroic character but he can be borderline in his actions and obsessions, prompt to dive into madness or excess. Scully is what grounds him, so I appreciate when she can point it to him.

This link may be a bit of a stretch, but it makes me happy, so I'm going with it. When they're on the boat, Mulder and Scully talk about how old mariner's maps used to have the phrase "here be monsters" to designate uncharted territories. In David Duchovny's song Unsaid Undone, he refers to this tradition:

On a map of the world/ He stands alone/ With his dreams and his demons hic sunt dracones [here be dragons]

This is the song the band is playing when Arkie sees his double at the club in the teaser to Plus One. Unfortunately, the club scene ends just before the dreams and demons line...but I know it's coming.

The natural sequel of this episode is obviously Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster.

So many connections between the two (surely one reason is the Darin Morgan's touch): the stoners, Queequeg/Daggoo, nature versus civilization, Mulder's obsessions, hope and beliefs, Scully's rationalization and mocking Mulder ("You're bat crap crazy!").

I like to think that Mulder has finally encountered another Big Blue in Guy Mann. Compare the dialogues: "I guess I just wanted Big Blue to be real. I guess I see hope in such a possibilitie." versus "Likewise" echoing "I'm glad to have met you".

And there's Guy Mann saying "Whose genius idea was it to tie a piece of cloth around your neck?" A nice parallel to Mulder speaking of wearing neckties. (Isn't it a huge matter to discuss, Mulder's ties?)

I quite like this episode. It's a good story, the local characters are entertaining, the setting is beautiful, and we get to see Mulder and Scully share an umbrella. I like that Mulder and Scully are together most of the time, not off doing separate investigations. And I think it's funny, and realistic, that they get on each other's nerves with so much togetherness. This is a fun look at their friendship before anything romantic develops.

Here's where I piss people off:

Good riddance to Queequeg! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm happy Scully's pet got eaten by an alligator. What I'm saying is she shouldn't have had a dog to begin with. It's a stunt that just gets in the way and ultimately has to be eliminated somehow.

I love this episode, he's in my top list.

It's very entertaining and I like the light-hearted mood in it. I don't really care about the dead -except maybe Ted-, I'm just taking fun seeing Mulder and Scully having adventures, bantering and acting in their caricatural modes. They are together the whole episode -except during Queequeg's death-, so it's a must for shippers.

The MOTW and the twist revelation is great, even if it's not paranormal. We have enough ambiguity about the existence of Big Blue (but I would have wished more of it: see below).

The other characters and actors are great too. I like how the touristic town (well, lake) is described, how the existence of a mythic creature influences their lifes.

I like the end when Scully reconforts Mulder, both watching the lake. Nice moment.

I also like Queequeg death scene! I find it well done with the leash and funny (dark humor, RIP Queequeg).

Last but not least, I like all the frogs in the episode! (And I assure you, I don't eat frogs, it's a myth on French people)

And now I'll really piss people off:

I don't like that Mulder is presented as an unreasonable jerk, when really he's done nothing wrong. Why shouldn't he investigate a string of unexplained deaths, even if it's the weekend? Isn't that their job? They don't seem to work Mon-Fri, 9-to-5, so why should he be faulted for taking this case on a Saturday? Why shouldn't he be annoyed that Scully brought her dog along? It keeps getting in the way. He tells her he's sorry about what happened. What more should he do, when they're in the middle of investigating unexplained deaths? Why shouldn't he remain open to extreme possibilities if it will help them prevent further killings? And yet I get the sense that the episode is meant to show us what a jerk Mulder is.

And I find Scully almost insufferable throughout the episode. She's condescending, dismissive, and unhelpful. And yet I get the sense we're supposed to sympathize with poor long-suffering Scully.

And I'm probably the only Phile in the world who thinks so, or at least the only shipper, but I find the COTR very uncomfortable. "Warped" and "megalomaniacal" are not friendly descriptors (even if they're accurate); they're very confrontational. Mulder's response is heartbreakingly open (although said jokingly), and Scully dismisses it as flippant.

I'm not saying it's a bad conversation. I think it's actually a pretty important one. Scully is realizing something about Mulder, and Mulder is acknowledging her insight. What I'm saying is I don't find it particularly charming, which seems to be the common perception.

The biggest problem I have with the conversation is that it doesn't feel real. It feels like cleverly-scripted dialogue. The one saving grace for me is when Mulder quotes his favorite line from Moby Dick and Scully is suitably impressed.

I don't know if I like the final image of Big Blue or not. Sometimes it's yes, and most of the times it's no.

I'm fond of ambiguity and when we don't see the paranormal or the monsters. I prefer when there is strong suggestions or just glimpses of them. Here, I'd prefer to see vague movements in the water, suggesting that it might be Big Blue. Just enough to want to believe!