SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS
The X-Files Revival
Part 2: What Went Right?
By Miss T., Televisionologist
Episode 3 (Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster) is peppered with references to the original series, which was a treat for the long-time fan. For newer fans, I've compiled a list below.
1. The Red Speedo
The red speedo Mulder is seen wearing in the motel bed is strikingly similar to the one he is wearing in the pool in Duane Barry.
As a child, Scully was called Starbuck by her dad after the character in his favorite novel, Moby Dick. So when Scully got a little dog in Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose, she named him Queequeg after a harpooneer in the same book. In this episode Guy Mann names his little dog Daggoo, who is another harpooneer from the same book. Interestingly, Scully gets both dogs when she more or less steals them.
3. Kim Manners & Jack Hardy
In the cemetery Guy & Fox talk while standing in front of two tombstones: one for Jack Hardy and one for Kim Manners. Hardy was the assistant director of the X-Files movie, while Kim Manners was a long time producer for the original series.
4. The Stoners
In the cemetery Guy & Fox talk while standing in front of two tombstones: one for Jack Hardy and one for Kim Manners. Hardy was the assistant director of the X-Files movie, while Kim Manners was a long time producer for the original series.
4. The Stoners
Actors Tyler Labine & Nicole Parker who play the stoners in the opening of this episode also play stoners in both Quagmire and War of the Coprophages, which brings added humor to Nicole's line "When you see a moon like that do you ever think life is so amazing and maybe we shouldn't waste it by just getting high all the time?"
The character of Fox Mulder is said to be somewhat influenced by the old television show Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and in this episode Guy Mann is dressed in the style of Kolchak, from the white suit and black square-cut tie to the hat with the red band on it.
6. Scully Gets the Perp
In the original series, Dana Scully was not only a skilled medical doctor and the voice of reason, but she was a highly competent FBI agent, rather than the typical damsel-in-distress. More often than not, it was Scully who saved the day, caught the perp, or saved Mulder's life. This episode was no different: while Mulder is off questioning Guy Mann about werewolves, Scully uses forensics to identify the killer, and despite him getting the drop on her she still manages to take him down single handed.
7. I Want to Believe
Mulder's "I Want to Believe" poster has been on his wall since season 1 episode 1 (see young Dana below!), and is the poster Mulder kicks on the floor in episode 1 of this new series. Dana buys him a new one, which is seen hanging on the wall in the newly opened X-Files office in this episode.
8. Pencil Throwing
Sadly, in this episode Mulder is taking his aggression out on his beloved poster by throwing pencils at it. We're much more used to seeing Mulder throwing pencils at his ceiling out of boredom, like he does in Chinga.
9. Imaginary Happenings
Some of the best original X-Files episodes are the humorous ones, and none are more humorous than Jose Chung and Bad Blood, where we see the same story told from different characters' points of view. Not only do we get different opinions on the events that occurred, but we sometimes get completely false (and very funny) portrayals of Agent Scully, such as in Jose Chung when a witness claims that Scully threaten to kill him, and in this episode when Guy Mann claims Scully seduced him.
10. Scientific Fact
When Scully and Mulder get to the scene of the crime in this episode, Scully keeps talking about the creature that seems to have attacked people, while Mulder shoots her down using various scientific facts about real animal attacks. This is a role reversal from War of the Coprophages, where Mulder keeps telling Scully about cockroach attacks and Scully dismisses each death using scientific facts about more plausible natural causes.
11. "Besides, you forget -- I'm immortal."
9. Imaginary Happenings
Some of the best original X-Files episodes are the humorous ones, and none are more humorous than Jose Chung and Bad Blood, where we see the same story told from different characters' points of view. Not only do we get different opinions on the events that occurred, but we sometimes get completely false (and very funny) portrayals of Agent Scully, such as in Jose Chung when a witness claims that Scully threaten to kill him, and in this episode when Guy Mann claims Scully seduced him.
"You tell anyone, you're a dead man." "I want to make you say 'cheese.'"
10. Scientific Fact
When Scully and Mulder get to the scene of the crime in this episode, Scully keeps talking about the creature that seems to have attacked people, while Mulder shoots her down using various scientific facts about real animal attacks. This is a role reversal from War of the Coprophages, where Mulder keeps telling Scully about cockroach attacks and Scully dismisses each death using scientific facts about more plausible natural causes.
"Mountain lions always attack from behind." "It's called anaphylactic shock."
11. "Besides, you forget -- I'm immortal."
Scully's line may seem like it's just a joke, but it's really a throwback to Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose. In the episode, Scully asks Bruckman, who can see people's future deaths, how she is going to die. He responds "you don't."
"All right. So how do I die?" "You don't."
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