Fic Recs: 2x13 Irresistible
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xfilesficrecsMulder gets a consult request from the Minneapolis field office on a case of grave desecration. Although he knows from the get-go that there is nothing paranormal going on, he agrees to take the case. Meanwhile, he snags tickets to see the Vikings versus Redskins, in the Metrodome. "Forty yard line, Scully. You and me." Things do not go according to plan.
When they arrive at the crime scene, Scully is more freaked out by the condition of the body than one would expect from a forensic pathologist who's put in two years working on the X-Files, and two years at Quantico before that. She's even surprised that Mulder isn't more affected. The writers have a ready answer for that: "I prepared myself for it before we left Washington."
Well, why the hell didn't you prepare Scully? I must have said that out loud because my son looked at me like I was nuts. "Mom, it's because Mulder is acting a jerk."
Scully finally starts to catch on. "You knew it wasn't UFO-related from the start?" He admits as much and then tells her about his big plans. I know Mulder is a little out of practice but asking a girl out usually works better if you just do it, and skip the viewing of the mutilated corpse.
Once Mulder gets over his disappointment at missing the game, he starts to act like an FBI agent. After he analyzes the available evidence, including the fact that two more mutilated corpses have turned up, he tells Agent Bok to alert the troops. They may have "an escalating fetishist" on their hands. Since in the X-Files universe, the Minneapolis police department gives everyone the weekend off, Mulder reluctantly agrees to stay in town and help out.
Eventually, Mulder notices that his normally unflappable partner isn't acting like herself. He's concerned and tells her so. Scully doesn't want to talk about what's going on, at least not with him. Instead, she comes up with a good reason to head back to Washington: she wants to take the body to the FBI crime lab, see if they can find a fingerprint. While she's there, she decides to talk to a counselor.
Gillian Anderson knocks it out of the ballpark in this scene. "I know the world is full of predators, just as it has always been. And I know it's my job to protect people from them. And I've counted on that fact to give me faith in my ability to do what I do... I want that faith back... I need it back."
It was good to see the trauma of Scully's abduction addressed by having her visit a therapist. It makes sense that she needs counselling for post-traumatic stress. But why now? In "Aubrey," they were investigating a serial killer who was murdering women and mutilating their bodies and Scully didn't break a sweat.
What has our escalating death fetishist been up to, apart from murdering prostitutes, attending his class in comparative religion, and landing himself in jail for attempting to assault a classmate? He has become fixated Scully's pretty red hair. As soon as Pfaster gets his get-out-of-jail free card, he heads straight home to phone the FBI. Naturally, they're happy to hand over her travel plans to anyone who calls up the Bureau and identifies themselves as an agent.
Maybe this is the moment to mention what a terrific performance Nick Chinlund gives as Pfaster. He embodies evil even before he opens his mouth, just with his posture and the way he walks. He even scared me the first time around.
After "Duane Barry," I had hoped that Scully could rescue herself from Pfaster. But no, it's Mulder to the rescue, Again. Does anyone else think that the writers resorted to the heroine-in-jeopardy, hero-to-the-rescue option once too often this season? At least in "Ascension," Mulder doesn't save Scully, which, now that I think about it, must have come as shock back in the day. We'll have to wait for season seven's "Orison" to see Scully finally get her revenge on Donnie Pfaster.
FANFICTION RECS:
For "Irresistible," I have just two. I looked at quite a few of the others at Gossamer and AO3, but they were either too short, too much, or too maudlin. Once when we get to the sequel, there will be more to read.
"Interlude" by syntax6
Rated: G
Spoilers: "Irresistible"
Feedback: always welcome at syn_tax6@yahoo.com
Summary: none provided. It is a post-ep fic.
Syntax6 is a Mulder/Scully shipper and I'm not, but she makes me believe in them every damn time. This vignette is poignant without crossing the line into sentimentality.
Turn The World Over (6913 words) by Leyenn
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully
Additional Tags: Community: kink_bingo
Summary: Fear of flying ends when you have the strength to leave the ground behind.
It is surprisingly difficult to write a story that builds on the intimacy and emotion of the episode without over-selling itself. Leyenn does so beautifully.
When they arrive at the crime scene, Scully is more freaked out by the condition of the body than one would expect from a forensic pathologist who's put in two years working on the X-Files, and two years at Quantico before that. She's even surprised that Mulder isn't more affected. The writers have a ready answer for that: "I prepared myself for it before we left Washington."
Well, why the hell didn't you prepare Scully? I must have said that out loud because my son looked at me like I was nuts. "Mom, it's because Mulder is acting a jerk."
Scully finally starts to catch on. "You knew it wasn't UFO-related from the start?" He admits as much and then tells her about his big plans. I know Mulder is a little out of practice but asking a girl out usually works better if you just do it, and skip the viewing of the mutilated corpse.
Once Mulder gets over his disappointment at missing the game, he starts to act like an FBI agent. After he analyzes the available evidence, including the fact that two more mutilated corpses have turned up, he tells Agent Bok to alert the troops. They may have "an escalating fetishist" on their hands. Since in the X-Files universe, the Minneapolis police department gives everyone the weekend off, Mulder reluctantly agrees to stay in town and help out.
Eventually, Mulder notices that his normally unflappable partner isn't acting like herself. He's concerned and tells her so. Scully doesn't want to talk about what's going on, at least not with him. Instead, she comes up with a good reason to head back to Washington: she wants to take the body to the FBI crime lab, see if they can find a fingerprint. While she's there, she decides to talk to a counselor.
Gillian Anderson knocks it out of the ballpark in this scene. "I know the world is full of predators, just as it has always been. And I know it's my job to protect people from them. And I've counted on that fact to give me faith in my ability to do what I do... I want that faith back... I need it back."
It was good to see the trauma of Scully's abduction addressed by having her visit a therapist. It makes sense that she needs counselling for post-traumatic stress. But why now? In "Aubrey," they were investigating a serial killer who was murdering women and mutilating their bodies and Scully didn't break a sweat.
What has our escalating death fetishist been up to, apart from murdering prostitutes, attending his class in comparative religion, and landing himself in jail for attempting to assault a classmate? He has become fixated Scully's pretty red hair. As soon as Pfaster gets his get-out-of-jail free card, he heads straight home to phone the FBI. Naturally, they're happy to hand over her travel plans to anyone who calls up the Bureau and identifies themselves as an agent.
Maybe this is the moment to mention what a terrific performance Nick Chinlund gives as Pfaster. He embodies evil even before he opens his mouth, just with his posture and the way he walks. He even scared me the first time around.
After "Duane Barry," I had hoped that Scully could rescue herself from Pfaster. But no, it's Mulder to the rescue, Again. Does anyone else think that the writers resorted to the heroine-in-jeopardy, hero-to-the-rescue option once too often this season? At least in "Ascension," Mulder doesn't save Scully, which, now that I think about it, must have come as shock back in the day. We'll have to wait for season seven's "Orison" to see Scully finally get her revenge on Donnie Pfaster.
FANFICTION RECS:
For "Irresistible," I have just two. I looked at quite a few of the others at Gossamer and AO3, but they were either too short, too much, or too maudlin. Once when we get to the sequel, there will be more to read.
"Interlude" by syntax6
Rated: G
Spoilers: "Irresistible"
Feedback: always welcome at syn_tax6@yahoo.com
Summary: none provided. It is a post-ep fic.
Syntax6 is a Mulder/Scully shipper and I'm not, but she makes me believe in them every damn time. This vignette is poignant without crossing the line into sentimentality.
Turn The World Over (6913 words) by Leyenn
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully
Additional Tags: Community: kink_bingo
Summary: Fear of flying ends when you have the strength to leave the ground behind.
It is surprisingly difficult to write a story that builds on the intimacy and emotion of the episode without over-selling itself. Leyenn does so beautifully.