[episode recap] The X-Files: "Tunguska" (part 1)

I recently wrote episode recaps for two episodes of The X-Files, for the LJ community trustno1_redux. It was challenging, time-consuming, and really fun. It also gave me enormous appreciation for all the recappers out there, especially the entertaining ones at Television Without Pity. I salute you all!

Therefore, because I have X-Files fans on my f-list and because I worked super hard on this project... I'm going to post the two recaps to my personal LJ, for your enjoyment. One hopes. Heh.

(Technically, this will be four posts, because I divided each episode into a two-part recap.)

Without further ado...

Reader Warning: This recap is lengthy and therefore will be posted in two parts. I like to paint a picture, so that (as best as possible) the reader can visualize what's happening on screen, even if they haven't actually seen the episode.

The X-Files: "Tunguska"
Recap, Part One

The Teaser: "Why, Miss Scully, are you quitting the FBI?"

Pan down the enormous red-white-and-blue, stars-and-stripes of our classic symbol of Freedom, Justice and Grand Patriotic Heroism: the American Flag. Ooh, look, irony. Because this show is all about Kindly, No-Secrets-Whatsoever, Big Government protecting and serving its people, with Truth and Integrity and other capital-letter moral code words... that Cigarette-Smoking Man (CSM) nonchalantly stubs out like the butts of his ubiquitous Morleys.

Read on...

( 'These men, they fear one thing: exposure. You expose him, expose his crimes... you destroy the destroyer’s ability to destroy.' )

See Part Two for the rest of this episode's recap! Thanks very much for reading!

[episode recap] The X-Files: "Tunguska" (part 2)

The X-Files: "Tunguska"
Recap, Part Two
(Part One of the recap found here.)


ACT 3
SCENE 1

Ask a stupid question...

Mulder approaches his car. Cut to me laughing as I realize Alex Krycek has been sitting in the passenger seat, handcuffed to the steering wheel of his vehicle the entire time that Mulder's been in Marita's apartment. That's gotta suck.

Click the link to read more...

( Sometimes the simplest way to express oneself is by punching a guy in the face. )

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. You're fantastic, and I adore you.

Contemplative thought for the day: Do you think Mulder really would have left Krycek in his car for a week? ;)

[episode recap] The X-Files: "Terma" (part 1)

An experiment in episode recapping continues...

The X-Files season four, two-part story arc begins with "Tunguska" and continues here with "Terma."

Sherry's Standard Warning: This recap is lengthy and therefore will be posted in two parts. I like to paint a picture, so that (as best as possible) the reader can visualize what's happening on screen, even if they haven't actually seen the episode. I hope it's entertaining that way!

The X-Files: "Terma"
Recap, Part One

The Teaser: Should have taken Auntie Janet to Shady Pines. At least their jello doesn't make you ooze black sludge out your eyeballs.

HARROW CONVALESCENT HOME
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA

A nurse draws down the shade to a window on an upper floor, as a van outside pulls up to the front of the convalescent home.

Cut to a young woman sneaking down a dark hallway, using a flashlight as her guide. She slips inside a room marked with the word "INFIRMARY" on the door. The beam from her torch passes over the faces of elderly people sleeping in various beds before it alights on the face of the woman she seeks. She hurries over to the bed, and gently rouses the frail woman: "Auntie Janet? It's time, Auntie Janet. He's... waiting." Janet nods, and moves to sit up.

Cut to Auntie Janet's niece leading her in her bathrobe, out of the building to the waiting van. The niece opens the side door, and a man wearing a stethoscope quickly slides back a curtain. "We should hurry. We have papers to sign." Poor woman. She's about to be euthanized and she still has to deal with paperwork? Lousy health care system. I cringe to imagine how such paperwork would be worded. Janet doesn't mind, though; she nods and enters the van.

Read on...

( 'It becomes easier each time... until it kills you.' )

See Part Two for the rest of this episode's recap! Thank you very much for reading!

[episode recap] The X-Files: "Terma" (part 2)

The X-Files: "Terma"
Recap, Part Two
(Part One of the recap found here.)


ACT 2
SCENE 6

Can you say, "Bite me, Senator?"

Annnnnd... we're back to the very first scene as presented at the top of "Tunguska." Scully's standing before the Senate subcommittee in Washington, D.C., swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth, yadda yadda.

She tries to read her statement: "I left behind a career in medicine to become an F.B.I. agent four years ago, because I believed in this country, because I wanted to uphold its laws, to punish the guilty and to protect the innocent."

This time as Scully reads her words, a note is seen being passed around from a messenger to Chairman Romine, and then to Senator Sorenson. Do you think it's a note from CSM and WMM, saying, "Stop this ridiculous hearing right now or we'll ensure your political careers end in scandal? Or, you know, your violent deaths? Don't make us come down there!" Maybe not.

Read on...

( 'No arm, no test.' )

I love "Tunguska" and "Terma." Both so exciting and intense, both wonderfully illuminating intriguing answers to some of the shadowy questions created by the enigmatic mytharc. Thank you so much for reading my take on these episodes.