Pilot

Sesong 01

Episode 01

Skrevet av: Chris Carter
Regissert av: Robert Mandel
Først vist: 10. september 1993
Produksjonskode: 1X79

Cast:
Gillian Anderson - Dana Scully
David Duchovny - Fox Mulder

Guest Cast:
Doug Abrahams - Patrolman
Zachary Ansley - Billy Miles
Alexandra Berlin - Orderly
J.B. Bivens - Truck driver
Ken Camroux - Third man
Charles Cioffi - Section Chief Scott Blevins
William B. Davis - Cigarette Smoking Man
Cliff DeYoung - Dr. Jay Nemman
Lesley Ewen - Receptionist
Katya Gardner - Peggy O'Dell
Jim Jansen - Dr. Heitz Werber
Sarah Koskoff - Theresa Nemman
Stephen E. Miller - Coroner Truitt
Ric Reid - Assistant Coroner
Leon Russom - Detective Miles
Malcolm Stewart - Dr. Glass



I korte trekk:
Spesialagent Dana Scully bes om å bistå agent Fox Mulder i hans etterforskning av FBIs såkalte X-filer, og rapportere om hvorvidt arbeidet hans er verdt å ta videre i byrået. Mulder introduserer Scully for idéen om utenomjordisk liv, og tar henne med til Oregon for å etterforske en serie med mystiske dødsfall blant en vennegjeng. De mystiske omstendighetene rundt dødsfallene mener Mulder er indikasjoner på at romvesener har bortført ungdommene.

Anmeldelse:
Pilotepisoden av X-Files gir hint om hvorfor serien skulle bli en av tv-historiens største suksesser. Stemningen er satt fra første scene, og kjemien mellom Mulder og Scully – den troende og den skeptiske – er en kjemi som innbyr til å følge med videre. Samtidig setter pilotepisoden tonen for showet videre i form av en rekke spørsmål med få svar. Allerede her i den første episoden får vi store hint om utenomjordisk liv, mens vi sitter igjen med relativt lite håndfast – noe som kommer til å prege serien. Det som imidlertid virkelig trollbinder, er musikken til Mark Snow gjennom episoden. De enkle, dunkle tonene bygger opp under den mystiske atmosfæren som preger episoden, og som vil komme til å prege serien videre.

Karakter: 4/5.

«The answers are there. You just have to know where to look.»
«That’s why they put the ‘I’ in ‘FBI’.»

Kevin’s report:
In retrospect, the basic storyline of the series's debut episode was really not much more than a loose amalgamation of popular UFO lore, but the added conspiratorial element (Cancer Man, interestingly enough, appears on the screen before Mulder ever does) and the solid, if surprisingly giddy, performances of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson made it convincing enough to reign in the fans – and to get FOX to order more episodes.

Karakter: 7/8

Autumn’s report:
What X-Files fan can resist that classic first meeting between Dana Scully and Fox Mulder? It remains one of the highlights of this wonderful series. To tell the truth, I was a little intimidated to review the pilot. Though not an episode I place in my top 10, it's always seemed sacred, holding a special place in the hearts and minds of fans. However, with the dawn of syndication upon us, I thought it appropriate to take a fresh look at the one that started Mulder, Scully, and we fans on this journey.

Fresh really is the word to describe it. Watching the pilot again I am reminded of just how unique this show is. Chris Carter did a very smart thing in creating this series in that by giving us the character of Dana Scully he keeps the episode from becoming yet another silly alien joke. It is especially in the beginning – as we learn about the brilliantly crazed Fox Mulder together – that she is the audience's outlet. Questioning and expressing disbelief along with us in such a way that it all becomes somehow more believable and more serious. Mulder and Scully become, from the start, realistic characters in their views and opposition.

Fresh can also be used to describe the technical aspects of this episode. While the series more often than not has a cinematic feel to it, it is especially prevalent in this piece. Perhaps the fact that, by necessity, we are given so much character exposition adds to that feel, but the quality workmanship behind the scenes in the camera work, effects (I love the leaf swirl), editing (the wonderful flash/time loss scene comes to mind), and, of course, Mark Snow's score (one of his best of the first season) all make this a spectacular first effort.

Fresh also permeates Mulder and Scully. It is such a shock sometimes to see these two in the early days. Mulder, that stray lock of hair never deterred even by the elements, positively giddy in the rain as he experiences missing time, and Scully, firmly in her Frumpy!Scully mix and match ill fitting professional Geranimals wardrobe and lank long hair, looking amazingly young and smiling freely (though usually when Mulder can't see her). It is a joy to watch them discover each other and lay the seeds of trust that will later carry the series.

Mulder was even acting mighty fresh in that landmark introduction where the chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson was evident from the start. Scully gets her first slide show and we get our first taste of banter as the lines are clearly drawn. Mulder baits Scully again and again: “Do you believe in the existence of extraterrestrials?” “Logically, I would have to say no...” and she hangs in there tit for tat. Their friction continues as they begin the case with Scully having to continually challenge Mulder that her intentions are not to write little reports, but to solve the case. While the infamous ScullySkin scene has been labeled as gratuitous by some (and a godsend by others) it serves a very important purpose – besides being amusing to watch Mulder's reaction as his pretty partner comes into his room and begins undressing. I think that it is Scully's willingness to trust Mulder and bare herself to him here that prompts him to bare his soul and his story to her shortly thereafter – intimacy for intimacy – this is when the partnership begins to be truly forged. Despite her beliefs, Scully is supportive, even gently grasping his hand to prod him on when he stops. The ultimate issue of trust is also first broached as she tells him “you've got to trust me” insisting she isn't part of some greater agenda.

I’ve always enjoyed the first glimpses of the characters. The initial Scully/Blevins interview even features the man the credits call “Smoking Man”. While we have no idea at that point how important he becomes, it is interesting to see how Scully regards him here – shooting him looks. She even tries to smile at him when relating the “Spooky Mulder” info and turns glum at the failure of her little joke. There is an interesting moment here as Scully reacts uncomfortably to being assigned to the X-Files. We see a look that tells us she is less than thrilled at this career move to the FBI's most unwanted, and her slight challenge in the way she says “Am I to understand that you want me to debunk the X-Files project sir?” (as well as her attitude at the end) foreshadow the path she will later take.

Character-wise things are set in motion. We learn of the closet rebel Scully defying her parents to join the FBI. We hear about Mulder's amazing crime solving abilities. Scully tells us “what I find fantastic is any notion that there are answers beyond the realm of science” and Mulder tells us about his sister and that “nothing else matters”. What is surprising, besides how unburdened the characters are, is how much emotion we see from Scully. As she enters this strange new world she shows as much fear as we ever see. Her hugging Mulder in relief is in sharp contrast to the Scully we now know that tries so hard to never show fear or weakness. Though of all the emotional outbursts there is nothing quite like seeing a sopping wet Scully laugh in Mulder's face. That I could stand more of.

There is one last great moment that I want to mention as I think it is one of the best indicators of the Mulder/Scully connection ever on the show. While Mulder is in the interview room with Billy Miles and Scully stands hidden behind the mirror with her superiors they share a moment of intense eye contact which should be impossible but they somehow still seem to see and understand each other.

Random musings:

* I'm glad they lost the cheesy “The following story is inspired by actual documented accounts” after the first episode. Though it is very FOX “The World's Scariest Alien Animal Car Chases II” style.

* Check out the gal at the front desk when Scully checks in. She and a guy in the teaser are the original X-Files retreads. He is the dad in “The Calusari” and she appears in “Revelations” and “Unrequited”.

* I've just got to say it, re watching this episode drove it home. Mulder and Scully need to wear their glasses more often. They are both almost unbearably cute in them.

* That first Air XF flight is something else. Not only is the flight attendant cart full of liquor, Mulder has a whole row to stretch out in.

* As airlines do not let you pack spray paint, I'm wondering if Mulder had to stop to buy the can of orange when they got to Oregon. I love the scene where he paints the X on the road while Scully looks at him wide eyed as if she's partnered with a freaking lunatic, even swearing for the first time on the show “What the hell was that about?”. Duchovny delivers the answer perfectly: “Oh, you know, probably nothing..”

* Our little sailor: We have another swearing incident later in the show as Scully says “Damn it Mulder, cut the crap”.

* You'd think after that air turbulence adventure that Scully would be a little more fond of seat belts, yet when we first see Our Heroes traveling by car they don't have them on. And no Lariat sticker either. Bummer. Though it is their first Taurus.

* I want to know whose ugly sky blue Samsonite that was in the trunk. It reminded me of the suitcase my grandma bought me when I was 12.

* The date stamp in this episode is VERY annoying. We find out Mulder and Scully met on March 6, 1992 and then that reference is completely disregarded for the rest of the series which goes to pseudo real time. With the exception of the pilot, 1993 appears to be the year the dynamic duo teamed up.

* Frank's Fashion Spot (brought to you by the folks who care what Scully wears): We saw way more of Casual!Scully than in most episodes. In fact she even wears (gasp!) jeans here. Though despite my disdain for her work wear the pocket-T and leg- gings look works for her well.

* Is it just me or does Det. Miles really need to take his truck into the shop. It was so loud it sounded like a UFO. Oh... Well, at least Scully got to give that Quantico training a workout when she saw him. “Special Agent Dana Scully, FBI. Drop your weapon” while assuming the stance makes me laugh every time.

* It is somehow fitting that Scully gets smacked on the head for the first time here. Poor girl doesn't realize it is a trend as she walks in a daze holding her left temple. Just to make sure the Scully cliche is complete she manages to miss all the paranormal events due to her injury.

* It also seems fitting that nosebleeds play such a part here as they are a reoccurrence in the series, but I have to say so far the Theresa Nemman's gusher has yet to be topped for volume and speed.

* It's not often that Mulder calls Scully “Doctor”, but he does it here twice.

* Perhaps Duchovny, who we are told does not like sunflower seeds, got a little tired of chewing on them take after take. This might explain why, during the exhuming of the casket, he is removing them from his pocket, glancing at them, and then tossing them on the ground.

* Watch the scene where Scully & Mulder exit the forest for the first time. Anderson isn't looking where she is going and runs right into the car.

* The only performance that bugged me was Sarah Koskoff as Theresa. Her diner scene seemed straight out of the William Shatner Pause For No Reason book of acting.

* Not only do we get our first 11:21 phone call, but they start that odd habit of just hanging up without saying “bye”.