"That was a good one."

Poor Howard Gordon. "D.P.O", one of his better efforts, had
the grave misfortune of during its initial airing being the
first episode to follow that amazing conspiracy arc high of
"Anasazi", "Blessing Way", and "Paperclip". How could fans
not be disappointed on some level? We were taken forcibly
back to the monster of the week format and thrown the tiniest
of bones as a tie in. I liked this episode when I first saw
it, and I like it more today. It's not a great episode, but
it is a good one. I think it was just a case of bad timing.

What's to like about this X-Files outing? Well, first of all
I have always been amazed at Kim Manner's claim that he
directed this in a grief stricken haze because of the death
of a friend as I consider it to be one of his best directing
efforts. There are shots in it that are simply stunning. This
episode may have the best constructed and executed teaser in
the series. The bit where Jack's body lurches to the throbbing
beat of "Ring the Bells" is close to perfect. Zero's quarter
spilling fall as Oswald stands in a menacing pose before a
stormy sky is another inspired moment. All in all a well
directed episode with some pretty cool special lightening
effects.

In the history of great supporting performances on the show
Giovanni Ribisi (D.P.O.) shows us what a gifted actor he is
as he is able to just *look* stupid. His portrayal actually
makes you feel sorry for this misguided "monster" with his
slow delivery, phased out eyes, and goofy laugh. Jack Black
as Zero is equally effective at his take on a lost youth.

As far as the Mulder/Scully dynamic goes this is one of those
rare episodes where not only are they working as a team they
actually spend almost the whole episode together. I always
wonder if Mulder is "testing" Scully in some subtle way by not
jumping in on her initial conversation with the sheriff as he
just walks around making little smirky faces. It just seemed
a little odd to me the way he didn't "feel free to jump in
anytime". It left me wondering if he was just curious based on
past events how far she would now go to defend the unexplained.
The moment with the plaster cast was fun, but if I was Scully
I don't think I would have fessed up about the shoe size - just
let Mulder go on wondering.

I was annoyed by seeing that season one throwback of Scully
arriving just a tad too late to miss the actual fireworks. I'm
not sure why they felt the need to do this as in the end it is
also strongly implied that she believes that these "special
powers" exist. Also, you are left wondering just what the hell
she was doing after Mrs. Kiveat was dragged off.

Random Musings
------------------------
-On the name game front the "Astadorian Lightening Observatory"
is a nod to X-Files staffer Mary Astadorian, and the Rosemary's
video features the names of X-Philes Mary Beth Clark (kipler),
Deb Brown, and J Hartling from the AOL forum. The yearbook also
featured a picture of director Manners.

-This episode has a subtle change in the whole Scully outlook
when we *actually* hear She To Whom Science Is the Be All and
End All say "Even science can't explain how lightening works."
as a snappy comeback no less. Hmmm. 

-I'm starting to think every female character on the show may be
an Eve. In "Paperclip" Scully said "I just knew" and this week
Mrs. Kiveat. Someone stop them before there's an exsanguination. 

-The "after all we've just been through" transition scene did
work for me as a bridge between the trilogy and this episode,
but I couldn't help but want more. Also a date flub in the
episode undercut it as well. We all know the MJ events took
place in April but the video game dates this episode at 9-12-95,
almost 4 full months later. 

-I'm not a video game junkie, but I did find it odd that the
high score screen didn't actually include any scores ...

-D.P.O spends the episode wearing various "Vandals" T-shirts
one of which actually features that lovely song "Live Fast
Diarrhea" on it that ended the episode. What other show would
actually end an episode with that little ditty?

-Also, speaking of credits this is the only time we actually
see a picture with Chris Carter's credit - and an inspired one
at that.

-As usual I really enjoy the way they handle the porno references
in the show. It amuses me to no end the way Scully never bats an
eye as she tosses out comments like "I'm surprised you haven't
read that issue". Well, at least we learned that "April is the
cruelest month". 

-When Scully said "I can hurt you too" did you find yourself REALLY
believing her? I know I did. She kinda scares me with that gun now
when she starts wagging it around.

-Love them Oklahoma mountains. I think it is the same chain that
runs through Iowa in "731".

-Poor Scully is really at a loss on those warm days as she doesn't
carry a purse and her trench with the bottomless pit pockets is
just too warm. She's forced to hang those rarely seen ScullyShades
on the front of her jacket.

Autumn
"No man, not the cows again."