"Dear Diary, today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested 
spontaneous human combustion."

Dear Diary, tonight my heart leapt when the X-Files delivered 
an episode that was tense, intelligent, and enjoyable. It 
didn't feel the need to give us a clumsy wink with over the 
top self-referential humor. The "monster" was complex, scary, 
and intriguing instead of unintentionally laughable. All the 
characters were sharply drawn and well acted. Our Heroes 
actually acted like the smart investigators we know they 
are, and they worked wonderfully together to find the solutions. 
Diary, why is it this year that it takes a script from two 
freelance writers to make the X-Files feel like the X-Files 
again?

Jim Guttridge and Ken Hawryliw I'd like to thank you for 
writing "Trevor". We so needed this type of an episode this 
season. Feel free to come back any time. I enjoyed this script 
on a lot of levels, mostly because the characters were not 
just cardboard cutouts but quirky individuals. I liked the 
theme of wanting another chance. Pinker is a hardened violent 
man thinking he has been infused with God's will who wants his 
son to love him, but is too maladjusted to see how his behavior 
is terrifying until the end. June is the happy homemaker trying 
to run from her sleazy bad boy babe past by attempting to become 
June Cleaver. Plus, the idea itself of someone who could change 
the molecular structure of objects was both fascinating and 
visually appealing. 

I also really liked the way that Mulder and Scully were 
written in "Trevor". The banter as they first came to the case 
was delightful. Plus, as a huge bonus, they didn't make Scully 
into the closed off skeptic weaker scripts can easily fall back 
on. How fun to see Scully grudgingly hypothesizing the paranormal 
solution while Mulder posits murder. The interaction here from 
the "Mulder shut up" when he wasn't saying anything out loud to 
the gleeful "will wonders never cease" look on his face as Scully 
proves once again she does her homework and spouts her combustion 
theory was a joy. I think Mulder almost felt bad that it wasn't 
spontaneous human combustion. Duchovny and Anderson really gave 
the episode a charge here as the investigation got rolling. 
Speaking of investigations, there actually was one. They even 
managed to work Scully's knowledge of physics in to find creative 
ways to fight or flee from Pinker. And I have to give a nod to 
that moment when Mulder and Scully realize together where the 
boy is: teamwork and that crackling unspoken communication unite 
to great effect.

I do want to take some time to mention the supporting players 
as well. This episode was exceptionally well cast with strong 
actors. John Diehl as Pinker did a great job of portraying this 
troubled man. I especially enjoyed his spooky/silly closing in 
on an armed Bo, and his trying to connect with the terrified boy. 
Catherine Dent was also very strong as the secretive June 
desperate to change her life by submerging herself in an 
exaggerated definition of normalcy that includes glue-gunning 
butterflies to her sweaters. I don't know who the actor was who 
played the prison guard who found the body, but it was a perfect 
example of someone making a complete character out of a few lines 
of dialogue.

Director Bowman and the visual effects team managed to make 
this episode a real visual treat. The charred burn effects, 
especially Bo-Bo the Nofaced Boy were very effective. The 
pulsing ceiling over June was another favorite moment along 
with Mulder making dust of the door and chest of drawers Pinker 
had walked through with a simple kick and the pile of clothes 
slumping to the ground as Pinker escaped through a wall.

Frankly, there is very little to pick at in this episode, and 
I can't tell you what a welcome change that is. Thanks to all 
who made this such a solid and respectable outing.

Random Musings
--------------
-Now admittedly I'm not well versed in prison lingo, but even 
with a pretty damn good imagination I can't figure out how 
calling someone "Charley Potatoes" is an insult.

-I have to admit I do love it when the X-Files finds a new and 
creative way to kill a person just to see that look on Scully's 
face when she uncovers the body. Guess she has not seen it all 
quite yet.

-Jeers for feeling the need to once again have Mulder toss off 
a prison rape reference and play with the jumbo condoms. I wish 
the boys at 1013 didn't find this sort of thing as amusing as 
they obviously seem to.

-Prison farm life must be very very hard because if Pinker 
Rawls was indeed 34 they were very rough years.

-In the "It's the little things that count" category points 
go to Pinker losing his clothes every time he passes through 
a wall. It's one of those things you would not immediately 
think of yet makes perfect sense. Plus, it's not every day 
Mulder and Scully get to confront a naked psycho killer.

-That Bo certainly doesn't have to be worried about being 
featured in "Better Homes and Gardens". Why buy pictures 
when you can just decorate your home with hubcaps? You can 
take the Bo out of the trailer but you can't take the trailer 
out of the boy.

-I just liked hearing Mulder say "I'm not saying it can't be 
explained scientifically". I guess that was payback for Scully's
earlier theory.

-Frank's Fashion Spot: The halter top from hell worn by Jackie. 
I think the costumer was reaching a little too far for white 
trash with this one. Especially since it looked like they tried 
to find a fabric pattern to match the tattoo on her arm. They've 
got Jackie hardly wearing anything most of the episode yet 
Trevor's got two shirts on in the house. I guess slaving over 
that chicken soup got mighty hot.

-That classic stance of guns and flashlights as Mulder and 
Scully busted into Jackie's place brought a smile to my face.

-I'm trying to figure out why the trunk light in the car was 
on when the trunk was closed. Surely they could have found 
another way to show us Pinker was in the trunk. For that matter, 
I did not need to see him at all. The lingering glance at the 
trunk as they left was plenty to clue me in. Drop the trunk 
shot entirely next time just for old times sake when you didn't 
need to spell things out.

-It was nice to see that Mulder and Scully are back renting 
from Lariat again. It was a touch I'd missed.

-Lovely story about Pinker following a guy who cut him off 62 
miles to crack his skull. I think we have a new definition for 
road rage.

-90,000 bucks doesn't go far anymore if a down payment on a 
house in Mississippi, 2 sofas, chintz curtains, and a PC drain 
it. Then again she did buy that glue gun for herself.

-Speaking of, the Mississippi Martha Stewart wannabe stuff 
was almost too over the top. If making the baskets was not 
enough, that house was covered with bows on the walls, silk 
flowers, and a wreath on the wall of every room. Eeek!

-Anyone else keep waiting for the maid to fall through the 
ceiling of the hotel while cleaning the upstairs room?

-If Pinker was indeed carrying out "God's will" he certainly 
found a very Old Testament way for smiting his enemies.

-As fun as it was to see ShotGun!Mulder I have to admit there 
was a part of me that wished it had been Scully blasting away 
and Mulder running off with the boy.

-Still, Scully acting as the protector of children is always 
interesting. Anderson gave Scully a wonderful intensity as she 
came to the phone booth conclusion and rushed the boy into it.

-Why in the world does that kitchen pantry have that sort of 
lock on it? Is Jackie afraid the grits are going to sneak out 
at night and attack them in their sleep?

-"My name's Pinker, but you can call me Pinky." Yeah right, you 
look like a Pinky.

-A last nod to the special effects in the end. Wow. What a way 
to go. Pesky glass.

Autumn
"Mulder shut up."