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Episode Reviews

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Synopsis:
#8x21 05.20.01

A pathologist is called in late at night to examine the gnarled body of Billy Miles (crushed in the garbage truck in Essence). The doctor pulls from the remains a piece of metallic vertebrae and, thinking it is most likely trash, places it on a nearby lab tray. He leaves the office with plans to continue the autopsy in the morning. The metal magically spins on the tray and reproduces itself, progressively growing larger.

At the FBI, Mulder produces a video grab of a healthy and re-formed Billy Miles walking out of the morgue the previous night. Krycek explains to Skinner and Doggett that Billy is a human replacement -- a new kind of alien created to repopulate the planet. Although Billy may not find the hiding Scully, Krycek warns that others like him will. Agent Crane interrupts to tell Doggett that Knowle Rohrer is in the building to see him. Rohrer fabricates a story to Doggett that his investigation is military in nature and stemmed from a plan to create a super soldier. He explains that Billy is a prototype who is now after Scully because she was abducted by the military and impregnated with such a prototype. The chip in her neck was used to monitor her. When Rohrer asks where Scully is, Doggett claims ignorance. Meanwhile, Billy Miles enters the FBI hallway, unnoticed by everyone but Krycek. When Krycek bolts out of Skinners office, Skinner follows him into an elevator to flee Billy. As the doors shut out Billy, his hand penetrates the metal and goes straight into the elevator chamber. Billy swings his arm and cuts into the top of Skinners head, which knocks out the A.D. While Skinner later recuperates in the hospital with a concussion, Doggett tells Mulder that his informant Rohrer tipped him off that this would happen. Doggett is concerned that his knowledge of Scullys whereabouts may eventually catch up with him.

Scully and Reyes drive through the night into Democrat Hot Springs, Georgia. Although it was once the city where Doggett was born, it is now a deserted ghost town. They set up camp in an abandoned house of worship that has no running water. That evening, Reyes goes outside to have a nerve-settling cigarette, when a light in the sky catches her eye. While too low and bright to be a star, it is unidentifiable. She ignores it and goes back inside. Seeing the newly cleaned building, Scully thanks Reyes for her kindness and tells the agent that she reminds her of her late sister, Melissa. Reyes sees someone lurking outside and draws her gun. A truck driven by a female game warden comes barreling toward her. The agents explain that Scullys life is in danger and that they are in hiding. The warden kindly gives them her first aid kit and a camp stove before leaving. Reyes admits to Scully that her vibrations are inclining that something feels off about the abandoned place. When she goes outside to get more water, she again sees the light in the distant sky. While she is watching it, Billy Miles appears and throws her against a wall. Before he can attack her, a gunshot blows a hole through his chest. The game warden stands aside, her rifle still smoking. Reyes sees the alien vertebrae on Billys neck, and she and the warden carry his limp body to show Scully that hes dead. Scully, still worried that he can never be killed, announces that she is going into labor.

Sitting in the FBI garage, Doggett asks Mulder when his quest is going to end. Mulder responds that perhaps it never will. They see Krycek pulling into the garage. His passenger is the ubiquitous Knowle Rohrer. Doggett follows Rohrer into the FBI building, finding him surreptitiously meeting with Agent Crane. Hiding from them, he meets up with Skinner, and they call Mulder with news about Crane. Mulder, still in the garage watching Krycek, says that Krycek, Rohrer and Crane are all in it together, fooling the agents into believing that they are protecting Scully. Mulder tells Doggett to get out of there and asks him to reveal where Reyes took Scully. Suddenly, the car window smashes and Krycek holds Mulder at gunpoint. Krycek says that he tried to stop the aliens but it is now too late. Although he has protected Mulders life in the past, Krycek explains that he is forced to kill him now because the conspiracy goes deep into the FBI. Krycek cocks his gun trigger and aims at Mulder, but Skinner shoots him in the arm. Krycek pleads with the A.D. to kill Mulder, insisting that he can save more lives that way. Skinner listens, but then shoots Krycek squarely between the eyes, killing him. Mulder takes off to the airport in pursuit of Scully. Upstairs in the building, Doggett pulls his gun on Rohrer and Crane, and they chase him. Doggett runs into Skinner, and the two break for their car. They run over Crane, but he is still alive, hanging onto the side of the vehicle. Crane smashes through the window, while Rohrer follows in another car. Skinner sideswipes a concrete pole, ridding him of Crane. When Crane gets up, Rohrers car hits him and swerves out of control. Rohrer crashes into a wall, and his car explodes.

Reyes is preparing for Scullys birth when she notices the alien vertebrae on the game wardens neck. She throws boiling water on the warden, screaming Who are you? Suddenly, a number of cars pull up to the abandoned town and a perfectly healthy Billy Miles gets up off the ground. This baby will be born, the replicant game warden says. Scully screams in pain, watching as a crowd of aliens walk into the building and surround her. This is my baby! Please dont let them take it, she pleads to Reyes. The aliens watch silently as Scully gives birth with Reyes assistance. Mulder flies overhead in a helicopter and the aliens pull away in their cars. He lands, and runs toward the building, calling out for Scully. Reyes orders him to take Scully to the hospital.

Back at the FBI, Kersh reprimands Doggett and Reyes for the report they have filed. Doggett has personally assigned Reyes to the X-files because the Deputy Directors office is under investigation. Doggett accuses Kersh of meeting with two missing men who were presumed dead -- Crane and Rohrer. Later, Mulder comes to Scullys apartment where the Lone Gunmen are bearing gifts. They learned from Doggett that he never told Mulder exactly where to find Scully. There was a light. I followed it, Mulder says. The Gunmen depart, and Scully shows Mulder the baby, whom she named William, after Mulders father. Although the baby is completely human, they comment that he is still a miracle. Mulder believes that the aliens did not take him because they thought he would be otherwise. I think we feared the possibility, he tells Scully. The truth we both know. And as he cradles their son, he leans in and kisses her.

My Review:
Okay, so, one question... was it a cross or a zipper? (Just kiddin)

Perhaps one of the best episodes since the Vancouver/LA move. Superb acting job by Gillian Anderson, especially during the labor scenes. I think her own personal labor experiance may have had a play in this as well. David Duchovny made a great exit from the show with that final scene (Which I understand was mostly his idea.) I always enjoy Nick Lea as Kryceck- always a pleasure to watch. I was actually quite saddened by the fact that he was killed, although we also thought the somking man was dead. Turns out he is signed on for next season (or so I heard.) So, Im keeping my fingers crossed.

I think the best scene in the episode was, indeed, the final scene. People have read into it so many different ways... it could be recognized as anything from a simple congratulatory kiss, to a total confession of eight years of love. Its hard to tell exactly. One thing I did perceive from the scene was the fact that Mulder is, most definatly, he father of William. I am curious as to how theyll write Mulder out. I mean, they cant kill him off again. So, well see. I am quite apprehensive about that. Another enjoyable aspect of this season finale was the interaction between Agent Reyes and Scully (I LOVED the whale song scene). I am looking forward to watching them together next year. I wish we could have had more Mulder/Doggett interaction. I think, though they seemed rivals at first, these two would have become good freinds.

Over all, I adored this episode. If I ever waited eight years for ten seconds on TV (that kiss), then this was it. Though I am dissapointed about DDs departure, I am vert excited about next season. 9pm, November 4th, baby, YEAH!

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SEASON NINE | Episode Reviews

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