The X-Files: all things (7.17)

This is a little unfairly maligned. It's by no means perfect, and Gillian Anderson's subsequent lack of further behind-the-scenes work implies that she's aware it isn't her forte, but all things is undoubtedly intriguing as a Scully piece. For so long, Scully has been pretty defined by her Catholicism as well as her belief in science. Here we begin to see different shades to her character, and the deeper emotions that drive her every decision. There's a man from her past that reflects the naive girl she once was, as well as a spiritual awakening that makes her question certain characteristics about herself. It's an episode that seems to be asking how much of our lives are of our own making, or if fate evidently pushes us in certain directions.

There's also the ambiguity of Mulder and Scully's supposed night together. It's arguably a little baiting to drop it in so casually, even more so that it's neither heavily implied nor explicitly confirmed; but I liked their chemistry here nonetheless. There's a psychical closeness to the two of them lately, and their conversation at the end was amusingly casual and intimate.

all things is the second of three episodes around this time written and directed by X-Files stars. Compared to William B. Davis' assured En Ami two weeks ago, this one looks and feels distinctly amateurish. Gillian's script is fine, even if it lurches into improbability every once in a while, especially in the initial dialogue between Scully and Colleen, but her direction is the real problem. Again, it's fine in principal, but the repeated slow-motion shots and music video-style street scenes are a little too 'student film' and crazily distracting. Throw in an incongruous Moby song that runs through the episode and that feeling is cemented even further.

While flawed and possessing of a title that is straight out of e.e. cummings pretension, all things is an admirable attempt at writing/directing, something a little ambitious and character-driven and totally undeserving of the insane criticism it usually gets. C+

Credits
Guest stars Colleen Flynn (Colleen Azar); Stacy Haiduk (Maggie Waterston); Stephen Hornyak (Dr. Paul Kopeikan); Victoria Faerber (Woman with Hat); Nicolas Surovy (Dr. Daniel Waterson)
Writer Gillian Anderson Director Gillian Anderson