Quagmire
From X-Files Wiki
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| Series: | The X-Files |
| Original Airdate: | 05-03-96 |
| Production Number: | 3x22 |
| Date(s): | 1996 |
| Written by: | Kim Newton |
| Directed by: | Kim Manners |
In a small town, Mulder and Scully investigate rumors of a prehistoric lake monster called Big Blue.
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[edit] Summary
Mulder and Scully investigate a missing person's case/ murder after the body of Dr. Bailey went missing. Apparently, he and another scientist, Dr. Faraday, had a heated argument, in which Dr. Faraday told Dr. Bailey that nature should be preserved (frog population was down) not only for future generations, but also out of respect: nature is cunning and dangerous. Scully brings along her dog, Queequeg, because of the short notice given by Mulder. In his debriefing of the case, Mulder tells Scully about another missing person's case, involving a Boy Scout Troop leader. Scully wonders why a missing person's case would draw the fascination of Mulder... that is until she discoverst that the location is known for inhabiting a lake monster named "Big Blue."
Mulder and Scully then ask the local bate shop what they believe in this tale. The locals enjoy the publicity because it brings tourists like them. A local man makes it his priority to photograph Big Blue and make a movie. Despite his persistent efforts to do so, and out of the hundreds of photos taken, he has been unsuccessful.
The Boy Scout Troop Leader's body then resurfaces, or at least half of it. Mulder and Scully discuss nature, saying that while we may eat them, they, ultimately, eat us. The halved body is still not enough evidence for Scully. She believes that a possible propeller in some kind of boat could have done that much damage. Even if it didn't halve the man, he would have been finished off by the nibbling/ biting of local fish. "Were they saving the other half for later?" Mulder asks. On the contrary, Mulder believes that this "mystical" creature is a prehistoric dinosaur. It has been attacking people because it is being forced to protect itself from colonization- not alien, but the more land and water being used by locals. The frog population was also dying out, meaning that the creature was being driven into the woods to find alternative food sources; the water was being polluted and being used more by people.
The two then decide to have a little stake out. While Mulder looks through all of the pictures taken by the determined local, Scully takes Queequeg out for a walk. Unfortunately, it was his last. Scully never did see what bite through the dog's leash and took him away. Mulder, being as sympathetic as he can, decides to go out for a boat ride and quench this mystery once and for all.
While driving the boat, Mulder notices something on radar- it's big and fast, coming straight for them. Whatever was in the water crashed into the side of their boat, forcing them to abandon ship. They rest of a rock out in the middle of the lake, thinking that they're miles from shore and that the water is too deep. While sitting there, Mulder and Scully have a meaningful conversation. Scully talks about her dad and his respect for the sea and nature, and Mulder delves into his beliefs of cannibalism and life. Scully compares Mulder to Captain Ahab, being so driven to find the answer that it will destroy his life and ultimately kill him. Mulder doesn't notice the criticism, but rather how Scully is able to know and list everything about him through the analogy.
Dr. Faraday discovers them sitting on the rock, but they're fairly close to shore. Later on, Faraday is attacked by something in the woods. He is hurt, but does manage to survive. Mulder races after the creature despite Scully's pleas. While Mulder doesn't want to shoot whatever it is, he is forced to because it was charging him while he was laying on the ground. The creature turned out to be an alligator, of all things. Disappointed, he and Scully have one last look at the lake. Scully tells Mulder that there are more mysteries out there to be solved, and that just because the adventure didn't support his theory, he shouldn't give up. As they turn away, Big Blue dives up and down in the water unnoticed.
[edit] Background Information
- This episode marks the final appearance of Scully's dog, Queequeg, which was previously seen in the episodes, "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" and "War of the Coprophages".
- The characters "Stoner" and "Chick", played by Tyler Labine and Nicole Parker, first appeared in "War of the Coprophages"
- Sky Television mentioned Queequeg's death in their synopsis of this episode.
[edit] Links and References
[edit] Guest Stars
- Chris Ellis as Sherrif Lance Hindt
- Timothy Webber as Dr. Paul Farraday
- R. Nelson Brown as Ansel Bray
- Mark Acheson as Ted Bertram
- Peter Hanlon as Dr. William Bailey
- Tyler Labine as Stoner
- Nicole Parker as Chick
- Terrance Leight as Snorkel Dude
[edit] References
Millikan County; Georgia; Striker's Cove; Heuvelmans Lake; Blue Ridge Mountains; County Road 33; Ted's Bait & Tackle; Rigdon; Lariat Rental Cars; U.S. Forestry Service; plesiosaur; bull shark; peg-leg; hook; Rana sphenocephalus; frog; Big Blue; Ecology Sciences Lab; Patricia Rae; Moby Dick; Ahab; Starbuck; Harpoonist; Queequeg
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