S1 E3: Squeeze
"Do you think I'm spooky?"
Squeeze is the first official Monster of the Week episode in X-Files. Monster of the Week episodes are disconnected from the show's larger mythology. There are a few exceptions where they'll tie in but for the most part they have little to no bearing on the larger narrative. And boy, does the first MOTW crush it. Squeeze is one of my favorite episodes of the series, period.
In this episode the agents investigate a serial killer whose ability to stretch his limbs and dislocate his joints allow him to use tight spaces -- vents, chimneys, air ducts -- to attack his victims. The agents discover the killer attacks every 30 years and are in a race against time to solve the case before he disappears again.
The episode begins with Scully having lunch with an old colleague Tom Colton, a highly ambitious agent who begins to tease Scully about working with "Spooky" Mulder. If there's a weak point to this episode it's definitely the "overly ambitious agent who winds up compromising the case because he's jealous" trope. However it ultimately works in the episodes favor because it shows us how dedicated Scully is to not only the X-Files, but Mulder as well. There's a great moment where Scully is giving a profile of the killer to Colton's team and concludes that if the killer is unable to find a new victim they will make the mistake of returning to the scene of a previous crime. While Scully is staking out the building of the first victim, Mulder pops up and insists the killer won't return. Spoiler: the killer returned. Turns out this doe-eyed young agent is pretty good at her job.
Next I'd like to gush about arguably one of the show's best creations: Eugene Victor Tooms. What a creepy son of a bitch. Doug Hutchinson plays him with such a calm, vacant demeanor that it sends a chill up your spine. When a character is not given a whole lot of dialogue it's really up to the actor to sell it with expressions -- or lack thereof -- and subtly that makes a performance memorable. The invasive nature of the killings makes this episode so damn unsettling as noted by Mulder at the end of the episode. Given the supernatural element of this episode, it's done masterfully that it feels plausible in this universe without having to suspend too much disbelief to make it work. Watch this episode and tell me you aren't checking your windows, doors, and vents. That's how you know an episode was effective.
"All these people putting bars on their windows, spending good money on hi-tech security systems, trying to feel safe. I look at this guy and I think, it ain't enough."
The inclusion of Frank Briggs, a former detective who failed to catch Tooms gave some emotional weight to the episode. Invoking the Holocaust and other human atrocities was definitely pushing the "Is This Poor Taste?" question but it ultimately paid off at the end with the detective choking back tears reading of Tooms's capture in the newspaper.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention perhaps one of Mulder's best lines in the series. Upon discovery of Tooms lair, Mulder and Scully find a nest and Mulder gets bile all over his fingers to which he remarks,
"Is there any way I can get this off my fingers quickly without betraying my cool exterior?"
Classic Mulder.
In conclusion, fantastic episode. It accomplishes in telling a very creepy story while also establishing that despite Scully's skeptical nature, she's a terrific agent capable of handling herself. Mulder and Scully's relationship is the driving force of this show and their relationship grows here with Scully defending him, even at the risk of her reputation. Seriously, even if you aren't interested in watching the show (and yet are reading this review for some reason?) go check this episode out. It's classic horror TV.
Totally Arbitrary Episode Rating: 5/5
Squeeze is the first official Monster of the Week episode in X-Files. Monster of the Week episodes are disconnected from the show's larger mythology. There are a few exceptions where they'll tie in but for the most part they have little to no bearing on the larger narrative. And boy, does the first MOTW crush it. Squeeze is one of my favorite episodes of the series, period.
In this episode the agents investigate a serial killer whose ability to stretch his limbs and dislocate his joints allow him to use tight spaces -- vents, chimneys, air ducts -- to attack his victims. The agents discover the killer attacks every 30 years and are in a race against time to solve the case before he disappears again.
The episode begins with Scully having lunch with an old colleague Tom Colton, a highly ambitious agent who begins to tease Scully about working with "Spooky" Mulder. If there's a weak point to this episode it's definitely the "overly ambitious agent who winds up compromising the case because he's jealous" trope. However it ultimately works in the episodes favor because it shows us how dedicated Scully is to not only the X-Files, but Mulder as well. There's a great moment where Scully is giving a profile of the killer to Colton's team and concludes that if the killer is unable to find a new victim they will make the mistake of returning to the scene of a previous crime. While Scully is staking out the building of the first victim, Mulder pops up and insists the killer won't return. Spoiler: the killer returned. Turns out this doe-eyed young agent is pretty good at her job.
Next I'd like to gush about arguably one of the show's best creations: Eugene Victor Tooms. What a creepy son of a bitch. Doug Hutchinson plays him with such a calm, vacant demeanor that it sends a chill up your spine. When a character is not given a whole lot of dialogue it's really up to the actor to sell it with expressions -- or lack thereof -- and subtly that makes a performance memorable. The invasive nature of the killings makes this episode so damn unsettling as noted by Mulder at the end of the episode. Given the supernatural element of this episode, it's done masterfully that it feels plausible in this universe without having to suspend too much disbelief to make it work. Watch this episode and tell me you aren't checking your windows, doors, and vents. That's how you know an episode was effective.
"All these people putting bars on their windows, spending good money on hi-tech security systems, trying to feel safe. I look at this guy and I think, it ain't enough."
The inclusion of Frank Briggs, a former detective who failed to catch Tooms gave some emotional weight to the episode. Invoking the Holocaust and other human atrocities was definitely pushing the "Is This Poor Taste?" question but it ultimately paid off at the end with the detective choking back tears reading of Tooms's capture in the newspaper.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention perhaps one of Mulder's best lines in the series. Upon discovery of Tooms lair, Mulder and Scully find a nest and Mulder gets bile all over his fingers to which he remarks,
"Is there any way I can get this off my fingers quickly without betraying my cool exterior?"
Classic Mulder.
In conclusion, fantastic episode. It accomplishes in telling a very creepy story while also establishing that despite Scully's skeptical nature, she's a terrific agent capable of handling herself. Mulder and Scully's relationship is the driving force of this show and their relationship grows here with Scully defending him, even at the risk of her reputation. Seriously, even if you aren't interested in watching the show (and yet are reading this review for some reason?) go check this episode out. It's classic horror TV.
Totally Arbitrary Episode Rating: 5/5
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