On December 31, 2017, I had decided to re-watch En Ami prior to the start of Season 11, as TV Guide had recommended re-watching it before the new season due to its relevance. Granted, at the time, I was hoping it’s relevance had been less… awful. Despite that scene (which had always bothered me, but I tried my best to ignore), I had always found the episode to be somewhat intriguing. I’m a big fan of Scully-centric episodes in general, and having her interact more directly with CSM was interesting. Again, if only it hadn’t ended up being so… ugh.
Anyway, here’s a record of my thoughts about the episode, before they would be forever tainted by My Struggle III. Enjoy my fleeting innocence as I live-tweeted my re-watch on Twitter.
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Okay, getting ready to start En Ami. I’ve always had a soft spot for this episode, for some reason. It gets pretty uncomfortable at times, but it’s an interesting evolution of both Scully and CSM.
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I have a hard time buying CSM as a sympathetic character, though. He strikes me as someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and everything he does is to further his self-importance as a savior and/or destroyer.
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For Scully, though, this episode is one of many in Season 7 showing her evolution into thinking and acting a bit more like Mulder (but still going about it in a very Scully way).
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I love how Scully isn’t the least bit intimidated by CSM; he just pisses her off.
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Oh right, CSM was “dying” in 2000. (This is where my eye starts twitching from anything relating to the “brain disease” plotline.) Yeah, he’s not very good at that.
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Scully giving CSM her “are you fucking kidding me with this bullshit” face.
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This deleted scene with Mulder and Skinner yelling at each other. XD So ranting little kid and annoyed dismissive dad.
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Now for Mulder’s “are you fucking kidding me” face. Less eyeroll, more deadpan.
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Now for Mulder’s “Scully, why are you lying to me?” face. And so the trouble begins.
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You’re such a terrible liar, Scully. You should really know this by now.
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I’m pretty sure that Mulder’s legacy in this episode is just giving Scully angsty looks.
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Curious if that scene would have gone any differently if they weren’t in public.
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Scully’s thought process staring at CSM’s business card: “I kind of want to do the thing. No, I shouldn’t do the thing, that’s crazy. Mulder would totally do the thing. Mulder would never approve of you doing the thing. Fuck it, I’m doing the thing.”
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…sorry, I’m still adjusting to “Carl.”
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CSM’s office must smell so bad.
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Gotta love Scully’s “cut the crap” attitude around CSM, though. She doesn’t have an ounce of respect for him, no matter how self-important he acts.
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I really do appreciate William B. Davis’ respect for continuity in this episode and continuing with Scully’s emotional arc for the season.
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Actually, Scully had really good emotional arcs in Season 6-8, so it was nice to have that to focus on when the mythology stuff started going downhill after the original consortium fell halfway through Season 6.
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I just randomly paused here to answer a call at work, but now I want this screenshot as a portrait hanging on my wall. [Post-MS3 Update: Damn it, why did you need to ruin this, Carter.]
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One of the best things about this show is the focus on GA and DD’s microexpressions, letting them speak for the characters. The carefully considered silence or the eyes that betray the words they speak.
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Scully to CSM: “You better not fucking smoke in my car.” And he knows better than to pull that shit with Scully that he did with Skinner.
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Scully is taking none of CSM’s shit, and I am loving it.
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“Would it soften your opinion of me if I confessed that I’ve always had a particular affection for you?” *Scully’s “get the fuck out of my car” expression*
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“Tenants like having an FBI agent in the building. Gives them a sense of security.” “Do you know how many people have died in there?” “Oh, we don’t really talk about that.”
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CSM psychoanalyzing Scully’s love life must have been the highlight of this road trip from hell. Her deadpan response was taken right out of Mulder’s playbook, though, to go along with the Mulder!Ditch.
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The concern in Mulder’s voice when he leaves her the voicemail. And then Scully calls Skinner back and won’t talk to Mulder. She knows he’ll be able to break through her defenses.
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Skinner: “She says she’s fine.” Mulder: “She’s in trouble.” Love it.
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Everytime I see how cheap gas was in 2000, it kinda makes me want to cry.
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Scully tries to go about her ditch the “right” way. She tries to record everything and let Mulder know what’s happening. Would his reaction have been any different if the tapes had gotten to him? I’m not sure.
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Scully’s look when CSM offers her a Lifesaver.
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The Lone Gunmen. XD
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Mulder jammies! (And Byers’ hair!)
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Scully jammies! (But oh god getting undressed by CSM… ugghhhh)
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God, CSM is such a creeper.
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Okay, so, now we get to the “cure for all human disease” part that could maybe, possibly be relevant?
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“There are those who would use this power for their own purposes. To choose who will live and who will die.” Yeah, okay, that’s pretty relevant.
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Great example of women’s clothing being used as a tool of oppression. No pockets for holding the covert notes you’ve received, no bra to hide your wire and tape recorder…
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Scully’s on a boat. She’s got this.
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One of the all-time great silent exchanges. The way he turns his head away when he feels her looking at him, and the pain in her face when he won’t look back at her.
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For two people who say so much to each other with their eyes, the avoidance of eye contact is devastating. Kills me every time.
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Still not looking at her, with that cute, early 2000’s boy hair.
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And then when he finally looks up at her, we get THAT look. That’s some top-tier Mulder angst right there.
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From a deleted scene: Mulder: “With what he has now, the bastard just might live forever.” Welp, you’ve sure got that right, Mulder.
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So, ultimately, CSM throws the CD-ROM with the cure for all human disease in the lake. Who’s to say that he didn’t dive back in after that bad boy later?
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And that concludes my long and drawn-out rewatch of En Ami. I could definitely see it having some relevance to Season 11 if they choose to go that route. Only a few more days, and we shall see…
And then My Struggle III ruined everything, heh. Seriously, though, I’ve gotta believe that he just messed with her chip to allow her to become pregnant the old fashioned way. Like, with Mulder. Two episodes later. Or something. C’mon, Carter. Let us have this one.