1X02 SQUEEZE


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Date: 06/17/02 04:31:26 PM
Name: Nancy

Spoilers, if you've never seen it.

"You got it, Spooky."
- Agent Kramer

This was a good ep. :)  Every time I see it, the part in the very beginning
where they show Usher (the businessman) walking down the street, I think
it's CSM. :)

Though this is the first MOTW of TXF, there are hints that Mulder and
Scully have worked in others.  From Tom Colton's conversation, it's
obvious that Scully has worked with Mulder at least long enough for word
to get around.  But more telling is Mulder's "In our investigations, you may
not always agree with me but at least you respect the journey."  This may
explain the time gap between this ep (which takes place in 1993) and the
Pilot (which takes place in March of 1992); whatever Scully and Mulder
were working on during that time must have simply not made it into an
episode.

This ep has several things which later become almost trademarks of TXF:
that funny little sound effect which is also in Darkness Falls, pigeons flying
indoors, M&S using flashlights, and Mulder putting his ungloved fingers in
unidentified goo.

In the beginning of the ep, Scully seems to care about what others think.
Colton's words affect her, and she tries to tell Mulder he has a bad
reputation.  But as Mulder's theories help her solve the case, she realizes
she is happier working to help the victim than she would be working, like
Colton, on her career.  This is an important part of Scully's personality
because it helps explain why she stayed with TXF and loyal to Spooky in
spite of all the problems they would later face.

Who's the actor that plays Tom Colton?  He looks like the father in
Grounded for Life.

I love Mulder's speech about the aliens' skin color.  Like, Spooky and
proud of it.  I also like Tooms' eyes.

How is it that Tooms "nailed" the lie detector test except for questions 11
and 13, which were Mulder's questions?  What about the other questions
such as Did you kill George Usher, and Have you ever killed a human?
How did he nail those questions?

Is it common for a building to be condemned for ten years, and just sit
there?  Wouldn't it be demolished?  Is Scully's apt. number 403?

The ending, showing the little food slot where they put the food tray, is
very kewl. :-)  Just a cute little omen, a hint that he'll get away. ;-)

-Nancy

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Date: 06/27/02 01:00:01 AM
Name: shadow_prophet

Do you think I'm Spooky?
--Mulder, "Squeeze"

"Squeeze."  Has to be one of my all-time fave X-Titles!  And harbinger of
one of the coolest Mulderisms:  "How can I get it off my fingers quickly
without betraying my cool exterior?" :-)  "Anti-Waltons" is another one.
Think I'll put that on a Christmas card ;-).

Just a few random observations:

Mulder glasses.  Now when did we stop seeing those?  What a pity. ;-)

The black and white/slow-motion imagery used in the teaser and a bit
throughout the episode is reminiscent of some shots in "all things."

Am I the only freak who thinks Tooms is sorta cute?

Colton and Co.:  The textbook brown-nosing prick.  The sentiments Scully
shared with him (concerning his climb up the corporate ladder) are
priceless, and so appropriate you'd think you said them yourself.

This episode is yet another stellar example of early-Files momentum.  The
story, while itself is interesting and engaging, is supported by terrific
character painting and a setup of Mulder's association with is peers.  Also
apparent is a foreshadowing of the relationship between Mulder and
Scully... His drive, her determination, his passion, her respect.  As the
dynamic is tweaked over the years, one truth remains evident:  Mulder and
Scully respect each other's opinions.  Despite their differences in beliefs and
approaches, they strive to seek the truth in every single case... and it is
along those diverging paths that they unwittingly find each other.  If all lies
lead to the truth, then perhaps all paths lead to the truth as well, to be
discovered sometimes happily by accident.

In effect, that's what Squeeze does for me as an episode.  Aside from being
one heckuva good story, it also establishes Scully as part of "the team," and
perhaps a little something more than just a spy.  Doing her best to flout
authority by actually respecting her partner, striving to do the best job
possible, and not bowing to the system, she proves herself a strong and
capable person sure of what she wants.  She could have distinguished
herself as a medical doctor, or even an agent in another section of the
Bureau.  Mulder could have remained a star profiler for the Violent Crimes
division.  Point being they did none of these things.  In my opinion, Mulder
and Scully are alike in that respect.  They took the road less traveled,
 career wise, "and that has made all the difference."

--Brandi~

"In our investigations you may not always agree with me, but at least you
respect the journey."
--Mulder, Squeeze

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