Essential X-Files: Beyond the Sea
This is the second episode in my rewatch of the eight X-Files episodes that Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz have called essential viewing for the movie: the Pilot, Beyond the Sea, The Host, Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose, Memento Mori, Post Modern Prometheus, Bad Blood, and Milagro.
But first, is this the international movie poster? Because it’s pretty cool.
I didn’t start watching The X-Files with the very first season. Other Scullyists though, cite this episode as the one that opened their eyes to this other side character. Written by the XF wonder team of Glen Morgan and James Wong, “Beyond the Sea” strongly establishes Scully’s own story arc and mythology.
The plot set-up: Luther Lee Boggs is on death row. One of Mulder’s profiles helped put him there. Now he’s claiming psychic powers and is willing to help locate two kidnapped teens in exchange for his life. Mulder thinks Boggs is faking and that the kids were actually kidnapped by an accomplice. Scully, suffering from the recent death of her father, initially gets involved with the case just as a distraction.
Teaser:
- Don S. Davis, who passed away just this past June 29, and Sheila Larken, who is also married to XF executive producer Bob Goodwin, appear as Captain and Mrs. Scully.
- The series establishes that Scully has supernatural, often religious, visions.
Brad Dourif guest stars as Luther Lee Boggs. The quest to get this specific actor for this specific role is well known in XF circles. I’ve often wondered why because he sure chews the scenery as Boggs. Later, I would see more of his work as Doc Cochran in one of my all-time favorite TV series—Deadwood
Character points:
- Scully’s family did not approve of her going into the FBI.
- Scully is a dead shot.
- Mulder tries to use “Dana” a few times this episode. It sounds weird both to them and to us.
- Did I mention that Scully has visions and a connection to some greater power(s)?
After ranting in my “Pilot” post about how Mulder usually gets to be right, he’s wrong this time. Go figure. Mulder does do some pretty active cop work, and he tries to be sensitive and supportive of Scully. Does he become more punky later? Or was I simply too involved during the first-run that I couldn’t see things more objectively? Ooo, this rewatch is kind of getting scary.