Journey to the Truth: The End - S5 E20
Vancouver, BC; Laurentian Mtns, QC; Gaithersburg, MD; Washington, DC; Ft. Marlene, MD; Centerville, VA
An international incident launches an investigation that reveals the talents of a twelve-year-old chess prodigy. Will he be the answer to everything in the X-Files? Or will he be the end to it all?
The End is the final episode in Season 5, the last episode to be filmed in Vancouver (until the Revival Seasons), and the last to be directed by Robert Goodwin. Up through now, Goodwin has directed every finale, in addition to the premiere episodes for seasons 3 - 5. Fittingly, the name of the episode and the tagline are a send-off for the Vancouver cast and crew.
The opening chessmatch was filmed in an arena where locals were invited to fill the stands. The turnout over-exceeded expectations. They not only filled the 17,500 seats but had to turn away more than 5,000 people. In between takes the crowd were entertained by some Q&A with DD and GA and equipment was raffled off.
Ironically, this is the first time a scene has been set in Vancouver, and it unfortunately contains a glaring error. If this incident were to occur on Canadian soil, they would be conducting the investigation on their side of the border. The shooter wouldn't have been at Ft. Marlene. I don't mind giving them their scene, but honestly, CC, after crossing the border all this time, it's a little 51st state of you to take liberties, don't you think?
The End also introduces Special Agent Diana Fowley and young Gibson Praise to the X-Files realm. Fowley, portrayed by Mimi Rogers, previously appeared in the movie The Rapture (1991) with DD. Coincidentally, that's the same year their characters began 'working together' for the FBI.
Mulder is a jerk in this episode. It's true. So much of the bad that happens could be negated if Mulder is just not an ass. Skinner starts it off, though. Telling the FBI's most unwanted where, specifically, he's most unwanted. He bursts in on Spender's big meeting and is all, "I don't have any questions, I just think you're wrong." (after being in the room for, like .02 seconds.)
When it comes to interviewing the shooter, he hints at offers that he has no authority to make (then takes some of that food and drink from the man who has been deprived and treating Spender like an errand boy). Then he thinks he sees Spender talking to CSM and gets fired up, but doesn't listen to anything he says. (Has he ever listened to anything Spender has said?)
He makes the decision to gamble 'it all' on the shooter's testimony, the sum total of which so far has been nothing. (After the decision is made, the shooter comes out with, "The kid is the missing link.") I give partial blame to Skinner here. The consequences of this decision apply to both partners. Scully should be in the room for this convo at a minimum. She probably will want to hear the shooter's testimony as well, considering the risk. Instead, word gets out, the shooter is killed, and it all goes to shit. So, Mulder assaults Spender in the hallway of FBI headquarters.
The focus of this episode, though, is Scully. And it's all based on the fact that there are things about Diana Fowley that Mulder is keeping from her and has been for the entire time she's known him. The fact that he behaves differently when Diana is around with zero explanation. I think when Scully tries to talk to Diana about their history, both women are surprised that Mulder hasn't already told her these things (at least about the work side).
So Scully goes to her only other reliable source, the Gunmen. (They're adorable in their bedtime routines.) I think they are also surprised Scully doesn't already know anything about Diana. Obviously, they tell her.
In the script (during this scene): "That she's threatened by Diana makes her angry at herself, but she's trying her best not to show it."
And as she's leaving: "Her jaw set and determined. Processing her emotions right into work mode." (This is the most Scully line in existence.)
Scully goes back to the psych hospital with the absolute worst timing. (To his credit, Mulder is not receptive to Diana and is defending Scully during this scene. It is an innocent moment. But Scully's already shaken.) When she gets back to her car: "She's a confusion of emotions, both personal and professional. She sits pained for a moment, trying to calm herself. Trying to be mature about what she's understandably experiencing."
Nevertheless, she calls Mulder and leaves: "Feeling a little ridiculous, and dishonest."
GA does a spectacular job with these moments. As usual, her expressions convey so much without the need for dialogue.
This is a CC script, penned with an interest in creating tension leading up to the events of the summer blockbuster. It seems like an opportune time to introduce Diana, someone who makes Scully doubt her role (both personal and professional) in Mulder's life, especially once the X-Files are taken from them. CC can say what he will about the MSR. Just remember, he's the one writing it.
MSR: I love the long camera pan around Scully when she's on the phone with Skinner in Mulder's apartment. They are cloistered together, waiting to learn their fate. So they arrive together in the aftermath of the fire. Both shell-shocked, back where it all began. Mulder is standing there in utter defeat. Scully, "Putting her arms around him, holding on to keep him from breaking."
Fanfic: I struggled with this one because my Scully-angst is so high, and I hold Mulder responsible for it.
"Flames" by donnah - avoids the angst, addresses the fire
"Insomnia" by greekowl87 - Scully owns and stands in her angst
"A Simple Office Accessory" by ScullytoyourMulder - Scully does some digging
"Quantifiable" by Spooky66 - an AU, Scully reacts differently at the psych hospital
The best fic I read, though, is longer than my usual recs, but is still only 3 chapters. The premise is exactly what I needed.
"Unobserved" by cecily_sass - just read it
Bid a fond farewell to Vancouver. We're off to the bright lights of Hollywood with Fight the Future. Before I wrap up S5, though, I'll get a recap posted. I also have a bit of housekeeping I'd like to take care of before I dive into more fic. Because there is A LOT of FTF fic (and you know I can't be normal about how much of it I read). If you have recs, please let me know!! I know there are gems out there, and I want to read them all. Thanks again to all of you for reading!
ellievsbear
areudirty
stormborns
2087
yousharknotpass
turnnoffyourmind
jacobvanloon
gracieabrams
dailybridgerton
snowghoul
amandla
tangentwithtanner
