A lot happening in this episode - Scully mysteriously showing up at a hospital under unknown circumstances with her immune system decimated by experiments on her body, Smoking Man showing Skinner exactly who calls the shots (by lighting up in Skinner's office), Mulder attempting to resign only to have Skinner refuse, and the compassionate Nurse Owens a figment of Scully's imagination. It's a cleverly written story that finalizes the "Duane Barry/Ascension" two-parter, and places Mulder in even greater danger once the threat of Scully's demise is past.
I believe this is the first time Mulder signals his new contact at the FBI with the 'X' on his window, who in turn tells Murder emphatically to forget about his partner. Mr. X proves to be no slouch in the cloak and dagger game when he takes out the 'Overcoat Man' who attempted to steal a vial of Scully's blood from the hospital. Even though Mulder retrieves the vial for a short time, it still winds up missing, presumably in the hands of Mr. X.
The main event here has Mulder facing off against the Smoking Man in a confrontation that he had to know he'd lose if he pursued it. I found it interesting that Skinner's reference to the shadowy figure was 'Cancer Man', a hint that his future might be doubtful, even for all his power at the Agency. Interesting too that a little more of Scully's family background was fleshed out in the story, with Scully's Dad providing a message from the beyond, and sister Melissa (Melinda McGraw) arriving in a show of support for Mom (Sheila Larken). With the close of the story, you can't really say everything's good as new and back to normal, but it was a relief and pleasure to have Scully back in the fold.
I believe this is the first time Mulder signals his new contact at the FBI with the 'X' on his window, who in turn tells Murder emphatically to forget about his partner. Mr. X proves to be no slouch in the cloak and dagger game when he takes out the 'Overcoat Man' who attempted to steal a vial of Scully's blood from the hospital. Even though Mulder retrieves the vial for a short time, it still winds up missing, presumably in the hands of Mr. X.
The main event here has Mulder facing off against the Smoking Man in a confrontation that he had to know he'd lose if he pursued it. I found it interesting that Skinner's reference to the shadowy figure was 'Cancer Man', a hint that his future might be doubtful, even for all his power at the Agency. Interesting too that a little more of Scully's family background was fleshed out in the story, with Scully's Dad providing a message from the beyond, and sister Melissa (Melinda McGraw) arriving in a show of support for Mom (Sheila Larken). With the close of the story, you can't really say everything's good as new and back to normal, but it was a relief and pleasure to have Scully back in the fold.