Syzygy

Syzygy the Limerick:

A lady whose surname is White

Whose town wasn't feeling quite right

The planets aligning

And teen girls maligning

Spark Mulder and Scully to fighting.

Syzygy is defined as a kind of unity, especially through coordination or alignment, most commonly used in the astronomical and/or astrological sense. This episode uses this definition both literally and loosely with double meaning. The double meaning is seen best to me with Scully's comment after the mob digs up the dead dog Mr. Tippy's bones.

SCULLY: This is called 'rumor panic'. It's when XXX that links up with a popular satanic cult myth and an increase of attention in a community. A villain or villains are singled out as the focus of the community's confusion and angst about unexplained events, like the death of the high school boys. There have been at least twenty incidents since 1983 from upstate New York to Reno, Nevada and not one of them has turned up a single shred of evidence to support the wild allegations.

So in this sense the "syzygy" is the unity of the town against the "satanists". Other types of syzygy seen throughout the show are the repetition of lines, the matching up of the girls stories both in the beginning about the cultists and then at the end when they are implicating each other. They cut scenes back and forth between them saying the exact same thing.

Another characteristic of this episode is how everyone is acting completely out of character. Examples are the obvious Scully and Mulder fighting. At first it seems like they probably are just a little sick of each other but it turns into outright hostility. It all starts with the bickering in the car about directions at the beginning. From there it just goes into Scully being completely unwilling to accept any evidence, and Mulder acts pretty much clueless about anything that is going on. Detective White is another example. I mean a detective would normally not take eyewitness accounts as enough to go on but anytime Scully asks for evidence to support the claims or if they have even looked for the evidence Detective White acts like she had never even thought to do that. Then of course we have other small examples such as the dog mating with the gas grill, the school principal becoming a mob leader, and the pediatrician wearing high heels and make up.

This leads into my favorite scene. The hotel scene. We see more uncharacteristic traits here. Mulder is drinking and Scully is smoking. Interestingly though there are still things that each does that is characteristic of them. Such as Mulder being determined to watch something on TV even though it is the same Sabre Dance movie on every channel where as Scully just turns it off. But then of course we are right back to the strange when Detective White shows up and starts making out with Mulder. The scene is quite comical to me because Mulder is so drunk and knows that something weird is going on but doesn't really seem to care.

Another great element to this show is the astrologist. I love how she milks everything she can out of Mulder money-wise instead of giving him information. She even maxes out his business credit card and then Mulder is seen writing her a check so obviously the $300 he was good for wasn't enough. She has some witty lines too which I enjoyed.

Finally I enjoyed the soundtrack to this episode. We hear "Hand of Death (Burn Baby Burn)" by Rob Zombie, "All Over You" by Live, and "Deep" by Danzig. The most notable song for the X-Files I think is "Hands of Death". This song is used in a number of The X-Files episodes as well as other Chris Carter shows.

So in conclusion this episode had a lot of things that made it wonderful for me. There are a number of other things that I enjoyed that I will not mention but I will just conclude by saying that this was a wonderfully written comical episode about people acting strangely and blaming that strangeness on Satan instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. I give the episode a 10/10.

Syzygy was written by the creator of the X-Files, Chris Carter. At times, he sure can come up with some unique and interesting takes on the x-files. Syzygy is one of those for sure. Mulder and Scully go to a small town where satanic killings are supposedly taking place. The entire town is in a frenzy. The funny thing is, Mulder and Scully get taken up in it. They start behaving very oddly toward each other. Granted, they do disagree about cases quite frequently, but it's rare that they are mean to each other. In Syzygy, Mulder and Scully become quite rude with each other, giving you the idea that something is not quite right in this town. And that's what made this episode so interesting, seeing Mulder and Scully in a different light. I found it to be a very creative episode. Seeing Mulder drink or Scully smoke, and many other things out of character. Chris Carter assembles a mob in this episode, an element he uses two seasons later in The Post-Modern Prometheus. One of my favorite lines in the episode is when Mulder is defending Scully to Detective White when Scully is being abnormally abrasive; "She tends to be rather rigid, but rigid in a wonderful way, not like she was today." The tension in Syzygy between Mulder and Scully may be a bit unnerving at first, but it does give you a different insight into their characters, which I liked.

The planets have realigned, leading to some very strange goings on in the town of Comity, ever present are Terri and Margi.

At times Syzygy as funny, other times it's incredibly bleak, it really is an incredibly well mixed story. You can see the quality from writer Chris Carter, he knew full well how to present something very different.

Some great scenes, and very nasty one, best of all the one at the gym, that really was grim.

My only real issue is the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, sure all people fall out and snap at one another, but there seems to be some real resentment between the two characters here, and not just the whole driving thing. Some of the dumb locals are perhaps a little over the top.

Look out for dreamboat Ryan Reynolds.

9/10.

Sometimes I think that part of the brilliance of the X Files is that it knows how to salvage a flimsy plot idea. When you think about episodes like Syzygy, War of the Caprophages, and especially Bad Blood, Carter seems to know when an episode might tank if a half baked plot were taken too seriously. Instead of plunging headlong into a weak idea and forcing the drama to work, Carter side steps the weaknesses with comedy. If you look at Syzygy (or the other episodes mentioned) the plot has holes in it, and you might not enjoy it if you scrutinize it too closely. But that's the beauty of Syzygy. We are too busy laughing at Mulder and Scully nitpicking each other to death to care about details. Typically Mulder and Scully speculate on all sorts of science and pseudo-science, but in this episode it is enjoyable that they seem blissfully unaware that they are acting like immature teens. They seem too preoccupied swapping wonderful jabs at each other to swap scientific theories. The comedy episodes are some of my favorites and this one ranks up there as well crafted.

The thirteenth episode of the third season of "The X-Files," titled "Syzygy," directed by Rob Bowman, is a unique blend of dark humor and supernatural intrigue that explores the chaotic intersection of teenage angst and cosmic alignment. The title refers to an astronomical term describing the alignment of celestial bodies, which serves as a metaphor for the tumultuous events that unfold in a small town plagued by mysterious deaths. The narrative kicks off with the discovery of three high school boys found dead under bizarre circumstances, prompting Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) to investigate the connection between these deaths and the local teens.

As Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the case, they encounter two teenage girls, Terri (played by Teri Polo) and Margi (played by Lisa Waltz), whose friendship takes a dark turn as they become embroiled in a series of violent incidents. The pacing of "Syzygy" is brisk, effectively balancing moments of tension with absurdity as the agents navigate through the bizarre behavior exhibited by the townsfolk. The episode cleverly critiques societal attitudes toward youth culture while simultaneously presenting a satirical take on the consequences of misguided beliefs in astrology and supernatural phenomena.

Visually, "Syzygy" employs a vibrant aesthetic that enhances its themes of chaos and confusion. Bowman's direction captures both the eerie atmosphere surrounding the murders and the frenetic energy of the characters' interactions. The cinematography utilizes bright colors and dynamic camera angles to reflect the heightened emotions experienced by the characters, particularly during scenes where cosmic forces seem to influence their behavior. Critics have noted that this visual storytelling complements the unfolding drama, immersing viewers in a world where reality blurs with superstition.

The performances in this episode are particularly noteworthy, especially from Duchovny and Anderson. Duchovny's portrayal of Mulder showcases his characteristic curiosity but also reveals a more exasperated side as he navigates Scully's increasing skepticism and irritation. Anderson's Scully provides a rational counterbalance; her frustration with Mulder's antics adds depth to their dynamic, illustrating how external pressures can strain their partnership. The supporting cast also delivers memorable performances, particularly Polo and Waltz as Terri and Margi, whose volatile friendship becomes central to the episode's conflict.

Thematically, "Syzygy" raises important questions about belief systems, accountability, and the consequences of societal panic. The episode examines how fear can lead communities to scapegoat individuals; it critiques how easily people can be swayed by sensationalism and superstition when faced with unexplained events. Additionally, it highlights the emotional turbulence of adolescence; Terri and Margi's actions are driven by their insecurities and desires for acceptance, ultimately culminating in tragic consequences. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their own beliefs regarding morality, accountability, and the impact of societal pressures on individual behavior.

"Syzygy" stands out as an engaging entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of dark comedy with social commentary while exploring significant issues related to youth culture and belief systems. While it may not reach the emotional heights of other episodes or fully develop all plot points, it effectively maintains tension and intrigue throughout its runtime. The exploration of these themes within a modern context invites viewers to consider their perceptions of truth and morality in society, solidifying "The X-Files" as a compelling examination of human experience amidst extraordinary phenomena. As it reflects broader societal concerns regarding youth behavior and irrational fears, this episode leaves audiences pondering their own relationships with belief and accountability.