REVIEW: Autumn's "Leonard Betts" Review - SPOILERS
Sherry Willhoite
aut...@aol.com wrote in article
<19970127164...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> "Leonard Betts" Review
> By Autumn Tysko
Great review, as always, Autumn!
I wanted to add one more observation:
I noticed the 'here in Pittsburgh' gaffe.
Also, the scene at the storage locker. Mulder goes to unlock the
padlock before Betts races his car out. My question is: Was
the padlock secured on the outside of the storage locker? If so,
I want to know how Leonard accomplished that while being inside
it himself. (I personally wouldn't even leave an unlocked padlock hanging
outside while I was inside for fear of somebody locking me in.)
> Random Musings
> -------------------------
> -Scully has a bit of a geography problem with her statement that the
> mother was "here in Pittsburgh" while they were at Burk's Maryland lab.
>
> -So, medical waste it ground up and zapped until it is "sterile soot" and
> then used as road fill? Thank you for that special explanation Ms.
Scully.
>
> -I travel *a lot* for a living, but I've yet to be able to rent one of
> those "Lariat" rent cars seen so often and so prominently on the show -
> maybe they're for fibbees only.
Sean Med
Autumn wrote:
<<-I guess if actor Paul McClane (Leonard Betts) ever needs to send
someone head shots for his next job he will have plenty, eh?>>
Heh. Speaking of corny jokes, I'm sure I'm not the only one who, during
the scene where Betts is chased by the security guard, muttered, "Well, at
least he has a head start..."
Sean
aut...@aol.com
"Leonard Betts" Review
By Autumn Tysko
"I'm sorry, but you've got something I need."
I imagine that this episode was written backwards with this point in mind.
The trio of Gilligan, Spotnitz, and Shiban knew where they wanted to go
with this one - the terrifying and stunning revelation that Dana Scully's
worst fears have been realized: she has that undiagnosed cancer ailment
that we learned about in "Nisei" as a result of her abduction. Luckily, in
constructing a monster-of-the-week episode around this crucial revelation
they created an entertaining Frankenstein monster with bits of horror,
humor, and humanity stitched together in an intriguing fashion.
This episode was a gruesome one effects wise, but for some reason this
trip to Pennsylvania didn't bother me as much as the trip "Home" earlier
this year. I found myself creeped out in the teaser (which actually rarely
happens to me), but the old thumping with the headless guy in a morgue
accompanied to scary music trick did get to me this time. The supporting
performances were definitely of the caliber we so often enjoy on this show
with Paul McCrane (Leonard Betts) doing especially good work as an
interesting cross between a healer and a killer and Jennifer Clement, as
his doomed partner, making the most out of her part. There were some nice
shots in this one by director Kim Manners. I really liked the headless
reflection in the teaser and the reflected shot in the "mother's duty to
provide" scene. What didn't work for me were the cheesy special effects as
the naked sweating Leonard sheds his old body or the excessively huge
explosion as apparently Scully hits the tank instead of the tires on the
fleeing car - seems to me that it wouldn't be "by the book" to blow up
your suspect and we know she's a good shot.
I especially enjoyed the head autopsy scene where Scully freaks out enough
to drop her scalpel and then immediately launches into her scientific
defense mechanism as she, still obviously spooked, stutters her
explanation to Mulder as "I experienced an unusual degree of post mortem
galvanic response". Duchovny's playful teasing with the winking comment
and "Scully, you're not saying it's alive are you?" were perfectly
executed. The one liners were fast and furious throughout and Mulder even
*almost* got Scully to crack a smile with the paperweight joke and was
very pleased with himself for it.
In fact, this episode really stood out for its downright amusing
interaction between our favorite FBI agents. The playful banter between
the two of them as the outlandish theories ("It's weird, huh?") and
rational explanations ("Mulder, they're worms") whizzed back and forth was
delightful. Only Duchovny and Anderson could diffuse the content of that
squishy and squeamish medical waste scene so successfully by having so
much fun with it. From Mulder's face-making at the whole prospect to
Scully's asking for assistance because his "arms are longer" (which I
couldn't help but wonder if it was a sly payback for that "little feet"
comment he hit her with last year) I was giggling throughout. However,
Scully still does have that edge after being told to examine the head when
she asks "While you do what?" - which is becoming almost as pervasive a
Scullyism as "Mulder, it's me" it seems.
While "Leonard Betts" was a prime example throughout of Gillian Anderson's
consistently amazing ability to make the absolute most out of the nuances
of her character, the ending was even more exciting as things are off and
running with the much anticipated "Scully arc". From her quiet order to
Mulder to "get over here right now" we are in for a ride to the end. The
stricken look she gets to Betts' insinuation about her health segues
directly into the strongest Action! Scully sequence we've ever had.
Finally Scully wins a fight on her own with some pretty convincing kicks,
punches and quick thinking - a defib to the brain - what a way to go!
The best of Anderson's performance is yet to come though as we move to
that truly heartbreaking scene in the car where the weight of her
realization has crushed and dulled Scully's spirit. When she whispers
"Cancer?" to Mulder we see the sad defeat. You know, Mulder is so smart,
but sometimes when it comes to simple math - like putting two and two
together he just fails miserably - it may be long term exposure to FAX
machines. He can figure out almost anything on this case except why Scully
is so upset after her fight with Betts (despite the fact it is he who
figures out the cancer connection). At least he knows something is wrong
when he misreads her reaction for regret at killing Betts and gives her
the "You did a good job Scully" speech. The last image in this show is a
vivid one - spelling out with a precision that even folks with denial that
runs as deep as Dana's cannot ignore - there is something seriously wrong
with our dear Dr. Scully.
Random Musings
-------------------------
-Let's start with the retreads. The first a character repeat from an actor
we've seen on the show a number of times, but here Bill Dow reprises "The
Calusari" alternative photo scientist. You might also recognize the
pathologist working with them from "Roland".
-Alright. After Mr. Gilligan so impressed me with his ability to remember
past episodes in his earlier efforts I felt the continuity police fell
asleep at the wheel here - especially after I thought they were leading up
to a tie in to season one episode. I was annoyed at having to hear Scully
say "Salamanders are one thing, but no mammal possesses that type of
regenerative power" when I can clearly remember her being so intrigued at
this same possibility (even involving salamanders) in "Young at Heart".
-There was a new Director of Photography listed in the credits: Joel
Ransom. They certainly are going through them these days. Even more
curious is that the esteemed John Bartley was also in the credits for 2nd
unit work.
-I guess if actor Paul McClane (Leonard Betts) ever needs to send someone
head shots for his next job he will have plenty, eh?
-Gee, is it obvious that we are in sweeps now or what? Cancer, car
crashes, explosions, and a preview that plays up Scully and sex.
-For those of you who are sure to freak out over tonight's little
revelations - remember this is good drama, Scully will not die (but we
will be blessed with tons of angst), and Gillian is *not* leaving the
show. So take some deep breaths, calm down and enjoy the ride.
-So, great car crash in the teaser, but really - not only do we have a
poor ambulance driver, but don't those folks in PA know how to yield to
emergency vehicles?
-Anyone else nervous when Mulder was in that bathroom? You know how evil
bathrooms are on this show - I guess he's just lucky he didn't stick more
than his fingers in the tub as tubs are always especially gruesome.
-Guess that little snow blizzard cleared up on the way over to Mrs.
Tanner's house where the son always shines.
-Scully has a bit of a geography problem with her statement that the
mother was "here in Pittsburgh" while they were at Burk's Maryland lab.
-So, medical waste it ground up and zapped until it is "sterile soot" and
then used as road fill? Thank you for that special explanation Ms. Scully.
-I travel *a lot* for a living, but I've yet to be able to rent one of
those "Lariat" rent cars seen so often and so prominently on the show -
maybe they're for fibbees only.
Autumn
"I want to go home"
Autumn Tysko
"Are you sure it wasn't a girlie scream?"
My episode reviews now available at:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1411/main_rev.html
or email me for mailing list information
gabrielle
aut...@aol.com wrote:
> From her quiet order to Mulder to "get over here right now" ...
ah, but he's certainly learned to take her seriously.
>-Anyone else nervous when Mulder was in that bathroom? You know how evil
>bathrooms are on this show - I guess he's just lucky he didn't stick more
>than his fingers in the tub as tubs are always especially gruesome.
Didn't that tub look a little big to be filled with just two bottles
of iodine?
>-Scully has a bit of a geography problem with her statement that the
>mother was "here in Pittsburgh" while they were at Burk's Maryland lab.
Give her a break -- it's been a rough day.
>-I travel *a lot* for a living, but I've yet to be able to rent one of
>those "Lariat" rent cars seen so often and so prominently on the show -
>maybe they're for fibbees only.
and *de*-fibbies ;)
>"I want to go home"
This line struck me as an indicator of change, as well. After 4
years, Scully is finally willing to show weakness around her partner
-- a weakness that even a couple episodes ago (Unruhe) she refused to
admit to.
Great review as always!
-gabrielle
--
G. Harbowy -- g...@teatime.com X-PHILE: GAEB; OBSSE
Specializing in reverse psychology. Please don't visit my web page at
http://www.teatime.com/grh/
aut...@aol.com
In article <jolo-ya02408000R...@news.duke.edu>,
jo...@deckard.mc.duke.edu (Jolo) writes:
> The explosion made sense to me though...
>Betts wanted it to happen as a way of letting himself disappear just like
6
>years ago. He probably rigged the car to blow, and wanted an
appropriately
>big boom to ensure the demise of his sloughed off clone.
I can see that - I only wish it had been made more obvious - as the
episode stands it really looks like they cause the explosion IMHO.
>I'm so impressed... they could've easily lamed out and used doubles like
in
>the past, but Scully really got her feet up in the air, heels and all!
At
>first I thought it was some clever special effect, but after looking at
the
>tape frame by frame, I have to hand it to GA -- way to kick ass! Now if
>she can just get over her tendency to surrender her weapon when
confronted
>with scary people. :)
I too did the slomo here and was quite impressed as it was GA doing these
stunts (unlike that obvious double "Talitha Cumi" stunt scene last year
with David and Steven doubles).
Jeremy Meyers
Sherry Willhoite wrote:
>
> Also, the scene at the storage locker. Mulder goes to unlock the
> padlock before Betts races his car out. My question is: Was
> the padlock secured on the outside of the storage locker? If so,
> I want to know how Leonard accomplished that while being inside
> it himself. (I personally wouldn't even leave an unlocked padlock hanging
> outside while I was inside for fear of somebody locking me in.)
growing out of the mouth" scene) and left the old body (apparently still
functional) in the storage room with the car and the bearded man. The
new body left the storage room and closed the door on his way out.
The "old body" closed the door behind him to ensure that the old body,
the bearded man, and the car would only be found by Mulder and Scully,
not by some other random passersby.
Or that's what I thought.
Howard/Judy Willhoite
Jeremy Meyers <mey...@newman.cchem.berkeley.edu> wrote in article
<32F0E2...@newman.cchem.berkeley.edu>...
I'll buy that. Makes sense since he had to have escaped in his new body
before the explosion
because I'm sure they locked up the storage locker as a crime scene after
the car went kaboom.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Sherry