"Arcadia"

"Woman, get back in here and make me a sandwich."
Originally Aired 3/7/99

As I thought back to how long ago it's been since I had watched this episode, I counted on my fingers like a goofball, and came to the realization that I've been a fan of this series for 8 years. Wow. A wave of nostalgia rushed over me and it nearly brought a tear to my eye. I'm sure it's even more so for the multitude of fans who watched this episode on their televisions in 1999. I didn't like this episode the first time, but time has been kinder to it, or perhaps it's because I'm more of fond of the series now.

Many episodes this season have brought a lighter tone to the series as it stretched outside the boundaries of the typical "case of the week" format. "Triangle" pitted Mulder against Nazis on a boat in the midst of World War II, while another was a romantic comedy about a weatherman whose unrequited love caused severe weather to occur. This episode, much like "Terms of Endearment", is a blend of the new-found comedic tone that series has taken this season with the familiar darkness we've come to expect on The X-Files. It also puts a new spin on the Mulder-Scully partnership as they must assume the roles of a married couple who have just moved in to a gated community to investigate the disappearance of the previous homeowners. The gated community appears Stepford-like, as everyone must comply with a multitude of rules and regulations, including a maximum of 16 pounds allowed for a pet. Sounds like you can't even fatten up Scruffy with a Milk Bone or two. However it is a real "treat" to watch David Duchovny in another comedic opportunity as he tries his damndest to break the rules with a yard flamingo and a portable basketball hoop. He also relishes the moments he can tease Scully about being a housewife, even jokingly commanding her to make him a sandwich. Gillian Anderson happily throws it right back at him.

As for the darkness within "Arcadia", there is something sinister lurking after dark for those who happen to break the rules. When the monster's true form is finally revealed, the goofiness of it almost ruins an otherwise fun hour of The X-Files, though I've come to realize that's likely the point. Another example of the campiness in this episode is when Mulder stirs the pot with his neighbors by having a backhoe dig a "reflecting pool" in his front yard, while the head of the community remarks that he's digging his own grave. "Arcadia" is straddling the edge of being over the top, and it would have totally passed that mark had the community leader twirled a handbar muscle while uttering the grave-digging line. However, a Snidely Whiplash mustache may have been too long under the facial hair guidelines in the community's rulebook.

Following "Monday", this has been two episodes in a row that have put Season 6 back on track and continued the unique spin on storytelling that was slightly derailed with "Agua Mala." With all of the creative juices that have been flowing behind the camera, and also the fun performances seen on screen, one sub-par episode can easily be overlooked; especially with a gem like "Arcadia." I'm glad I've come around on this one.