Tuesday 26 June 2018

Bored Now does the Complete X-Files 1993-? Episode 103

The Complete X-Files

Episode 103: Squeeze
Squeeze












Plot: Scully is contacted by old academy friend Tom Colton.  Colton wants her to help him investigate a series of murders where the victims have had their livers ripped, with no indication of how the killer entered or exited the premises.  Scully convinces Colton to bring Mulder on board. Fox believes that the main suspect Victor Tooms has the ability to squeeze himself through tight spaces (such as air vents).  Mulder links this case to murders as far back as 1903.  

Original Air Date: 24/09/93 

The first of the 'Monster of Week' style episodes (unconnected to the overall series arc), which would become one of the great calling cards of the X-Files, and it leaves an impression.  Doug Hutchison as Tooms gives an impressively subtle and sinister performance.  In fact, he is one of the few villains to get more than one shot appearance.  Squeeze also opens up many of the core themes of the show moving forward.  We again see the bond being developed between Mulder and Scully.  Whilst the agents once again clash on how credible Mulder's theory is? Scully ultimately defends Fox against the bullying tactics of Colton.  Colton convincingly played by Donal Logue is the first of many links from Scully's past that provides tension with her new career choices and complex relationship with Mulder.  Dana's conflict between having a normal life and pressuring the X-Files becomes a running theme during this debut season.  Colton represents the stuffy corporate slimebag for which Fox is so opposed.  A certain UN-ethical choice Tom makes is another factor in Scully taking Mulder's side over his. 

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The episode establishes the dirty lo-fi feel to the sound effects and visuals of the early seasons (which none seem a little dated). Much of the show was actually shot on location in Canada which doubled impressively for real US big cities. Many of the best episodes effectively mix thriller like pacing with the fantastical and scary Sci-Fi and horror elements.  This started properly here.  Mulder's argument about the Tooms case is grounded in a back to basics everyday logic.  His speech early on about every finger print being unique was a nice touch.  There is a tightly knit pattern to Fox's case, based in reality, like the tie-in to when finger printing was introduced. Like classic thriller plotting each element of the case counts, which is similar to what Mulder suggests about each finger print. The polygraph scene is another standout to me.  The strange questions slipped in by Mulder again showing his unconventional, outside of the box thinking compared with most of the other FBI agents on the show.

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 The direction sets a powerful icy, atmosphere.  The sound of paranoia inched across the soundtrack. Part of makes Tooms a terrifying presence is the mundane nature of his job as an animal pest man (notably working for the government).  The skill to Hutchison's performance is how in one instance he can appear as the nervous, wide eyed baby face (proving an effective cover for his crimes), only later to subtly turn that into a coldly menacing and brooding presence.  The threat of the unexpected is another recurring theme throughout the series. As well as the mystique of the unknown being all the more scary.  A turn here is that we know early on who the killer is, with the backstory of the case the crucial details.  Beat by beat I probably enjoy the previous episode Deep Throat a little more, but Squeeze is gripping throughout and feels a more consistent episode. 

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Rating: 7/10  

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