Re: Orison Overtures -- X-PHILES WORLD-Season 8 Discussion

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Date Posted: 16:59:52 01/16/01 Tue
Author: Sig
Subject: Re: Orison Overtures
In reply to: devlin 's message, "Orison Overtures" on 13:29:44 01/16/01 Tue

It certainly was impressive dev. It was like a Season 1 or 2 ep, the only thing missing was the 'Vancouver-look'. As far as follow-ups go, 'Orison' ranks up there with 'Tooms' which I still consider to be every bit as good as 'Squeeze'.
Personally, I think all of the religous elements in 'Orison' were pretence. The Reverend was as deluded as John Doe in 'Seven' by thinking he was doing God's work. I only saw this ep as good against evil, any religous baggage was brought to it by Reverend Orison & Scully. Orison's naivety in thinking Donnie would show remorse for his crimes & beg forgiveness was his undoing. I'm not sure that I liked the paranormal element here with Donnie shape-shifting & implying that he is only a vessel for that which is pure evil. In 'Irresistible' we assume that it is Scully's emotional state that makes Donnie appear to change form and I found that more plausible than this time around. It also seems to deny that there are flesh & blood monsters in the real world, something that made Donnie all the more terrifying in Season 2.
Mulder was very sensitive to Scully's needs in this ep & wanted nothing more to do with the case when the supernatural element had been seen to its conclusion. It appeared to be one of the few occasions where he didn't relish being involved in a possible X file.
The fight scene in Scully's apartment was very good and on a couple of occasions I thought it might end simply with her getting the better of him, but like Max Cady, he just kept on coming.
Whether Scully should have killed Donnie is something that can be quickly condemned. I know this is a fictional set of circumstances we're discussing, but it's easy to be judgmental when sitting at home. I'm against murder in all its forms, whether it be meted out by God, someone 'working for him' or a government, but who can blame Scully for experiencing a certain degree of moral ambiguity after having two extremely intense & distressing encounters with Pfaster. If I found myself in a situation like Scully did, I'm not confident enough to state, categorically, that I would act differently.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, Rob Bowman handled the climax superbly. It was almost impressionistic. The way Mulder looked at the exploding light fitting, puzzled, never dreaming that it was a bullet from Scully's gun. Scully's face was the perfect balance of shock & blankness. And Mark Snow's music was like a protracted scream.
All round excellent episode.

XXX Sig :)

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Replies:

Re: Orison Overtures -- cvl, 11:18:15 01/17/01 Wed
- I seem to have differing opinions more this season than in previous ones -- detoured, 02:37:27 01/18/01 Thu
  - I wonder? -- CW, 10:59:35 01/18/01 Thu