AIR DATE:  February 21, 1999
Written by David Amann
Directed by Rob Bowman

	I remember when X-Files used to be a drama series and not a comedy
series and I sure do miss those days.  We are yet again subjected to
another X-Files lite episode in "Aqua Mala" which was fine when we were
subjected to one or two lite episodes a season, but this season we are at
the 13th episode and over half of them have been lite episodes.  I'm ready
for a X-Files episode that has an emotional impact on either Scully or
Mulder such as in "Beyond the Sea" and "Paper Hearts", and I don't
consider "Two Fathers/One Son" to have had a major effect on either Scully
or Mulder since the story dealt more with Spender discovery of the truth
behind the conspiracy. The funny thing is even though it annoyed me that
it was another X-Files lite episode I liked it in the guilty pleasures
way.  I know I shouldn't like it, but for some dumb reason I do.  It
wasn't a great episode and I know when it is repeated I will not make a
point to rewatch it, but I think I liked it because it was so stupid. 
Let's face it the smartest being in this episode was the Shipley's cat. 
Everybody else was acting as if they never made it past high school and
this includes Scully and Mulder.  If Sara and Max Shipley knew that fresh
water stops the creature then they should have gone outside where it was
raining or better yet get in their car and leave.  No, it isn't the nuts
who moved to Florida it is all the stupid people. 

	The one good thing going for this episode was Scully and Mulder
were actually working together even if it some of their discussions about
the case were forced.  In other words they had Scully being argumentative
for the sake of being argumentative in an attempt to capture the old type
banter they used to have about cases.  It was a good attempt on writer
David Amann part, but it never rang true.  This was the problem with the
episode none of it rang true with Scully and Mulder and the local police
department acting like they went to the Barney Fife Police Academy.
Everyone else acting as if the hurricane is a minor inconvenience.

	There isn't much to write about "Aqua Mala" so on to my
miscellaneous comments: 

- Okay, there is a hurricane coming I think I'll do some laundry instead
of leaving the area.  The Shipley's must not want to leave behind any
dirty clothes.  How did the cat get into the washing machine?  Oh, that's
right, the cat was smartest being in the episode so he would know how to
get into it.

- Just once I wanted Mulder to say to Scully, "Do you remember Flukeman? 
He got around via the sewer pipes."  I think there should be an X-Files on
how Scully and Mulder personalities change depending on how the plot wants
them to act.  Last week Mulder didn't seem to care to investigate anything
and this week he is all gungho to investigate a sea creature while last
week Scully is investigating the case and this week all she wants to do is
go home. 

- When did Mulder and Arthur Dales become such good friends?  The last
time we saw Dales he was hiding away in his apartment and reluctantly
talking to Mulder.  Now he is living in Florida as an eccentric old man
that drinks too much.  What was the point of reintroducing Arthur Dales if
he was only going to be used as comic relief? It might as well been Joe
Smith since he didn't do anything significant to the story.  One of the
most painful moments in the show was when Scully was radioing the local PD
with Deputy Greer's radio and they go to Dales reaction.  How embarrassing
to watch. 

- It sure is bright outside the Shipley's house when Mulder and Scully go
into it at 9:14pm.  I suppose we can date stamp this episode to have
taking place in late October since hurricane season starts in late June
with the letter A and in order for them to get to L it has to be fairly
late in the season.  So I guess that means Scully and Mulder are alive and
well in late October no matter what happens in the remaining episodes this
season. 

- I think the X-Files people want us to believe Arthur Dales discover the
X-Files so we forget that wonderful episode, "Shapes", where Mulder said
J. Edger Hoover opened the first X-Files.

- The Goodland, Florida Police Department needs to go over their
evacuation plans when an hurricane hits the area because they sure didn't
care that Scully and Mulder are driving a car during a hurricane.  The two
officers stop them from going down a flooded road and tell them to go to a
safe place. One would think they would tell two strangers who are not from
the area where to go and for all they knew Scully and Mulder could have
been looters since I'm sure at this point there would have been a curfew.

- This was the best episode to watch with Closed Caption on because there
was so much dialogue that was on Closed Caption, but was not said or
dubbed onto the soundtrack.  The time Deputy Greer is going into the
Breakers apartment building we read in Closed Caption the dispatcher
telling him that they cannot provide backup or assistance, but we don't
hear this on the soundtrack.  Which is good because it would have made him
even look stupider than he all ready seemed to be since he is going
through the apartment building telling people to call 911.  Another time
was when Mulder identifies the Deputy's car as Forest Gump's car instead
of how he identifies it in Closed Caption which was simply the Deputy's
car.

- Funniest line was Mulder saying to Scully it wouldn't be safe for them
to stop because a tree could fall on them.  Well, Mulder you can also
drive into one. 

- Boy, I'm sure am glad they didn't bring in a pregnant woman who has a
baby during the hurricane in this episode because it would be so cliche. 
Oh, they did and to top it off they had the couple be a stereotypical
latino couple who aren't marry and jobless. 

- I can't believe Scully wasn't carrying her own pair of latex glove since
she always has them on her.  It's like her going out without a flashlight
they are apart of her wardrobe. 

- I doubt Scully would stay behind as if she was hiding when Mulder went
to check on George Vincent room when Vincent was firing at the creature.
She should have been right behind him backing him up.  The same thing
happened when Angela Villareal said creature was coming out of the Deputy
Greer in the bathroom.  Instead of it being Scully rushing in to see what
is wrong with her patient she just stands in the other room while Mulder
rushes in.  Wow, don't let Scully take care of me. 

- Favorite word censored by FOX was nuts which was replaced with nugs. 
Was anyone else embarrass for the actors who had to say nugs.

- Why did Mulder care if the Looter took Deputy Greer's police car since
they still had their car which could easily fit all 5 of them.  Also, if
one is looting then one would need some kind of transportation to take the
stuff you are looting.  Oh, that's right if Mulder didn't go chasing after
the Looter then he wouldn't have been attacked by the creature so he would
become infected by whatever the creature puts into people.  I truly miss
the Monster of the Week who was a formidable challenge to Scully and
Mulder such as Tooms. Not these mindless ones who don't have any other
purpose than killing people. 

- Mulder was right when he said seeing the cat standing outside in the
pouring rain made him figure out the creature doesn't like fresh water
since Scully figured it out when Villareal was giving birth and Mulder was
outside.  I don't know where Scully got the idea it was her who saved
Mulder.  That's right if she didn't act like this then we wouldn't have
had the last scene where Dales said to Mulder how lucky he is to have
Scully. 

	The Entertainment Weekly TV critic was right last year when he
wrote that shows should only have a 5 season term limit because from the
episodes produce this year none are in the same class as ones from the
first 3 seasons.  It is episodes such as "Aqua Mala" that I dearly wish
Mike, Tom and Crow were in the lower right hand corner to spice up the
episode, at least they would be funny.  As I wrote earlier I liked "Aqua
Mala", but only because it was so ridiculously bad it was good. 


Claudia
E-Mail:  Claudia.Cauchon@unh.edu

2/21/99

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