Beyond the Sea (The X-Files): Difference between revisions
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When Scully reveals to Mulder how she knew where to find the memento, Mulder is upset that she appears to believe Boggs. After an attempt to trick Boggs with a fake newspaper fails, Boggs describes a boathouse and warns Mulder not to go near the white cross. Agents sweep the docks and find Elizabeth, but Mulder gets shot below a "white cross" of a boat mast. Mulder is treated in the emergency room as Scully looks on. Elizabeth identifies her kidnapper - Lucas Henry, an accomplice of Boggs. Scully accuses Boggs of setting up Mulder. Scully wants to talk to her father through Boggs, but he won't help until he gets a deal. |
When Scully reveals to Mulder how she knew where to find the memento, Mulder is upset that she appears to believe Boggs. After an attempt to trick Boggs with a fake newspaper fails, Boggs describes a boathouse and warns Mulder not to go near the white cross. Agents sweep the docks and find Elizabeth, but Mulder gets shot below a "white cross" of a boat mast. Mulder is treated in the emergency room as Scully looks on. Elizabeth identifies her kidnapper - Lucas Henry, an accomplice of Boggs. Scully accuses Boggs of setting up Mulder. Scully wants to talk to her father through Boggs, but he won't help until he gets a deal. |
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Scully fails to swing a deal for Boggs. Mulder warns Scully that Boggs is manipulating her to get back at him for putting him on death row. Scully lies to Boggs, telling him that they have a deal, and he gives her hints on where to find James and Henry, even though he knows that she was lying. He warns her not to follow Henry to the devil. Scully and fellow agents rescue James in a deserted brewery. She chases Henry, who runs onto rotten floorboards near a painting of a blue devil and falls several stories to his death. Scully visits Boggs to thank him. He tells her that he'll give her father's message during his last words, just before he's executed, if she will attend as his witness. That night, he is executed; however, Scully is not there, instead being at Mulder's bedside in the hospital. |
Scully fails to swing a deal for Boggs. Mulder warns Scully that Boggs is manipulating her to get back at him for putting him on death row. Scully lies to Boggs, telling him that they have a deal, and he gives her hints on where to find James and Henry, even though he knows that she was lying. He warns her not to follow Henry to the devil. Scully and fellow agents rescue James in a deserted brewery. She chases Henry, who runs onto rotten floorboards near a painting of a blue devil and falls several stories to his death. Scully visits Boggs to thank him. He tells her that he'll give her father's message during his last words, just before he's executed, if she will attend as his witness. That night, he is executed; however, Scully is not there, instead being at Mulder's bedside in the hospital.<ref name="plot1">{{cite book | year=1995 | author=Lowry,Brian | title=The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files|pages=130–131|publisher=Harper Prism}}</ref><ref name="plot2">{{cite book | year=1996 | author=Lovece, Frank| title=The x-Files Declassified|pages=76–78|publisher=Citadel press}}</ref> |
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== Production == |
== Production == |
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The episode title, "Beyond the Sea", references [[Beyond the Sea (song)|Bobby Darin's 1960 single]], and is the song played at the funeral for Scully's father. |
The episode title, "Beyond the Sea", references [[Beyond the Sea (song)|Bobby Darin's 1960 single]], and is the song played at the funeral for Scully's father.<ref name="prod3">{{cite book | year=1996 | author=Lovece, Frank| title=The x-Files Declassified|page=78|publisher=Citadel press}}</ref> Writers [[Glen Morgan]] and [[James Wong (producer)|James Wong]] fought hard to have actor [[Brad Dourif]] play Luther Lee Boggs. [[Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]] called then president of [[Twentieth Century Fox]], Peter Roth, during [[thanksgiving]] dinner and convinced him to let them cast him for the part despite the extra cost.<ref name="prod1">{{cite book | year=1996 | author=Edwards, Ted| title=X-Files Confidential|pages=59–60|publisher=Little, Brown and Company}}</ref> The names of Luther Lee Boggs and Lucas Henry were inspired by real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.<ref name="prod3"/> [[Max Fenig]]'s [[National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena]] (NICAP) hat from the episode "[[Fallen Angel (The X-Files)|Fallen Angel]]" can be seen hanging in [[X-File|Mulder's office]].<ref name="prod4">{{cite book | year=1998 | author=Cornell, Paul, Day, Martin and Topping, Keith | title=X-Treme Possibilities|page=60|publisher=Virgin Publishing Ltd.}}</ref> |
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Sheila Larken, who makes her first appearance here as Scully's mother, [[Margaret Scully]], is the wife of co-executive producer [[R.W. Goodwin]]. |
Sheila Larken, who makes her first appearance here as Scully's mother, [[Margaret Scully]], is the wife of co-executive producer [[R.W. Goodwin]].<ref name="prod2">{{cite book | year=1995 | author=Lowry,Brian | title=The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files|page=131|publisher=Harper Prism}}</ref> Carter had to back up the script twice when the network did not want Scully and Boggs to have a stand-off. Brad Dourif was asked to do this part with only four days of preparation. He originally refused the part, but the producers wanted him so badly that they gave him an extra week to prep. While getting into character between takes, his deep breathing exercises turned his face bright purple.<ref>Carter, Chris. (1994). "Chris Carter talks about 12 of his favorite episodes from Season: Beyond the Sea". [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment|FOX Home Entertainment]].</ref> Luther Lee Boggs is mentioned by Dakota Whitney ([[Amanda Peet|Amanda Peet's]] character) in ''[[The X-Files: I Want to Believe]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite episode| episodelink=The X-Files: I Want to Believe | title=I Want to Believe | series=The X-Files | serieslink=The X-Files |credits =[[Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]] | writers = [[Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]] & [[Frank Spotnitz]] | network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] | season = | number = 2}}</ref> |
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This episode was a favorite of both creator Carter, who called it his favorite episode of the first season |
This episode was a favorite of both creator Carter, who called it his favorite episode of the first season<ref name="rec0">{{cite book | year=1996 | author=Edwards, Ted| title=X-Files Confidential|page=60|publisher=Little, Brown and Company}}</ref> and actress [[Gillian Anderson]].<ref name="prod2"/> Co-writer Morgan also praises it as a script he was proud of.<ref name="rec2">{{cite book | year=1996 | author=Edwards, Ted| title=X-Files Confidential|page=59|publisher=Little, Brown and Company}}</ref> Director [[David Nutter]] said of the episode, "I think its the most accomplished piece of directing of actors I've been able to do. I thought Brad Dourif was brilliant... I very much enjoyed working with Gillian on the show. I think she's a young actress with a lot of talent but not a lot of experience prior to this show. I think this episode really made a difference in how the audience looks at Scully. I think it brought a lot of dimension to her character and for her person it definitely had a lot of impact... Certainly one of the most enjoyable shows I did."<ref name="prod1"/> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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"Beyond the Sea" earned a [[Nielsen rating|Nielsen household rating]] of 6.6, with an 11 share. It was viewed by 6.2 million households. |
"Beyond the Sea" earned a [[Nielsen rating|Nielsen household rating]] of 6.6, with an 11 share. It was viewed by 6.2 million households.<ref name="rating">{{cite book | year=1995 | author=Lowry,Brian | title=The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files|page=248|publisher=Harper Prism}}</ref> Author Phil Farrand rated the episode as the sixth-best episode of the first four seasons in his book ''The Nitpicker's Guide for X-Philes''.<ref name="rec4">{{cite book | year=199 | author=Farrand, Phil| title=The Nitpickers Guide for X-Philes|page=223|publisher=Dell Publishing}}</ref> An unknown writer from the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' listed "Beyond the Sea" at their list of best stand alone episodes of the show, saying that Brad Dourif's acting was "remarkably chilling". He concluded that this episode was the first to center around the character of [[Gillian Anderson]], which led to her character showing signs of "vulnerability" among other traits.<ref>{{cite web | author = |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=9b11fe77-0be1-445f-ae1f-f06571fba743 |title=A look back on some of the best stand-alone episodes from the X-Files series |publisher=''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' |accessdate=August 9, 2009 | date=September 12, 2009}}</ref> Connie Ogle from ''[[PopMatters]]'' ranked the episode amongst their list of the "best" Monster-of-the-Week episodes. Ogle felt that Luther Lee Boggs was one of the "greatest" monster-of-the-week characters of the show, saying: "Spend a few minutes in Luther’s skeevy presence, and alien abduction seems like a blessing".<ref>{{cite web | author = Ogle, Connie |url=http://popmatters.com/pm/article/the-x-factor-a-look-back-at-the-x-files-greatest-monsters/ |title=The X-Factor: A look back at ‘The X-Files’ greatest monsters |publisher=''[[PopMatters]]'' |accessdate=July 28, 2009 | date=September 29, 2009}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 03:20, 3 July 2010
| "Beyond the Sea (The X-Files)" | |
|---|---|
| Running time | 43 min. |
"Beyond the Sea" is the 13th episode of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode first aired in the United States and Canada on January 7, 1994 on the FOX Network, and subsequently aired in the United Kingdom on Sky1. It was written by executive producers Glen Morgan and James Wong, and directed by David Nutter.
"Beyond the Sea" is a Monster-of-the-Week episode, meaning stand alone. After Scully's father dies, her skepticism is put to the test by a prisoner on death row who claims that by using recently gained psychic powers, he can help catch a kidnapper. The episode was generally positively received by fans and critics alike, despite getting a mediocre Nielsen rating when compared to other episodes of the first season.
Plot
Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson)'s parents are visiting her at Christmas time. After they leave, she falls asleep, then awakens to see her dad in the room. He appears to be saying something. The phone rings, and suddenly her father vanishes. She answers the phone, which is from her mother, who tells her that her father died of a heart attack an hour ago.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Elizabeth Hawley and James Summers are kidnapped. A death row inmate named Luther Lee Boggs claims that he is psychic and can lead Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) to the kidnapper in exchange for a commuted sentence. Mulder doubts Boggs' claim but Scully believes him, after Boggs sings "Beyond the Sea", the song that played at her father's funeral. Mulder is suspicious and thinks Boggs is coordinating the kidnappings from jail. Driving home, Scully finds landmarks that are similar to those described by Boggs and finds a memento from one of the victims.
When Scully reveals to Mulder how she knew where to find the memento, Mulder is upset that she appears to believe Boggs. After an attempt to trick Boggs with a fake newspaper fails, Boggs describes a boathouse and warns Mulder not to go near the white cross. Agents sweep the docks and find Elizabeth, but Mulder gets shot below a "white cross" of a boat mast. Mulder is treated in the emergency room as Scully looks on. Elizabeth identifies her kidnapper - Lucas Henry, an accomplice of Boggs. Scully accuses Boggs of setting up Mulder. Scully wants to talk to her father through Boggs, but he won't help until he gets a deal.
Scully fails to swing a deal for Boggs. Mulder warns Scully that Boggs is manipulating her to get back at him for putting him on death row. Scully lies to Boggs, telling him that they have a deal, and he gives her hints on where to find James and Henry, even though he knows that she was lying. He warns her not to follow Henry to the devil. Scully and fellow agents rescue James in a deserted brewery. She chases Henry, who runs onto rotten floorboards near a painting of a blue devil and falls several stories to his death. Scully visits Boggs to thank him. He tells her that he'll give her father's message during his last words, just before he's executed, if she will attend as his witness. That night, he is executed; however, Scully is not there, instead being at Mulder's bedside in the hospital.[1][2]
Production
The episode title, "Beyond the Sea", references Bobby Darin's 1960 single, and is the song played at the funeral for Scully's father.[3] Writers Glen Morgan and James Wong fought hard to have actor Brad Dourif play Luther Lee Boggs. Chris Carter called then president of Twentieth Century Fox, Peter Roth, during thanksgiving dinner and convinced him to let them cast him for the part despite the extra cost.[4] The names of Luther Lee Boggs and Lucas Henry were inspired by real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.[3] Max Fenig's National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) hat from the episode "Fallen Angel" can be seen hanging in Mulder's office.[5]
Sheila Larken, who makes her first appearance here as Scully's mother, Margaret Scully, is the wife of co-executive producer R.W. Goodwin.[6] Carter had to back up the script twice when the network did not want Scully and Boggs to have a stand-off. Brad Dourif was asked to do this part with only four days of preparation. He originally refused the part, but the producers wanted him so badly that they gave him an extra week to prep. While getting into character between takes, his deep breathing exercises turned his face bright purple.[7] Luther Lee Boggs is mentioned by Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet's character) in The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008).[8]
This episode was a favorite of both creator Carter, who called it his favorite episode of the first season[9] and actress Gillian Anderson.[6] Co-writer Morgan also praises it as a script he was proud of.[10] Director David Nutter said of the episode, "I think its the most accomplished piece of directing of actors I've been able to do. I thought Brad Dourif was brilliant... I very much enjoyed working with Gillian on the show. I think she's a young actress with a lot of talent but not a lot of experience prior to this show. I think this episode really made a difference in how the audience looks at Scully. I think it brought a lot of dimension to her character and for her person it definitely had a lot of impact... Certainly one of the most enjoyable shows I did."[4]
Reception
"Beyond the Sea" earned a Nielsen household rating of 6.6, with an 11 share. It was viewed by 6.2 million households.[11] Author Phil Farrand rated the episode as the sixth-best episode of the first four seasons in his book The Nitpicker's Guide for X-Philes.[12] An unknown writer from the Vancouver Sun listed "Beyond the Sea" at their list of best stand alone episodes of the show, saying that Brad Dourif's acting was "remarkably chilling". He concluded that this episode was the first to center around the character of Gillian Anderson, which led to her character showing signs of "vulnerability" among other traits.[13] Connie Ogle from PopMatters ranked the episode amongst their list of the "best" Monster-of-the-Week episodes. Ogle felt that Luther Lee Boggs was one of the "greatest" monster-of-the-week characters of the show, saying: "Spend a few minutes in Luther’s skeevy presence, and alien abduction seems like a blessing".[14]
References
- ^ Lowry,Brian (1995). The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files. Harper Prism. pp. 130–131.
- ^ Lovece, Frank (1996). The x-Files Declassified. Citadel press. pp. 76–78.
- ^ a b Lovece, Frank (1996). The x-Files Declassified. Citadel press. p. 78.
- ^ a b Edwards, Ted (1996). X-Files Confidential. Little, Brown and Company. pp. 59–60.
- ^ Cornell, Paul, Day, Martin and Topping, Keith (1998). X-Treme Possibilities. Virgin Publishing Ltd. p. 60.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Lowry,Brian (1995). The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files. Harper Prism. p. 131.
- ^ Carter, Chris. (1994). "Chris Carter talks about 12 of his favorite episodes from Season: Beyond the Sea". FOX Home Entertainment.
- ^ Chris Carter. "I Want to Believe". The X-Files. Episode 2. FOX.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|episodelink=ignored (|episode-link=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|writers=ignored (help) - ^ Edwards, Ted (1996). X-Files Confidential. Little, Brown and Company. p. 60.
- ^ Edwards, Ted (1996). X-Files Confidential. Little, Brown and Company. p. 59.
- ^ Lowry,Brian (1995). The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files. Harper Prism. p. 248.
- ^ Farrand, Phil (199). The Nitpickers Guide for X-Philes. Dell Publishing. p. 223.
- ^ "A look back on some of the best stand-alone episodes from the X-Files series". Vancouver Sun. September 12, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ogle, Connie (September 29, 2009). "The X-Factor: A look back at 'The X-Files' greatest monsters". PopMatters. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
External links
