All Things

An episode written by Gillian Anderson, in which she plays herself rather than Scully, which barely features Mulder, which is about a long lost love interest we have never heard of. This isn't even an episode of the X-Files, it's just some some hospital soap opera.

This guy we are supposed to care about means nothing to us, and the writing is all over the place. It was very difficult to follow and all a bit pointless.

The Taoism/Buddhism connection was also completely out of character considering Scully's strong history of Christianity in the show. Again, it was added because Gillian Anderson was interested in it. I think it's an interesting topic and I'm sure the writers could have come up with a real plot for it but it had no place in this episode, which itself has no bearing on the wider show. Just immediately forgotten as the silliness it is. Season 7 really is where The X-Files jumped the shark repeatedly.

The one saving grace of this episode is that it's better than the comedy/musical episode that David Duchovny directs two episodes later.

In my opinion this is one of the best episodes on learning about Scully's life. There are two types of episodes. Those with special effects and UFOs -the signature of the X-Files-, and those where we learn more on the life and psychology of the characters -Molder and Scully. This one falls into the latter category. I love this episode because I can learn about Scully's past. One where she is emotionally involved in a forbidden affair, where she loved passionately. Also, the music used in this episode gives a really special touch as well as the use of images make and camera angles makes it very interesting, in my opinion. Although it is not a typical X File episode,I must admit, and I really enjoy it a lot. I have seen it in several re-runs and I still like it, more and more. Scully's performance is great. She shows a new side of her, one where she displays confusing and contradicting emotions. Psychologically is very interesting, which is the main perspective of the episode. Also as I said before, the song chosen for this episode is great. I bought it on itunes. I like the filmography and the notion of time-splitting that is presented in this episode. In summary, I recommend it, but I warn fans of the X Files to look at this episode with different eyes. In summary, I like it!!!

Like the above poster, this is far from my favorite episode - either when it aired or watching it again all these years later. Parts of it are way too touchy-feely and smack of pop psychology, and the slo-mo effects are little gimmicky. At times, it feels like a music video (though a nicely done one) with bits of drama and narrative thrown in.

But seeing it again, I appreciate that it gives us a different glimpse of Scully. Like many females, I loved Scully's intelligence and determination throughout the series, but in this episode, it was nice to see her passion too, even if it also means she might not be perfect in her choices. Finally, she gets to respond to impulses that aren't governed by logic or science! Preceding X-Files writers (Glen Morgan and James Wong, especially) were instrumental in making Scully her own person, independent of Mulder, but leave it to Gillian Anderson herself to force the question of Scully's life outside of the X-Files.

there is this moment in the episode when you see such tenderness and longing in Scully -- a memory of a great love and loss... it is when she learns he has been in DC for all this time... i found it so incredibly tender... it so perfectly captured that moment we all have when we remember what was and what might have been... i am still blown away when i see the way she bends forward and touches his hand... the rest of the episode is a blur, just back fill. but that scene to me is priceless and makes this whole episode so utterly great... when you look at the first season (which would mean Scully had just ended the relationship a couple years before), she is young and driven and professional -- it's hard to imagine that she felt such passion and pathos... i wonder if she could only show it with the passage of time and realization of where she is at now...

How do we convey profound connection to an 'other'? How can we feel strongly towards spirituality that we don't believe in? Why do we feel obligated towards figures of the distant past? How can a simple situation overwhelm us?

All Things deals with one of the most difficult objects to film: intangible emotions. Emotions that go beyond being sad, happy, or confused. Emotions that make you sit down and really think out: "What the hell was I just feeling?" I've read comments about this episode that complain that it isn't an X-File. In the tradition of Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles, I ask: Why explore other worlds when there is so much of ourselves left unexplored? How well do we really understand these vague, alien dynamics we feel towards ourselves and others? Gillian Anderson offers a depictions of these difficult emotions through original and deeply artistic direction, paired with masterful acting.

On top of that, All Things provides an new and interesting lens through which we can view Scully. She can seem utterly in control of her environments and competent as an individual, yet internally feel lost, confused, and perhaps helpless. Unfortunately, this is a concept that seasons eight and nine failed to follow through with. Instead, we are to settle with just one brief, beautiful glimpse into the potential of Scully's character. All in all, this isn't the slickest X-File, but it is certainly the most emotional for me. Submit to Gillian Anderson's artistic vision and she will show you the way.