Orison

This was his conceit. It was his mistake to make, it was a false belief.

He did of course play his part in getting Donnie escaped, but in the Reverend Orisons mind... It was a holy mission, he believes he was sent by God. And he he actually believes that he was the one to deal with Donnie Pfaster.

He wasn't.

This is to say that Orison is a not just a very powerful person, there is no doubt about that- But he really believes... he really thinks he is hearing instructions from Ghod Almighty. If this were true, the episode would have ended in that plot of dirt where he takes Donnie.

We have to ask ourselves if we think that the Reverend Orison was surprised by this development? It's the same as when we hear about famous televangelists being indicted for federal crimes and imprisoned. They literally believed that "God" was telling them to do whatever it was, which turned out to be illegal... and they still believe it to this day even after being released from prison. And they are still doing it.

It's the same as what Orison is doing, although he excuses himself by telling Skully that she doesn't need to worry about certain convicted murderers as they are now "with God". This is an extremely conceited and false purpose.

He had already tested this conceit twice on inmates. That he was successful with those convicted murderers does not mean he could have been able to "punish Pfaster in Ghod's Name". Pardon me but my interpretation of the Bible, when it talks about vengeance is that even if you (Believe you have) have some kind of license given to you by God to perform "His" vengeance, it still does not empower you to break the laws of man in order to do it. And anybody claiming to be doing God's work where it crosses a boundary line of law is deluded... and that is simply to put it mildly, The reality is much worse.

It was Skully all along. If you want to interpret this episode as an "X-Files prophecy", she was the one chosen by God. She was the only one who had the "authority" to do it.

The Reverend Orison thought he was dealing with another man. But we already knew the nature of Donnie Pfaster from the first episode he was in. And although his actual nature was played down in "Irresistible", there were two people that saw him for exactly who he was: his former boss at the funeral parlor, who yells "get out of here, you FREAK!", and Skully of course sees this same image. And we know that it rattled her down to her bones.

So when this X-File begins and brings up the prospect of dealing with Pfaster, she is visibly disturbed.

At the same time, she is being comforted and instructed by repeatedly hearing the song "Don't look any further", performed here by John Hyatt with a very "spooky" guitar solo. On one hand she is comforted by the song, on the other, it gives her the strength to continue working on the X-file, but the song also gives her the direct authority to handle Pfaster, to accomplish what the Reverend Orison absolutely did not have the power to do.

And this is what that final silent scene in this episode means.

As Skully asks herself who it was, that was working in her? We know that it could not have been anything evil.

Five years have passed since Donald Addie Pfaster was sent down, but he's out, and leaving yet another trail of death behind him.

If ever there was an episode that deserved a sequel, it was Irresistible, Pfaster was a fascinating, intriguing character, one which really packed a punch, one Scully certainly wouldn't have forgotten in a hurry.

Plenty of disturbing, unsettling scenes throughout this one, it is an out and out chiller, not one you want to be watching on your own. Grave digging by moonlight, they really went to town with this one.

It is loaded with awesome scenes, the best of them being the fight scene between Scully and Pfister.

Who'd have thought that Don't look any further could be associated with such torment, I'll never be able to listen to it in the same way again.

Nick Chinlund was fantastic once again, what a devilishly good performance, he really did add the chill factor.

It's a classic, 9/10.

Orison features another monster-of-the-week return - Donnie Pfaster of season 2's Irresistible - and he was certainly a monster that deserved a proper sequel. Orison turns the creepiness of Irresistible up to disturbing levels, with heavy religious overtones throughout (like Scully's clock reading 6:66). While I prefer Irresistible of the two, Orison is not far behind. It's arguably scarier, and definitely one of the scariest episodes of the series due to its deeply sinister tone. You feel for Scully in this episode since Pfaster is one of the few sickos in her career that actually made her uncomfortable, so when she starts having omens and when she and Pfaster finally confront each other, it makes for a truly intense climax. This, paired with the fact that Donald Pfaster himself is one of the most deranged serial killers in TV history, makes Orison a wonderfully unsettling experience and a clear highlight of season 7.

Recently I was delighted to see Nick Chinlund in a dramatic role on "Ghost Whisperer." I had been blown away by his outstanding performance in the X-Files season 2 episode "Irresistable," and his performance was so creepy I feared he might have wound up typecast!

In this season 7 sequel to the earlier episode, necrophiliac and fetishist Donnie Pfaster vanishes from a maximum security prison. Born-again prison chaplain Orison (Scott Wilson) seems to have something to do with the mysterious escape, but what? As Pfaster murders again, Mulder fears for Scully, who Pfaster views as the one that got away!

This is a solid thriller episode, but the weird elements are just thrown in for effect and aren't really developed. How exactly is Pfaster more evil than Cigarette Smoking Man, Modell, or Ed Truelove (to say nothing of Phyllis Paddock, Betsy Monroe, 'Reverend' Mackey...?)?? I was delighted, but ultimately disappointed, by the Carlos Castaneda reference. The ending is also muddy. Still the suspense is good and the fight scene struck me as a positive element.

"Orison," the seventh episode of The X-Files' seventh season, directed by Rob Bowman and written by Chip Johannessen, revisits the chilling narrative of Donnie Pfaster (Nick Chinlund), a "death fetishist" who previously kidnapped Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). As a sequel to the second-season episode "Irresistible" "Orison" attempts to bring closure to Scully's past trauma while exploring themes of faith, evil, and free will. However, the episode has garnered mixed reviews, with some critics praising its suspenseful atmosphere and others criticizing its convoluted plot and perceived character betrayal.

The narrative unfolds with Reverend Orison (Scott Wilson), a former convict turned chaplain, releasing Donnie Pfaster from prison in an attempt to pass judgment on him. However, Orison soon discovers that he has unleashed pure evil, setting off a chain of events that puts Scully directly in harm's way. Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully investigate the escape, uncovering Orison's hypnotic abilities and Pfaster's disturbing predilections. The pacing of "Orison" is generally fast, though some critics note the episode attempts to juggle too many plot threads, weakening both the titular chaplain's storyline and Pfaster's return2. This leads to a rushed conclusion that undermines the potential depth of both characters.

Visually, "Orison" maintains a dark and gloomy mood, which enhances the episode's suspenseful atmosphere1. However, some critics have argued that the episode relies too heavily on shock value and disturbing imagery, detracting from the overall narrative. The cinematography captures the grim realities of Pfaster's evil, but the episode's visual impact is lessened by its convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters. Despite these criticisms, some viewers have praised "Orison" for its dramatic intensity and its exploration of Scully's psyche.

The performances in "Orison" are generally strong, particularly from Chinlund as Donnie Pfaster. He reprises his role with chilling effectiveness, conveying the character's disturbing nature and unsettling presence. Anderson delivers a solid performance as Scully, grappling with her past trauma and her faith. However, some critics argue that the episode betrays Scully's characterization by having her kill an unarmed Pfaster in the final scene. Duchovny, as Mulder, provides essential support, though he takes something of a backseat, allowing Scully to confront her personal demons.

Thematically, "Orison" attempts to explore the complexities of good and evil, the nature of faith, and the long-lasting impact of trauma6. However, some critics have noted that the episode's exploration of these themes is muddled by its convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters. The ending, in particular, has been criticized for its perceived betrayal of Scully's character, suggesting that she may have lost control and succumbed to darkness. Despite these criticisms, "Orison" raises interesting questions about free will, redemption, and the power of faith, inviting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs.