Fire (The X-Files)
"Fire" | |
---|---|
The X-Files episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 12 |
Directed by | Larry Shaw |
Written by | Chris Carter |
Production code | 1X11 |
Original air date | December 17, 1993 |
Running time | 45 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Fire" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files, premiering on the Fox network on December 17, 1993. It was written by series creator Chris Carter, directed by Larry Shaw and featured guest appearances by Mark Sheppard and Amanda Pays. The episode is a "Monster-of-the-Week" story, unconnected to the series' wider mythology. "Fire" earned a Nielsen household rating of 6.8, being watched by 6.4 million households in its initial broadcast; and received mostly positive reviews from critics.
The show centers on
Due to its nature, the episode featured many dangerous stunts utilizing fire. In the scene where Mulder and the antagonist, Cecil L'Ively, confront each other at either end of a corridor, and L'Ively sets fire to the entire hallway, guest star Sheppard ducked out of the shot in order to protect himself from the intense heat. The only injury involved in the production was when Duchovny burned his hand, leaving a small permanent scar. The character of Phoebe Green, played by Pays, was considered as a recurring role, but this episode ended up being her only appearance.
Plot
In Bosham, England, a wealthy elderly man says goodbye to his wife before leaving for work, but suddenly catches fire in an apparent case of spontaneous human combustion. His family and house staff—including his Irish gardener, Cecil L'Ively—watch as he burns to death on his front lawn.
Later, in
Mulder tells Scully that Green, with whom he had a complicated relationship, is using the case to play a
At the hospital, Mulder and Green interview a witness to the bar fire, who tells them of the assailant's apparent ability to will fire into existence. The Marsdens' driver becomes even sicker due to the poisoned cough syrup provided by L'Ively. Because of his illness, L'Ively is recruited to drive the family into
Mulder and Green dance during the party and afterwards kiss; Scully arrives at the hotel and sees them. She also spots L'Ively in the lobby, watching her. A
Scully discusses her research with Mulder, suspecting that L'Ively is the arsonist; this is confirmed by a
With the case solved, Green returns to England with the Marsden family. Despite having sustained fifth and sixth degree burns over most of his body, L'Ively survives his immolation and is held in a medical facility as he awaits trial, healing at an alarming rate. The episode's final scene shows him asking a nurse for a cigarette.[1][2]
Production
The show's hairstylist in the first season was Malcolm Marsden, whose name is given to the threatened aristocrat in this episode.
The character of Phoebe Green was considered as a recurring role, but this episode ended up being her only appearance.[3] Chris Carter explained the character's origins, saying, "I thought it was interesting to show a little bit of Mulder's history by bringing an old girlfriend back. I've always wanted to do a Scotland Yard detective who was a woman. I also thought it was an interesting chance to use Amanda Pays and make a villainess of her".[3][4] Executive producer R. W. Goodwin felt that the episode "was a hard one. Any kind of a fire stunt is a major undertaking, because it involves so many overlapping things. It was a major feat, a real logical and creative feat, because you wanted it to look good".[7]
Broadcast and reception
"Fire" premiered on the
Series creator Chris Carter called "Fire" a "very popular episode, and I'm just somewhat happy with the way it turned out. Having written it and imagined it in certain ways, I think it could have been a lot better. Although I thought it was generally well directed, the show felt very 'wide' to me—very loose and lacking some things."[10] A retrospective of the first season in Entertainment Weekly rated the episode a B, praising Mark Sheppard's "sizzling performance", though finding that the "annoying" character of Phoebe Green was a detriment to the episode, who kept "any real sparks from flying".[11] Keith Phipps, writing for The A.V. Club, rated the episode a C, finding it "contrived and unnecessary", and feeling that the relationship between Mulder and Phoebe Green was not believable.[12] Matt Haigh, writing for Den of Geek, felt that "Fire" was "a great episode", believing that it worked well for "highlighting the sexual tension between our two leads".[13]
Footnotes
- ^ Lowry, pp.128–129
- ^ Lovece, pp.74–75
- ^ a b c d Lowry, p.129
- ^ a b Edwards, p.58
- ^ Gradnitzer and Pittson, pp.40–41
- ^ Gradnitzer and Pittson, pp.35–36
- ^ Edwards, pp.57–58
- Fox. 1993–1994.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ Lowry, p.248
- ^ Edwards, p.57
- ^ "X Cyclopedia: The Ultimate Episode Guide, Season 1 | EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. 29 November 1996. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ Phipps, Keith (11 July 2008). ""Fallen Angel" / "Eve" / "Fire" | The X-Files/Millennium | TV Club | TV | The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ Haigh, Matt (4 November 2008). "Revisiting The X-Files: Season 1 Episode 12 - Den of Geek". Den of Geek. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
References
- Edwards, Ted (1996). X-Files Confidential. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-21808-1.
- Gradnitzer, Louisa; Pittson, Todd (1999). X Marks the Spot: On Location with The X-Files. Arsenal Pulp Press. ISBN 1-55152-066-4.
- Lovece, Frank (1996). The X-Files Declassified. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-1745-X.
- Lowry, Brian (1995). The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files. Harper Prism. ISBN 0-06-105330-9.