Roland’s
revenge
Synopsis: The
deaths of two scientists linked by their work prompt Mulder and Scully to investigate.
The penultimate
episode of the X-Files season one sees a repetitive, candid pattern turn
full circle. Roland is another story of revenge from beyond the grave by controlling
the will of an unsuspecting person, see similar season one episodes; Shadows,
Space, Lazarus, Born Again. The decision for Roland to follow Born Again was myopic
and if it were not for Roland’s saving graces this review would be just another
scathe-fest. As a fan with many re-watches under my belt I find myself looking beyond
the story. I feel as an X-Phile that it is my job to see what some may not and
sing high praises to episodes found wanting by others and mainly I would just
feel plain guilty trouncing this one straight after trouncing Born Again.
Always look
on the bright side of life.
The
performance of steady actor Zeljko Ivanek is convincing, his character, the
autistic Roland lends inspiration and a numerical gift from the similarly named
autistic Raymond from late 80’s hit Rain Man. It is one thing to curl up your
hands, speak in a laborious monotone voice and role your head slowly back and
forth, it’s another to pull it off. His efforts are matched by co-star Kerry
Sandomerski playing Tracy. I knew she wasn’t disabled because I saw her on Fringe
the same night I began this write up acting as a perfectly ably mannered nun.
Nailed it!
I can’t help
but feel a nerve tingling unease when watching their scenes inside the politically
correctly named half way house, partly due to the direction and the other part
possibly guilt. The dull ache in the pit of my stomach is more than evident, an
emotion David Lynch himself would be proud of generating. I find myself
relieved when they are over and yet somehow disappointed they are not longer.
The finale scene in which Roland must leave Tracy is especially sad when you
factor in the autistic persons slight understanding on love and the pairs
inevitable loneliness. The dream sequences that use vivid colours contrasting
black and white also resonates well.
Mulder shows
his compassionate side once more in the way he interacts with Roland. The understanding
and identification he shares with societies victims is always direct, just and sincere
and in complete distinction from his contempt for the villains. He has displayed
this tact with children, i.e. Born Again and numerous adults, i.e. Fallen Angel
with a warm trusting manor. Perhaps this empathy comes from Mulders own feeling
of loneliness and confusion. Sometimes however his directness allows his mouth to
run ahead of him leaving Scully to cut him short to avoid either embarrassment
or ill feeling as she did when Mulder attempts to explain the events leading to
Roland’s departure from the half way house to Mrs Stodie.
The
inspiration for Roland’s character may have been Rain Man but surely the idea
of the cryogenic chambers has to be accredited to the film Demolition Man. They
are a massive sci-fi shout out and although they have no place in the labs of
jet propulsion scientists, they are a fun inclusion. As are the manor of the scientist
deaths. The noise Dr. Surnow creates when hitting the fan can only be described
as a squelch and the chalk line of Dr. Keats fragmented head draws a wry smile.
The story
may boast a fuzzy back story and inconsistency in plot, but there is occasion
to laugh and cry. 18 years later and blessed with hindsight we know where all
the effort went so it’s forgivable 7/10
Musings:
- The computer software used in early X-Files to render e-fits of criminals and alter their age and appearance is nothing short of other worldly.
- In the word of Kirk Lazuras ‘Everybody knows you never go full retard.’
