The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide:
"Detour"


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Episode 5X04

First screened in Australia: 4 March, 1998
First screened in USA: 23 November, 1997

Title: Detour

moth man

Credits: Director: Brett Dowler
Writer: Frank Spotnitz Starring: Guest Stars: Plot:
Stopped by a roadblock on their way to an FBI convention in Florida, Mulder and Scully find themselves stranded in the woods with a deadly predator.

My Rating: 7/10
An enjoyable episode but lacking something that would make it a standout. The log scene is quite good (reminiscent of the rock scene in "Quagmire") -- talking about Betty and Wilma, sleeping bags and Joy To The World. The special effects were effective particularly the scene when "It's in the house!" chasing Louis. Scully is her usual sceptical self (The Invisible Man tape) but Indian Guide Mulder pushes on with his quest to find the paranormal. Apart from the log scene, there are some other humourous moments which make the episode "repeat-watchable" such as the wine and cheese scene and the Ponce De Leon talk with Agent Kinsley. Yeah, it doesn't deserve more than 7/10 but it's one of those episodes I still enjoy each time I see it.

Notable Quotable:
Agent Stonecypher: "Have you ever been to a team seminar, Agent Mulder?"
Mulder: "No, you know, unfortunately around this time of year I always develop a severe hemorrhoidal condition."



(Scully knocks on Mulder's motel room door)
Mulder: "It's open! (Scully walks in carrying a tray with wine and cheese) Who cut the cheese?"
Scully: "Since we won't be making it to the conference..." (she closes door)
Mulder: "Par-tay!"



Mulder: "Witnesses described them as primitive-looking men with red, piercing eyes. Became known as the 'mothmen.' I got an X-File dating back to 1952 on it."
Scully: "What would that be filed next to, the Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati?"
Mulder: "No, the Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati is in the 'C's, Mothmen's over in the 'M's."



Mulder: "I was told once that the best way to regenerate body heat is to crawl naked into a sleeping bag with somebody else who was already naked."
Scully: "Maybe if it rains sleeping bags you'll get lucky. (pause) You ever thought seriously about dying?"
Mulder: "Yeah, once, when I was at the Ice Capades."



Mulder: "Well if you sing something, I'll know you're awake."
Scully: "Mulder, you don't want me to sing. I can't carry a tune."
Mulder: "Doesn't matter. Just sing anything."
Scully (after a long pause, she sings..): "Jeremiah was a bullfrog, was a good friend of mine, never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine."
Mulder: "Chorus..."
Scully: "Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me..."

Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Tyler Thompson (Louis) appeared in "Air Bud: Golden Receiver" with Jeff Gulka (Gibson Praise).

Tom Scholte (Michael Sloan) has appeared in "Goldrush", "Dirty", "Drive, She Said" and "Dead Ahead".

On TV, Colleen Flynn (Michele) starred in "To Have And To Hold" and "Flipper" (the Australian re-make) while her movie roles include "The Temp", "Last Exit To Brooklyn" and "Clear And Present Danger".

The Pain Factor:
Mulder cops a severe beating at the hands (?) of one of the camouflaged moth-men.

Trivia and Research:
For information on Tailhook (as in Mulder's line "Try any of that Tailhook crap on me Scully, I'll kick your ass.") check Frontline: Tailhook '91 In Brief.

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