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


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Episode 6ABX04

Title: Dreamland

First screened in Australia: March 3, 1999
First screened in the USA: November 29, 1998

scully, it's me mulder. it's this big, right?

Credits: Director: Kim Manners
Writer: Vince Gilligan, Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban Starring: Guest Stars: Plot:
An anonymous tip finally brings Mulder and Scully to the mecca od all UFO lore - Area 51. But when the agents witness the flight of a mysterious craft, their lives are profoundly - and perhaps irrevocably - altered.

Australian Media Review:
You know, after all these years of X-Filing, it's a wonder series creator Chris Carter hasn't come up with something as simple as a Freaky Friday-style body swap. Well, now he has. Mulder is just not acting himself. He seems more interested in chasing chicks than little green men. So when the FBI big-wigs tell him to give up on his life's work his response is: "You're right sir - won't happen again, sir." But when he pats Scully (Gillian Anderson) on the bum it's just too much. All this has Scully just a little bit confused and she decides to chase the X-Files herself. Meanwhile, there's some mysterious goings-on in the secret Area 51 military base and there seems to be a spy in the camp. Could this be it? Could Mulder have finally found proof of extraterrestrial (yawn) life? You'll have to tune in to Part 2 next week to find out. Don'tcha hate that?
Angela Saurine, The Daily Telegraph

My Rating: 9/10

What a funny episode! The body swap was handled extremely well, I thought, nothing like "Vice Versa" or those type of movies. The UFO technology theme was continued, the government's involvement more open (to the viewer at least). I find it very hard to believe that Scully wouldn't have twigged that something was wrong with the "Mulder" that was with her in the car, in the FBI offices, in Mulder's apartment etc, especially with the phone calls from the real Mulder warning her. That's the only (small) problem I had with the episode. I can live with that. Other than that it was a brilliant script, just look at all my favourite quotes below to see how much I *did* like it.

There were lots of good effects such as the co-pilot wedged in the boulder, the "floored" gas station attendant, the gas station explosion. Mulder inside Area 51, woo-hoo. Pity he can't gather all the information he's so long desired. He has to deal with the milk, "the wife", his daughter's nose ring, duelling reflections and a choice of finest men-in-black suits.

The body-switch offered lots of opportunities for humour but I especially liked the mirror scene. Absolute classic. Then the face Mulder pulls as Joanne leaves the room is hysterical. It also gives Mulder a chance to experience a "normal" domesticated life

Well, I can't wait to see how it all finishes.

Oh, the other thing I liked is the south-west USA setting. Just love those joshua trees. Yes, the show has a much different feel this year with three of the first four, four of the first five if you count next week, episodes set in the south-west states.

Notable Quotable:
Scully: (dryly) I'm all a-tingle. (They share a look) So, Mulder, this supposed clandestine source who's contacted you how do we know that he's not just another crackpot whose encyclopedic knowledge of extraterrestrial life isn't derived exclusively from reruns of Star Trek?



Scully: Mulder, it's the dim hope of finding that proof that's kept us in this car, or one very much like it for more nights than I care to remember. (Mulder looks at her fondly) Driving hundreds if not thousands of miles through neighborhoods and cities and towns where people are raising families and buying homes and playing with their kids and their dogs, and... in short, living their lives. While we - we - we just keep driving.
Mulder: What is your point?
Scully: Don't you ever just want to stop? Get out of the damn car? Settle down and live something approaching a normal life?
Mulder: (defensive) This *is* a normal life.



Morris (as Mulder): Oh, Dana? Want to pick me up a pack of Morleys, please?



AD Kersh: (To Scully and Morris-Mulder) My two frequent flyers.



AD Kersh: Agent Mulder, you were specifically ordered not to pursue any line of investigation pertaining to the X-Files.
Morris-Mulder: Sir, you're absolutely right. And on behalf of Agent Scully and myself, I'd like to apologize for our blatant disregard of your direct order. You have our word. We will never ever do that again.



Scully: Mulder, you are acting bizarre.



Boy: (disgusted) Terrance. "Terry's" for wusses.
Mulder (as Morris): (under his breath) Oh, and Terrance isn't? Hey, uh, Terrance how about helping your old Dad find his car keys?



(Cut To: Mulder upstairs looking in a closet filled only with black suitsand white shirts.)
Mulder: Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Johnny Cash.



Morris (as Mulder): Are you out of your pretty little mind?
Scully: (so mad she can barely speak) Am I out of my mind? Mulder, you are out of your mind! What is up with you?! I'm thinking about having you examined for mental illness or-or drug use or... Or maybe a massive head injury! This is an X-File, your life's work, your crusade!
Morris (as Mulder): As I understand it, we're off the X-Files.
(Scully, no longer able to speak, slams the door as she leaves. Morris, now alone, looks in the mirror to fix his tie. The reflection is of Mulder.)
Morris (as Mulder): (pouting) Bitch.



Mulder (as Morris): My point is that there are a lot of things you don't know about me. And... I've just... I've been under a lot of pressure lately. I mean, up is down and black is white. I don't know where I stand anymore. I don't even know... who I am really anymore. I just... I know for sure that I am not the man you married. I'm just not. And I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.
Joanne Fletcher: Oh, God, Morris. I didn't know. They have that pill now. (understanding laughter ) We can work this out. There's other ways to be intimate.

Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Michael McKean (Morris Fletcher) will be known by older viewers as Lenny in "Laverne and Shirley" while younger viewers will know him as Mr Dittmeyer in "The Brady Bunch Movie". He has also appeared in "Killing Mrs Tingle", "Small Soldiers", "Nothing To Lose", "Jack" and "Airheads".

Michael Buchman Silver (Howard Grodin) appeared in "Playing By Heart" with Gillian Anderson, and was also in "Virtuosity" and had a recurring role as Dr Myers in "ER". His first role was in the slasher film "Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday".

The Pain Factor:
Mulder being trapped inside Morris' body must have been pretty painful and Morris as Mulder was really giving Scully some stress but the only physical pain suffered was Mulder getting slapped by Joanne Fletcher.

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