The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide
"Medusa"


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Episode 8ABX13

Title: Medusa

First screened in Australia: April 26, 2001
First screened in the USA: February 11, 2001

Credits: Director: Frank Spotnitz
Writer: Richard Compton Starring: Guest Stars: Plot:
Scully and Doggett race to fight of a contagion lurking under the subway tunnels of Boston. Sofcom
Australian Media Review:
O'Connor on TV

Agent Scully may still be in the series but I fear that Mulder's replacement in the form of Agent Doggett falls somewhat short of filling his shoes.

Doggett is much more of a standard issue television cop than the conspiracy ridden, intuitive Mulder.

Scully does not relate to Doggett on the same level as she did with Mulder and without him, seems to have shrunk somewhat in stature and presence.

Tonight's episode turns on the grisly discovery of a transit cop's body in the Boston subway. Is a serial killer at work or has some deadly, toxic chemical been released into the tunnels, a substance capable of eating away human flesh?

The X-Files has changed in character. Perhaps future episodes will be truer to the original concept but I have grave doubts and fear I will be soon be handing in my X- Files club membership.

By Mike O'Connor, Courier-Mail, April 26, 2001
Transcribed by Lucy.

My Rating: 8/10
An interesting episode but it just seemed a bit strained at times (example, Bianco trying to put doubt in Doggett's mind as to why Scully stayed upstairs instead of going into the tunnels.) The setting was quite claustrophobic and this worked well in building tension and intrigue. As for the creature, the Medusa, nothing is explained but the way Doggett "destroys" it is quite innovative. The episode certainly features some nice special effects.

Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Ken Jenkins (Karras) has starred on TV in "Wiseguy" and "Homefront" and also appeared in episodes of "Sliders" and "Early Edition". His movie roles include "The Abyss", "In Country", "Air America", "The Stand" "Last Man Standing", "Lucky Numbers", "Psycho", "Home Room", "Gone In 60 Seconds" and "Courage Under Fire".

Vyto Ruginis (Bianco) has appeared in he movies "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Burglar", "Cliffhanger", "Broken Arrow", "Phenomenon" and "The Insider". His TV guest roles include episodes of "CSI", Law And Order", "Ally McBeal", "JAG" and "Angel".

Penny Johnson (Hellura Lyle) has had starring or recrring roles in many TV series including "Paper Chase", "General Hospital", "Homeroom", "The Larry Sanders Show", "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" and "ER". Her movie roles include "Swing Shift", "What's Love Got To Do With It?" and "Absolute Power" plus many TV movies.

Brent Sexton (Melnick) also appeared in Patience. He's appeared in two movies "The Speciaist" and "Double Take". On TV he has a recurring role on "Judging Amy" and has been seen in episodes of "Angel" and "Walker: Texas Ranger".

Adam Lieberman's (Philbrick) only other roles were in B grade movies "Fraternity Demons", "Kissing Miranda" and "Body Shots". He was listed under the pseudonym Adam Gordon in the credits for this episode.

Trivia and Research:
With a history dating back to the 1600's, Boston, Massachusetts can lay solid claim to the birthplace of American mass transportation. Evolving from ferries and horse drawn carriages, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) boasts the fourth largest mass transit system in the country, serving more than 700,000 people a day. The subway system, fondly known by the MBTA's nickname the "T", was temporarily renamed the "M" in this episode for fictional purposes.

Although the robotic sniffers mentioned in this episode are fictional, the expert from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based in fact. Within the CDC, specifically the National Center for Infectious Diseases, under the Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, there exists a specialized subdivision called the "Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch". These scientists are well known for their special expertise in dealing with dangerous bacterial infections that pose a threat to public health -- especially those bacteria and pathogens which cause unexplained deaths. For more information on these virus-hunters, visit: www.cdc.gov.

Seawater, which makes up more than 70 percent of the oceans and seas of the world, is a solution derived from the erosion of the rocks and minerals. Its chemical composition is approximately 96.5 water, 2.5 percent sodium chloride (the scientific name for salt) and one percent magnesium, calcium, potassium and a various other trace elements. While the actual salinity of the oceans averages out to 35 parts per 1000, the most brackish body of water, the Dead Sea, averages out to 300 parts per 1000.

Human beings and other fellow mammals use perspiration, or sweat, as the body's way of temperature control. Sweat is mainly composed of water, sodium chloride, and other electrolytes, and when it evaporates from the skin surface, it removes the excess heat, thus cooling the body. The average person has about 2.6 million sweat glands distributed within their skin - of which there are two types, eccrine glands and apocrine glands. While the eccrine glands secrete a more fluid sweat, the apocrine glands excrete a fattier sweat that breaks down and causes a distinct, pungent odor. These glands are only located in the armpits, nipples, navel, and anogenital region and become more active in humans with the onset of puberty.

Hellura Lyle and Kai Bowe are named after two Writers Guild trainees on The X-Files staff during the first part of Season 8.

Steven Melnick is named for the Vice President of Media Relations at Twentieth Century Fox Television. He was formerly the publicist for The X-Files.

From The Official X-Files Web Site.

In-joke of the episode: The officer who dies at the start tells us he has a fare jumper and "possible 1013."



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