"The New Director"
by Leslie Remencus (Laremy@cris.com)
While "Tooms" is a compelling sequel to the popular "Squeeze,"
the episode also serves as a pivotal point in the The X-Files In
this episode, Scully lies to her superiors for the first time, Cigarette-Smoking
Man (CSM) returns, and most importantly, Walter S. Skinner appears as the
new Assistant Director of the FBI.
In the opening of "Tooms," Mulder attempts to persuade a psychiatric
review board from releasing Eugene Victor Tooms, introduced in "Squeeze."
Tooms is a genetic mutant capable of altering his molecular structure at
the skeletal level in order to stretch into and out of confined spaces to
reach his victims. In "Squeeze," we learned that Tooms hibernates
for 30 years, sustaining himself on human livers for the duration of his
sleep. Tooms managed to extract four of the five livers he needs to survive
in hibernation before Mulder and Scully stopped him.
After attacking Scully in "Squeeze," Tooms was sent to a psychiatric
facility for several months for observation. Believing Tooms fit to reenter
society, and scoffing at Mulder's tactlessly fantastic portrayal of Tooms
as a liver-eating mutant, the review board approves his release. Mulder,
recognizing the danger of releasing Tooms, vows to keep Tooms from claiming
his last victim before his next 30-year hibernation.
Despite round-the-clock surveillance, Tooms claims his last victim and returns
to his "nest." Mulder and Scully pursue him. Finding Tooms' nest
below an escalator in an office plaza, Mulder follows Tooms underground.
Tooms, sensing Mulder's presence in his lair, attacks and tries to kill
him. Mulder narrowly escapes Tooms' long reach just before Tooms is crushed
by the escalator, killing him....or does it?
Mulder's obsessive and relentless shadowing of Tooms places Scully in an
awkward position. The new Assistant Director, Walter S. Skinner, criticizes
the unorthodox methods she and Mulder have used to solve X-Files cases and
warns Scully to uphold Bureau investigative procedures. Torn by her loyalty
to Mulder and to her superiors, Scully lies to protect Mulder when Tooms
brings brutality charges against him.
Although Skinner plays the strong commanding officer to his subordinates,
it is clear from his first interview with Scully, in the presence of CSM,
that he doesn't know all the facts. Skinner continually defers, by means
of eye-contact, to CSM during this interview. For example, when Scully points
out that, despite the unorthodox nature of the X-Files investigations, she
and Mulder have a case solution rate well-above the Bureau standard, and
she asks accusingly what more is required, Skinner looks to CSM for an answer.
A silent CSM leaves Skinner to divert Scully's subtle accusation.
Skinner can read Scully as well as she can read him. In their next meeting,
after Tooms brings Mulder up on charges, Scully lies to him, giving Mulder
an alibi. Skinner quickly asks, "Agent Scully, you wouldn't be lying
to me, would you?" Scully replies, "Sir, I would expect you place
the same trust in me that I place in you." Both Skinner and Scully
know Tooms has fabricated his story, and they are testing each other's resolve.
Skinner recognizes Scully's devotion to Mulder and understands she won't
back down, despite her infraction. Scully learns that Skinner won't force
the issue if he knows she's not compromising the investigation.
Mitch Pileggi should be commended for his performance in "Tooms."
He is given very few lines and little screen time. However, through his
careful non-verbal communication, Mr. Pileggi shows the audience Skinner's
authority, his sense of duty, the newness of his position as Director, and
his grasp of people. Although CSM has kept Skinner in the dark and is playing
him against Scully and Mulder, it won't take Skinner long to realize who's
telling him the truth and who's worthy of his trust.
Back to the Office | The Forum | The
X-Tapes |
Mitchly News | Dossier: Mitch Pileggi | Surveillance
Photos
Mitchly Fan Clubs | Great Skinner Moments | Field Work |
More to Investigate
| Convention Dates
[ Back to Bluebonnet Equinox ]