This episode is much better than you may think at first. I got what this episode was really about the second time I saw it. After the first time I left with the widely shared impression that it is just nice remake of "Ice". And yeah, the two episodes are very much alike in some ways, but "Firewalker" is not just a remake.
This episode is actually layered! It is not just a coincidence that it is the first case with Scully after her abduction and there is a reason they mention this several times in it. The whole case was about Mulder and Scully and the themes that the previous episodes started - about Mulder's guilt and Scully's participation in his quest and the dangers of it. The mad and brilliant scientist Trepkos was in some ways like Mulder and his girlfriend Jessy was in some ways like Scully. Trepkos had come to this volcanic place because he wanted to reveal a great truth and to discover something the world has never seen - just like Mulder. And Jessy had followed him out of affection and respect towards him and because of the promise of adventure - just like Scully. And Trepkos' words didn't concern only his life and his case - all these things about the truth better buried, and how difficult is finding it and dealing with it... I believe it was intentional, his words touched something personal for Mulder, his fear that he's putting Scully's life in danger for something that may be better not to be found (at such a price). And that is why in the end he told the rescuing team that there are only two people left, that is why he understood Trepkos, who has lost everything - his truth, his girl, his clear conscience. Just like Mulder was close of losing everything in the previous episode "One breath". Of course Mulder is better than Trepkos (and Scully is stronger than Jessy) and we, fans should not worry that he'll end up like this :)...but searching for such kind of truths is always dangerous and Mulder's fears are understandable.
Really underrated episode.
This episode is actually layered! It is not just a coincidence that it is the first case with Scully after her abduction and there is a reason they mention this several times in it. The whole case was about Mulder and Scully and the themes that the previous episodes started - about Mulder's guilt and Scully's participation in his quest and the dangers of it. The mad and brilliant scientist Trepkos was in some ways like Mulder and his girlfriend Jessy was in some ways like Scully. Trepkos had come to this volcanic place because he wanted to reveal a great truth and to discover something the world has never seen - just like Mulder. And Jessy had followed him out of affection and respect towards him and because of the promise of adventure - just like Scully. And Trepkos' words didn't concern only his life and his case - all these things about the truth better buried, and how difficult is finding it and dealing with it... I believe it was intentional, his words touched something personal for Mulder, his fear that he's putting Scully's life in danger for something that may be better not to be found (at such a price). And that is why in the end he told the rescuing team that there are only two people left, that is why he understood Trepkos, who has lost everything - his truth, his girl, his clear conscience. Just like Mulder was close of losing everything in the previous episode "One breath". Of course Mulder is better than Trepkos (and Scully is stronger than Jessy) and we, fans should not worry that he'll end up like this :)...but searching for such kind of truths is always dangerous and Mulder's fears are understandable.
Really underrated episode.
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