Quagmire completes the "Queequeg Trilogy", the three episodes from season three that feature the tiny dog that Scully adopts. Quagmire sets the mood for the show right away with Scully's facial expressions. Mulder takes Scully out to the middle of nowhere on a Saturday to a wet, rainy, miserable place. Gillian Anderson does the perfect job in showing how bad Scully does not want to be there. She actually looks like she's in pain, she is suffering so bad. Some interesting things of note from this episode: We get to see Scully drive a boat for the first time in the series. I thought the shot of Scully chasing the dog leash was well done. And once again, I must say how miserable it must have been to shoot in Vancouver some of the time. Quagmire looks so wet and cold, and the actors just look miserable, which really helps for this particular episode. What makes this episode so good is that when the agents get stranded out on a rock in the middle of the lake, they have a real in depth discussion about Mulder's reasons and motives for chasing monsters all over. Scully compares him to Ahab from 'Moby Dick'. We get to learn a bit more as to what drives Mulder and how Scully feels about Mulder's ambitions. The show has a cool final shot that summarizes this episode quite well. Get stuck in Quagmire!
13 Reviews
"You can't turn your back on nature, or nature will turn it's back on you."
classicsoncall15 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Oh boy, you can just feel Scully's annoyance getting involved in another one of Mulder's far fetched ideas, this time out in pursuit of a fabled sea monster. I thought Mulder simply mispronounced the name of what he thought the creature inhabiting Striker's Cove might have been. He called it a pliosaur, while I was thinking plesiosaur. Turns out both prehistoric creatures existed, with the pliosaur having a short neck and large head in contrast to plesiosaurs. That final shot at the close of the story actually did suggest a plesiosaur.
Well like a number of X-Files stories, this one seems to have adopted some plot elements from an earlier popular movie. The connection to 1975's "Jaws" is more than apparent in that scene of the rescue diver getting thrashed back and forth in the lake, and the sheriff's (Chris Ellis) reluctance to shut down the vacation spot just as the tourist season is getting under way was another.
A scene I thought was expertly handled was when Scully and Mulder got marooned out on the lake when their boat was rammed and sunk by something rather large. Their conversation turns intellectual with a discussion of 'Moby Dick', Scully's observation that Mulder has all the characteristics of Captain Ahab, and of course, the source for the name of Scully's ill fated dog Queequeg. But at the same time, when Dr. Farraday (Timothy Webber) simply strolls by in the water offering to get them to shore, it showed just how smart and dumb the FBI partners could be at the same time. That was classic.
Something to think about - when Mulder shot straight ahead at the unseen monster in the dark, it's not likely he would have actually shot the alligator that was killed because it would have stood no more than a foot off the ground. Check that scene again, because even when he fell down, Mulder would have been firing at least a foot or two above the alligator's body.
Ah well, can't solve them all I guess. This one ended I think the way a lot of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone stories did. Believing that their case was closed because that huge alligator was eliminated by Mulder, the agents prepare to head back home. But think about it, we saw the plesiosaur make it's way in the moonlight a la the Loch Ness Monster, so... were the deaths of potential victims supposed to just end right there? I would think the beast would still be hungry.
Well like a number of X-Files stories, this one seems to have adopted some plot elements from an earlier popular movie. The connection to 1975's "Jaws" is more than apparent in that scene of the rescue diver getting thrashed back and forth in the lake, and the sheriff's (Chris Ellis) reluctance to shut down the vacation spot just as the tourist season is getting under way was another.
A scene I thought was expertly handled was when Scully and Mulder got marooned out on the lake when their boat was rammed and sunk by something rather large. Their conversation turns intellectual with a discussion of 'Moby Dick', Scully's observation that Mulder has all the characteristics of Captain Ahab, and of course, the source for the name of Scully's ill fated dog Queequeg. But at the same time, when Dr. Farraday (Timothy Webber) simply strolls by in the water offering to get them to shore, it showed just how smart and dumb the FBI partners could be at the same time. That was classic.
Something to think about - when Mulder shot straight ahead at the unseen monster in the dark, it's not likely he would have actually shot the alligator that was killed because it would have stood no more than a foot off the ground. Check that scene again, because even when he fell down, Mulder would have been firing at least a foot or two above the alligator's body.
Ah well, can't solve them all I guess. This one ended I think the way a lot of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone stories did. Believing that their case was closed because that huge alligator was eliminated by Mulder, the agents prepare to head back home. But think about it, we saw the plesiosaur make it's way in the moonlight a la the Loch Ness Monster, so... were the deaths of potential victims supposed to just end right there? I would think the beast would still be hungry.
That sure ain't no duck
Sanpaco1324 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Quagmire didn't used to be one of my favorite episodes until I began to enjoy the humor of the X-Files more. I love this episode for the many in-jokes and the great Mulder and Scully dialogue. Especially when they get stranded on the rock near the end and their conversation runs from cannibalism to Moby Dick to metaphors about Mulder and a peg leg. One of the better in-jokes of the episode is the reappearance of the stoner kids from War of the Coprophages. "Oh... No..." Another in-joke which references back to Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose is that Scully brings along the dog Queequeg who she adopted when the original owner dies in that episode. Unfortunately the dog meets its demise in this episode. Interestingly both of these in-jokes reference back to episodes written by the great comedy episode writer Darrin Morgan however this particular episode is not written by him. It is written by Chris Carter and Kim Newton. Possibly a tribute to a good writer or perhaps he was involved with the Story Editing as he was with so many other episodes. While not necessarily one of the better episodes as far as creepiness or paranormal this is one of the funner episodes to watch. It is tame enough to use as an episode to break others in to the show. I give it a 9 out of 10.
A really fun episode
ametaphysicalshark22 April 2008
YAY for Quagmire! This fantastic season three episode isn't among most X-philes' favorites, but it's one of my more unorthodox choices. I enjoy this episode a great deal, and though I'm not a shipper I must admit that I loved when Mulder and Scully's respectful intellectual romance came into the forefront as it did here. Very subtle and nice, actually romantic rather than cliché and soap-opera-ish.
The plot is not the most original, that's for sure, but it doesn't matter because it is handled very, very well. Kim Newton only wrote two episodes of The X-Files, what a shame, as this is a very good script. The episode is beautifully directed by Kim Manners as well.
I'm one of Quagmire's biggest fans. Bye Queequeg! 10/10
The plot is not the most original, that's for sure, but it doesn't matter because it is handled very, very well. Kim Newton only wrote two episodes of The X-Files, what a shame, as this is a very good script. The episode is beautifully directed by Kim Manners as well.
I'm one of Quagmire's biggest fans. Bye Queequeg! 10/10
Poor Queequeg
SleepTight66624 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Yet another strong Season 3 entry.
The reason why this episode worked so well was because of the solid writing. The dialog stayed sharp and amusing.
But, it also worked as a scare episode. it wasn't really creepy, but some scenes did work as a nice, gory episode. My favorite being the scene diver. Which was also a pretty humorous scene that scene included the two weedheads from 'War Of Coprophages'.
My favorite scene of the entire episode was definitely after Mulder ans Scully sank and got stuck up on a rock. That particular scene is what makes this episode so memorable. Some excellent interaction between those two. the funniest bit was when they got rescued and they realized how close they were to the shore. Hilarious.
I liked the alligator twist, and that there WAS a Big Blue there as well. it could have gone either way and I would've been happy. but they took both ways.
This episode deserves FOUR stars. Poor Queequeg though.
The reason why this episode worked so well was because of the solid writing. The dialog stayed sharp and amusing.
But, it also worked as a scare episode. it wasn't really creepy, but some scenes did work as a nice, gory episode. My favorite being the scene diver. Which was also a pretty humorous scene that scene included the two weedheads from 'War Of Coprophages'.
My favorite scene of the entire episode was definitely after Mulder ans Scully sank and got stuck up on a rock. That particular scene is what makes this episode so memorable. Some excellent interaction between those two. the funniest bit was when they got rescued and they realized how close they were to the shore. Hilarious.
I liked the alligator twist, and that there WAS a Big Blue there as well. it could have gone either way and I would've been happy. but they took both ways.
This episode deserves FOUR stars. Poor Queequeg though.
Respect nature, because it has no respect for you
DWilliams108920 June 2010
In a season of offbeat forays and unconventional story figments it's refreshing to see the paranormal take a backseat in the late-season stand-alone "Quagmire." I've noticed the most acclaimed MOTW episodes are the ones that center around the development of our two protagonists and their relationship, and this certainly fits the bill. What we have is an episode blending the eerie woodlands of "Darkness Falls," the dynamic rapport of Mulder and Scully (that particularly took some strange turns in the third season), and the ever-endearing pocket-size Queequeg who makes his third and final appearance in the series. Somewhere in the midst of all of this is a plot revolving around a purported aquatic creature who has been killing off visitors at a touristy lake. While this makes for an intriguing X-File on its own, the true strength of the episode lies in its third act, in which the plot pries into the minds of the two agents in a way that a majority of stand-alones do not. Whether Big Blue is real or a hoax, as Scully notes, is irrelevant. What is relevant is the platonic but exceptional bond shared by the two, and "Quagmire" marks a unique period in the series where that bond takes precedence to paranormal activity.
8/10
8/10
The story of Old Blue.
Sleepin_Dragon7 October 2021
Series three is literally loaded with gems, it has come as something of a purple patch for The X Files, there is originality throughout. Quagmire is no exception, it's a classic mix of three very strong elements, great writing, humour and threat.
I love the story, it's a really well thought out idea, is it a killer, is it something Jurassic, or is it perhaps the monster of the week? You are made to think and wonder about what's causing the problems.
Definitely some nice humour, a few moments are very tongue in cheek, it's not trying to take itself too seriously. As always there is some great dialogue between Mulder and Scully.
I loved the horror element, it doesn't hold back, multiple scare scenes from the very beginning, it just works.
It's another series three high point, 9/10.
I love the story, it's a really well thought out idea, is it a killer, is it something Jurassic, or is it perhaps the monster of the week? You are made to think and wonder about what's causing the problems.
Definitely some nice humour, a few moments are very tongue in cheek, it's not trying to take itself too seriously. As always there is some great dialogue between Mulder and Scully.
I loved the horror element, it doesn't hold back, multiple scare scenes from the very beginning, it just works.
It's another series three high point, 9/10.
Favorite episode of the series
karin-werts25 April 2022
I know most viewers like this episode but it's my all time favorite episode of the X-Files.
Scully and her little dog. Her annoyances with Mulder throughout the episode. Mulder being the persistent and completely irrational believer he is.
That amazing talk on the rock. The romantic undertones in this episode are so clear.
I'm rewatching the series for 5th time now and this season and especially this episode is a highlight for me.
There is often praise for Gillian Anderson when being amazing in drama but this shows her comedic side and im here for it.
Scully and her little dog. Her annoyances with Mulder throughout the episode. Mulder being the persistent and completely irrational believer he is.
That amazing talk on the rock. The romantic undertones in this episode are so clear.
I'm rewatching the series for 5th time now and this season and especially this episode is a highlight for me.
There is often praise for Gillian Anderson when being amazing in drama but this shows her comedic side and im here for it.
You can't be blamed for thinking it is Bryan Cranston in this episode, but it isn't
robertmaybeth18 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
He is actually an actor named Timothy Weber, playing Dr Farraday the frog advocate.
This episode unfolds a bit more slowly than most X-files episodes, the plot pertains to a mythical lake monster called the "Big Blue", similar to the Loch Ness monster. After years of alleged sightings, Scully and Mulder are called to investigate the death of a Forest Ranger (which makes it a Federal case thus why they are called out to investigate). Even Mulder is skeptical about the existence of "Big Blue" and doesn't believe that is what's killing so many people along the lake shore. This could have been a great episode but the action and violence is a bit too formulaic and a little too trite to be scary at all, after the third time of people screaming and getting dragged away through the mud we are not surprised by the ending at all - which i won't spoil for you, except to say, watch til the very end; I found it to be the best part of this episode..
"Until you get back to nature and realize that everything is out to get you..."
Sean_Biggins13 May 2021
I thought that line was hilarious. Lot's of funny things in this episode, like the guy who runs the gift shop out flopping around at night in big three-toed boots, making tracks so he can sell more monster paraphernalia at his shop. And of course Scully's dog QueeQuegg and Mulder's complete lack of empathy concerning 'it', and in fact he even refers to her dog as 'that thing'. I heard somewhere that David Duchovny really hated shooting in Vancouver and no doubt, it just looks awful and in this episode it's shot in real rustic Canadian cottage country, as in old cottage shacks like the kind my family had and places like that are fine on nice, sunny days but when it's cold and raining, they're just really awful places to be.
Amazing episode!
fmohammed-8078024 March 2019
Just finished the episode while at work lol. Amazing. I LOVE the conversation between them while on the rock. I loved how it ended Aswell. Probably one of my favourite episodes. Cool to see the review below from 2008 as well.
People want to believe
devonbrown-906496 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Good episode with great dialogue. Mulder and scully enjoy work so much they do it in their spare time haha. They travel so the other side of the US to investigate mulders obsession with a prehistoric animal who may be connected to a series of killings in near the lake.
Mulders need to believe has him certain that the killer is this dinosaur. The episode leads on mulders inclination towards the mystical explanations to the point where he puts him and scully in the scope of the monster. Only to find a killer croc as the potential suspect. To mulders annoyance.
Overall the episode had great dialogue but was somewhat predictable and the characters displayed their cliché personas spooky mulder and hard facts scully.
Mulders need to believe has him certain that the killer is this dinosaur. The episode leads on mulders inclination towards the mystical explanations to the point where he puts him and scully in the scope of the monster. Only to find a killer croc as the potential suspect. To mulders annoyance.
Overall the episode had great dialogue but was somewhat predictable and the characters displayed their cliché personas spooky mulder and hard facts scully.
I dreamed a dream in times gone by.
bombersflyup11 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Quagmire is about Mulder and Scully heading to Georgia, in the pursuit of the Loch Ness Monster. After several deaths have occurred near a large lake there.
A delightful episode, comical yet refined. The dialogue's exceptional, a characterization goldmine. This one sort of epitomizes the show and how it works.
A delightful episode, comical yet refined. The dialogue's exceptional, a characterization goldmine. This one sort of epitomizes the show and how it works.
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