The X-Files: Arcadia

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On their first official case back on the X-Files, Mulder and Scully go undercover as a married couple at a prestigious planned community where several residents have recently disappeared after failing to comply with the rules and regulations. Read full recap »

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Writers:: Daniel Arkin

Director:: Michael W. Watkins

Stars:: Gillian Anderson (Special Agent Dana Scully); David Duchovny (Special Agent Fox Mulder)

Guest Star:: Mark Matthias (Mover); Juliana Donald (Nancy Kline); Tom Virtue (Dave Kline); Tim Bagley (Gordy); Roger Morrissey (Ubermenscher); Marnie McPhail (Cami Shroeder); Tom Gallop (Win Shroeder); Debra Christofferson (Pat Verlander); Abraham Benrubi (Big Mike); Peter White (Gene Gogolak)

When Mulder first discovers the hole in his neighbour's lawn and is lifting the grass, camera equipment is visible on the right side of the screen. edit »
Though it makes for a funny scene, we've seen Scully asleep before in several different episodes, and there's never been any indication that she goes to bed in a face mask and hairband! There's no indication that she's doing this as part of her new Stepford Wives persona, and up until now she's been the silk pyjamas, fresh-faced woman who even looks good asleep. edit »
When Scully is doing her videoing, she mentions that Skinner had suggested they go undercover as 'prospective homebuyers'. Yet I don't know of any community - perfect or not - that allows 'prospective' buyers to move in with all their furniture and other bits and pieces. They even have the mailbox changed to show their names. And they certainly wouldn't be able to dig up the lawn for a reflection pool if they didn't own the property! Especially given the rule-heavy nature of this community. edit »
When Cami gets up from dinner to walk the dog, you can see clearly that it is bright with daylight outside. When they get outside, however, it's nighttime. edit »
Another thing wrong with Mulder's watch is that in this episode it has the date on it (the 7th and the 9th), but in the same spot in the previous episode "Monday" it had the day Mon. and Tues.). edit »

The Ubermenscher is actually a Tulpa, a Tibetan thoughtform that is brought to life through mysticism. edit »
The Name 'Ubermenscher' is very close to the German word '�bermensch', which means 'super human'. edit »
The name "Polizzi" painted on one of the neighborhood mailboxes is in honor to Lauren Polizzi, one of the art directors on The X-Files. edit »
The pseudonyms used by Mulder and Scully in this episode are "Rob and Laura Petrie" after Rob & Laura Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show (although Mulder and Scully pronounce it "pee-trie", like the dish). edit »

Gene Gogolak: Rules are rules. It may not sound like anything - a simple basketball hoop - but from there, it's just a few short steps to spinning daisy reflectors and a bass boat in the driveway.
Mulder: In other words, anarchy. edit »
(Scully is holding up a video camera, documenting the case)
Mulder: (Walking up to Scully) You ready to make that honeymoon video now?
Scully: (Shuts off video camera) Rob and Laura Petrie?
Mulder: (Correcting Scully's pronunciation) "Pee-trie."
Scully: Mulder, if we ever go undercover again, I get to choose the names, okay?
Mulder: Fine.
Scully: This tells me that you're not taking this seriously.
Mulder: No, I'm taking it seriously, I just don't understand why we're on it. I mean it's our first catch back on the X-Files. This isn't an X-File.
Scully: Sure it is. It's unexplained. What do you want, aliens? Tractor beams?
Mulder: Wow. Admit it, all you want to do is play house. Woman! Get back in here and make me a sandwich! (Scully throws a rubber glove at him)
Mulder: Did I not make myself clear? edit »
Scully: (Taking off her coat) You ready?
Mulder: Let's get it on, honey.
Scully: (Holding up latex gloves) All right then. edit »
Scully: Do you want to hear what I think is happening?
Mulder: (Pauses) Always. edit »
Scully: Local PD came up blank on-- (Mulder takes off his sweatshirt and throws it across the room; it grazes Scully's head and she gives him a LOOK, which he ignores) Mike Raskub. (Heads into bathroom) No activity on his credit cards, no sightings of his '97 Mercury Villager.
Mulder: There's no sign of him in his house. I didn't see him in the storm drain either. I take it he's dead, Scully.
Scully: Laura.
Mulder: (Mouths "Laura")
Scully: Think it's Win Shroeder?
Mulder: Maybe Win cleaning up.
Scully: Cleaning up for who?
Mulder: I don't know.
Scully: Mulder, speaking of cleaning up, whoever taught you how to squeeze a tube of toothpaste?
Mulder: Hey, what do we know about this stuff?
Scully: I'm driving down to San Diego tomorrow to have it analyzed. Third warning - Toilet seat.
(Mulder crashes on the bed, Scully comes out of the bathroom in bathrobe and face covered in a green pasty mask)
Scully: Why kill Big Mike?
Mulder: (Seeing Scully) OH!
Scully: What's missing here is intent. What would be the motive? (Throws Mulder's sweatshirt in his face)
Mulder: Compulsive neatness? Or lack thereof? You notice how everyone here is obsessed with the neighborhood rules and CC&Rs? You know what, you fit in really well here.
Scully: And you don't.
Mulder: Anyway tomorrow I've got a surefire way of testing out my theory. (Slides over on bed, pats the spot beside him suggestively.) C'mon Laura, we're married now.
Scully: Scully, Mulder. Good night.
Mulder: The thrill is gone. edit »

The Dick Van Dyke Show:

Mulder and Scully use the pseudonyms Rob and Laura Petrie while undercover on this job, which are the names of the main characters on The Dick Van Dyke Show. edit »
Episode Title: Arcadia
In ancient Greek, Arcadia was the name of a district famous for its rustic peace and simplicity. edit »
Movie: The Colony
This episode is reminiscent of the 1995 movie The Colony starring John Ritter.
The premise of the movie is about a secluded, planned community with outrageous rules and regulations which hides a dark underbelly where the so-called 'safe and secure' feature involves hidden cameras throughout the homes, and several residents are killed because of their knowledge of this; similar in the way that the residents of 'The Falls' are killed for not following the rules. edit »

8.7
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CaptainHarkness
member since: Jun 25, 2008
Arcadia
The Bottom Line: "Silly"
Attack of the landfill Monster... ...Continue »
08/21/08 09:22pm | report abuse
9.1
00
Gilmoregirl999
member since: Jul 16, 2005
Arcadia
The Bottom Line: "Alternate reality"
I thought this episode was good due to the interaction between Scully and Mulder as husband and wife. ...Continue »
08/21/08 07:31am | report abuse
8.3
00
Aly358
member since: May 31, 2006
Arcadia
The Bottom Line: "Adventurous"
Hilarious yet rather stupid episode ...Continue »
08/14/08 06:39am | report abuse
5.1
00
BurntSiena
member since: Aug 12, 2008
Arcadia
The Bottom Line: "Filler episode"
"Woman, get in here and make me a sandwich!" ...Continue »
08/11/08 12:26pm | report abuse
10
00
OuroborosSnyder
member since: Jul 1, 2006
Arcadia
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
Mulder and Scully go undercover...as a married couple. ...Continue »
03/23/08 11:45pm | report abuse