Orison

Season 7, Episode 7, Aired
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Episode Summary

A series of prison breaks bring Agents Mulder and Scully face to face with Scully's former kidnapper, Donnie Pfaster, as Scully is forced to question her faith and confront the clash of morality and religion. But Scully soon learns that Donnie is very keen on going after the one victim that managed to escape him, Dana Scully when Reverend Orison breaks him out of prison...moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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  • The creepy guy from an earlier Season 2 episode returns to torment Scully,

    7.6
    "Good"
    By JaCkKbAuEr2424, May 06, 2011 Report Abuse
    The writers of the show must be pretty brave to assume that people would be able to remember this guy from Season 2. Honestly, I had to go back and look at the episode just to remind myself of the guy. The episode revolves around Donald Pfister, the man from the "Irresistible" episode of X-Files who sought after Scully and was obsessed with women's hair and fingers. I don't think that this character was as memorable as Robert Patrick Modell from the "Pusher" episode, so I'm not sure if it warranted a return, especially five seasons later, but the episode quickly turned from a real disappointment to an okay episode.

    The thing that made the episode a disappointment was the presence of the Priest who could supposedly hypnotize people. What in the world was the purpose of him? The episode seemed to be going in three different directions at once: Scully coming to terms with the fact that the man who tormented her is released, the idea that some people will always be evil and some religious ideas. If the episode just took one of these episodes, it might've been better, but unfortunately, there was just too much going on. The fact that the priest is killed halfway through the episode made everything better.

    The whole point of the episode is that the Pfister guy escaped by jail by putting people in a daze and simply walking out. The show really used that song to good use.. every time it was used, it got creepier and creepier, and by the time we get to the end, the tone has been established and the episode actually got great. The episode as a whole, though, was pretty weak.moreless

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  • The writers bring back possibly the creepiest bad guy in the show's history, Donnie Pfaster, a sadistic serial killer who has spent the last 5 years in prison thinking about Scully, the one who got away.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By avesnovuelan, Aug 04, 2010 Report Abuse
    When I first saw this episode it quickly became my favorite. At the time I hadn't seen many of the older episodes and didn't know much of the show's history, so I have different favorites now, but this episode is still one of them. It is one of those rare episodes in which Scully is faster to accept the supernatural (that she's getting signs from God in the song and her alarm clock) than Mulder. That in itself makes this episode great, but there is more. Donnie Pfaster is a terrific villain. In "Irresistible," (his first episode) there isn't anything supernatural or paranormal about him---he's just a creep. While the supernatural does play a role in this episode, it takes a backseat to the emotion and drama. Mulder gives us another example of how well he knows Scully right in the beginning by suggesting she stay away from this case, but she remains true to her character and puts on a strong face, pretending she can handle it. The emotional strain gets to her, though, and she willingly returns to DC once the x-file portion of the case is solved. Donnie beat her there, however, and what ensues is one of my favorite scenes from the show's entire 9 years. Scully gives an impressive show of girl power at first, but Donnie manages to tie her up and get her in the closet. Mulder comes to the rescue but Scully beats him to it and shoots Donnie dead in an artistically brilliant slow-motion sequence. This episode gets high marks from me for character development, artistic quality, suspense, action, great writing and great acting.moreless

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  • Super-creepy Donnie Pfaster is back.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By whiteraven2005, Sep 10, 2009 Report Abuse
    Of all the villains in X-Files, Donnie is definitely one of the truly memorable ones, also one of the creepiest. He also happens to be one of the few criminals Scully has crossed paths with who really scarred her. Which means I was surprised at how Scully lets her guard down when she gets home, leaving her gun on the dresser. A serial killer is on the loose who has attacked her before, I would have expected more paranoia.

    That was just awesome. Scully actually shot Donnie. He was genuinely evil and he never would have stopped killing. Not to mention that after failing to kill Scully twice, there's no doubt he would try again if given the chance. I'm glad the writers didn't do the 'right' thing here and have Scully take the higher ground, having her shoot him felt right for her character, far more so than if she hadn't.

    A disturbing episode, it's always fun when an old favourite is resurrected.moreless

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  • Pfaster gets a second shot.

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By Aly358, Aug 19, 2008 Report Abuse
    WONDERFUL! Not only did the writers bring back Pfaster they did so very convincingly!

    A Reverend is hypnotising people to free murderers who only got life so that he can kill them on the outside. Only with Pfaster he took on more than he could take. Pfaster kills the Reverend and after 30' you think (as Mulder) that the episode is over but ooooh it's just getting started.

    Pfaster awaits Scully in her apartment and wants to wash her hair (or whatever) but she kicks his ass! What a nice change of pace, I just love it when GA gets to act out. Be it Three of a kind (where she is drugged) or Kill Switch (where she kicks three nurses asses ;) ) those are the scenes you get a glimpse of what GA is capable of. That even these scenes feel like Scully although she is not that distant sceptical ice-queen she aparently feels the need to be. (now I know Scully is no Ice-Queen but maybe she has to come off that way so that her male co-workers respect her for her work - not her beauty.)

    All in all this is one of my favourite episodes, don't miss it!moreless

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  • With so much packed into such a deep and darkly spiritual episode, it still manages to scare.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Uncle_SaltyJT, Sep 05, 2007 Report Abuse
    "Irresistible" was scary because it was quantifiably real and it played on fears that everyone could imagine. "Orison" is scary because it plays with possibilities that we all fear and at the same time, brings back some of the realistic horror of its predecessor.

    There's so much to unpack in this episode but I don't hold it against the writer for having to force it all into a 45 minute episode and thus leave a few dangling questions.

    Scully's spirituality has been a major factor in many of the season 7 episode so far. Here it is in the forefront again but for the first time this season, we see Mulder's reaction a la "Revelations." Scully has paid him an open mind this season and now Mulder must begin to do the same. Mulder has always been skeptical of anything spiritual or religious. He sums up his opinion of God very well here by saying, "God just reads the box scores. He's a spectator." During the investigation he does at least ask Scully what she thinks God is telling her but he is condescending and quickly moves on to his more "concrete" theory about holes in Orison's head. Mulder's motivations here are easier to reconcile with his actions once you realize that he's acting predominantly out of his need to take care of Scully. He doesn't want to see her in any harm and he knows the effect Pfaster had on her the first time. He's much more concerned with Scully's safety than having a deep theological conversation. But the seed for that is planted here because he doesn't dismiss it. In fact, at the end of the episode, once the danger has passed, he asks Scully if she think sit was God that motivated her actions. This suggests he may finally be engaging Scully in this conversation and beginning to open his mind to the spiritual realm. Of course this will be important for upcoming episodes and ultimately the conclusion of the series. For the rest of "Orison," Chip Johanessen, a veteran Millennium writer, paces the story well. Orison dies early after his forgiveness is seemingly in vain. It also seems to foreshadow Scully's fate. She forgave Pfaster before by arguing against the death penalty. Orison spoke briefly about the "signs" that put him on this path. In this speech, he tied the major season 7 themes together nicely. Fate and Faith are one and the same because God influences fate, but does not control it. But where Orison paid attention to the "signs" along the way, Scully seems to ignore them. The song and Mulder both tell her, "Don't Look Any Further." Yet it is Scully, not Orison, who is spared. This might lead the audience to think that the signs were from God and not the devil After all, shouldn't it be God that acts so seemingly benevolently? But the rest of Orison's speech referenced "instants" when the devil takes the reigns of us and manufactures evil in the world. Donnie Pfaster seemed to live in these "instances." But Scully experiences one of her own. The slowing of the camera work only emphasizes the importance of this moment for her (and was a bit exaggerated, not to mention confusing). So does Scully act out under direction from God or did she allow the devil to seize that instant and beget more evil? This is all worth serious discussion and the 1013 crew was right to leave it open to audience interpretation. Mulder and Scully most likely had a very emotional moment while sharing their feelings on this question. For the audience, it is the fact that they had this moment that serves as our payoff. Writing 2/2 Directing 1/2 Acting 2/2 Character 2/2 Entertainment 2/2: 9/10.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Singer John Hiatt recorded a cover version of the song "Don't Look Any Further" specifically for "Orison." Edit
    • The song that plays often through out the episode is "Don't Look Any Further" by Dennis Edwards & Siedah Garrett. Edit
    • When Pfaster tips off the police as to where to find Orison's body, Mulder remarks that the case is over - he's dead in a grave he dug himself. How would Mulder know who dug the grave? He was speaking figuratively. It was Mulder and Scully's theory that Orison brought the convicts out there to pass judgment on them and dig their own graves. Thus, in a way, Orison brought this upon himself and he "dug his own grave". Edit

  • Notes

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    • The definition of 'Orison' is "A Prayer". Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Mulder: It's a cerebral edema. Scully: Swelling of the brain - a trauma not uncommon with this kind of head injury or accident. Mulder: Except this isn't accidental. The cause, in fact, as it was stated to me is self-inflicted. There's a small hole here in the skull which allows oxygen into the brain cavity, the result of which is the Reverend Orison has three times the normal blood volume pumping through his brain. Scully: And he did this himself? Mulder: Yeah. My guess is he probably did it when he first got into prison - when he first learned how to use its powers. Scully: Its powers? Mulder: There's a theory that at this point in human evolution our mental capabilities are limited only by inadequate blood supply. In fact, centuries ago, in the Peruvian Andes, Holy Men used to physically remove parts of their skulls in order to increase blood volume or drill small holes. Scully: So this hole in his head enables Reverend Orison to help these prisoners escape? Mulder: The practitioners of this found that they could perform certain mental tricks one of which they called "stopping the world." Scully: Well, nobody can stop the world, Mulder. I don't care how many holes they have in their head. Mulder: Yeah, but maybe they can alter perception of it creating a disparate version of reality which they can then project through hypnosis. Scully: But why? I mean, even if he could, why? Mulder: Donnie Pfaster is serving a life sentence without possibility of parole. That's the final judgement as far as society is concerned but not in the eyes of God or in the eyes of a man who thinks he's God's tool. Scully: Well, then, if Reverend Orison meant to kill Donnie Pfaster then why is he still alive? Mulder: I don't know. Maybe he unleashed something that he couldn't control. Maybe he thought he was opening the door of perception but then unwittingly he... opened the gates of Hell. Edit
    • Blueberry: Looking for something to eat? Donald Pfaster: Me? Blueberry: How about today's special? (She shows off her body, but Donald Pfaster is more interested in her nails) You aren't a narc, are you? Donald Pfaster: No. Blueberry: You're looking at my hands. Donald Pfaster: You need a buff and polish. Blueberry: What are you? A freak? Donald Pfaster: I... I just got out of prison. Waitress: Hey, Missy. Leave the customers alone! Donald Pfaster: I'll do it for free. Blueberry: You just got out of prison and you want to give me a manicure? Donald Pfaster: I'll even do your cuticles. Reverend Orison: You receive the Lord's grace and this is your thanks? Donald Pfaster: What? (Reverend Orison is standing beside the booth) Reverend Orison: Who do you think got you out of prison? Donald Pfaster: I don't care. I'm busy right now. Reverend Orison: The grace of god got you out and it's the only thing that will keep you out. Blueberry: I thought you were kidding. Reverend Orison: He's chosen you, Donnie. (Several police cars pull up outside) Blueberry: Later. Donald Pfaster: You called them on me. Reverend Orison: No. Donald Pfaster: Then do something. Reverend Orison: I have a car. Donald Pfaster: We aren't going to make it to the car. Reverend Orison: It's within His power. Glory, amen. Glory, amen. Edit
    • Scully: Go back to hell! Donald Pfaster: Who does your nails, girly girl? Scully: Let me go! The only reason why you're alive is because I asked the judge for life! The only reason why you're alive is because we didn't kill you when we could! Donald Pfaster: You're the one that got away. You're all I think about. Scully: I'm a federal agent. You do anything to me and they will not give you a break this time. Donald Pfaster: I'm going to run you a bath. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Mulder is alluding to William Blake's work when he speaks about the "Doors of Perception" in relation to the gates of Hell. Blake says in his "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" that "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: Infinite." Edit
    • Musical Reference: "Sheep go to Heaven, Goats go to Hell" This phrase is amongst the words scrawled on the prison chapel's walls. This is the chorus line of the song "Sheep go to Heaven" by the band Cake - one of Gillian Anderson's favorite bands. Edit
    • Biblical Reference 666 Scully's clock malfunctions, showing the time as 6.66. Of course 666, as most people who've seen The Omen will know, is generally taken to be the number of the Beast, i.e. the Devil. Interestingly, in 2005, technological advances allowed scholars to read illegible portions of the earliest known record of The Book of Revelations and found the Number of the Beast stated there to be 616 rather than 666. Edit

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