CTP Episode of the Day - 10.12.06 - Underneath

Today's Cherished Episode: Underneath (9x09)
Original Air Date: March 31, 2002
Written By: John Shiban
Directed By: John Shiban

When a case from his past is reopened, Doggett holds steadfast to his conclusions, which puts him at odds with Scully and Reyes' theories.

(Thanks to chrisnu for today's pics.)

"I feel guilty? Like what, subconsciously? Like I was told I sent an innocent man to prison, only I refuse to accept it? A cop I know, a man I respect deeply, he told me one time ... 'You don't clock out at the end of your shift unless you know you did everything you could.' That's what this is about. Me not clockin' out."

Some "Underneath" Tidbits & Musings:

-- The episode title comes from two meanings -- that Fassl's sinful alter ego disposed of his victims in the sewers (underneath the ground); and that Fassl had a sinful alter ego underneath his persona.

-- In the script, Monica uses the concept of "transmogrification" to theorize on what is happening to Fassl. Transmogrification basically means "shapeshifting," changing from human form to animal or plant form and vice versa, or changing in appearance from one person to another.

-- Since there are religious undertones to the episode, Monica might have chosen the word "transubstantiation" to theorize about what was happening to Fassl instead. It means basically the same thing as transmogrification -- the process or result of changing from one appearance, state, or phase to another. But transubstantiation is the term generally used in Christianity to describe such a change, for example, how the bread and wine of the Eucharist become in substance the body and blood of Jesus.

-- This was John Shiban's first directing effort.

-- The character of Duke Tomasick was named for the show's Construction Coordinator.

-- "Underneath" was the ninth episode filmed, but the twelfth episode aired during Season 9.

-- Although the episode was intended to air before the "Provenance/Providence" two-parter, the fact that it airs after once again puts Scully in a bad light. The fact that she would leave her recently kidnapped son (presumably with the Maggie Scully Babysitting Service) to run off to New York with Doggett to serve as Forensic Expert on what is essentially a personal matter doesn't wash.

-- Doggett became less skeptical and more accepting of the paranormal aspect as Season 9 wore on; so the episode shuffling also impacted that natural progression, especially right on the heels of "Audrey Pauley."

-- Part of the reason the airing of the episode was delayed was that it was rewritten and re-shot after the first cut. Obviously someone knew there was a problem. But unfortunately, the rewritten and re-shot version didn't fare much better. In fact, 1013 issued public apologies for the poor quality of the prints in several press releases before the episode aired. Damage control -- but that was the least of the episode's problems.

-- 10:12 reference -- Another 10:12 reference (another indication that Season 9 is slightly off, IMBO) for the scene when Jana was watching Bob pray.

-- W. Earl Brown (Robert M. Fassl) was born and raised in Murray, Kentucky, descended from a "long line of bootleggers and used car salesman." He attended the Theatre School of DePaul in Chicago with classmates John C. Reilly and Gillian Anderson. He worked in theatre and some small film roles (including Deep Impact with Tea Leoni) and he played Cameron Diaz's retarded brother in There's Something About Mary. He played singer Meat Loaf in a 2000 TV biopic, and most recently played the recurring role of Dan Dority in the HBO western series Deadwood. He also wrote the Deadwood episode "A Constant Throb."

-- Arthur J. Nascarella, who played Doggett's former partner Duke Tomasick, appeared in the 1997 film Cop Lane which also starred Robert Patrick (as well as heavyweights Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and DD buddy Peter Berg). He has appeared in the recurring role of Carlo Gervasi in The Sopranos and played the Fire Chief at Ground Zero in this summer's World Trade Center. Nascarella served in the Marine Corps for 8 years and was a 20-year veteran of the New York City police department.

-- Robert Curtis Brown (Assistant D.A. Damon) appeared in an episode of Frank Spotnitz's Night Stalker.

-- Once & Future Retreads: Rick Garcia (Reporter #1) was a news anchor in "Three of a Kind." Leah Sanders (Reporter #3) played Reporter #1 in "Theef."

Please share your first impressions, favorite (or cringe-worthy) moments, classic lines, favorite fanfic, nagging questions, repeated viewing observations, etc., as today we celebrate "Underneath"!

Polly