CTP Episode of the Day - 11.08.06 - Young at Heart

Today's Cherished Episode: Young at Heart (1x15)
Original Air Date: February 11, 1994
Written By: Scott Kaufer and Chris Carter
Directed By: Michael Lange

Mulder finds that a criminal he put away who was supposed to have died in prison has returned, taunting him as he commits a new spree of crimes.

(Thanks to chrisnu for today's pics.)

"Mulder, I know what you did wasn't by the book."
"Tells you a lot about the book, doesn't it?"

Some "Young at Heart" Tidbits & Musings:

-- Title: "Young at Heart" refers to the newly youthful nature of the Monster-of-the-Week in this episode. It's also the title of a song, written by Johnny Richards and Carolyn Leigh. Frank Sinatra was the first performer to record the song, which became a million-selling hit in 1953. The song was such a hit that a movie that Sinatra was filming with Doris Day at the time was renamed to coincide with the title of the song, and the song was included in the opening and closing credits of the film.

-- An important timeline reference: Mulder said he was 28 years old, right out of the Academy.

-- Michael Lange also directed "Miracle Man," "Ascension," and "Unrequited."

-- Reportedly, Gillian Anderson had a frightening dream about Scully being shot in this episode and as a result, was just a bit shaky on the set when the scene was actually filmed.

-- Carter had another fight with Fox's Standards and Practices Department over the scene where Agent Purdue is strangled by Barnett's salamander hand. The producer admitted to losing that particular skirmish, with Fox -- citing concerns about the violence issue -- feeling uncomfortable about letting the murder scene drag on, so Carter shortened the sequence considerably.

-- "Young at Heart" was William B. Davis's first appearance on the show since the "Pilot." He had no lines in this episode either, and was in an uncredited role referred to as the "CIA Agent" in the script, rather than as the Cigarette Smoking Man.

-- Oopsie! In the close-up shot of Mulder just before he shot Barnett, his black ear piece disappeared.

-- Esteemed African-American actor Dick Anthony Williams (Reggie Purdue) played Malcolm X in the 1978 miniseries King and also appeared in Edward Scissorhands, Omen III: The Final Conflict, and the TV series The Man From Atlantis and a recurring role on Home Front among his credits. Williams is the father of actor Gary Anthony Williams, who played Abraham "Abe" Kenarban (Stevie's father) in Malcolm in the Middle.

-- Christine Estabrook, who played handwriting expert Agent Henderson in "Young at Heart," found greater fame a few years later as the eventually murdered busybody of Wisteria Lane -- Martha Huber in Desperate Housewives. Her sister on Desperate Housewives was played by Harriet Sansom Harris, who played Eve in the X-Files episode of the same name. Continuing the X-Files/Desperate Housewives Season 1 nexus, Felicity Huffman, one of the stars of Desperate Housewives played Dr. Nancy Da Silva in "Ice."

-- Graham Jarvis (NIH Doctor) played Charlie Haggers in the 70's soap opera send-up Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Jarvis also had a recurring role as Charles Jackson on 7th Heaven. He passed away in April 2003.

-- Once & Future Retreads: Robin Mossley (Dr. Joe Ridley) was Dr. Vance Randolph in "Our Town," and Dr. Kingley Looker in "Tunguska/Terma." Merrilyn Gann (Prosecuting Attorney) was Mrs. Asekoff in "Detour." Gordon Tipple (Joe Crandall) was a Detective in "Eve," Hepcat Helm in "Humbug," and the Assistant Manager in "Chinga."

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

Polly