Can someone explain why Tanaka runs away in the
final stages of the infection but O'neil handcufs
herself to Scully? Is the spore controlling them
and, if so, why does it have them do such
radically different things?

Maybe Tanaka's willpower is greater and he's able to run away to prevent further infetion, whereas O'Neil loses control and the spore's instinct to spread is paramount?

From N'Genge's Guide to the X-Files come the following nits:

- Changing H2S to SiO is nuclear fusion, not a normal "breathing-cycle" for silicon-based lifeforms.

- Putting a test-tube straight over a bunsen burner will make it explode. (In chem. class, you learn to hold it askew and slowly move it.) For the same reason, you don't leave it unattended.
And a bunsen burner flame doesn't get nowhere as hot as a vulcano.

- What's with the temperatures? In the teaser, over 300 degrees is shown - I assumed Celsius, since these are scientists. But at over 300 degrees, Trepkos couldn't move very well (the air would be too hot to breathe etc.). In the dubbed dialogue, its later said that the temp. was over 55 degrees Celsius, which is hot, but not too much. In the book, 130 degrees and 60 degrees are mentioned. So which temp. are correct and with which unit?

- The fungus name mentioned exists, but grows on dung heaps in reality.

A possible anti-nit to Phil's guide:

- Phil wonders why Mulder, when Trepkos shoots Ludwig with a flare, doesn't react - draw his weapon or similar. From my perspective it looked as if Mulder didn't see that a flare had been shot and was simply surprised what the heck had happened to Ludwig.

- As for how Trepkos can carry a vial of flammable liquid around in a volcano: I'm no expert, but I think certain fuels ignite only when a spark is applied, not from surrounding heat.

My own nits:

- How does Trepkos know Mulder carries a gun, and therefore orders him to surrender it? Ludwig had said before that Mulder has the only gun in the camp, so there doesn't seem to be a weapons locker around. (And wouldn't the first question be: "Who are you?")

- When Ludwig swings the pickaxe at Mulder at the beginning, why doesn't Mulder yell "FBI- Freeze!" or similar? He justs fights silently and doesn't introduce himself after subdueing Ludwig, which nevertheless knows Mulder and Scully are "the rescue". (Wouldn't they be expecting their geologic colleagues instead of the FBI?)

- Mulder must have a good feeling about Trepkos: he suspects him of killing Pierce and the guy in the teaser and has seen him shoot Ludwig to prevent the spread of the fungus. But then Mulder calmly tells Trepkos that he "will have to shoot him" in order to prevent Mulder from looking for his "friend", who Trepkos believes to be already infected. Yet, Trepkos goes with Mulder instead of shooting him, so he can tell his story for the viewer and cry over O'Neill.

- Why would a silicon-based lifeform be a parasite to a carbon-based lifeform anyway? Not only is the human body "tepid" compared to a volcano (as Phil pointed out), wouldn't a better choice be some silicon-based source of food? (Maybe infesting the computers? Then it would be a "Christine"-kind of story.)

I find it sweet that Mulder calls Scully first his partner and then his friend. Its nice to see him so concerned over her well-being. (How much time did she spent recuperating, if "One Breath" can't be dated, "Duane Berry" was in August, and this takes place in November? Has she no sick days allowance? Or is the hospital too expensive to stay for more than 5 days?)

good 1215401832755