Season 3: Quagmire (3X22)

Writer: Kim Newton
Director: Kim Manners

Two missing person reports at Heuvelmans Lake in Georgia attracts the attention of Agent Mulder, who links the disappearance to local folklore of a serpent-like lake monster called Big Blue. Scully unaware of Mulder's 'Big Blue' theory questions Mulder about their involvement in the case in the car, until she spots an advertisement bill board for the lake showing Big Blue. When they arrive at Heuvelmans Lake, it becomes apparent that the area relies on the Big Blue phenomena for it's tourist business.

They meet a local shop keeper, Ted Betram who believes in the existence of Big Blue and another local man, Ansel Bray who has spent his life attempting to photograph Big Blue. Shortly afterwards a fisherman reports the discover of a dead body in the lake, which turns out to be one of the missing people. They speak with local biologist Dr. Farraday, who dismisses the existence of a creature like Big Blue in the lake. That evening Ted Betram is attacked and killed while making Big Blue footprints in the mud near the lake shore. Tracks are discovered at the scene by local Sheriff Hindt but dismissed as being done by Betram. After Ansel Bray is killed and undeveloped film in his camera appears to show a creature emerging from the lake, Mulder pleads with Sheriff Hindt to close the lake to tourists. Dr Farraday's reports that the local frog and fish populations have declined drastically in the lake leads Mulder to theorise that Big Blue is being forced ashore in search of food.

Notes:
Most of the third act (know to most X-Philes as the Conversation on the Rock) was written by none other than an uncredited Darin Morgan ("Humbug", "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose", "War of the Copropahges", "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'", his last writing job for the show.

A quagmire is describe as a soft, wet area of low-lying, sinking underfoot. This would describe the surrounding area where 'Big Blue' was believed to be.

Scully's dog is named Queequeg after the harpoonist in "Moby Dick", a story her father read to her when she was growing up. Their nicknames for each other (Ahab and Starbuck) come from the same book.

Scully obtained Queequeg after the dog's former owner died in "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose", in which the little beast dines on the old lady's entrails. Queequeg also makes a screen appearance in "War Of The Coprophages", getting and escaping from the midst of a flea bath.

Quotes:
Scully: You know, Mulder, you are Ahab.
Mulder: You know, its interesting you should say that, because I've always wanted a peg leg. It's a boyhood thing I never grew out of. I'm not being flippant, I've given this a lot of thought. I mean, if you have a peg leg or hooks for hands then maybe it's enough to simply keep on living. You know, bravely facing life with your disability. But without these things you're actually meant to make something of your life, achieve something earn a raise, wear a necktie. So if anything I'm actually the antithesis of Ahab, because if I did have a peg leg I'd quite possibly be more happy and more content not to be chasing after these creatures of the unknown.
Scully: And that's not flippant?
Mulder: No. Flippant is my favourite line from Moby Dick. Hell is an idea first born on an undigested apple dumpling. Yeah.
(Scully smiles, finishing the line with Mulder)
Scully: What was that?
Mulder: I don't know, but it ain't no duck.

(Scully's dog starts barking in the back seat)
Scully: Nature's calling, I think we should pull over.
Mulder: Did you really have to bring that thing?
Scully: You wake me up on a Saturday morning, tell me to be ready in five minutes, my mother is out of town, all of the dog sitters are booked and you know how I feel about kennels. So, unless you want to lose your security deposit on the car, I suggest you pull over.

Mulder: Hey Scully, do you think you could ever cannibalize someone? I mean if you really had to.
Scully: Well, as much as the very idea is abhorrent to me, I suppose under certain conditions a living entity is practically conditioned to perform whatever extreme measures are necessary to ensure its survival. I suppose I'm no different.
Mulder: You've lost some weight recently, haven't you?
Scully: Yes, yes I have. Thanks for n--
(Scully glares at Mulder and he laughs)

Higlights from Quagmire

Episode Number: 71
Season Number: 3
First Aired: Friday May 3, 1996
Production Code: 3X22