Season 6: Arcadia (6X13)

Written by: Daniel Arkin
Directed by: Michael Watkins

Welcome to "The Falls at Arcadia", one of the nation's top-rated planned communities. Unfortunately, three couples have vanished from the neighborhood over the past seven years. So Mulder and Scully go undercover and pose as new home buyers to investigate the strange disappearances.

Helpful residents Big Mike, a veterinarian, and next-door neighbors, Win and Cami Schroeder, help Mulder and Scully get squared away on move-in day. But Win balks when Mulder wants to erect a portable basketball hoop; this definitely goes against the community's strict regulations. Win suggests that Mulder take up the issue with Homeowner president, Gene Gogolak.

When Big Mike suddenly disappears, the Shroeders simply explain to Mulder and Scully that he went away on business. Scully and Mulder pay a visit to Gogolak, who tells them that regulations forbid the basketball hoop in the front driveway. He explains that rules are rules, and though it may seem tough to get used to, there's is a system that works. Mulder then changes the subject to Gogolak's decor. Gogolak explains that most of his antiques are Nepalese and Tibetan; he owns Pier 9 Imports and travels to the Far East often for business.

The Shroeders invite Mulder and Scully to dinner and Mulder presses the issue of Big Mike's disappearance. When Cami becomes uncomfortable with the topic and excuses herself to take the dog out, Scully accompanies her. During their walk, the dog gets loose and scrambles into a nearby storm drain. As Scully tries to fish out the lost pooch, she finds a caduceus necklace worn by Big Mike covered in what appears to be blood.

Scully has the "blood" analyzed, only to find that it is basically garbage; the neighborhood was built atop an old landfill. Mulder theorizes that the Klines are buried in the yard somewhere, and while digging a hole to find them, he dredges up a Malaysian artifact with a sticker showing that it came from Pier 9 Imports. Mulder confronts Gogolak with the theory that Gogolak, while on the trips to Far East, learned of the tulpa, or Tibetan thought-form, a creature willed into existence by one who possesses the ability. He believes Gogolak created this creature formed by garbage to keep the residents in check.

Meantime, back at home Scully is surprised by Big Mike - alive - who reveals that he was attacked by the creature, but managed to escape. He tells Scully that the creature is coming for her because her "husband" has broken the rules. Big Mike barricades Scully in the closet and fights off the approaching monster. The firing gunshots warn Mulder, who races home, with Gogolak in tow. Mulder stops to handcuff Gogolak to the mailbox before going inside to help Scully. But outside, Gogolak is attacked by his own creation - yet with his death, the tulpa dies as well, disintegrating at Mulder's feet.

Notes:
In ancient Greek, Arcadia was the name of a district famous for its rustic peace and simplicity.

The Name 'Ubermenscher' is very close to the German word 'Übermensch', which means 'super human'.

The name "Polizzi" painted on one of the neighborhood mailboxes is in honor to Lauren Polizzi, one of the art directors on The X-Files.

The pseudonyms used by Mulder and Scully in this episode are "Rob and Laura Petrie" after Rob & Laura Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show (although Mulder and Scully pronounce it "pee-trie", like the dish).

Though it makes for a funny scene, we've seen Scully asleep before in several different episodes, and there's never been any indication that she goes to bed in a face mask and hairband! There's no indication that she's doing this as part of her new Stepford Wives persona, and up until now she's been the silk pyjamas, fresh-faced woman who even looks good asleep.

Quotes:
Mulder: You ready to make that honeymoon video now?
Scully: Rob and Laura Petrie?
Mulder: "Pee-trie."
Scully: Mulder, if we ever go undercover again, I get to choose the names, okay?
Mulder: Fine.
Scully: This tells me that you're not taking this seriously.
Mulder: No, I'm taking it seriously, I just don't understand why we're on it. I mean it's our first catch back on the X-Files. This isn't an X-File.
Scully: Sure it is. It's unexplained. What do you want, aliens? Tractor beams?
Mulder: Wow. Admit it, all you want to do is play house. Woman! Get back in here and make me a sandwich! (Scully throws a rubber glove at him)
Mulder: Did I not make myself clear?

Scully: (Taking off her coat) You ready?
Mulder: Let's get it on, honey.
Scully: (Holding up latex gloves) All right then.

Mulder: There's no sign of him in his house. I didn't see him in the storm drain either. I take it he's dead, Scully.

Scully: Laura.
Mulder: (Mouths "Laura")
Scully: Think it's Win Shroeder?
Mulder: Maybe Win cleaning up.
Scully: Cleaning up for who?
Mulder: I don't know.
Scully: Mulder, speaking of cleaning up, whoever taught you how to squeeze a tube of toothpaste?
Mulder: Hey, what do we know about this stuff?
Scully: I'm driving down to San Diego tomorrow to have it analyzed. Third warning - Toilet seat.
(Mulder crashes on the bed, Scully comes out of the bathroom in bathrobe and face covered in a green pasty mask)
Scully: Why kill Big Mike?
Mulder: (Seeing Scully) OH!
Scully: What's missing here is intent. What would be the motive?
Mulder: Compulsive neatness? Or lack thereof? You notice how everyone here is obsessed with the neighborhood rules and CC&Rs? You know what, you fit in really well here.
Scully: And you don't.
Mulder: Anyway tomorrow I've got a surefire way of testing out my theory. C'mon Laura, we're married now.
Scully: Scully, Mulder. Good night.
Mulder: The thrill is gone.

Win Schroeder: How was your first night? Peaceful?

Mulder: Oh, it was wonderful. We just spooned up and fell asleep like little baby cats. Isn't that right, Honeybunch?
Scully: That's right, Poopyhead.

Win: I always use the dolphin-safe tuna.
Mulder: I love dolphins, although they're tasty too.

Cami Shroeder: So where did you two meet?
Mulder: At a UFO convention.
Cami: Really? I wouldn't think you two would be into that sort of thing.
Mulder: I'm not, but Laura is. Charm bracelets, mood rings, you name it, God bless her. (blows kisses)
Scully: No kidding.

Clip from ''Arcadia''

Episode Number: 132

Season Number: 6
First Aired: Sunday, March 7, 1999
Production Code: 6X13