Pilot: The last few moments mirror almost exactly the last few moments of The Erlenmeyer Flask. Giving the whole season a kind of circular feel. Although it's big and bulky, this is the first time we see an implant. More are found in Duane Barry, The Blessing Way, Nisei, Redux II, Patient X. Jumping ahead, the hotel room scene between Mulder and Scully is paralleled in the series finale, The Truth.

Fallen Angel: Max Fenig is talking to Mulder in the holding cell. When Mulder asks him what he's doing here, Max gives him a blow off answer, but begins to scratch behind his right ear. This is the same place Mulder finds a scar which leads him to believe that Max is an abductee.

The Erlenmeyer Flask: The last few moments mirror almost exactly the last few moments of the Pilot. This is the first time we see an alien / human hybrid (see Christmas Carol / Emily and Two Fathers / One Son.)

Little Green Men: The listing of passengers that Scully reads as she's looking for Mulder contain the names of people in the X-Files internet community.

Duane Barry: Are they trying to tell us something? Scully purchases pickles and ice cream at the supermarket. (For those of you who don't know, GA was 8 months pregnant when this was being filmed.)

One Breath: Kenneth Soona- aka the Thinker is the newest Lone Gunman, and helps to id the branched DNA in Scully's bloodstream. He resurfaces in Anasazi.

Irresistible: This is the first time Scully uses the expression, "I'm fine." as a blow off answer. You can be sure whenever you hear her say this phrase, she is not OK. (See also, Memento Mori and Elegy) The wonderful therapist Karen Kosseff first appears here and will make other showings in such episodes as The Calusari and Elegy.

Colony: Observe what Bill Mulder is doing when we first meet him. He's sitting on a porch swing in the dark. As his son approaches, he light's up a cigarette, symbolizing his complicity with the project. Before Mulder joins the X-Files, he too will be a smoker in Travelers. Fox goes to hug his father, but Bill Mulder backs away from this gesture and thrusts out his hand. This pattern will be reversed in Anasazi. This is the first episode with clones ( see Talitha Cumi / Herrenvolk, Memento Mori ) and it is also the first episode with the Alien Bounty Hunter. ( see Talitha Cumi / Herrenvolk, Patient X / The Red and the Black.)

End Game: And while we're on the topic of Bill Mulder, did ya notice how he couldn't say, " your sister left this?" He said, "Samantha left this." In my mind, he'd already guessed that the woman who showed up on their doorstep was a clone.

Humbug: Don't you just love Darin Morgan? I adore the moment when Lanny is checking out Scully's breasts, as she is trying to sneak a peak at his 'twin'. Then, they both realize at the same time that they are being ogled, and cover themselves up in the same exact manner!

The Calusari: Charles Burke the photographic specialist was will be seen again in Leonard Betts, Biogenesis, Rush, Hollywood A.D. and Badlaa. The therapist Karen Kosseff , who first appeared in Irresistible returns to look in on the Holvey household and will surface again in Elegy.

Anasazi: Kenneth Soona- aka the Thinker hacks in to the DOD and downloads all the files surrounding the UFO phenomenon. He was first mentioned in One Breath. When Bill Mulder goes to confess to his son in this episode, he ignores his sons outstretched hand and envelopes him in a hug, obviously looking for an intimacy which, after he confesses, would be withheld. Albert Hosteen apears in this trilogy and in Biogenesis. Consortium bigwig, Well Manicured Man premieres in this episode and will be in many Mythology based episodes until his death in Fight the Future.

Paper Clip: The name of the mining company was the Strunghold Mining Company. Mr. Strunghold shows himself in The X-Files, Fight the Future. Did you catch the big clue that Samantha is still alive? The first file Scully and Mulder look at is from 1955, with an old tissue collection cassette. The second file they look at is Dana's with a new, plastic tissue collection cassette. The third, and final file they look at is Samantha's and what do you know? The tissue collection cassette is indeed a new, plastic version!

Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose: Pause your VCR and check this out- the numbers on the lottery ticket are off by one number in each case! Poor Clyde. For more fun, Mr. Bruckman is holding ace of spades, ace of clubs, 8 of spades, 8 of clubs and an 8 of hearts while playing poker with Scully. With the exception of the heart- this is known as the dead man's hand. (So called because Bill Hickock was holding these cards when he was shot to death.)

War of the Coprophages: Hope you caught the bug- if not, rewatch this episode!! My favorite, tongue in cheek here is the sailor buying the nylons and chocolate. <Snicker> And for those of you who are 'shippy', yes, I believe Scully is very jealous of Dr. Bambi. I think the thing that annoys her the most, is that she gets to call Mulder- Fox. Check out the expression on GA's face as Bobbi Phillips mentions his name.

Syzygy: Be on the lookout for Mulder, Scully and Det. White in close proximity to one another. They too attempt to align in a diagonal!  (as the planets are aligning)

Piper Maru: This is the first time we see the oilailen. He'll be back in Tunguska / Terma, and The X-Files, Fight the Future.

José Chung's, From Outer Space: Too much here to miss! The Homage to Star Wars at the beginning (The underside of Roky's lift reminds one of an Imperial Star Cruiser.) The repetitive dialog- causing the viewer to be confused as to what the truth really is. Censoring out the objectionable language of Det. Manners (And I just know that our Sailor!Scully would not have censored herself when telling Mulder that " They just found your Bleepin UFO.") The use of the stupendous Yappi as the Host of the Alien Autopsy Video. Jack Schaeffer playing with his mashed potatoes (Umm, Close Encounters anyone??) Alex Trebeck <snicker, snicker> and Jesse the Body Ventura as the MBIs. Blane Faulkner's room- and especially his I Want to Believe poster which is not quite the same as Mulder's. Scully yawning every time the hypnotist says, "You're getting very sleepy." The sly wink by Darin Morgan when Chung is talking about what Mulder derives pleasure from. (You'll notice he's in bed [ a moment fellow philes, I do believe that this is actually Mulder's bed- and the background does seem to indicate that it is his sofa- a pull out sofa. Obviously Mulder doesn't wish to open and close it all of the time, which is why we never seem to see him in it.] and watching a bigfoot video.) The placement of his one leg would hide the fact that he might be getting, *ahem*, excited.

Wetwired: This is the first appearance of John Gilnitz. Who? John Gilnitz is the nom-de plume that they've given the collective writing efforts of John Shiban, Vince Gilligan and Frank Spotznitz. In this episode he is the man in the hammock, who was shot by the delusional housewife. For more appearances see Leonard Betts, Christmas Carol, Dreamlands II, Theef and Jump the Shark.

Talitha Cumi: Literary buffs will appreciate this, the scene between CSM and Jeremiah Smith in the holding cell was inspired by the Grand Inquisitor poem in The Brother's Karamazov. Another aside to the observant is the fact that the name of the fast food restaurant where the shooting occurs is The Brothers K. Our friend the Bounty Hunter appears, looking for the illusive Mr. Smith. (First showed up in Colony / End Game and will re-appear in Patient X / The Red and the Black.) And then there's Mrs. Mulder. Don't you get the implication from what CSM says that the two of them had a thing going? This will lead to more questions which will be looked at in Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man, Demons, Redux II, The Red and the Black, The Beginning,and Amor Fati.

Herrenvolk: Take a good hard look at the male clone in this episode, you'll see him again in Memento Mori. This is the first episode that uses Bees which will be seen again in Zero Sum and The X-Files, Fight the Future.

Unruhe: Unruhe may mean 'unrest' in German, but it was also the name of a serial murderer from the first half of this century.

The Field Where I Died: Although this episode does have some problems with the timeline, it appears that CC is going to be using something from this episode in Triangle. Mulder, who is undergoing hypnotic regression, mentions a moving scene in Poland sometime during the Nazi occupation. In his revelations, he takes note of the fact that Cancerman is there, and is one of those Nazis. Look for CSM to appear in an SS uniform in Triangle!

Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man: So, CSM says he's going to visit some, "family" at Christmas time and the next shot we see, he's standing at Mulder's door. Does this mean he's really Fox's father? Probably not- as this and other elements of the story don't exactly jive within the X-Files Universe, but then again... there's always that niggling little doubt which was planted in Talitha Cumi. See Demons, The Red and the Black, The Beginning, and Amor Fati for more info. Pause your VCR's to catch the hilarious captions on the magazines at the newsstand CSM visits.

Tunguska: The rock which was being analyzed at the Goddard Space Flight Center had traces of "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons fitting the approximate description of those in fragments of a meteorite found in the ice fields of Antarctica." (Which just happens to be the place where a large 'base' of the Syndicate is located in The X-Files, Fight the Future.) And it also contains the oilalien which first appeared in Piper Maru. The Russian version of a vaccine is introduced and will be explored further in Patient X / The Red and the Black and The X-Files, Fight the Future.

Leonard Betts: Charles Burke the photographic specialist was first seen in The Calusari and then in Biogenesis as well as Rush, Hollywood A.D. and Badlaa. This is the second appearance of John Gilnitz. In this episode he is the man in the bar with the cancerous lung. For more appearances see Wetwired, Christmas Carol, Dreamlands II, Theef and Jump the Shark.

Memento Mori: The Kurts which are growing in the tanks bear a remarkable resemblance to the male clones in Herrenvolk. (For more on clones look at Colony / End Game.) And speaking of the Kurts- did you also notice that they were fair skinned and red-haired? Could they be the 'sons' of Dana Scully?? The Scully Mantra returns, "I'm fine..." <sigh> too bad she can't tell her partner how she really feels. Unfortunately, Mulder can't seem to communicate too well either. I liked the fact that he doesn't spring the ova business on Scully here, but for GOD'S SAKE, what the hell took him so long? He doesn't bother to mention it until Emily. The ending of this episode is touching, since Skinner wouldn't let Mulder deal with CSM while he attempts just that. This will of course lead into the payment of this debt in, Zero Sum.

Small Potatoes: How about the running gag with the silent 'H'? It's mentioned enough, and then when Mulder and Scully show up at the Van Blundht residence, the H on the side of the house falls off! And... if you're really quick, Gillian was wearing shorts in the scene with Faux Mulder and you can see her knees for a brief moment.

Zero Sum: The Bees return and Skinner must pay the piper. Trouble is, he does what is asked of him, but doesn't get the payment he bargained for. Could this have been a set up from the start?

Elegy: More denial on Scully's part with" I'm fine." Thankfully, Mulder doesn't buy it, but he does revert to some rather childish (and extremely human) behavior when he calls her on it. Karen Kosseff, the FBI therapist, tries to give Agent Scully some words of comfort in this her third appearance. (see also Irresistible and The Calusari)

Demons: Make note of the magazine cover with Amy Cassandra on the front. You'll see it again in Redux. Is he or isn't he? Mulder's memories seem to cast doubt on his lineage. When he goes to confront Mommy, she doesn't soothe his agitated mind. (see also, Talitha Cumi, Musings of a Ciggarette-Smoking Man, Redux II, The Red and the Black, and The Beginning.)

Gethsemane: After a very long absence ( Conduit) Section Chief Blevens returns to call an inquiry regarding Agent Mulder's death.

Redux: One of the magazine articles which flash across the screen as Kritschgau is speaking to Mulder is the same magazine article in Demons- with Amy Cassandra on the front cover. First introduced in Gethsemane, Kritschgau will resurface in The Sixth Extinction and Amor Fati.

Redux II: Is she or isn't she? Well, I for one believe that the Samantha seen in this episode was the real deal, and that it is highly likely that she is in fact CSM's daughter. (see Talitha Cumi, Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man, and Demons for more on the Mulder heritage.) The company Rouch will be seen again in The Beginning.

Unusual Suspects: Isn't it nice to know that Mulder had a cell phone back in 1989?  And since Vince Gilligan wrote this episode you can be sure he got Mulder's ASAC right- Reggie Purdue (Introduced, and killed in Young at Heart.) Addressing the supposed sighting of a ring in this episode, Frohike reads Mulder's personnel files, out loud and clearly states that Mulder is single at this point. (For other marital woes see Travelers)

Detour: Although it was a token, I was happy that they mentioned Scully's cancer in this episode, since it is newly in remission at this point. For the shippers- did you catch that sly grin Scully gives Mulder as she enters his hotel room. I think she has more things on her mind than a wine and cheese party! Which is why she looks so disgusted at the end of this scene. She's giving him an opening and the doof ditches her!

Post - Modern Prometheus: Check out the scene when Scully finds the comic book and makes the connection to Mrs. Berkowitz's supposed rapist. A light bulb goes on above her head in the string that is hanging there. LOL The headline of the paper Scully is reading at Dr. Polidori states," FBI Agents, Whereabouts Unknown." And how about the obvious comparisons being made near the end with the mob in the farmer's basement? First a horse appears then an individual who looks like a horse and so on with the chicken, goat and pig.

Christmas Carol: This is the third appearance of John Gilnitz. In this episode, he is the lab tech that sent the report to the Scully home on Christmas. For more appearances see Wetwired, Leonard Betts, Dreamlands II, Theef and Jump the Shark.

Emily: Poor Scully, first she finds out she has a child, and then she finds out it's an alien/human hybrid. It just sucks. But she doesn't realize how this can be because Mulder neglected to tell her about the ova taken from her body (which he found out about during Memento Mori) until now. This is one case where the writers made a BIG mistake. After all of the emotional build up of how distraught Scully is about not being able to have a child, coupled with the fact that Mulder kept the information regarding the experiments should have sent her into a fit.

Chinga: The book Scully is reading at the hotel is " Affirmations for Women Who Do Too Much." The video that Mulder isn't watching is "Alien Probe". LOL

Bad Blood: OK, did you catch the proof that Mulder is a lousy shot? Scully shoots the tire out on a Gremlin, which is moving away from her; whereas, Mulder attempts to shoot the tire of an RV which is moving in circles around him.

Patient X : The mighty morphing bounty hunter returns and we now see that the implant acts as a homing beacon, and will be used when colonization is about to start. The vaccine that the Russians were developing in Tunguska / Terma does appear to work which is a good thing since Scully's gonna need it in The X-Files, Fight the Future. How about Cassandra Spender? Cassandra was the name of a princess in Greek mythology. She was loved by Apollo, and given the gift of prophecy. Unfortunately, because she resisted his advances, he cursed this gift. Whenever she made a prediction, no one would believe her. In the end however, she was always correct. She'll be back in Two Fathers / One Son

The Red and the Black: Maybe I'm reading waaay too much into this, but did you notice the story CSM is writting about in his letter to his son, Spender? He talks about two sons of a Navaho War God, who ask the deity for weapons and magic to combat the monsters of the world. Is CC trying to tell us that Mulder and Spender are brothers? (See Talitha Cumi, Musings of a Cigarrette Smoking-Man, Demons, Redux II and The Beginning for more on this.) A different alien is introduced, a rebel. They scar themselves so they won't be infected with the oilalien. They return in Two Fathers / One Son.

Travelers: Ick, ick, ick. Mulder smokes- an obvious symbol for his conformity (remember he's just discovered the X-Files.) And then there's the God Damned Ring. Because I'm a shipper, you can say that I don't like the fact that he was married, because that puts a crimp in the Mulder / Scully relationship, but that ain't it. I'm annoyed because this is too important of a plot element to have left out for 5 YEARS!!! I could stomach this a lot easier if they had made hints to it, earlier in the life of the series, then it would have been a big juicy secret, just begging to be uncovered. Now, the next question is... who was his wife? Well the leading contender does seem to be Diana Fowely. (see The End.) Arthur Dales, the FBI Agent involved in this case reappears in Agua Mala.

The End: Bleeeech, not only is Diana Fowely a stupid agent, there is the strong implication that she was once Mulder's <shudder> wife. No, no sir, I don't like it. Only time will tell if she is or not. Gibson Praise the Chess master first appears here. See The Beginning and Within as well.

The X-Files, Fight the Future: Conrad Strunghold, the leader of the Syndicate is the owner of the Mining company in Paper Clip. He was named for the real Strughold, a Nazi scientist who conducted experiments on prisoners during World War II. The U.S. government secretly brought Strughold over after the war to work on the space program. And where have we heard about Antarctica? Look to fourth season and Tunguska. Another carryover from Tunguska, the oilalien causes trouble for our heroes and the cure seems to be the vaccine which was first seen in the same episode. In the scene where Scully collapses in Mulder's hallway due to that nasty bee, she just happens to lie down on honey-comb-patterned linoleum. Kurtzweil's beliefs may be modeled after Milton William Cooper, a real-life conspiracy theorist who has written conspiracy books similar to those seen in Kurtzweil's apartment. One of Cooper's books is titled "The Secret Government", and he was the first to suggest that FEMA would take over the U.S. Government, saying such things as "it will happen on a holiday, when patriots are away from their homes". The phrase "silent weapons for quite wars" also appears in his work. It is also worth noting that the name "COOPER" is on the back of the "fake" ambulance that Scully is loaded into. Finally, Well Manicured Man dies. No one could "My God!" quite like him.

The Beginning: OK, the start of a new season and we see some continuity from The End and Fight the Future here. A virus was responsible for the alien which gestated and the alien's claw, Gibson (Introduced in The End and also seen in Within) and the virus all share the same DNA.  The company the scientist was working for was Rouch of Redux II fame. Meanwhile back at the ranch... the fade from Mulder's face to Spender's face is a little heavy handed. Does CC realy want us to believe that these two are siblings ? (God I hope not- not even Mulder deserves a brother like Spender!) See Talitha Cumi, Musings of a Cigarrette Smoking-Man, Demons, Redux II, The Red and the Black, and William for more.

Triangle: Isn't it interesting where Mulder thinks each individual's loyalties lie? He believes Spender is working with the Consortium (which has yet to be revealed to we the viewing audience) as well as the geeky looking agent who sits one desk away from Scully and Kersh's Administrative Assistant, while Skinner appears to be working with TPTB (but he isn't really.) and Kersh is just some dumb 'swabbo' who has pointed them in the wrong direction, yet isn't intrinsically evil.

Dreamlands II: This is the fourth appearance of John Gilnitz. In this episode, he is a dinner theater actor who Morris turned 'into' Saddam Hussein. For more appearances see Wetwired, Leonard Betts, Christmas Carol, Theef and Jump the Shark. Mulder's bed makes an appearance! My explaination in this section, under José Chung's, From Outer Space is still valid though.

SR 819: This is one that only an OBSSEr would pick up on. The name of the hospital that Skinner is in is St. Katherine's. Could that be a nod in the direction of our sanctification of Scully (Dana KATHERINE) ? Perhaps, especially since the original name for the hospital was St. Elizabeth's.