DPO is another episode that I remember seeing way back in the 90s and recently had the chance to watch again.I still enjoyed it a lot and it brought back memories of that particular time in my life. DPO stands for Darin Peter Oswald and as the title suggests the episode is all about him.Hes a small town slacker who works as a mechanic and spends his spare time hanging around the arcades with his friend "Zero",and longing after his schoolteacher,Sharon Kiveat.However he also possesses a special gift,having the ability to apparently channel electricity through his person and focus it on who/whatever is unlucky to get in his way.This is where M&S come in after the number of electricity related deaths in Darin's small town attract their attention.Despite the skepticisms of the local police chief they soon realize Darin had something to do with the deaths.Can they manage to rein him in before his frustration at being rejected in love and his feelings of inadequacy send him spiraling out of control? A Couple of other things to note: The episode featured 2 then relatively unknown actors who would subsequently rise to greater fame:Giovanni Ribisi in the title role and funnyman Jack Black as his friend "Zero".Ribisi is especially good here and he really has the moody teenager persona down to a tee. The opening sequence is tense and exciting and the music(Ring the Bells by James)and action combine very well and peak together in a dramatic climax.The scenes where DPO uses his gift and "strikes" are also handled well and some of these scenes are quite spectacular looking. So to sum up my feelings DPO is a pretty solid X-file.I would put it in the same category as "Pusher",as it features a human character with an extraordinary gift.Its probably not one of my absolute fave eps but its not too far off either.I give it 8.5/10.
15 Reviews
Lightning Crashes
Muldernscully27 May 2006
D.P.O. has the difficult job of following a very powerful myth/arc trilogy. I always find the transition from myth/arc to MOTW interesting. How do the agents go from all the excitement of uncovering the conspiracy and running for their lives to just investigating another bizarre "monster" case? But, the series has to go on, and this is how it is formatted. It is nice to see that a reference is made to the previous three episodes for some continuation. D.P.O. has a very cool intro with some rockin' music. In the MOTW episodes, Mulder and Scully either get a helpful law enforcement officer or a jerk. This time they get a big jerk. This sheriff rips Scully a new one; very surprising to see. It is cool to see Scully sporting shades. I don't recall her wearing them before. D.P.O. shows an interesting parallel to a season five episode "The Post-Modern Prometheus(PMP)". Darren's mom is watching a trashy Jerry Springer-like program. She says Darren is a loser because he's not on t.v. like the people she is watching. PMP is about a lady who watches a lot of Springer and hopes to be on the show. D.P.O. also features two before-they-were-stars appearances by Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black. They give two excellent slacker teenager performances. Ribisi is especially good in this episode. Usually reserved for the first credit after the show ends, the executive producer credit is shown as the final scene in a unique way. D.P.O. is an interesting concept that is done very well with good guest star performances. Enjoy it away from any power lines.
"No man. Not the cows again."
classicsoncall6 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know, there's something about this episode that makes it a favorite of mine through the years. It's probably a combination of the players involved and the cool music, and in what other show would Jack Black actually turn out to be the voice of reason for a change when he tries to talk down his buddy Darin (Giovanni Ribisi) from doing some of his crazy electricity pranks.
Scully and Mulder are back from their harrowing three part story arc, and you have to wonder how they manage to settle in to work one of their more mundane, if not unusual paranormal cases. This one has a lightning strike survivor harnessing the energy of his original ordeal to inflict both human and property damage on unsuspecting victims, all in the name of impressing his high school teacher sweetheart (Karen Lorre).
I think a couple of other reviewers for this episode got it right about a Nineties vibe permeating the story. The slacker era was in full bloom by then, and there was no better representative of that mindset than Jack Black. This was my very first look at Giovanni Ribisi and you have to hand it to the guy, unlike his Oswald character, he appears to have a pretty good work ethic with the career success he's had since this show first aired. In the case of both actors, lightning did manage to strike more than once.
Scully and Mulder are back from their harrowing three part story arc, and you have to wonder how they manage to settle in to work one of their more mundane, if not unusual paranormal cases. This one has a lightning strike survivor harnessing the energy of his original ordeal to inflict both human and property damage on unsuspecting victims, all in the name of impressing his high school teacher sweetheart (Karen Lorre).
I think a couple of other reviewers for this episode got it right about a Nineties vibe permeating the story. The slacker era was in full bloom by then, and there was no better representative of that mindset than Jack Black. This was my very first look at Giovanni Ribisi and you have to hand it to the guy, unlike his Oswald character, he appears to have a pretty good work ethic with the career success he's had since this show first aired. In the case of both actors, lightning did manage to strike more than once.
Hey Man Nice Shot!
cobra_6615 September 2020
Just rewatched this episode, hadn't seen it in years. Just as good as I remembered. Jack Black as slacker Arcade employee and Giovanni Ribbissi as I'll say 'Lightning Rod' showing their great acting skills way before they became household names. Fantastic episode!
Giovanni Ribisi
yusufpiskin2 March 2021
Nirvana
chaos-rampant5 July 2013
This is nicely aligned and has an unabashed comic-book vibe that carries it.
It is about an awkward, moody teenager who feels he's not understood: in the X-file universe, this is rendered as him being able to harness lightning to destroy stuff.
He wears a Vandals tshirt, gets drunk in his backyard with the only one who'll hang with him, a schoolmate who works in the arcade shop. All of which give off a distinct early 90s vibe that reminds me of my years.
Mulder and Scully try to understand youth.
It helps that Ribisi plays the twitchy loner so well.
It is about an awkward, moody teenager who feels he's not understood: in the X-file universe, this is rendered as him being able to harness lightning to destroy stuff.
He wears a Vandals tshirt, gets drunk in his backyard with the only one who'll hang with him, a schoolmate who works in the arcade shop. All of which give off a distinct early 90s vibe that reminds me of my years.
Mulder and Scully try to understand youth.
It helps that Ribisi plays the twitchy loner so well.
A very enjoyable MOTW episode that works as a drama, thriller and action
SleepTight66622 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is jut a classic MOTW episode. It's a brilliant episode following the best Myth-arc.
What is there to say? One of the reasons why it works so well was because of the fabulous guest cast. I just love Giovanni Ribisi, he gave a great performance and I felt throughoutly for him. His 'power' to control the lightning was extremely well done and it delivered some incredibly awesome scenes. His friend Zero, played by Jack Black was another character that I loved. It was a shame when he was killed, but at least he got one of my favorite death scenes so far.
The music used for this episode really works, and it's a great exploration of the character. Pretty much the only thing that I didn't like was that angry skeptic officer. But at least his death was yet another cool one.
I'm giving this episode the perfect FIVE star rating. It's a very enjoyable MOTW episode that works as a drama, thriller and action.
What is there to say? One of the reasons why it works so well was because of the fabulous guest cast. I just love Giovanni Ribisi, he gave a great performance and I felt throughoutly for him. His 'power' to control the lightning was extremely well done and it delivered some incredibly awesome scenes. His friend Zero, played by Jack Black was another character that I loved. It was a shame when he was killed, but at least he got one of my favorite death scenes so far.
The music used for this episode really works, and it's a great exploration of the character. Pretty much the only thing that I didn't like was that angry skeptic officer. But at least his death was yet another cool one.
I'm giving this episode the perfect FIVE star rating. It's a very enjoyable MOTW episode that works as a drama, thriller and action.
For some reason, "D.P.O" is one of the most unabashedly entertaining X-Files episodes for me
SLionsCricketreviews7 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Somewhere between the direction by the wonderful Kim Manners, the script by Howard Gordon (whose X-Files work I am often mixed on) and the guest performances of now stars Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black, I absolutely adore "D.P.O". It is also one of the most different episodes of the show up to this point and bears the almost unfortunate task of measuring up to the trilogy of episodes - "Anasazi", "The Blessing Way" and "Paper Clip" - that completely defined the show's mythology and redefined its potential. It was such an epic scope for the show and "D.P.O" is about Giovanni Ribisi controlling lightning.
That alone should be reason enough to watch this little episode and the entertainment that it offers, I cannot undersell. Both Ribisi and Jack Black are absolutely delightful, hilarious and youthful on screen and their chemistry is fantastic. Ribisi in particular nails the titular character of Darin Peter Oswald with his almost characteristic mannerisms that can be seen on "Friends" and "Lost in Translation" (really my only other exposure to the man's work).
The script is excellent and the gradual tonal shift from a fun, goofy comedy to something slightly more grave and creepy works perfectly with the episode's message of power and its absolute corruption. Darin is gradually corrupted by his own power and what starts off to him as a seemingly fun game (despite it killing and harming many others around him) becomes more grave when he kills his friend. It also is a story of an insecure man lusting after an older woman to gratify urges he may have and it comes together to tell a fairly conventional message.
Kim Manners and his direction has to be lauded. This is only his third directed episode for the show after the superb episodes "Die Hand Die Verletzt" and "Humbug" and he is equally up to task here. In this episode, he uses plenty of wide angle lenses that capture a sense of claustrophobia and generate a distinct atmosphere that immediately reminded me of the experience I had watching the show's first season. Look no further than the one exchange between Darin and his mother, who is seated on a couch and the use of the wide angle lens really adds an identity to this episode.
"D.P.O" is a great and fun little episode that I just absolutely adore. It is placed at the strangest of places within the third season, immediately after the epic "Paper Clip" which concluded the show's first trilogy of mythology episodes and immediately before the exuberant genius of "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose", one of the greatest solo achievements in television. "D.P.O" is perfectly entertaining however, if viewed with a fair mind.
That alone should be reason enough to watch this little episode and the entertainment that it offers, I cannot undersell. Both Ribisi and Jack Black are absolutely delightful, hilarious and youthful on screen and their chemistry is fantastic. Ribisi in particular nails the titular character of Darin Peter Oswald with his almost characteristic mannerisms that can be seen on "Friends" and "Lost in Translation" (really my only other exposure to the man's work).
The script is excellent and the gradual tonal shift from a fun, goofy comedy to something slightly more grave and creepy works perfectly with the episode's message of power and its absolute corruption. Darin is gradually corrupted by his own power and what starts off to him as a seemingly fun game (despite it killing and harming many others around him) becomes more grave when he kills his friend. It also is a story of an insecure man lusting after an older woman to gratify urges he may have and it comes together to tell a fairly conventional message.
Kim Manners and his direction has to be lauded. This is only his third directed episode for the show after the superb episodes "Die Hand Die Verletzt" and "Humbug" and he is equally up to task here. In this episode, he uses plenty of wide angle lenses that capture a sense of claustrophobia and generate a distinct atmosphere that immediately reminded me of the experience I had watching the show's first season. Look no further than the one exchange between Darin and his mother, who is seated on a couch and the use of the wide angle lens really adds an identity to this episode.
"D.P.O" is a great and fun little episode that I just absolutely adore. It is placed at the strangest of places within the third season, immediately after the epic "Paper Clip" which concluded the show's first trilogy of mythology episodes and immediately before the exuberant genius of "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose", one of the greatest solo achievements in television. "D.P.O" is perfectly entertaining however, if viewed with a fair mind.
Not just a flash in the pan.
Sleepin_Dragon24 October 2020
One episode I definitely do remember loving as a fifteen year old, at the time I was fascinated by the elements, and spent my spare time in arcades, this one really did fit the bill.
Sentimentality apart, I still enjoyed it twenty five years later, I like that it's a bizarre, stand alone episode, where not everything is black and white, nor are the events explained.
Notable for containing Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black, the pair look so young. Ribisi did a great job in making Darin such an odious character.
Ok so it's not a classic, but following on from the previous trio of episodes, they did a good job here, 7/10.
Sentimentality apart, I still enjoyed it twenty five years later, I like that it's a bizarre, stand alone episode, where not everything is black and white, nor are the events explained.
Notable for containing Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black, the pair look so young. Ribisi did a great job in making Darin such an odious character.
Ok so it's not a classic, but following on from the previous trio of episodes, they did a good job here, 7/10.
Live Fast. Diarrhea!
Sanpaco1313 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
D.P.O. the Limerick:
Darrin Peter Oswald can kill
Any old person he feels
Lighting will strike
Anyone he don't like
And fry them as if on a grill
D.P.O. is a great episode. It is one of the classics that I remember from when I first started watching the show. I love the two major guest stars Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black. Giovanni is a great actor and I have enjoyed seeing him in other shows and movies. Jack Black is another favorite celebrity and it is fun that he had a guest appearance on The X-Files. The only complaint I have on that is that I wish he could have been part of a comedic episode. But as it is his character was fun to watch and he and Giovanni work great together as the stoner, perma-fried teens. Especially love the scene where Scully first interrogates "Zero". "Oh that was him..." I love the first confrontation with the sheriff how Mulder let's Scully take care of his attacks and then later shows him up by coming out with all the lightning facts that he knows. "See that sheriff? I did my homework." This really sets up the Sheriff's arrogant attitude and he continues to show us how unprofessional he is later when he lets Darrin go simply because he doesn't agree with the Agent's reasons for arresting him instead of simply allowing them to go with their hunches and suspicions. You would think law enforcement would want to assist the FBI but this guy is just plain dumb. At least he gets his in the end.
Another thing that makes this episode great is the soundtrack. "Ring the Bells", "Hey Man Nice Shot", and "Live Fast Diarrhea". I love that the Vandals are also featured here as they are such a great punk/comedic band. This is just one of those episodes where the music just works right into the story perfectly.
Overall I have little bad to say about this episode. If I was to say anything bad I would only say that in my opinion there is a slight lack of the dark and creepy factor that most x-files episodes have. I think this is mainly just because of the fact that while he is dangerous, Darin doesn't look or even act all that dangerous at all. He just seems like another one of those whiny teens that you want to just smack. But overall it is an enjoyable episode to watch and is by far one of the main episodes that I would show to someone I was trying to convert to the show. I give it an 8/10.
Darrin Peter Oswald can kill
Any old person he feels
Lighting will strike
Anyone he don't like
And fry them as if on a grill
D.P.O. is a great episode. It is one of the classics that I remember from when I first started watching the show. I love the two major guest stars Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black. Giovanni is a great actor and I have enjoyed seeing him in other shows and movies. Jack Black is another favorite celebrity and it is fun that he had a guest appearance on The X-Files. The only complaint I have on that is that I wish he could have been part of a comedic episode. But as it is his character was fun to watch and he and Giovanni work great together as the stoner, perma-fried teens. Especially love the scene where Scully first interrogates "Zero". "Oh that was him..." I love the first confrontation with the sheriff how Mulder let's Scully take care of his attacks and then later shows him up by coming out with all the lightning facts that he knows. "See that sheriff? I did my homework." This really sets up the Sheriff's arrogant attitude and he continues to show us how unprofessional he is later when he lets Darrin go simply because he doesn't agree with the Agent's reasons for arresting him instead of simply allowing them to go with their hunches and suspicions. You would think law enforcement would want to assist the FBI but this guy is just plain dumb. At least he gets his in the end.
Another thing that makes this episode great is the soundtrack. "Ring the Bells", "Hey Man Nice Shot", and "Live Fast Diarrhea". I love that the Vandals are also featured here as they are such a great punk/comedic band. This is just one of those episodes where the music just works right into the story perfectly.
Overall I have little bad to say about this episode. If I was to say anything bad I would only say that in my opinion there is a slight lack of the dark and creepy factor that most x-files episodes have. I think this is mainly just because of the fact that while he is dangerous, Darin doesn't look or even act all that dangerous at all. He just seems like another one of those whiny teens that you want to just smack. But overall it is an enjoyable episode to watch and is by far one of the main episodes that I would show to someone I was trying to convert to the show. I give it an 8/10.
Lightning strikes
thomas-schroers20 January 2017
What can I say about this episode. It's a regular one. Nothing special about it. The thing is this. When the X-Files was on TV people didn't expect the kind of story lines, that we get nowadays. So I have to remind myself, that it is totally fine, that after four incredible myth episodes we now go back to the monster of the week. In all honesty though this time around the monster isn't really exciting. Actually, the most exciting thing was to see Jack Black and Giovanni Ribisi. I didn't expect that one and the two of them didn't disappoint. Ribisi brought a diverse array of emotions, while being terrifying as well. The episode also has this clear 90s vibe, which I liked. You look at both Black and Ribisi and have no choice, but to think: Yeah 90s. Both of these guys could walk around in those early Linklater movies. Mulder and Scully were in great form, too. I noticed something about Duchovny in this episode. Something was different. Maybe it was the hair or a little new movement of his lips. After four episodes of hectic behavior, Mulder was back to normal.
Gen X Cult Classic!
pppppppppppppppsomanyppppppeees16 June 2022
This episode has all the makings of a cult classic 90s B-movie, aesthetically akin to something like Demon Knight (not just for the shared song by Filter, which kicks arse in both).
It's extremely Gen X, more so than any other X-files episode, from the characters attitudes, attire, and choice of actors to play them (this might be Ribisi's best turn); to the music, cinematography, and setting. Everything about it screams 90s.
It's awesome. Top 10 episode.
It's extremely Gen X, more so than any other X-files episode, from the characters attitudes, attire, and choice of actors to play them (this might be Ribisi's best turn); to the music, cinematography, and setting. Everything about it screams 90s.
It's awesome. Top 10 episode.
Hitler Bad, Mulder Good
frankelee16 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode dares to ask what would happen if a mentally challenged teenage boy gained super powers. Unfortunately most teenage boys seem like people that are going to hell, and this boy is no different.
We start the episode in an arcade, a TV bully plays Street Fighter with no one else around him until a strange young man in a hoodie awkwardly walks up to tell him that's his game. The bully is like 'get in line' and blows him off, but the strange young man gets more insistent. Feeling annoyed the bully violently tosses him to the ground as Jack Black also shows up to tell the bully, he shouldn't have done that. Realizing as the lights go haywire that these two are not about to ask him to join us for pong, the bully flees to his car. But no sooner does he try to start the engine then the car goes crazy too and he's electrocuted to death.
Mulder and Scully show up after this because the town is having a rash of lightning killings, which is a bit strange since only 60 people a year die of lightning strikes in the US and never all in one town within a couple weeks of each other. The local sheriff however doesn't like all this talk of hocus pocus and insists nothing out of the ordinary could be going on.
Meanwhile we go back to the killer to discover he's in love with a soccer mom, who is also the wife of his boss at the local autobody shop. It's obvious this little weirdo has made some advances toward the wife, though he clearly expects her to appreciate his honesty as opposed to being totally creeped out. He's no ladykiller and she rebuffs him with a sort of frightened sympathy. And then the handsome husband/boss shows up to make it clear to him: that's my girl.
Mulder and Scully have no better luck as they question around town, with Jack Black telling them, squibbity doo, I didn't see anything at the scene of that homicide I saw last night. However, our heroes can tell the strange lightning boy is clearly a person of interest, the only person in town to be struck by lightning and survive, which in turn makes the villain, who is intimated to be slow to a degree of medical relevancy by the writers, suspect his friend may have betrayed him.
All Jack Black can do is tell him the only way the FBI would know is if the gov't could read my mind, but the lightning killer lets off steam by calling down lightning bolts on himself, and I guess a bunch of cows right next to his own house. The show really makes it clear he's a simpleton who is going to self-destruct at some point, and everything he does leaves behind a lot of incriminating clues which he doesn't have the mind to realize is happening.
This only gets worse for him shortly after as he's sitting watching a local traffic light, switching both lights to green as cars approach the intersection hoping they will crash together. Jack Black joins him to ask why he seems so troubled lately, he's not very bright either, and the villain explains how he loves the older lady. Jack Black is pessimistic as to his chances, she was their former teacher and while nice to him, clearly thought he was mentally challenged, which he is. While his friend reminds him girls turn 18 every day and that he should look elsewhere, he won't listen as this is no superficial love. Instead he causes two cars to crash together violently, seemingly killing one of the drivers.
When the evil boy's boss shows up with a towtruck to haul away a damaged car, he uses his electrical mind powers to nearly kill him, only to then walk up and defibrillate his boss with his bare hands. The paramedics there are like, OK, that was insane.
Hearing this account Mulder and Scully are now sure this kid is the killer, though the autobody owner's hot wife refuses to talk to Mulder because she's so busy. They nonetheless take the evil boy into custody, later finding the woman and talking over with her that only her testimony will allow them to press charges. As long as she does that, she and her husband will be safe.
But then they go back to the sheriff's office and discover he let the boy go. Scully's like, why, but the sheriff is like, you're not the boss of me, I'm the boss of me.
Now back out on the loose, the boy finds Jack Black, and not having learned that ape shall never kill ape, he murders him for having tipped off the FBI. Even though he didn't, the kid's just that stupid.
Mulder and Scully decide to defend the hospital where the trophy wife and her husband are, but the place soon has a total power failure, which is probably bad for hospitals. Mulder is pulled away by a distraction, and Scully and the wife end up cornered. Scully totally has a clear shot and is about to pull the trigger, but then the mom is like, no, I'll go talk to him, and stands in the way of Scully's bullet.
The boy goes on a walk with his former teacher, asking her to come with him so he can let the bad times roll. He makes it clear money's not an issue, as he can steal from any ATM and drive off in any car. Despite stopping Scully ten seconds prior, she immediately regrets her decision, and when the local sheriff pulls up she uses the distraction to run for it.
Mulder grabs the lady and ducks her into the tree line so they can hide, but the boy is like what about me? He makes it clear he loves this other guy's wife, but to no avail. Eventually the fat local sheriff manages to catch up and pull his gun on the kid. Where's your dignity, he asks, as the boy has a meltdown. Don't stop me now, the kid responds electrocuting the sheriff, a nearby tree, and apparently himself. So that saved the day!
To wrap up the episode we see Mulder and Scully outside the kid's padded cell, discussing how nothing out of the ordinary could be found with him. They peer in as the kid sits alone, eating the soup of the day, flipping through TV channels with his mind, and listening to some rock band.
We start the episode in an arcade, a TV bully plays Street Fighter with no one else around him until a strange young man in a hoodie awkwardly walks up to tell him that's his game. The bully is like 'get in line' and blows him off, but the strange young man gets more insistent. Feeling annoyed the bully violently tosses him to the ground as Jack Black also shows up to tell the bully, he shouldn't have done that. Realizing as the lights go haywire that these two are not about to ask him to join us for pong, the bully flees to his car. But no sooner does he try to start the engine then the car goes crazy too and he's electrocuted to death.
Mulder and Scully show up after this because the town is having a rash of lightning killings, which is a bit strange since only 60 people a year die of lightning strikes in the US and never all in one town within a couple weeks of each other. The local sheriff however doesn't like all this talk of hocus pocus and insists nothing out of the ordinary could be going on.
Meanwhile we go back to the killer to discover he's in love with a soccer mom, who is also the wife of his boss at the local autobody shop. It's obvious this little weirdo has made some advances toward the wife, though he clearly expects her to appreciate his honesty as opposed to being totally creeped out. He's no ladykiller and she rebuffs him with a sort of frightened sympathy. And then the handsome husband/boss shows up to make it clear to him: that's my girl.
Mulder and Scully have no better luck as they question around town, with Jack Black telling them, squibbity doo, I didn't see anything at the scene of that homicide I saw last night. However, our heroes can tell the strange lightning boy is clearly a person of interest, the only person in town to be struck by lightning and survive, which in turn makes the villain, who is intimated to be slow to a degree of medical relevancy by the writers, suspect his friend may have betrayed him.
All Jack Black can do is tell him the only way the FBI would know is if the gov't could read my mind, but the lightning killer lets off steam by calling down lightning bolts on himself, and I guess a bunch of cows right next to his own house. The show really makes it clear he's a simpleton who is going to self-destruct at some point, and everything he does leaves behind a lot of incriminating clues which he doesn't have the mind to realize is happening.
This only gets worse for him shortly after as he's sitting watching a local traffic light, switching both lights to green as cars approach the intersection hoping they will crash together. Jack Black joins him to ask why he seems so troubled lately, he's not very bright either, and the villain explains how he loves the older lady. Jack Black is pessimistic as to his chances, she was their former teacher and while nice to him, clearly thought he was mentally challenged, which he is. While his friend reminds him girls turn 18 every day and that he should look elsewhere, he won't listen as this is no superficial love. Instead he causes two cars to crash together violently, seemingly killing one of the drivers.
When the evil boy's boss shows up with a towtruck to haul away a damaged car, he uses his electrical mind powers to nearly kill him, only to then walk up and defibrillate his boss with his bare hands. The paramedics there are like, OK, that was insane.
Hearing this account Mulder and Scully are now sure this kid is the killer, though the autobody owner's hot wife refuses to talk to Mulder because she's so busy. They nonetheless take the evil boy into custody, later finding the woman and talking over with her that only her testimony will allow them to press charges. As long as she does that, she and her husband will be safe.
But then they go back to the sheriff's office and discover he let the boy go. Scully's like, why, but the sheriff is like, you're not the boss of me, I'm the boss of me.
Now back out on the loose, the boy finds Jack Black, and not having learned that ape shall never kill ape, he murders him for having tipped off the FBI. Even though he didn't, the kid's just that stupid.
Mulder and Scully decide to defend the hospital where the trophy wife and her husband are, but the place soon has a total power failure, which is probably bad for hospitals. Mulder is pulled away by a distraction, and Scully and the wife end up cornered. Scully totally has a clear shot and is about to pull the trigger, but then the mom is like, no, I'll go talk to him, and stands in the way of Scully's bullet.
The boy goes on a walk with his former teacher, asking her to come with him so he can let the bad times roll. He makes it clear money's not an issue, as he can steal from any ATM and drive off in any car. Despite stopping Scully ten seconds prior, she immediately regrets her decision, and when the local sheriff pulls up she uses the distraction to run for it.
Mulder grabs the lady and ducks her into the tree line so they can hide, but the boy is like what about me? He makes it clear he loves this other guy's wife, but to no avail. Eventually the fat local sheriff manages to catch up and pull his gun on the kid. Where's your dignity, he asks, as the boy has a meltdown. Don't stop me now, the kid responds electrocuting the sheriff, a nearby tree, and apparently himself. So that saved the day!
To wrap up the episode we see Mulder and Scully outside the kid's padded cell, discussing how nothing out of the ordinary could be found with him. They peer in as the kid sits alone, eating the soup of the day, flipping through TV channels with his mind, and listening to some rock band.
Darin: So, is it my turn now?
bombersflyup25 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
D.P.O. is about Mulder and Scully investigating the deaths of five male teenagers, who were all struck by lightning in the same small town.
The opening sequence's nothing short of brilliant and rival to any. Followed by a quality chew out by the sheriff at the coroner's. Then Mulder says "I just don't think it's lightning," heh. What's ingenious about it is, Darin's put at the scene of the crime solely because he got a high score with his initials on a game with the timestamp. Two great young actors in Ribisi and Black, neither close to their first role or anything though. The episode gradually declines from beginning to end, as Darin's characterization's essentially a dead end and the story not deep, as intended. The depiction of the good for nothing, incorrigible teenager.
The opening sequence's nothing short of brilliant and rival to any. Followed by a quality chew out by the sheriff at the coroner's. Then Mulder says "I just don't think it's lightning," heh. What's ingenious about it is, Darin's put at the scene of the crime solely because he got a high score with his initials on a game with the timestamp. Two great young actors in Ribisi and Black, neither close to their first role or anything though. The episode gradually declines from beginning to end, as Darin's characterization's essentially a dead end and the story not deep, as intended. The depiction of the good for nothing, incorrigible teenager.
Lightning strikes again.
devonbrown-9064927 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An interesting episode with an interesting premise with great choice of supporting actors.
One of the more creative antagonists with a boy who can control lighting and electricity. Sadly the story and reasons for killing aren't good enough for me. It seems he believes in causing chaos above all. But the story of a villainous teenager with a deep crush is far too common in tv shows for my liking.
As the a result the way this episode ended was unsatisfactory. Due to him breaking down as his crush ran away from him and then getting knocked down by his own rage to lead to his capture.
It was somewhat saved by the fact we may see him again in future episodes given there was no evidence to prosecute him as all his victims died from lightning strikes..
One of the more creative antagonists with a boy who can control lighting and electricity. Sadly the story and reasons for killing aren't good enough for me. It seems he believes in causing chaos above all. But the story of a villainous teenager with a deep crush is far too common in tv shows for my liking.
As the a result the way this episode ended was unsatisfactory. Due to him breaking down as his crush ran away from him and then getting knocked down by his own rage to lead to his capture.
It was somewhat saved by the fact we may see him again in future episodes given there was no evidence to prosecute him as all his victims died from lightning strikes..
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