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Triangle 6X03
Air date: November 22nd, 1998
Written by: Chris Carter
Directed by: Chris Carter


Title Meaning: The Bermuda "Triangle"
Tag Line: Die Wahreit Ist Irgendwo Da Draußen (The Truth Is Somewhere Out There in German)

Other Information:
• This is the first episode to have been shot in "real time" - where the whole thing is just one continuous shot as a homage to Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "Rope", also filmed in the same manner
• The episode is also a homage to the 1939 movie, "Wizard of Oz". In-jokes include that the episode is set in 1939, the boat is named 'Lady Garland' after Judy Garland who played Dorothy, and the storyline of meeting people from real life in a fantasy is similar to the movie
• Mitch Pileggi's (Skinner) real-life wife, Arlene Pileggi, actually makes an appearance in this episode as Skinner's assistant
Mitch Pileggi (Walter Skinner)
William B. Davis (Cancer Man)
Chris Owens (Agent Jeffrey Spender)
Tom Braidwood (Frohike)
Bruce Harwood (Byers)
Dean Haglund (Langly)
Arlene Pileggi (Skinner's Assistant)
Laura Leigh Hughes (Kersh's Assistant)
Madison Mason (Captain Harburg)
James Pickens Jr. (A.D. Kersh)
Robert Arce (Bald-Headed Man)
Trevor Goddard (1st British Crewman)
G.W. Stevens (2nd British Crewman)
Greg Ellis (3rd British Crewman)
Nick Meaney (4th British Crewman)
Robert Thomas Beck (1st Mate)

6X03A trip to the Bermuda Triangle lands Mulder in the middle of a bizarre conflict on a mysterious ship, with the fate of the world in his hands.

Thrown out of his dingy by a ferocious storm in the Sargasso Sea, Mulder is fished out the ocean by hostile sailors. When he regains his wits, he realizes he's boarded the "Queen Anne", an English luxury liner that disappeared in the 1930s during World War II.

Brought before the ship's captain Yip Harburgh, Mulder tries to explain that the war is over and that the boat has been caught in some kind of time warp called the Devil's Triangle for the past 50 years. But he captain and crew have very different feelings, as the reality of the moment tells us that the liner has been captured by Nazi soldiers. The Nazis believe that the boat is carrying "Thor's Hammer", which they assume to be an atom bomb. When Mulder accidentally reveals that "Thor's Hammer" is the scientist who can make an atom bomb, the Nazis steer a path for Germany, hoping to use the atom bomb technology to win the war.

The atom bomb scientist on board is traveling with a woman who looks identical to Scully. Mulder enlists the aid of the Scully look-alike, telling her she must turn the ship around and save the future. If she doesn't, the Germans will win the war, and ultimately, Mulder and Scully will not exist. The Scully look-alike is confused, but Mulder is in a hurry, he's got to get back to his own history. Realizing he may never get another chance, he gives the Scully look-alike a deep kiss, for which she repays him with a "special" kiss of her own - a right hook to his chin. Mulder jumps overboard.

Meantime, the Lone Gunmen approach Scully at FBI headquarters and inform her of Mulder's disappearance. She enlists the help of Skinner to get information from the Navy's satellite tracking system to find the missing ship.

Racing to the spot where Mulder disappeared, the Gunmen and Scully find the ship and rescue Mulder. At the hospital, the Lone Gunmen, Scully and Skinner visit Mulder. He tries to explain all that happened, but they downplay it as a dream. They all wish him a speedy recovery and leave. It is then that Mulder feels a bruise on his face given to him by one of the Nazis. And he realizes it wasn't a dream after all.

Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a truly brilliant masterpiece, and a very refreshing change for the show. After the disappointing start to the season made by the episodes The Beginning and Drive, things were starting to look a bit bleak and the season really did need an episode to kick start it in a new direction. Bring on Triangle!! Words cannot describe how enjoyable, funny, emotional and thrilling this episode is, featuring some great moments such as Scully's trek through the FBI building allowing us a deeper look into the general day to day office work for her, and Mulder's prolonged kiss with the Scully look-a-like. This is a great scene and doesn't remove any sexual tension from their relationship at all, helped by the proper Scully's sigh at Mulder when he tells her he loves her. Plus, everyone just seems to have a great time with this episode, particularly David who has looked much more comfortable since the move to LA. Fantastic!
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