This review was written as a part of a season 9 review project by the Next Gen'ers at P2K. You can read a few other reviews at CoExistence.

When word of this little review project came up, I was excited. The greatest minds in Philedom coming together to celebrate what would be the final season of The X-Files. How could you ask for anything more?? Shockingly, the brain trust behind this wondrous gig let in the riff raff and allowed me to join in on the fun. Fools. I volunteered for episode 9x11, hoping I'd end up with some fluffy MOTW... something that would require little or no brainpower... something I could bluff my way through and make believe I'm somewhat intelligent. But no. I'm lucky but not real lucky. Episode 9x11 turned out to be the second half of a mythology two-parter. Not just any two-parter... but instead one that may just be one of the most significant in the show's history. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the title, Providence, has religious connotations. Oh dear. So now I'll have to think. I'll have to connect the dots in a puzzle where only every fourth number is visible. And I'll have to try and spell my words correctly, too.

So first, a disclaimer: I'm an idiot. I have a short memory. I pay little or no attention to inconsistencies or timeline. And I know absolutely nothing about religion. So don't go on if you expect a terribly in-depth review of the conspiracy or how it may relate to the Bible. But I'll try my best to at least entertain... a little.

"Previously, On The X-Files"

Cliff Notes version of part one, Provenance: The head honchos at the FBI seem to be keeping secrets from Scully, Doggett and Reyes (shocking I know). They've sent one of their own, Agent Comer, to infiltrate a UFO cult whose members have made claims our beloved Mulder's been killed and who've apparently discovered a space ship in the wilds of Alberta Province, Canada... a ship uncannily similar to one Scully found in Africa a few years ago. Agent Comer made an attempt on sweet William's life before Scully shot him down in a "shoot first, make sure he's not holding my child second" kind of way, sending him to the hospital.. but not before Scully discovered an "artifact" hidden in the man's jacket... an "artifact" uncannily similar to the ones that came from the aforementioned African space ship discovered a few years ago. Fearing for Willy's life, Scully hands him off to babysitters extraordinaire - the Lone Gunmen (anyone else wanting to see another breast-feeding Frohike scene like the one in the TGM series?). Turns out that was a big mistake as one of the whacked out cult members snatches William from Byer's arms and runs away with him... but not before running over my man Doggett with her car. Oh crap.

"And now, part two..."

Longer Cliff Notes version of part two, Providence: We open to find US Marines in a tense gun battle with unseen enemies in Iraq, circa the Gulf War. The Marines are pinned down and being picked off one by one. All but one man is dead. That man, Lt. Col Josepho, is witness to what he describes as a miracle: angels sent from God to protect him, his men and, we presume, mankind. These are the so-called "Super Soldiers" McMahon and Roher were going on and on about in the season premiere. Cut to today... we see Josepho standing on the now fully excavated alien space craft seen in Provenance.

Meanwhile, at the FBI, Follmer is heading the task force charged with finding Baby Will. The Lone Gunmen pretend to co-operate in the search but tell only Scully when they've identified the kidnapper. Scully tells Skinner she doesn't trust Follmer or the task force given all they kept from her before and, after a tense conversation, tells him she'll go and find her son on her own. All the while, a shadowy man - the Toothpick Man - looks over the proceedings with curious interest.

Meanwhile, Agent Doggett lies comatose after his confrontation with Will's kidnapper's car. The doctors tell Reyes that he may never wake up. She and Skinner share a teary and touching moment while watching over Doggett (sniff). Scully calls for an update on Doggett and then asks for Reyes' secret assistance in finding Will. With the Gunmen's help they track the kidnapper via a signal from a cel phone Byers left in William's car seat (that was lucky!). Scully and Reyes make their way to Pennsylvania (apparently breaking the land-speed record) only to find the kidnapper's car, abandoned, by a pay phone.

Meanwhile, in Alberta Province, Canada, the cult is trying in vain to open the space craft when it suddenly starts to move. Two men are tragically trapped inside as it closes.

Meanwhile, the next morning, Reyes arrives back in DC to check on Doggett. She steps into the chapel to pray and is met there by Follmer who confronts her about investigating the kidnapping with Scully... but he also comforts her when he sees how broken up she is about Doggett (sniff). He asks for her co-operation in exchange for what he knows - Comer is coming to and is trying to communicate.

Meanwhile, Scully brings the "artifact" to the hospital and sneaks into Comer's room with Reyes. He's miraculously cured by its touch (again) and tells Scully that William has to die. he says the cult believes an alien race will rule the world. The leader, Josepho, says God led him to Alberta to find the ship. They believe the craft is "a temple that houses the physical manifestation of God". Josepho preaches that William is a "miracle child" that will be coveted by both good and evil... that he's our future saviour. The cult wants to protect William so that he may follow in Mulder's path and stop the aliens' return. That is his destiny. However, for some reason, Mulder must be dead for this "prophecy" to come true. Comer says William should die, too, or all of mankind will perish. He doesn't really say why he feels that way but it's kinda scary nonetheless. A pesky nurse interrupts the conversation and alerts the FBI of Scully and Reyes' interference in Comer's condition. The Toothpick Man chases Scully and Reyes out of the room before Scully can retrieve the "artifact" then kills Comer and steals the "artifact".

Meanwhile, the kidnapper arrives at the excavation site with William. As if triggered by William's presence, the ship opens and begins to move again. Inside, the charred remains of the lost cult members are found.

Meanwhile, Reyes wants to tell the FBI about how Comer was healed. She thinks if the "artifact" can help him, it can help Doggett, as well. But Scully is still very skeptical of who can be trusted. She confides in Monica that she was scared all along - since Will was conceived - that something was wrong with him. Reyes comforts Scully, saying that God would never decree the death of a child (sniff). Soon, they learn of Comer's death. Reyes demands to know who was left alone with Comer and where the "artifact" disappeared to. She psychically predicts the Toothpick Man was behind it all.

Meanwhile, Scully goes to Doggett's side and tearily apologizes to him for getting him into this mess (sniff). Just then, Doggett wakes. He says he heard someone speaking to him... telling him to warn Scully that "they" will come to her but that she shouldn't trust "them". Miraculous! Reyes arrives to find Doggett awake and playing Nintendo. As if on cue, Scully receives a call from Josepho, telling her to meet him... alone. Scully, of course, ignores that "alone" bit and brings Monica and the Gunmen along with her to Canada. They hide in the shadows while Scully meets with Josepho inside a diner. There, he says he's only trying to protect William because he's special. He says the "super soldiers" he saw in Iraq were the "true sons of God" and that William will lead the alien race. He says Scully can see William if and when she brings him proof Mulder is dead. If Mulder is alive, then the prophecy won't come true and Willy's true destiny won't be realized. Apparently he thought Mulder was already dead but now doubts that. And apparently I'm confused because this contradicts everything Comer told Scully in the hospital... but I digress.

Meanwhile, with the Gunmen's help, Reyes and Scully track Josepho in the hills to the dig site where a very cranky Will is crying. The ship comes alive again, glowing a moving. the cult members watch as the ship starts to pull out of the earth in a blinding light. The site explodes and the ship disappears into the night just as Scully and Reyes arrive. The burned bodies of the cult members litter the ground and our heroines fear the worst for baby William... until they hear his cries. They find him lying on the ground, inside the ship's crater. Scully's beside herself with relief as Simon & Garfunkle's "Mother And Child Reunion" plays on in the background (sniff).

Meanwhile, back in DC, Reyes finds Doggett in the hospital chapel trying to come to terms with hearing the mysterious voice that told him to warn Scully. We're left to ponder whether this epiphany will last into the next episode. I'm taking bets it won't.

Meanwhile, at the FBI, a bewildered Follmer asks to have his name taken off the file on Comer's death, believing that Skinner was right - Comer was murdered. Kersh rebuffs him, shuts the door in his face and hands the file over to the Toothpick Man who says he can fix this... or something equally obtuse. The camera pans around behind the Toothpick Man and we discover those nasty, tell-tale bumps on his neck...

Sure. Fine. Huh?.

As usual, I'm confused. And, as usual, I'm thrilled with the episode. I've never been one to let incoherency and vagueness get in the way of enjoying a mythology episode. I'm so easily amused and impressed, aren't I?

"They Be Good Actors"

Gillian: First off, let me just say what I say after almost every episode of The X-Files: Gillian Anderson rocks. Finally, season nine's Scully has emerged from her background-slash-house plant status and has been thrust back into the spotlight with this heavy two-parter. Yeah, the kidnapping plot is old hat and a cheap, soap opera "twist" that allows for more of season eight's "Crying!Scully" but I ask... who cares?? Not me. Not if it means Gillian's got something interesting to do and she never disappoints when it comes to the emotional stuff. Her solid acting skills have long helped anchor the ridiculous plots 1013 cooks up, making them somewhat believable. And here Gillian turns what could have been a clichéd kidnapping plot into enticing television. In the process we were witness to more "MamaBear!Scully" who thinks nothing of putting the kung fu death grip on a man who's barely alive to begin with. The subtle flicker of tumultuous hell that flashes across Scully's face when Josepho asks for Mulder's head in exchange for baby Will spoke unspeakable volumes. The utter desperation at the excavation site as she searches for her son made for a tense moment even though we knew all along that not even 1013 would be foolhardy enough to kill off Scully's child. Truth is... Gillian still has it despite claims that the show, her character and her acting are growing stale. Provenance, Providence and Trust No 1 prove Gillian's incredible range will never falter.

Annabeth: Providence is another episode in a string of season nine episodes that has increased my affection for the character of Reyes and for Annabeth Gish. I personally appreciate her scenes with Scully and what that dynamic is bringing to the show. I love that Scully has found a friend - a woman, no less! Someone she can trust... someone she can rely on... someone who is her equal... It's about damn time. And, while I can't say I was all that thrilled with the rather rushed and forced Doggett/Reyes romance (the dreaded "DRR"), I have to say that I'm happy that Reyes' affection for Doggett has so far gone unspoken and acts more as a back story rather than the main story, if that made sense. I mean, if they wind up ramming their tongues down each other's throats, then I'll have problems. But I kind of enjoy how her feelings for him are both obvious and covert. It's not left open for interpretation (like Mulder and Scully's relationship was) but yet it hasn't over run the show either. And, as my husband tells me each and every time we see the show, Annabeth is a babe. Further to that, in my opinion, she can act. She and Reyes bring a lot of something good to the show... it's a popular opinion, I know.

Mitch: Poor, poor Skinner. He's always having to prove himself and his trustworthiness to Scully. When did she get so skeptical, anyways?? I was left with the impression that we (and Scully) had resolved the "can Skinner be trusted?" question long ago. Now it appears Chris Carter and 1013 are intent on reviving the "is he a good guy or is he a bad guy?" routine for him. I have yet to see a season nine episode where Skinner's characterization satisfied me. I much, much prefer the Skinner of mid-season eight to his current incarnation. Scully trusted him above no other in Mulder's absence. Inexplicably, though, Skinner's newfound open-mindedness is all but an afterthought now. It's tragic. Mitch Pileggi has long been, in my opinion, the show's most under-used actor. Joyfully, he was thrust into the fore last season but has once again been relegated to the shadows this year. Chris Carter and company try, though. They even pulled out the surefire "Skinner in Vietnam" story this week but all it did was make me yearn for the Skinman of yesterday when our beloved AD had a set of balls. Now he's just pushed around like a pawn on a chess board, to abuse one of the show's most prolific analogies.

Robert: One would think being strapped to a hospital bed, made to look unconscious and allowed only three or four lines of dialogue (for the second time this season, but who's counting?) wouldn't be too conducive to advancing character. Instead, 1013 surprised me - and Doggett - by allowing him his X-Files Epiphany, much like those Scully had in Revelations and All Souls. It took him long enough, given all he's seen and been through - including, but not limited to, the digestive system of a "Soul Eater" in The Gift. Course, it took Scully seven years before she found - and admitted - the truth. So odds are 10-1 that Doggett's "God spoke to me" moment will all be forgotten next time he runs into a UFO, man bat or butt genie. Let's hope not, okay? Otherwise, Robert Patrick's two minutes of screen time in Providence will have been for naught.

"What about the baddies?"

So is Follmer a good guy? I'm leaning to yes. He's Cary Elwes, for crying out loud! He's the guy from The Princess Bride! He should be above reproach. It certainly appears that way after Providence since he helped Monica. He genuinely cares for her. He didn't let her and Scully swing in the wind for bending the rules and he believed them and Skinner that Comer was murdered. He's still a little bit of a yes man, worried about crossing Kersh and the Toothpick Man, but he had his chance to bust Reyes and Scully out of the FBI this week and didn't take it.

Speaking of Kersh, I've given up trying to figure him out. I assumed, going into season nine, that he was a one-note pony; that all he was out for was to better his career and to protect the so-called good name of the FBI. After Nothing Important Happened Today, I began to rethink my stance and thought just maybe he's actually on Scully and Mulder's side... Now we see he's pandering to this Toothpick Man just like Skinner pandered to Cancer Man. It's too close to the finale to start throwing us curves like that, dammit! Kersh remains, to me, an enigma.

And this "Toothpick Man"... Anyone else hoping above all hope that, during that final scene, the camera would pan out to show Cancer Man sitting in Kersh's office?? I was seriously sitting there waiting breathlessly for the little plume of smoke to find its way on camera just like the good ol' days. Instead, we've got this new bad guy who's got a bumpy neck just like Billy Myles and Roher. I'm still confused about the bumpy necks... are they aliens? Or are they super soldiers? Are they good? Are they bad? When will the questions and the headaches end, dear lord? When? I fear never... Still, we're hurting for a really good bad guy now that Krycek and CSM are gone. Too bad it's so close to the series' end.

"The direction of the direction"

Chris Carter co-wrote and directed this episode. I've never been one to complain about CC's directing style. I rather like it, as a matter of fact. I'm a little frustrated with his circular dialogue and plotting but I've always thought he directs a decent looking show. We haven't lost the dark brooding sense of the earlier, Vancouver Era episodes and, with Providence especially, I feel we were treated to another "big screen" adventure whose direction and use of colour, angles and lighting reminded me of my all-time favourite X-Files director, Rob Bowman. This episode felt "bigger" than it really was, particularly the ending sequences with the space craft lifting from the ground. Sure, it was kind of a rip off of the movie... I half expected Monica and Scully to pull on their parkas and start running for their lives. But that scene in Fight The Future stands as one of my all time favourite scenes in any move anywhere and I'm always happy to revisit it. Besides, this time, Scully got to actually SEE the ship so it's all good.

Much has been said about the use of the "William in danger" plot lines for season eight and season nine but honestly... what can you expect? He's an uberbaby with magical powers... or is he? Fact is - and we all better get used to it - William is here to stay and he's central to the story. Furthermore, he's a reminder of Mulder and of Mulder and Scully's bond. Once again, we received confirmation in Providence that Mulder is indeed the pappy of wee Willy. And once again, we're left with questions about whether or not William is intended to be the second coming, the anti-Christ or just a regular kid who likes baseball like his dad. Many suspect that season nine and all of these "William in danger" plots are merely a way for us to come to the conclusion that William is just a normal child (albeit with highly abnormal parents). I would agree. There would never, ever be an end to the story otherwise and I have to hold on to the tenuous string of hope that Chris Carter will give us SOME element of closure come the end of the series. Please?

"The CHArc"

I had no flipping idea what a "CHArc" was prior to this season. I'd heard the term bandied about but never stopped to figure out what the frell people were talking about. Well, now I know and now I realize its deepest significance. Now, in the middle of episodes, I actually find myself shouting things like "Reyes' hair rocks!" and "Scully's hair's getting so dark!" and "I wonder where I can get a pair of magic boobs like Scully's". I'm no expert in CHArc but I will say that I'm totally digging Reyes' wardrobe (but then I am a part time member of TBTSCIABBC... if you don't already know, you don't need to know). And, after recently watching Deep Throat, I can't tell you how thrilled I am Scully's no longer wearing the frumpy suits of yore... Doggett's hospital wear did leave a little to be desired, though. There were no chest shots this time! Conspiracy? I think so...

"Speaking of conspiracies..."

Oy vey... honestly, who can understand or keep track anymore? I gave up half way through season four, as a matter of fact. I still don't understand what the cult expected William to do nor do I understand why Mulder had to be dead... I watched it THREE times... Comer says the cult wants Mulder dead so that William can fulfill his destiny and stop the aliens' return. Then later Josepho says that William will lead the alien race. So which is it? I'm so confused. This is why I don't pay close attention when it comes to mythology episodes. It hurts the brain and causes loss of sleep. But please... feel free to correct me and/or explain what happened. I might not understand it but I certainly will appreciate it.

"The Music"

Is it me or has Mark Snow gotten lazy? Don't get me wrong... the music in Providence was beautiful and wonderful, as always, but wasn't it all culled from earlier shows? It's rare that we get an episode - like Paper Hearts or Trust No 1 - where the music really stands out anymore. The folks at 1013 are extremely blessed with the fantastic talents of Mark Snow. He's helped make the show what it is and, while I don't expect the music to take over the show on an every-week basis, how many more times are we going to have to hear Scully's theme? They've got to give the man some more opportunities to shine. That said, I have to say that I don't miss the much cheesier synthesized soundtrack of the earlier seasons. It was cool then but once they put an orchestra behind him during FTF, there's just no going back for me. Oh and as an aside, has anyone else noticed a distinct Mark Snow taste to the soundtrack of 24?? Hmm... Upon checking the "Internet Movie Database" to see if Mark did indeed compose the theme for 24, I see now how thinly the man is stretched these days, with no less than seven television shows using his music in 2001. He is absolved.

"Random Ramblings"

Providence was THE episode for Christmas Miracles, was it not?. Comer comes back to life. Doggett magically awakens from his coma. Baby Will is found alive in the bonfire pit at the end. God sure was busy this week. Related to that and taking into consideration the plot for next week's episode, season nine has got to be THE worst year to be on The X-Files (and that's saying something). Doggett was paralyzed. Doggett had amnesia. Someone's tried to kill William, like, fifteen times. Scully's been teased time and again about Mulder's safety. Ma Scully got beaten up. Doggett found himself in a coma, again, this week. Next week is Reyes' turn. Then there's the rumoured demise of the Gunmen later this year (sniff). Dudes... there's such thing as TOO much angst.

Pertaining more to Provenance, why is it that 1013 insisted on telling the audience that the cult was in "Alberta Province, Canada"?? I mean, do they ever say Doggett and Scully are in, say, "Vermont State, USA"?? Uh no. Could there possibly be a segment of the viewing population who doesn't realize that Alberta is a province? And that it's in Canada?? And to my recollection, this isn't something they used to do. They didn't say "British Columbia Province, Canada" during those scenes at GM Place in Vancouver for The End. And why this fascination with Alberta?? Everything happens in Alberta (save that chess match at GM Place). Let's see... the oily rock was buried in Alberta in Tunguska/Terma. The clones of Samantha were busily working away on an Alberta plantation in Herronvolk. And now the space ship was resting in the foothills in Alberta. Who know it was such a magical place?

Providence, by the way, refers to "divine guidance or care". When capitalized, it can also be used to describe "God, conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny" (according to Merriam-Webster). I will not bore you with an explanation of how this title applies to this episode. It's almost so obvious even I can see the connection. Needless to say, I'd think it has something to do with William's supposed destiny. Or perhaps the space ship was meant to be found in Rhode Island with Melina Kanakaredes as the cult leader...

Nearly as exciting as the show were the commercials. Shoot, for a full week we were treated to commercials FOR a commercial to air just before The X-Files. I am, of course, talking about the previously unseen trailer for Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clowns... er... Clones. The trailer looked okay. At least it didn't focus too heavily on the sick romance between the Queen and the little kid. And there was plenty of Sam Jackson and Ewen McGregor to keep me focused. But really... it isn't Star Wars unless it's got Han Solo in it. That said, I'll wait until mid April to take my spot in line next to the idiots camped outside the Cinerama in downtown Seattle. They've been there since the beginning of February. What geeks.

Oh, and in discussing the commercials, we cannot overlook the exciting, drama-building advertisement for Fox's Celebrity Boxing! Ladies and gents... a new low from the network that brought us Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire and The Chamber! I didn't think it could be done but... Still, what a disappointment to find there would be no celebrities on Celebrity Boxing. And honestly! What kind of a match up is Danny Bonaduce versus Greg Brady anyway?? Hell, I think I could take Barry Williams. Then there's the dueling white trash queens: Tonya Harding and Paula Jones. Again... where's the match? A professional athlete (ahem) versus a tabloid queen with a fake nose? Whatever. I didn't see Celebrity Boxing but I'm certain I can predict the outcome of all three "fights". I do regret not seeing Todd Bridges wipe the mat up with Vanilla Ice though... Oh well. There's always Celebrity Boxing II: Charles Nelson Reilly versus Gopher from the Love Boat. But I digress...

"In conclusion..."

For those who've skipped down to the bottom to read my final thoughts, shame on you for missing the good stuff. Oh wait... I've just been rambling on without a point for three pages. Never mind. I give Providence a rating of three rattles out of four. It would have gotten four but I don't feel it belongs in the midst of perfect episodes like Paper Hearts and Irresistible. It's close... but since all it did was confuse me more than usual, I had to deduct points. Plus, I'd rather see more of Doggett. His screen time was short (though important) and I missed him this week. I missed hearing him say "Muldah" and "dollars to donuts" and I dare say I missed his not-so-quiet concern for baby Willy. Don't hate me cause I don't hate Doggett.

All in all, Providence is a nice lead up to the final few mythology episodes. I was saddened (but not surprised) to hear The X-Files will be ending this year. But once my initial reaction faded, I have to say I've never looked forward to an episode of X-Files as much as I'm looking forward to The Truth, the series' finale. Providence has shown, however, that Chris Carter and friends have a lot of planning and explaining to do to make all the pieces fit reasonably well.