This is Not Happening
And, so, Monica Reyes arrives on the scene.
It is an interesting name. The original meaning is lost but, in the 4th Century, Monica was the name of St. Augustin’s mother – she it was who aided his conversion to Christianity. Not unnaturally, the name accrued Latin and Greek associations over time. In Latin, it is associated with ‘moneo’, meaning ‘advisor’ and in Greek, ‘monos’, meaning ‘one’.
The name Reyes is even more evocative as it relates directly to the mother of Jesus. In Spanish, Mary, the Virgin mother of Christ, bears the title ‘La Virgen de los Reyes’, which means, ‘The Virgin of the Kings’.
Unfortunately, the character was to prove something of a disappointment – certainly, she never lived up to her name. Something was made of her specialism in ritualised crime upon her arrival, but little was made of this as her tenure developed. While more of a believer than Doggett, her willingness to explore extreme possibilities never really made her suited to the X Files.
The X Files exist because of Mulder, who lived and breathed all things extraterrestrial and paranormal. Scully was assigned to debunk Mulder’s work with her scientific expertise – and how hard she tried! Doggett was assigned both as punishment and sceptic but, being the consummate professional, he read every file in the office and was able, when necessary, to apply what he’d read to a given situation. All three, in their own way, are suited to their roles in the office of the X Files.
Monica Reyes is a fish out of water. On those occasions when she is turned to as the expert, she has nothing substantial to contribute and, when officially assigned to the X Files, she is as quick to turn to Scully for advice and guidance as Doggett.
The reason Monica Reyes provokes such strong reactions from fans is that she is only a half-drawn character. Conceived to be great, achieving only mediocrity.
Maybe she’s human, after all.
Unfortunately, with what is about to happen to Scully, Monica Reyes serves only to prove the point that, while a male writer can conceive of a great female character, it is only when she has a great male character to play against is he able to facilitate her greatness. As soon as that male character disappears, the females are reduced to much less than they deserve to be. If it can happen to Dana Scully one can only wonder why they bothered with Monica Reyes.
It’s almost as if this is acknowledged in ‘Audrey Pauley’, when Reyes becomes entrapped in the imaginings of a child-like character. The hospital looks real, until you examine the details. At which point, it becomes obvious that there is nothing beneath the surface.
Of course, it’s all a bit of a shame, really. Even worse, it’s almost as if the producers of the show are striving for its demise. Clearly, Doggett and Reyes are being positioned as replacements for Mulder and Scully. But, if that is the case, why have Reyes an expert in the one field that even the X Files readily asserts is unfounded.
One may choose to believe, along with Mulder, that extraterrestrial life exists and has, on occasion, visited Earth. Or, into which camp I place myself, (but, then, I would believe in extraterrestrial life if she told me to), one can side with Scully’s infuriating science in order to debunk everything Mulder holds dear. One can certainly understand John Doggett’s determined skepticism – even as a Catholic, I count myself a sceptic.
But ritualistic crime?
The F.B.I. unequivocally debunked that one, as Scully informs us in Season Two’s ‘Die Hand Die Verletzt’.
Monica Reyes isn’t the mother of saints or the virgin of kings so much as she is under-appreciated daughter of a man who has his mind on other things, with no time to give to one who requires his love and understanding. It is little surprise that she makes her first appearance in an episode titled, ‘This is Not Happening’.
It is an interesting name. The original meaning is lost but, in the 4th Century, Monica was the name of St. Augustin’s mother – she it was who aided his conversion to Christianity. Not unnaturally, the name accrued Latin and Greek associations over time. In Latin, it is associated with ‘moneo’, meaning ‘advisor’ and in Greek, ‘monos’, meaning ‘one’.
The name Reyes is even more evocative as it relates directly to the mother of Jesus. In Spanish, Mary, the Virgin mother of Christ, bears the title ‘La Virgen de los Reyes’, which means, ‘The Virgin of the Kings’.
Unfortunately, the character was to prove something of a disappointment – certainly, she never lived up to her name. Something was made of her specialism in ritualised crime upon her arrival, but little was made of this as her tenure developed. While more of a believer than Doggett, her willingness to explore extreme possibilities never really made her suited to the X Files.
The X Files exist because of Mulder, who lived and breathed all things extraterrestrial and paranormal. Scully was assigned to debunk Mulder’s work with her scientific expertise – and how hard she tried! Doggett was assigned both as punishment and sceptic but, being the consummate professional, he read every file in the office and was able, when necessary, to apply what he’d read to a given situation. All three, in their own way, are suited to their roles in the office of the X Files.
Monica Reyes is a fish out of water. On those occasions when she is turned to as the expert, she has nothing substantial to contribute and, when officially assigned to the X Files, she is as quick to turn to Scully for advice and guidance as Doggett.
The reason Monica Reyes provokes such strong reactions from fans is that she is only a half-drawn character. Conceived to be great, achieving only mediocrity.
Maybe she’s human, after all.
Unfortunately, with what is about to happen to Scully, Monica Reyes serves only to prove the point that, while a male writer can conceive of a great female character, it is only when she has a great male character to play against is he able to facilitate her greatness. As soon as that male character disappears, the females are reduced to much less than they deserve to be. If it can happen to Dana Scully one can only wonder why they bothered with Monica Reyes.
It’s almost as if this is acknowledged in ‘Audrey Pauley’, when Reyes becomes entrapped in the imaginings of a child-like character. The hospital looks real, until you examine the details. At which point, it becomes obvious that there is nothing beneath the surface.
Of course, it’s all a bit of a shame, really. Even worse, it’s almost as if the producers of the show are striving for its demise. Clearly, Doggett and Reyes are being positioned as replacements for Mulder and Scully. But, if that is the case, why have Reyes an expert in the one field that even the X Files readily asserts is unfounded.
One may choose to believe, along with Mulder, that extraterrestrial life exists and has, on occasion, visited Earth. Or, into which camp I place myself, (but, then, I would believe in extraterrestrial life if she told me to), one can side with Scully’s infuriating science in order to debunk everything Mulder holds dear. One can certainly understand John Doggett’s determined skepticism – even as a Catholic, I count myself a sceptic.
But ritualistic crime?
The F.B.I. unequivocally debunked that one, as Scully informs us in Season Two’s ‘Die Hand Die Verletzt’.
Monica Reyes isn’t the mother of saints or the virgin of kings so much as she is under-appreciated daughter of a man who has his mind on other things, with no time to give to one who requires his love and understanding. It is little surprise that she makes her first appearance in an episode titled, ‘This is Not Happening’.
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