Alfred E Mulder

The X-Files episode "Triangle" is a standalone "Monster-of-the-Week" installment from its sixth season, written and directed by series creator Chris Carter. It centers on FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder, a paranormal believer, who finds himself transported back in time to September 3, 1939, aboard a luxury liner in the Bermuda Triangle. The ship has been boarded by German soldiers searching for a powerful artifact known as "Thor's Hammer." Meanwhile, Agent Dana Scully, Mulder's skeptical partner, is alerted to his disappearance and attempts to locate him.

The episode employs a distinctive filming style inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope," aiming for long, continuous takes. The plot sees Mulder interacting with historical figures and individuals who resemble his contemporary colleagues, including a version of Scully and a Nazi officer mirroring his superior, Walter Skinner. The narrative explores themes of alternate realities, the potential for the entire experience to be a dream, and the consequences of historical paradoxes. Despite its experimental nature and high production demands, the episode was generally well-received by critics.

In "Triangle," Fox Mulder's investigation leads him to a ship that has vanished in the Bermuda Triangle, only to discover he has traveled back to the eve of World War II. He finds himself aboard the SS Queen Anne in 1939, where German soldiers have taken control. Their objective is to find "Thor's Hammer," believed to be a weapon that could secure victory in the impending conflict. Mulder learns that this "Thor's Hammer" is not a weapon itself, but a scientist capable of building one. He navigates the dangerous situation, encountering individuals who strongly resemble his present-day colleagues, including a woman who appears to be Dana Scully, and a Nazi officer mirroring his superior Walter Skinner. The episode plays with the idea of historical figures and events intersecting with the protagonists' reality.

The episode is notable for its ambitious filming technique, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope," attempting to simulate long, unbroken takes. This directorial choice aimed to create a sense of real-time progression and immerse the viewer in the unfolding events. The narrative also delves into complex themes, such as the possibility that Mulder's entire experience in 1939 might be a dream or a hallucination. The presence of modern characters portraying historical counterparts, and the very nature of time travel and its potential paradoxes, are central to the episode's conceptual framework. The script deliberately leaves room for interpretation regarding the ultimate reality of Mulder's journey.

Creating "Triangle" presented significant production hurdles, including a demanding filming schedule and the need to recreate a 1930s atmosphere. The RMS Queen Mary served as the principal location for the ship's interior scenes. The episode's director, Chris Carter, drew inspiration not only from Hitchcock but also from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." A notable challenge was William B. Davis, who plays the iconic Smoking Man, having to deliver his lines entirely in German, a language he did not speak. He learned his dialogue phonetically with the help of a German cast member. Similarly, Mitch Pileggi, who plays Walter Skinner, had to adapt his lines due to his existing knowledge of German, ensuring they made contextual sense.