THOUGHTS

[ScullyFBI]

SA88 your collage sums it up perfectly. The episode was about fate, with Fate personfied in the form of the mysterious woman. First intervening, then winking and smiling at Scully, until Scully finally chases it only to find that it's Mulder.

I always thought they did have sex that night. But not the first time.

Pillows on the floor, Mulder sans pajamas (which we know he wears pants and usually a t-shirt), head dents in the other pillow, her jacket on the bed. As was mentioned earlier, the absence of the panty hose. Such a huge deal was made online about Scully still having on her panty hose in the morning in Never Again (who has sex then puts their pantyhose back on??) that I have to believe this little tidbit was emphasized on purpose. "all things" was to Scully what Closure was to Mulder. Freedom to move forward, leave the past in the past. imo.

[redfoxykiwiphroot]

in the end, we see her on the couch, fully clothed, and mulder goes to bed. in the beginning, we see her putting her skirt on. now, if i just fell asleep on the couch and woke-up in the middle of the night, still planning to sleep on the couch, i wouldn't take my skirt off, unless...i was going into an actual bed. and she wouldn't go into mulder's bed, unless there were things happening.

can't argue with that...I'm in the naked pretzel camp!

[SpecialAgent88]

“What had actually transpired between Scully and Waterston was that there had been an attraction and that they were starting to spend some time together, things like lunch and dinner dates. She was trying to keep it platonic but there were feelings that were coming up. It started getting heavier and Waterston began talking about divorce. But Scully didn’t want to be a homewrecker. At one point, another professor approached her and told her that their relationship was starting to get around and that it could hurt her career and his marriage. So Scully ended it and left town before anything could happen physically. That’s when she made the decision to move to Washington and go to Quantico, and not to pursue the medical profession because it reminded her of Daniel. She loved him very much but was distracted by him, and she also was not willing to ruin a marriage. And after she left, he completely shut down and became very depressed, so that his wife and daughter thought he was having an affair.”
— Gillian Anderson

[Shipperatheart]

... And the whole Buddhist thing seemed out of character for her since she is Catholic. But then again, what do I know? I'm not Buddhist and I'm not Catholic.

I feel the same as you. Scully is a Catholic but how come she seems to have a calling from the Budhha? And the end shot is a Buddha image in Mulder's apartment?

And I too find the way Scully leaving while Mulder is still asleep a bit intriguing. How I wish CC would let us see how the 2 react when they awake in bed together. I know CC is giving us less on purpose but the facial expression of Scully is a bit serious/cold, just keep us guessing what's going on. I love the way Mulder looks at Diana in the morning after they 'spend the night together' in Amor Fati. A bit shy about their intimacy but can feel his loving feeling. This precious moment should be for Mulder and Scully.

[Righthere]

I love this episode for its philosophical/shipping note. I feel really close to Scully thinking whether I've chosen the right path in life, I think this is one of the questions many of us can ask themselves and the answer may be not so obvious sometimes. These are common choices we make in life: our romantic links, career, religion, being honest about certain things, coming to terms with our past. I felt like Scully got enough attention (finally) and many things were explained. The figure of Daniel seemed credible to me as the whole story between her and him and its end (I've later read GA's commentary which explains a lot). I love the direction of this episode and the slow motion, it really echoes Scully's state of mind and I love the OST. The teaser was quite coherent with Scully's character. I can't really see her ready to face the morning after situation.
The whole Buddha thing and the coming out story were obviously GA's recurring thoughts and interviews confirmed many things. I loved Coleen in this episode even more than in Detour, a very good actress. The whole temple revelation was one that stood in the same line with Albert Holsteen's presence in the series for me.
And I forgive everything for the final dialogue.

[Shipperatheart]

Come to think of it, Scully seems to be quite a spiritual person. Though she always missing the chance to see the UFO herself, she has seen lots of spirits/ghosts throughout the years. Maybe we can start a counting game. I guess her score would be more than Mulder.
I also love Coleen's character. As I get older, I can relate to what she said.
Plus I read that GA was once in a lesbian relationship/phase when she was young, maybe that's why she would portray Coleen as a les.

[Righthere]

Plus I read that GA was once in a lesbian relationship/phase when she was young, maybe that's why she would portray Coleen as a les.

Yeah, I think this could have been one of the reasons. And I also think that her whole character was much larger than the gay thing, it was about accepting certain things and telling people who you are.