"Beyond the Sea" is the first episode to explore a central theme of Scully's character development—her attraction to, and conflict with, authoritative men. Throughout her career with the FBI she experiences conflict with patriarchal figures. In the fourth season episode "Never Again", she expresses a long-held fascination with father-figures. This theme is introduced with her guilt and need for approval following her father's death in "Beyond the Sea" and continues in later episodes including "Irresistible", "Small Potatoes", "Bad Blood", and "Milagro".