HomeTelevisionTV Recap: The X-Files, 'Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster'

TV Recap: The X-Files, ‘Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster’

Written by Ryan DeMarco

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Hey, remember that classic episode, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”? Considered by most as one of, if not, the best episode, of the entire series. Well guys, “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were Monster,” completely trumped that episode in every way. Ever.

Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX
Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX

Please, allow yourselves a moment to take in what I just said. Given you have hopefully just watched the episode yourself, you just might be in agreement with me. If not, you gotta admit, you were still impressed. Tonight’s episode was an absolute delight. Packed with such clever twists and amazing moments, tonight’s episode will be talked about for years to come.

The secret to this standout episode? No question that all credit must be given to writer and director, Darin Morgan. Morgan isn’t the most recognizable name, however if you are a fan of the show, you’ve seen his work. He is responsible for “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose,” “Humbug,” “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” and more!

This episode played everything just right by virtually turning everything this show made a trademark and flipping it on its ear. I almost couldn’t handle it. A lot of things played as if this was one of the pair’s last monster case (Given the ratings you know that obviously won’t be the case). Effectively ending with Mulder possibly accepting that all of the world’s monsters may be gone or going soon. Yet another powerful character moment for him this season.

Starting with Mulder and Scully swapping roles. It was delightful seeing Mulder playing the skeptic and almost feeling like his last time playing into the urban legends and myths, while Scully was the driving force behind discovering the “truth.” In this particular instance, they are after what they believe to be a Man Eating Lizard Dragon responsible for eating throats. What we get is so much more and just so insanely backwards. When the Man Lizard is bit by a human, the lizard goes through an intense process for turning into a human being, played excellently by Rhys Darby. Once human, Darby experiences the burdens of being human and all of the choices one has to make, such as working a crappy job, lying about sex, eating fast food. He finds the whole process frightening as if its worse being a human than a feared lizard. Just an absolutely great twist on the whole monster trope.

Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX
Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX

We got a nice guest spot from Joel McHale in the premiere as this episode brought in great moments with Tyler Labine as a paint sniffing stoner, Kumail Nanjiani as the “seen them all” serial killer, and once again Rhys Darby, who did just an exceptional job.

What really drove this episode even more was David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson who really gave it their all which is what bothered me with this season so far. They absolutely killed both being ridiculous and just silly, whether it was Mulder toying with his cell phone and Scully partaking in the sex in the back of the cell phone store dream. Darin Morgan brought his amount of fun energy, wonderful play with the dialogue and a wonderful ode to the late Kim Manners, who worked on the series. Topping it out with TONS of callbacks to old episodes, there truly was nothing to not like.

As much as I’d like to take credit for giving fair warning that this season would be great, I was not expecting something this great. We clearly have not seen the last of amazing episodes.

We still have half the season remaining, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to make more corrections to my “best episodes” list.

Rating: 10/10

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