Well, one thing I will say about this season, the creators are taking great pleasure in varying their stories.
Going into our last episode before the season finale (already!), series creator Chris Carter takes over the reins again this week, daring to throw questions about God and the true weight of words and ideas on cultures around the world. Interesting stuff for sure, and while this episode ranks as the weakest this season, it still had its moments.
Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX
In the aftermath of an explosion in a Texas Art Gallery, orchestrated by two Muslim young men, Agents Mulder and Scully meet with Agents Miller (Robbie Amell) and Einstein (Lauren Ambrose), essentially their younger selves. First off, in over 200 episodes of this show’s history, how has a situation like this never been done before? I found that astounding. The good news, the banter is great between the four. I enjoyed Mulder and Einstein teaming up while Scully and Miller worked together as well. With conversations exploiting all of the trademark elements of the show. However, with the material we’re given I’m a little puzzled on why the doppleganger team up was used on an episode like this. I’d imagine it would’ve been more effective on a slightly grander episode.
The big theory of the episode (that resulted in great back and forths with Mulder and Einstein) is having Mulder taking a specific mushroom that would generate hallucinations, making it possible for him to communicate with one of the bombers, who was left horribly disfigured and in a coma from the explosion. Thus preventing further bombings. Yup. Like I said, interesting. What happens next is a series of odd, hilarious, possibly upsetting images that would either entertain you or just totally take you out of the episode. While Mulder’s hallucinations didn’t take me out of the episode, some parts just seemed so out there I wasn’t into it as much as I could have been. It was great to see The Lone Gunmen come back, although only in dream form for a brief moment, as well as the Smoking Man and Skinner. David Duchovny is always great, but the cowboy hat and the line dancing was bordering the line of insanity. However, when in doubt, believe in Mulder’s theories. He speaks to the bomber, gains information, and is able to lead the FBI and Homeland Security to the “Babylon” Motel, where more bombers are located. Boom, presto, case solved.
Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/FOX
Ending the episode, tying all the knots together (or some of the more obvious ones), it’s clear that were about to be sent into the finale. Up until now we’ve seen countless times of William get mentioned and every aspect of giving away a child, as well mentioning God, all of God’s power and wisdom, creationism, unconditional love, unrequited hate. The list goes on. Point is, they’ve covered some big, big things this season, so I’m expecting the finale to be nothing short of a game changer for the series.
Next week’s finale picks things up right where the premiere left off, and with Chris Carter at the helm, you have to ask yourself, will the truth be revealed?
