I was reminded, while watching this excellent episode, written by the talented Darin Morgan, what The X-Files did for television in general, and how it influenced one of my other favorite shows, Supernatural, and then, THEN, they went and did a super awesome tribute to the late, great Kim Manners, who not only is credited for his excellent directing skillz on this show, but who also helped shape Supernatural with his lauded and revered talent. It really was lovely, and sweet and I think he would be happy that he was remembered in an episode that truly did “kick it in the ass.”

But that wasn’t the only shout out or call back in this episode. This was like a treasure hunt for dedicated The X-Files fans, and continues the using of actors who have appeared in previous episodes of the show. GOOD JOB, show!

So, this episode deals with the crisis of faith of one Fox Mulder. Going through old X-Files cases, he is struck by the reality that many of the cases of old have since been solved by actual science, or were proven to be hoaxes and pranks by the bored, crazy and disenfranchised. Scully to the rescue, who, after scolding Mulder for destroying HER poster(!), brings a case that involves a monster. Scully pokes at Mulder, trying to get her old partner back, they head to Oregon for a good old fashioned monster hunt.

Which starts out pretty quickly at a truck stop, hampered only by Mulder’s malfunctioning camera app and misinformation regarding who or what the monster in this tale really is.

Honestly, this episode begs for a Gif-only recap, because there were so many hilarious things in it. Mulder wandering around the hidden passages of the motel, after finding what may be the largest jackalope head I have ever seen, peeping in on Scully sleeping, through a fox head (heehee), and ending up in the office of the isopropyl alcohol swigging, peeping Tom of a motel manager, was one of my favorite sections.

After a glee inducing shot of a sleeping Mulder in red bikini underwear, and the story of man transforming to monster, Mulder wakes up Scully to deliver a very Mulder-esque monster monologue, making everyone, including Scully, very happy.

After an exposition filled visit with the psychiatrist, Mulder finds the monster at the cemetery, where he unspools what really happened over the past couple of days, giving us a topsy-turvey take on what we, and Mulder, really think is going on. A tale full of misery and confusion, and a brilliant insight into modern man. This is the kind of thing that Darin Morgan is so good at. Twisting what we perceive as normal and real, and shaking it until we are, in spite of ourselves, seeing everything from a new, and sometimes really depressing vantage point. Our modern lives have become predictable, sad, and soul crushing.

And for some reason, our sweet little forest monster has acquired a mustache when he transforms to human form.

Scully apprehends the actual monster, the serial killing human who runs the animal shelter, played by X-Files SuperFan, Kumail Nanjiani, and after sending many XPhiles heads exploding my calling herself immortal, she steals a dog. Like a boss.

(An aside: I sent this gif to my friend Joanne, commenting on how I wish this were true, and she responded by texting: “Yes! How are they not hooking up???” She has a point. They so totally love each other!)

I guess the only sour note was the transgender scene/conversations, which one bit I found funny because of the actors delivery, but also knew as I was laughing that they were awkward, possibly mis-handled, and left for comment by someone much more knowledgeable and better versed on this subject than I. What I do know is that DJ “Shangela” Pierce, the actor who played the transgender prostitute, killed it.

I would also like to mention how irritating it has been over the last couple of weeks to read posts about this show written by people who have no real knowledge of The X-Files. It has been unfortunately expected, as most people writing in the interwebs these days are half my age, and have no perspective on how this show influenced so many parts of how television operates in the world today. As a woman who set aside her Friday nights for years just to get my Mulder and Scully fix (okay, I went out after the show aired), I find some of the commentary of the first few episodes short-sided and quick to judge. Ah, but this is also a sign of the times, where snarky commentary and negative headlines drive clicks, so I guess I will just sit here on my porch and shake my fist at the damn kids running all over my lawn. 🙂

Next! Home Again (written by Darin’s brother, Greg). SPOOKY