REOPENING THE X-FILES: SEASON 2

Greetings internet dwellers!

SEASON 2

A few quick notes on Season 2. The X-Files began to heavily build on its mythology during the season. If you listen to Chris Carter talk about the end of season 1 and moving into season 2, Gillian Anderson became pregnant in real life as season 1 was wrapping up. So, they decided to write around the pregnancy for the show.

Anderson, is noticeably pregnant at the end of the first season, and at the start of season 2. Scully's abduction, and her disappearance, was no accident on the show's part. Anderson went off and had her baby. However, it created one of the show's best mysteries in Scully's abduction, and the subsequent search for answers about it, as the show moved on.

One of the things I always found interesting about season 2, is the mythology of The X-Files, seems to seep into even the standalone episodes. Things are set-up, and there is a through-line that flows as the season goes on. An example of this happens very early on in the season, when Alex Krycek, is introduced in the episode Sleepless. 

Season 2, also introduces us to The Syndicate. The mysterious group who are trying to foil Mulder's efforts to find the truth. The Cigarette Smoking Man, is also a part of the group. A.D. Skinner's role is beefed up in season 2 as well, and Mitch Pileggi gets a whole lot more screen time. Skinner, is a great character and Pileggi, is fantastic in the part. More Skinner, is a good thing.

Overall, season 2 is a solid season, however I've always felt a lot of it gets bogged down in the mythology aspect of the show. There is an obvious stacking going on with the story, and The X-Files really wouldn't perfect its mythology storytelling until season 3. However, it is still a solid season.   

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

This was tough to narrow down for the season. So many good episodes.

IRRESISTABLE

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: JANUARY 13, 1995

OK, so here's the deal. I flipped a coin for this first mention. I think people who aren't even that familiar with the show, know of the episode The Host. It is a classic X-files episode. I love the episode, but in the end, decided to go against the obvious choice, and go with a spectacular episode that doesn't get much attention. The episode was written by Chris Carter, and is wonderfully weird and disturbing. Nick Chinlund, is FANTASTIC in this episode. It is such a subtle and creepy performance. The subject matter here is truly bizarre. Mulder and Scully, are dispatched to find a serial killer, who takes weird "trophies" from his victims- their hair and fingernails. The episode is tense, scary, and kind of unique. It's haunting too, and it will stick with you once it is over. It gets under your skin. 

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DIE HAND DIE VERLETZT

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: JANUARY 27, 1995

Glen Morgan and James Wong, are responsible for some of the best X-Files episodes ever. They are fantastic writers. This was their last episode, before they left the series to produce Space: Above and Beyond. The duo would later return to The X-files, after Above and Beyond failed to find an audience. This episode is nuts. Mulder and Scully are sent to investigate the death of a teenager, who may have been killed by a Satanic cult. There is a lot of craziness happening in this episode. Snakes eating people, child sacrifices, black magic, suicides, and many other strange things. This was kind of out of the box for The X-Files, and it took the show into another direction. Very weird and fun episode. Fun fact: Morgan and Wong would later go on to create the Final Destination series. 

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TOP 5

In original broadcast order.

1. DUANE BARRY/ASCENSION

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: OCTOBER 14, 1994

Also known as the episode(s) where Gillian Anderson starts her maternity leave. This may be a little bit of cheating as well, but Duane Barry is actually the first of a two-part episode, so both should be watched. I am actually more partial to the first episode, which is a really tense, hostage standoff between the title character, and Mulder. There is a lot of mind manipulation going on, even though we as the audience know that Barry is telling the truth. It is quite effective. In the second part of the episode, Ascension, we have a few very famous X-Files scenes going on as well. CCH Pounder, is really good in the first episode too. Classic X-Files mythology episodes at its best.

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2. ONE BREATH

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: NOVEMBER 11, 1994

There seems to be a love/hate relationship with One Breath and fans. It is a quiet episode, however a very powerful one. One Breath, is a great character piece for Mulder, and David Duchovny is really showboating his acting skills in this one. There is an incredible scene where Mulder breaks down and cries, after talking to a comatose Scully in the hospital. It is a powerful moment for both Duchovny and the character. We also get a lot of character motivations in this episode. Is Skinner on Mulder's side, and is he really working for CSM? What's the deal with Mr. X? There is a great scene involving Mulder and CSM, that can't be missed in this episode. 

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3. HUMBUG

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: MARCH 31, 1995

I love when The X-Files is funny. Writer Darin Morgan, has penned some darkly comic episodes of The X-Files. Humbug, is no exception. Most people probably know this as the freak show episode. Yes, before American Horror Story did it, Mulder and Scully, investigated strange deaths, among a community of Freak Show performers. Funny, odd and twisted, Humbug is classic X-Files. 

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2. F. EMASCULATA

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: APRIL 28, 1995

A very interesting episode, that is a mix of mythology, and standalone. Mulder and Scully, are dispatched to investigate strange death's, occurring at a prison. There are some great effects happening in this episode, as a mysterious virus causes giant pustules to form on the victims. There is a tense moment towards the end, where Mulder confronts a prisoner who has escaped, and is infected with the virus. The episode is simple, and effective. Fun fact: Dean Norris is in this episode.

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1. ANASAZI

• ORIGINAL AIR DATE: MAY 19, 1995

Once again, The X-Files gives us a great cliffhanging season finale. There is so much stuff going on in this episode, yet, it is very simple to follow. Mulder, gets his hands on an encrypted computer disk, which provides clear-cut proof the government is hiding the existence of aliens. Mulder is so close to the truth, the bad guys are willing to kill to prevent him from finding out. Anasazi, expands the mythology, it is tense, there are twists and turns around every corner, and is an edge of your seat episode. 

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I am well into season 3, and we will reopen that one, sometime next week.

​Hasta La Bye-bye for now.

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