(Season 2, Episodes 18-21)
Not a mention of The X-Files “MythArc” throughout these four episodes. No sightings of the Cigarette Smoking Man, nor Skinner. The closest we got was animal abductions, which may or may not have been extraterrestrial.
But it didn’t matter. These were some good yarns. As an anthology horror series, The X-Files had the potential to be one of the best. From animal abductees, rapid aging, circus freaks and a bizarre demonic twin possession, the tension just kept right on moving. I’d been getting worried that The X-Files was starting to get boring before this, but that’s certainly not the case anymore.2.18 – “Fearful Symmetry”
(Original Air Date: February 24, 1995) There’s a huge hole in Mulder’s theory. If the animals were being abducted from their cages and then dropped back off invisible several miles away, then how are people getting mauled by invisible animals right outside those cages? Of course, we never get an answer to that.
This episode was powerful in its depiction of the inhumane treatment of animals, and the inadequate facilities many face at zoos. I’ve grown up around St. Louis, and while we have one of the premiere zoos in the nation, I still remember in my youth the elephants living in small pens much like those seen in this episode.
It’s still a work in progress to develop habitats more suitable to the happiness and well-being of the animals we keep in captivity. As for the notion that it takes alien intervention to preserve species that we would push to oblivion, as Mulder says, perhaps it is so. Certainly, we hold little regard for our actions even still.
2.19 – “Dod Kalm”
(Original Air Date: March 10, 1995) Not the best old person make-up on these guys. Plus, in regards to the captain specifically, why would his nails have grown a bit, but no facial hair growth? The early aging make-up used on Mulder, Scully and Trondheim was much better. Perhaps because it wasn’t trying to represent such a dramatic age difference.
The final moments together of Mulder and Scully before their rescue were haunting and poignant. There was a tragic fatalism in the air, but it was one of the more beautifully produced sequences the show has had so far. I just loved the affection the characters clearly had for one another as they faced what they knew were their final moments.
This was an incredibly satisfying episode. A perfect blend of suspense and mystery, and a true danger of impending doom for our protagonists. What more could I want?
2.20 – “Humbug”
(Original Air Date: March 31, 1995) A nice bit of misdirection to open the episode, with us thinking the Alligator Man was the threat. It was refreshing to see him as a caring and loving father; to remind us that not everything can be judged by its package.
Also cute was Scully and Lanny both getting caught staring at one another by one another; him at her cleavage and her at his conjoined twin. And then in unison, they closed their robes. Someone was having fun putting this circus sideshow episode together.
And of course the climactic battle had to happen in a funhouse. I was expecting the Joker to be revealed as the real villain. Still, a disjoined conjoined twin? That’s certainly novel. And then eaten by The Enigma. Gotcha.
It was great seeing Michael J. Anderson. It reminded me how much I miss Carnivale and how HBO really needs to find a way to revive that show. Or at least give us a movie or something. Things are going well now, the money’s coming in. You know you want to!
2.21 – “The Calusari”
(Original Air Date: April 14, 1995) Whenever Scully asks Mulder what he’s going to do when the two of them separate, he never gives her a helpful answer. “To find help” it was here. And she just accepts this? I know it makes for a more dramatic television show, but in real life it would drive her crazy. “Just give me a straight answer for once, damn you!”
Creepy kids are always the worst when it comes to horror. There’s something so much more menacing about an innocent lost to the depths of darkness. I enjoyed The Dark Half aspect of this, with the stillborn twin being the true culprit of the horrors.
It’s the hold that Michael had over Charlie during these episodes that made it more disturbing. Charlie watched his little brother die and had virtually no reaction. Maybe he truly didn’t remember those moments.
The exorcism sequence at the end was particularly disturbing; the kid playing Charlie/Michael did a fantastic job throughout. His exorcism shrieks were particularly harrowing. And he was appropriately sinister in his expressions throughout.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Aug 07, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
