"SKumm’s Thoughts"
X-FILES: WEEK II
“The X Files” (FOX, 1993, 9 Seasons)
SEASON 2, 1994
The second season found creator Chris Carter cementing his
groove. He would give us a healthy dose of his alien conspiracy, and regularly
throw some “monster-of-the-week” (MOTW) episodes in to break up the
seriousness. This allowed us to look forward to each new night, as you never
knew when the shadier figures in the government would creep in. It was a
surprise to see the Cancer Man in an episode which had nothing to do with the
little green men; you’d think that he would have no bearing on that night’s
storyline, but there he was, creeping up the joint. While certainly not the
strongest season of the show’s run, it was not the weakest, either. Season 2
introduces us to a few concepts concerning the aliens that quickly became
cannon—some of the themes and effects you see here will be back! We also get
more classic special guest stars, in roles you wouldn’t necessarily expect them
to be playing…
Episode 1: Little Green Men
The X-Files division is no more, and Mulder travels out of
country to get his hands on proof of alien communiqués before killer military
forces sweep in and destroy everything. (Digital Drawback: okay, wait, how did
Jorge get into the bathroom if Mulder had to cut his way in…?)
Episode 2: The Host
The sewer system of New York never looked crappier!
Apparently, there is a homicidal leech/parasite/ugly humanoid bastard chewing
on people, and it’s Mulder’s job to sift through the sh…okay, enough with the poo
jokes. Sorry…there’s something in my crapper, and it’s trying to eat me! No,
seriously, the Taco Bell chalupa was a mistake, okay…
Episode 4: Sleepless
Tony “The Candyman” Todd is a Vietnam vet able to take over
other people’s minds. But he blows the powers on some retribution crap. Such a
wasted talent. I would totally be Brad Pitt for a day… And, we get our first
episode with the nefarious Alex Krycek, who you just know is up to SOMETHING.
Episodes 5 & 6: Duane Barry/Ascension
Steve Railsback guest stars as Barry, an ex-FBI agent
convinced he is a victim of numerous abductions during his lifetime. Bad things
happen, of course, and, in a story arc that will come back to haunt Mulder and
(especially) Scully for the remainder of the life of the show, Scully gets
abducted. Two very important episodes, kids! As an added bonus, C.C.H. Pounder
also guest stars. (Digital Drawback: Duane Berry’s car is a Transformer!
SOMEONE CALL MICHAEL BAY.)
Episode 8: One Breath
Scully’s back, and is the first one to get her near-death
experience. There is much symbolism in this episode, and it works as a great
reminder that this show works so well because of the differences between its
two main characters, not in spite of them.
Episode 11: Excelsis Dei
Horny old men and demented ghosts, egad! Mulder and Scully
investigate a rape case at a retirement home, and get—yeah, I’m gonna go
there—SUCKED into a plot involving ancient home remedies and the first
unfortunate Viagra pill for the elderly. Alas, it also is one of those episodes
where, even if she goes through some unexplainable phenomena, Scully still is
unfazed and unconvinced of unseen forces. Maddening, I tell ya!
Episodes 16 & 17: Colony/End Game
This episode sets up a few themes that reoccur in future
seasons: a shape-shifting alien, multiple copies of the same
person/alien/thing-a-ma-person, Mulder’s sister, and the only good way to put
down an extraterrestrial. And get used to that shape-shifter—Brian Thompson
gets a job for the next five seasons, and he’s the best relentless
non-Terminator you’ll ever see.
Episode 18: Fearful Symmetry
An invisible elephant goes on a rampage. As does an
invisible lion. And a “talking” gorilla. It’s a crazy look into the animal
kingdom, and it isn’t just the ones in the zoo you have to worry about…
(Digital Drawback: is that lion trainer under the grates?)
Episode 20 : Humbug
The most fun you’ll have watching The X-Files. Mulder and
Scully investigate a murder in Gibsonton, FL—the home of sideshow attractions like
“The Dog Face Boy” and “Alligator Man” (who happens to be married to The
Bearded Lady). Full of Florida kitsch and human oddities, this classic
“monster-of-the-week” (pun sincerely not intended) makes for a necessary watch
if for no other reason than for a break in the whole alien conspiracy which was
mentioned in almost every episode this season besides this one.
Episode 23: Soft Light (or, “The One With Tony Shalhoub”)
A scientist with a killer shadow is on the loose. Special
appearance by another shifty government type, in a MOTW episode you wouldn’t
expect him to show up in. But he does. And it ain’t good.
Episode 25: Anasazi
Classic cliffhanger, on an Indian reservation. Mulder gets
his hands on an encrypted disk that contains all of the military’s U.F.O.
secrets, finds a box car full of dead aliens, and The Smoking Man gets angry.
(Digital Drawback: the 90’s version of a “disk”.)
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