The X-Files - S1:E3 "Squeeze"

[ S1:E2 "Deep Throat" <<< Season 1 >>> S1:E4 "Conduit" ]

A colleague invites Scully to assist in the investigation of a series of mysterious murders, and she must confront the stigma of working with "Spooky" Mulder, and grapple with her desire to advance her career and earn a respectable reputation. But what she (and we, the audience) finds so fascinating about Mulder - and what most of his detractors in the greater arena of law enforcement don't realize - is how often his outlandish theories turn out to be correct. This time, he links the murders to a series of cases dating back ninety years, and suspects the culprit may be some kind of mutant. "It's like all the horrible acts that humans are capable of somehow gave birth to some kind of human monster."

Squeeze is the first "monster-of-the-week" episode of The X-Files. If I make any disparaging comments about monster-of-the-week episodes, know that it's only in reaction to fans who don't have a proper appreciation for the episodes that advance the series' mythology. Monster-of-the-week episodes are great - they're like miniature horror movies - and the best ones can be counted among some of the best episodes in the series. Certainly, it gives the writers an opportunity to get creative. But serial drama beats the episodic format, and while this episode is fun to watch (with a chilling climax, and sequel potential!), let's be honest - it's the game-changing episodes that uncover details of the government conspiracy involving extraterrestrials that we look forward to watching the most.

Memorable quotes:

Mulder: Do you think I'm spooky?

Scully: You knew they wouldn't believe you, why did you push it?
Mulder: Maybe I run into so many people who are hostile, just because they can't open their minds to the possibilities, that sometimes the need to mess with their heads outweighs the millstone of humiliation.

Scully: Oh my God, Mulder, it smells like... I think it's bile.
Mulder: Is there any way I can get it off my fingers quickly without betraying my cool exterior?