Mulder receives a tip from Deep Throat when a UFO crash lands in Wisconsin, and has an unprecedented opportunity to investigate before the military finishes cleaning it up. He also bumps into a UFO chaser and conspiracy theorist by the name of Max Fenig (Scott Bellis) - a minor and short-lived supporting character that I've always liked. This episode begins to hint at a wider world of conspiracy nuts who might be on Mulder's side, and lays a lot of groundwork for one of the show's major subplots - serial abductees. It also places The X-Files project in serious jeopardy for the first but not the last time, and casts some doubt on Deep Throat's loyalties. We're only ten episodes into the series, but this may be the best one yet.
Memorable quotes:
Max Fenig: Say no more, you're a cautious man. Trust no one. Very wise. After what happened to JFK, I understand completely.
Max Fenig: I'm telling you, it's like the Roswell coverup all over again.
Mulder: What makes you so sure there's something out there?
Max Fenig: Same thing that makes you so sure?
Mulder: You really believe that story?
Scully: That story happens to be highly classified.
Mulder: A highly classified lie.
Max Fenig: You really didn't think that would fool us, did you?
Mulder: I didn't think anybody was paying attention.
Max Fenig: Somebody is always paying attention, Mr. Mulder.
Mulder: Then what can I say? How can I disprove lies that are stamped with an official seal?
Section Chief McGrath: That will be all, Mr. Mulder.
Mulder: You can deny all the things I've seen, all the things I've discovered, but not for much longer. Because too many others know what's happening out there, and no one, no government agency has jurisdiction over the truth.
Deep Throat: Always keep your friends close, Mr. McGrath. But keep your enemies closer.
This is actually the first X-Files episode that comes to mind when I think "X-Files." It always seemed to pop up back when whatever network syndicated eps at like 3 and 4 in the morning. It also stuck out because of the invisible alien, like a predator. As a kid I thought it was a ripoff to have an invisible alien, but then considering special effects on TV in the early 90s, they made the right choice keeping it ambiguous. I'm curious when we'll see an actual alien.
ReplyDelete"You can deny all the things I've seen, all the things I've discovered, but not for much longer. Because too many others know what's happening out there, and no one, no government agency has jurisdiction over the truth."
I love this quote and it encapsulates Mulder's ethos, but as a cynic it also fills me with sadness because I think he's being far too optimistic. If any of today's conspiracy theories are true, we've already lost the war and it's too late to turn the tide. That is certainly not to say I believe in conspiracy theories, but hypothetically IF they were true, doesn't seem there'd be any going back.
It's funny, but I've been keeping track of the non-alien aliens we've "seen" on this series until the big reveal in the movie. Even discounting the non-mythology creatures (like the parasitic alien worms in Ice), there are a few, although they're always on the fringes, or else find some way to appear in human form.
ReplyDeleteMulder may be cynical and paranoid, but he's unrelenting in his quest to uncover the truth. Barring a few specific cases of disillusionment, I'd say he has an optimistic streak in that respect. I guess he'd have to, to be as motivated as he is. I suppose I can relate to that in a way.