FOX

‘The X-Files’ Review “Home Again”

I always tend to judge episodes by the emotions they evoke in me. Sure, some episodes are better plotted, and some are better acted, but the mark of a brilliant episode, is in the emotions. My emotions, not the characters.

By those standards, this episode of The X-Files wasn’t a home-run, no. It was a Grand Slam. I screamed. I teared up. I straight-up bawled. I laughed. It was everything I wanted, and so much more than I thought I would get. It was enough to make me wish even more desperately than before to see FOX do the right thing and bring this series back for more than a 6-episode mini-series. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson deserve more. Mulder and Scully deserve more.

And, we, the fans, certainly deserve more.

The good

The infinite tenderness and love that both Duchovny and Anderson bring to the heartbreaking exchange by Margaret’s bedside speaks to both how far these characters have come, and how far the actors have come. Scully inquires if they ever came across someone who could wish people back to life. Mulder implies he did, when she was in the hospital. And shippers all around the world stared at the screen and asked: HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THESE TWO AREN’T TOGETHER?
Easter eggs, Easter eggs everywhere! The best thing about them, though? They don’t detract from the experience from people who’re just watching for the first time. At least, my sources tell me they don’t. I wouldn’t know first-hand.
Gillian Anderson broke my heart about 27 times in this episode, but none of them quite like the moment when she looks at Mulder, after her mother closes her eyes for the final time, kind of like begging him to tell her this is not happening.
Later on, Mulder will get a chance to pause and throw Scully a “Did you see that?” look, when they meet one of the artists “creatures.”
I’m willing to bet good money on the fact that 90% of these looks are not scripted; they’re just Duchovny and Anderson knowing their characters so well.
Mulder’s “I’m here” is tantamount to him saying “I love you.”
It took twenty three years, but Mulder has finally learned to make fun of himself.
The way Scully utters the phrase “I will be there when you do,” at the end, feels like a promise.
Some of the director’s choices in this episode were spot on, the camera right in Gillian Anderson’s face after she learned about her mother, the whole sequence where that lady is killed.
All the William focus. This storyline needed some development – and, hopefully, some resolution.
Scully is really, really not a damsel in distress. The way she takes that guy down at the end of the episode is a thing of beauty. Mulder’s, yeah, I totally expected that face makes it even better.
Their flashlights doing the X thing made me all nostalgic, in the good way.

The bad

Mulder’s actions in this episode made the breakup go from ridiculous to nonsensical. It already didn’t make sense to think Scully would leave him because he was depressed or because he was putting his obsessions first, but to then go and essentially prove that, to Mulder, there’s no one and nothing more important than Scully, well …there’s no excuse.
For an episode that was supposed to pay homage to “Home,” the actual case, as well-done as some of the gory scenes were, felt completely superfluous.
Bill Scully, still a jerk, after all these years.
Charlie Scully, apparently, also a jerk. Wonderful family you’ve got there, Scully.
They just ruined that upbeat song that was playing while the lady was killed. Ruined. Forever.
All the William focus. I mean, we still haven’t gotten our resolution. That doesn’t bode well for our immediate future.

The weird

Mulder giving the artist lessons on Tibetan Buddhism was the most random thing to ever happen.
When the Band-Aid Nose Man first appears, there’s a billboard in the background advertising Lariat Rent-a-Car, a fictional name that’s also appeared in Breaking Bad, Supernatural and Veronica Mars.
Glen Morgan always brings out the sports references, with Mulder comparing something to Tim Duncan height and remarking that the 76ers can’t find the rim.
Scully should never call Mulder by his given name. Not ever. Him calling her Dana is slightly better, but also not good.