The X-Files – “My Struggle” and “Founder’s Mutation” Review. Always Believe.

Season 10, Episode 1

Two Night Season Premiere airing Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 at 10:00 ET/7:00PM PT, and Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at 8:00PM ET/PT on Fox.

Rating: ★★★★★

“What if everything we’ve been led to believe in is a lie? What if there is no alien conspiracy?” – Fox Mulder

When I first learned The X-Files would be returning, I became giddy with freakish delight. I’m not an outspoken fan nor have I collected a massive amount of The X-Files gear over the last 13 years, but I’m a fan nonetheless. Before watching the three screeners made available, I began watching some episodes from the last two seasons of the original series, including the two-hour series finale, as it were, to refresh my memory about the events that transpired. If you aren’t a fan or possibly are too young to have watched the series when it debuted in 1993, it’s not too late to jump on The X-Files train. While the first installment of the limited six-episode mini-series isn’t the greatest, it does rekindle the spark deep in my psyche I didn’t realize was lying dormant. The X-Files, for me, was a badge of acceptance that I am not alone in my belief that there is otherworldly life out in the universe—that there is something else out there besides the human race. The X-Files’ signature tagline – “I Want to Believe” – was a sort of mantra many held hope in but while watching “My Struggle,” everything began to shift. Is the alien conspiracy just that, an elaborate conspiracy created by the government to sway the human populace?

“My Struggle” is written and directed by series creator Chris Carter. Again, while it’s not the most enthralling episode, it gives fans, new and old, an explanation of what’s been going on for the past 13 years, and gives us new ammo to fuel our neurotic conspiracy theories.

Flashback scene to Roswell 1947

The use of flashbacks to Roswell circa 1947 gives viewers clues to the bigger puzzle being presented in “My Struggle.” The reemergence of a key character raises some eyebrows as to how deep the so-called alien colonization conspiracy goes. If you aren’t familiar with the history of The X-Files, it’s too complex to sum up in just a few words. Although, you don’t have to have in depth knowledge of everything that happened in the original nine seasons to figure out the government is up to something involving a cover-up of possibly the extraterrestrial variety and the unnerving experimentation on human subjects. What “My Struggle” does for new viewers is whet their appetites to find out what happened in the previous seasons. Believe me when I tell you my voracious hunger will only be satiated by binge watching the nine seasons worth of episodes all over again!

L-R: Gillian Anderson as Dr. Dana Scully, guest star Joel McHale as Tad O’Malley, and David Duchovny as Fox Mulder.

Guest star Joel McHale’s character, Tad O’Malley, is the catalyst for bringing the famed duo of Fox Mulder aka “Mulder” (David Duchovny) and Dr. Dana Scully aka “Scully” (Gillian Anderson) back together. The chemistry is still off the charts amazing in its subtlety. Fireworks aren’t literally sparking but you can definitely feel it – the bond between Mulder and Scully is undeniably electrifying. Being summoned back by FBI Asst. Dir. Walter Skinner “Skinner” (Mitch Pileggi) to investigate O’Malley’s allegations lead Mulder and Scully to question everything they’ve done during their ten years running “The X-Files” division. Skinner’s comment to Mulder, “Since 9/11, this country’s taken a big turn in a very strange direction,” makes the series’ return even more relevant given the current state of our country and world’s affairs.

THE X-FILES: L-R: Guest star Annet Mahendru as Sveta, and Gillian Anderson as Dr. Dana Scully.

My concerns about O’Malley’s introduction of a young girl named Sveta (guest star Annet Mahendru) to both Mulder and Scully are not unwarranted. I found Sveta to be a very confusing character but she has history with both Mulder and Scully. Sveta’s case bears an eerie similarity to Scully’s experience with “alien abduction” and Scully’s son William (not seen) whom she gave up for adoption. I’m curious whether William will return again before the limited series is over. He’d be a teenager now but if the theories are true, William could be a human-alien hybrid. During the second episode of the series premiere, “Founder’s Mutation,” both Mulder and Scully imagine life with their son.

“Founder’s Mutation” gives The X-Files’ fans the dynamic and sarcasm they’ve come to love and appreciate about Mulder and Scully. It dives into what I love about The X-Files —strange and wondrous cases about peculiar oddities and unexplainable phenomena. Be warned, if you are sensitive to sounds like high-pitched tones and screeching, you may have some difficulty watching parts of this episode. Also, the mutations of some of the children are quite jarring.

With “The X-Files” division reinstated, Agents Mulder and Scully are dispatched to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the suicide of a scientist at Nugenics Technology. Guest star Doug Savant turns in a convincing performance as Dr. Goldman, a man dedicated to helping children with unique abnormalities using genetic research. But not everything is as it seems.

THE X-FILES: L-R: David Duchovny as Agent Fox Mulder, guest star Dough Savant as Dr. Goldman, and guest star Jonathan Whitesell as Kyle

I absolutely loved “Founder’s Mutation” but it’s the third installment, “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-monster” that solidifies my adoration for the show; it’s absolutely amazing in its quirkiness. Guest star Rhys Darby gives a fantastic performance I will not soon forget! If you are on the fence about The X-Files, I encourage you to give it a chance. If you’re looking for something a little extraordinary in your television repertoire, The X-Files should fit the bill perfectly.

Tune in to the two-night series premiere of The X-Files Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 10PM EST/7PM PST, followed by part two on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 8PM E/P. Remaining episodes will air Mondays at 8PM E/P.

For more on the series, go to http://www.fox.com/the-x-files.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.