"The X-Files" Recap: "Babylon"

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

During the course of its ten year run The X-Files has provided all of us with plenty of jaw dropping or terrifying moments but as far back as I can remember, none of them were as bone chilling or real world relevant as last night's episode because holy cow...the show decided to pull out all of the stops in one its trippiest and most religious themed stories to date. 

I was actually, ill prepared for the surprises that "Babylon" threw our way last night and I mean that in the best possible way, simply because of the fact that this episode completely drew me in with its compelling storyline that kicked off with one of the most powerful cold opens I've ever seen on television. Sure, I knew what was coming but part of me was really hoping that something supernatural was about to go down, instead of the horrific and graphic depiction of a terrorist bombing that played out instead. 

That of course led to one incredibly dark storyline that took us to Texas this week with a race against time to stop any further bombings from happening and well, I was a little surprised to see the show do a touch of social commentary because it's really not the show's style, but I'll be damned if they didn't do it well. There was a monster of the week after all this go round and it turned out to be the personification of hatred, racism and xenophobia that we see a lot of these days as everyone in this tiny Texas town was more than ready to exact their revenge on the young man who was responsible for, and survived, the bombing. It all made for some extremely uncomfortable but strong moments, and for a second there I was wondering if this one was going to be completely grounded in reality, something extremely rare for this series.

But leave it to The X-Files to surprise by taking us into the realm of the supernatural after all, and believe it or not this episode completely managed to lighten the mood on several occasions, since Mulder and Scully meeting their younger doppelgängers in Agents Einstein and Miller was absolutely delightful and well, who didn't love that hilarious moment when the magic mushrooms kicked in and sent Mulder on a wild hallucinatory ride? Plus, it was nice to see the Lone Gunmen during all of that, if only for a moment. Of course Fox's psychedelic and other worldly experiences eventually lead to the FBI saving the day, since he was able to recognize the bomber's mother and recall what the bomber said to him in the "afterlife" after coming out of his trip, but when all was said and done, this episode left me with a couple of questions that continue to nag at me on this morning after.  

For starters, if Agent Einstein gave Mulder a placebo Niacin pill and not the psychotropic drugs he so desired, how the hell did he get into that hallucinogenic state? Sure we can go with the "power of suggestion" theory posed throughout the episode but I don't buy it...especially not after those trumpets sounded for Mulder and only Mulder at the end of the episode and that's my other question, why was Fox the only one able to hear those trumpets blare? Is it foreshadowing for the season finale next week or is it simply another moment of mystery for the show? Time may or may not tell all things considered but that's what I loved about this episode, it challenged so much about our world and it left so much to our imagination and really...this is the only show that can put real world events and the supernatural together like this and do it in seamless fashion. It really is a shame that the season finale arrives next week, makes me feel as though this religious twist would have been a fascinating plot thread to explore. Either way, the end is near and judging from the trailer...it looks our new conspiracy is about to come around full circle. Until next time. 

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