The Walk

This is another of those episodes that I simply couldn't get into. I didn't particularly enjoy the story, once again it's another of those stories where the U.S. military is jam packed with crooked officers, who naturally get their comeuppance for being dreadful individuals.

Moments of it were tasteless, the kid getting killed for example, and the story and solution were quite incredulous.

On the plus side, I thought the special effects were incredible, a great effort by that team.

I speak as a Brit, but has there ever been an episode where the U.S. army is shown in a good light?

Sorry I thought this was woeful, 4/10.

The seventh episode of the third season of "The X-Files," titled "The Walk," directed by Chris Carter, presents a haunting exploration of trauma, revenge, and the psychological scars left by war. The episode centers on Leonard Trimble (played by John Hawkes), a quadruple amputee and Gulf War veteran who possesses the ability to project his consciousness and exact revenge on those he believes have wronged him. The narrative begins with a series of mysterious deaths connected to Trimble, prompting Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) to investigate the unsettling occurrences at a military hospital.

As Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the case, they discover that Trimble's psychic abilities allow him to manipulate events from his hospital bed, creating a phantom soldier who carries out his vengeful acts. The pacing of "The Walk" is effective in building tension, interspersing moments of horror with emotional depth as it tackles the consequences of war on individuals and their families. The episode skillfully balances the supernatural elements with a poignant commentary on the struggles faced by veterans, making it both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Visually, "The Walk" employs a dark and oppressive aesthetic that enhances its themes of despair and isolation. Carter's direction captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of the hospital and the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters. The cinematography effectively contrasts light and shadow, symbolizing the duality of hope and despair that permeates the episode. Critics have praised this visual storytelling for its ability to immerse viewers in the psychological landscape of Trimble's mind while highlighting the stark realities faced by those who have served in combat.

The performances in this episode are particularly strong, especially from Hawkes as Leonard Trimble. His portrayal is both haunting and sympathetic; Hawkes effectively conveys Trimble's anguish and rage as he grapples with his condition and seeks retribution against those he holds responsible for his suffering. Duchovny's Mulder showcases his characteristic determination as he navigates the complexities of belief in the supernatural while striving to protect those involved. Anderson's Scully provides a rational counterbalance; her skepticism grounds Mulder's theories while emphasizing her commitment to uncovering the truth behind Trimble's actions.

Thematically, "The Walk" delves into profound questions about vengeance, trauma, and moral ambiguity. The episode raises important questions about how individuals cope with their experiences in war; it examines how trauma can manifest in destructive ways when left unaddressed. Additionally, it explores societal attitudes toward veterans; characters like General Callahan (played by Thomas Kopache) represent the burden of leadership in dealing with the aftermath of conflict. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their beliefs regarding empathy, responsibility, and the lasting impact of war on individuals and communities.

In conclusion, "The Walk" stands out as a compelling entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of horror with social commentary while exploring significant issues related to trauma and revenge. While it may not reach the emotional heights of other episodes or fully develop all plot points, it effectively maintains tension and intrigue throughout its runtime. The exploration of these themes within a modern context invites viewers to consider their perceptions of morality and accountability in society, solidifying "The X-Files" as a thought-provoking examination of human experience amidst extraordinary phenomena. As it reflects broader societal concerns regarding veterans' struggles and moral dilemmas, this episode leaves audiences pondering their own relationships with empathy and understanding.

I really liked the story and the episode as a whole. My one problem were gross inaccuracies dealing with the Army of the time, in which I was an officer. I have issues with the military uniforms in many episodes but this one is particularly egregious. So, where do I begin? Yes, at the beginning...

The doctor was a Colonel, but rank insignia is not worn on a physician's hospital coat. It might be embroidered on it over the right breast pocket with the doctor's name. The doctor and everyone else called Lieutenant Colonel Lobsterman "Lieutenant Colonel". This is seldom done outside of an official ceremony, normally a Lieutenant Colonel is referred to as Colonel.

The General's aide. She is wearing infantry officer branch insignia. No women were branched in the Infantry at the time. That has now changed but wasn't the case then.

The General had a number of uniform discrepancies. Generals, with the exceptions of the Medical, Dental, Nurse, Veterinary, Medical Service, and Chaplain Corps do not wear branch insignia on their uniforms. Likewise his ribbon rack was all sorts of a mess. Even if he had served in the enlisted ranks the Army Good Conduct Medal would not be the highest award. The rack was also four ribbons across, and there were no unit citations on the right breast. Likewise, when he removes his jacket the epaulets have no insignia, at the time a soft shoulder-board with his stars would be worn. As the base commander his dress green jacket epaulets would have the stars as well as a green felt loop showing they are in a command position. Finally, Generals in that day had two narrow black strips running down the trouser legs. Other officers had one wide stripe, and enlisted personnel none. Forgive me for being so anal, but this kind of stuff in any television show or film drives me mad, regardless of the service as I spend 40 years in the Army and Navy, served 10 years of my Navy service with the Marines and another 4 years in joint assignments working with all services. I wish someone would hire me to fix uniforms in Hollywood.

Other than that I loved the episode and story line.

First of all, props goes to the x-files special effects department for creating a quadruple amputee in Rappo, the disgruntled vet. I saw how they made Gary Sinise legless in Forrest Gump, but it still amazes me to see the x-files do it with a smaller budget. That character is totally believable as a quadruple amputee. While I am talking about special effects, I will mention that the effect of the phantom soldier is done very well too. When he is running through the stream and attacking the captain in the swimming pool, they're both quite convincing. Ian Tracey gives a great performance as the quadruple amputee Rappo. You can just feel his bitterness consuming him. It's hard to believe he really has all his limbs intact. Astral projection is an interesting term we learn in this episode to describe what is happening with Rappo. The Walk is a good, solid episode to enjoy.

The Walk reworks the formula of episodes like "Excelsis Dei" and "The List" into the suffering of war veterans.

For me, these types of paranormal revenge episodes are difficult to make compelling, as the discovery of the paranormal phenomenon is not the main focus of the narrative. The writers take for granted that, as this is the X-Files, you accept the premise of astrol projection with a quick explanation via expository dialogue, and will be intrigued by what happens to the characters.

I think you have to accept the tone of the story for it to work for you. There is very little positivity in the portrayal of life for the characters in focus. The message that war destroys your body and soul; you are left with very little but your own anger comes through strongly. If this is reality or just extreme pessimism, it is not for me to say, as only those who have served and suffered truly know. If you identify with the pain of the characters and share a view that there is no genuine thanks, nor support for the sacrifice, it might resonate. At the time of release it tapped into suspicions people had surrounding the motivations for the gulf war.

There are some strong performances from the guest actors like Ian Tracey and others.

Visually it is another great episode. The atmosphere is suitably effective, thanks to the cinematography, lighting, use of steam, and make up effects. Easily the best moment is the shadow above the swimming pool, which was an excellent idea.

It's a 6.5/10 for me, but I round up.