Closure

Teena Mulder is Dead. Mulder walks out of the case, only to be dragged back.

Anthony Heald (Who was eaten by Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs) is a man who presents himself to Mulder as a "Police Psychic" who initially helps Mulder but is then found out to be less than reliable.

In the previous Episode, Kim Darby had told Mulder that his sister and the other Children were 'Safe in Starlight' - The man tells Mulder almost the same thing.

Is this guy to be trusted? Not by Skully, and Mulder almost tells him to hike as well.

But the man is persistent. And little by little, between Heald and Mulder they track down clues about Mulder's sister.

These two episodes end Mulder's 7-year (and longer, outside of the series) quest to find his sister Samantha.

This episode stands alone from the previous episode, there is a quality to this episode, where everything bad imaginable happens to Mulder in the previous ep, this episode holds out Hope to Mulder as a torch. And Mulder only can grab it, which he does.

The choice of opening and closing Music ("My Weakness" by Moby) makes this the most spiritual episode of The X-Files.

It's not that we liked finding out that all along, Samantha had been with Cancerman. And everything Mulder had believed previously about her was a lie or delusion or something he made up himself. That's not important here. It's the way this story was told, and the assurances held out to Mulder. It's the way the story, and Mulder's disposition, goes from NO hope to Hope.

The Concept of "Walk Ins" was introduced in the Season 2 Episode "Red Museum" which also had Mark Rolston, but playing a different character.

But it was elaborated on here, in this episode, explained by the characters played by Kim Darby and Anthony Heald, witnessed in the end by Mulder.

The Irony of Ironies is that Heald's own missing son is the one who brings Mulder to Samantha - And in the end, Heald's character cannot accept the truth that Mulder had just had revealed to him - A truth Mulder never would have known if not for Heald.

These two episodes are so dense, I cannot possibly write a review of them, these are just my impressions. Even after four viewings, I still get lifted up to a higher place while watching this.

Stories like this, are what The X-Files were about, this being probably the peak of story for the whole series - Unfortunate that it had to include so much dark to give us a glimpse of The Light.

A psychic offers Mulder some help, and claims to know where Samantha was just after she was taken.

This is perhaps the first episode so far, that I would say I really disliked, it was so poorly written, so overly syrupy, I couldn't wait for the credits to roll.

I am staggered as to why this episode has such a high rating, well and truly baffled, I loathed it, there's a saying about over egging the pudding, that came into my mind here, this storyline of Samantha going missing has quite literally been done to death, they've gotten so much mileage out of it, changed its direction, and if I'm not mistaken, they've changed the canon, it's like a whole new team of people took charge.

The sentimental tone throughout felt overdone, it was like Clinton's cards were doing a line in Happy Halloween cards, with rabbits and bunnies on them, the images and music just jarred with the whole vibe.

I truly hope that we're done with this story now, talk about dragging it out.

A shocker, 4/10.

Although I think the answers given here about Samantha's disappearance is a big weird and random, I don't think its that bad. It still fits in with the mythology of the show.

And not just that but this is a well made episode in general. David Duchovny's never been the best actor but his performance in the last episode and this one are both pretty damn good. The final lines of his are really damn good, and the atmosphere and colouring of those shots of the kids, especially with the Moby music, work so so well. I seriously think this episode is significantly better than people give it credit for.

This is one of the poorest episodes, typical of what happened after the series left British Columbia. The province was integral to the look and feel of the series. Afterwards the show largely degenerated into hoary religious clichés, perfunctory dialogue, repetitious themes and emotionally manipulative music. The psychic subplot is so embarrassing and shallow that I'm amazed it was even considered. The same shtick was used in the second X-files movie, and not even Billy Connolly could save it,

Chris Carter seems to have lost control over his series in L.A. The dignified thing to do would have been to end the X-files after season 6.

"Closure," the eleventh episode of the seventh season of The X-Files, directed by Kim Manners and written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz, serves as the conclusion to the two-part arc that began with "Sein und Zeit," finally resolving the long-standing mystery surrounding the fate of Fox Mulder's sister, Samantha. The episode explores themes of loss, acceptance, and the nature of belief, offering a poignant, though divisive, resolution to a storyline that had driven much of the series' earlier narratives. While many critics praised the episode's emotional impact and the performances of its lead actors, some found the resolution unsatisfying or illogical.

The episode picks up where "Sein und Zeit" left off, with Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) continuing their investigation into the disappearance of young Amber Lynn LaPierre, while Mulder also seeks answers about his sister, Samantha. With the help of psychic Harold Piller, Mulder uncovers a disturbing truth: Samantha was saved from a terrible fate by "walk-ins," beings composed of starlight who rescue the souls of children. Scully, initially skeptical of Piller's influence, uncovers evidence linking Samantha's disappearance to The Smoking Man, who reveals that he called off the search for Samantha because he knew she was dead. Mulder eventually receives a vision of Samantha, along with the spirits of other children, leading him to accept that she is in a better place.

Visually, "Closure" employs stylistic similarities to "Sein und Zeit," continuing the grim and unsettling aesthetic that reflects the dark themes of the narrative. While much of the episode was filmed on a soundstage, scenes at the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California, added to the episode's atmosphere. The sequences featuring the souls of dead children are particularly striking, employing elaborate filming techniques to create a sense of ethereal beauty.

The performances in "Closure" are particularly strong, with Duchovny delivering a powerful portrayal of Mulder's emotional journey as he comes to terms with Samantha's fate. Anderson provides essential support as Scully, offering a grounded perspective while also showing empathy for Mulder's pain. The guest cast, including Michael Massee as Harold Piller, also deliver compelling performances, adding depth to the episode's themes of loss and acceptance.

"Closure" explores the power of belief, the nature of sacrifice, and the search for peace. The episode suggests that even in the face of unimaginable loss, hope and acceptance can be found. Mulder questions his memories of what happened the night his sister was abducted. One wonders why some children are taken by Walk-ins and other are left to suffer. By episode's end, Mulder accepts his sister's death and finds a sense of freedom, stating "I'm fine. I'm free". This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their own beliefs about life, death, and the possibility of redemption.

"Closure" is a significant episode in The X-Files canon, providing a definitive, albeit controversial, resolution to the Samantha Mulder storyline. While some viewers may find the "walk-ins" concept to be far-fetched or unsatisfying, the episode's emotional impact and strong performances cannot be denied. As it reflects broader societal concerns regarding loss, belief, and the search for meaning, "Closure" leaves audiences contemplating the complexities of grief and the power of acceptance, reminding us that letting go can be a path to healing and personal liberation.