Lazarus

A great idea but let down by an incredibly poor delivery. There's not a cats chance in hell that the antagonist would know how to navigate an FBI office.

The fifteenth episode of "The X-Files," titled "Lazarus," directed by David Nutter, presents an intriguing blend of crime drama and supernatural elements, exploring themes of obsession, resurrection, and the consequences of human actions. This episode centers around FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigate a series of violent crimes linked to a pair of bank robbers, Warren Dupre (played by John Diehl) and Lula Phillips (played by Jami Gertz). The narrative takes a dark turn when Scully's former mentor and boyfriend, Jack Willis (played by John O'Brien), becomes involved in the case after a near-death experience that leads to unsettling changes in his personality.

The episode opens with a tense prologue that sets the stage for the unfolding drama. During a bank heist, Dupre shoots Willis, who is then revived through CPR and defibrillation. However, Dupre's corpse appears to react to the shocks, hinting at a supernatural connection between the two men. As Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a disturbing link between Willis's resurrection and Dupre's lingering presence. The pacing is well-executed; moments of suspense are interspersed with character development that reveals Scully's complicated feelings toward her former mentor.

Visually, "Lazarus" maintains the series' signature aesthetic, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and unease. Nutter's direction effectively builds suspense throughout; scenes where Scully confronts Willis about his erratic behavior are particularly impactful, showcasing both characters' vulnerabilities. The cinematography captures the sterile environment of the hospital alongside the more chaotic settings associated with the criminal activities. However, some critics have pointed out that certain plot points feel predictable or lack depth, particularly regarding how quickly Mulder connects his findings to Willis's transformation.

The performances in this episode are commendable, especially from Anderson and O'Brien. Anderson's portrayal of Scully showcases her emotional range as she grapples with her feelings for Willis while also trying to maintain her professional composure. O'Brien delivers a strong performance as Willis; he effectively conveys the internal struggle between his former self and the darker impulses that arise after his near-death experience. Duchovny's Mulder serves as a rational counterbalance; his skepticism about the supernatural elements adds depth to the narrative while allowing Scully's emotional journey to take center stage.

Thematically, "Lazarus" explores profound questions about life, death, and what it means to be truly alive. The episode raises critical questions about the nature of resurrection and whether it can lead to a genuine return or merely a shadow of one's former self. The relationship between Scully and Willis serves as a poignant reminder of how personal connections can complicate professional boundaries; Scully's loyalty is tested as she attempts to reconcile her feelings for her mentor with the reality of his altered personality. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their own beliefs about life after death and the impact of unresolved relationships.

"Lazarus" stands out as an engaging entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of crime drama with psychological exploration while deepening character dynamics between Mulder and Scully. While it may not reach the emotional heights of later episodes or fully develop all plot points, it effectively maintains tension and intrigue throughout its runtime. The exploration of resurrection within a modern context invites viewers to reflect on their perceptions of life, death, and identity, setting a precedent for future episodes that balance levity with deeper themes.

I struggled with this episode, it definitely has some nice ideas, but the execution of them just doesn't work somehow, and it's the first time this series I've been kind of bored.

I am fascinated by the idea of transference, it's a great concept, but here it was too heavy handed, they could have done it in a subtle, menacing way, and it just doesn't work.

The idea of the tattoo has been copied since, if anyone has watched Dr Who's spinoff Class, I'd argue they lifted ideas from here.

It's forgettable, 5/10.

Features a great story premise, great guest acting, and we see Mulder and Scully's acting fully develop and mature in this episode - season 1 featured some spotty acting especially on David's part but by this episode, our two main leads fully embrace and mature their characters that later be the foundation for future seasons

The score is also amazing in this episode, and the music perfect synced with the tension. Probably one of the best scores I cna recall in any X Files episode.

The story premise is presented and framed in a engaging and creative way and the tension and story pacing are fantastic and riveting.

I don't get why some critics at the time gave it marginal reviews but I would bet they would change their minds upon a revisit to the episode.

It's a Gansa/Gordon script so you can expect the inevitable hokey, cheap storytelling and stilted dialogue (oh how much better Gordon ended up being without Gansa). Once you get past some hilariously bad dialogue this isn't a particularly awful episode, if still a bad one. It's got some tense scenes and some effective use of characters, particularly Scully. Once the dilemma is set up the episode gets more interesting, but that's not saying much. It turns into a standard thriller towards the end.

What made "The X-Files" great was how it regularly put a fun and different spin on things every time it slipped into more traditional and predictable territory. You would think that you knew what was happening then they'd put something in there that elevated the script above the standard. What I don't like about a lot of season one episodes is how that special spark is seriously lacking, and how many of them seem like subpar anthology show episodes or, worse, subpar police procedurals with a supernatural twist. "Lazarus" is just more mediocrity.

4/10