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 Gordon and Gansa scripts of season one were admittedly not the finest moments of that particular year, and for every "Conduit" and "Fallen Angel" we were given a "Ghost in the Machine" and "Born Again." Episode fifteen, "Lazarus," falls somewhere in the middle of the pack, offering up a mildly interesting premise but failing to deliver the tension that made classic X-Files such delicious TV candy.

I think the concept of "body-switching," of transposing one consciousness independent of its physical body into another, is quite interesting. Even in more recent times, on shows such as Lost, the concept is used in various fashions. There have been enough reported cases of near-death and out-of-body experiences to give the phenomenon some sort of foothold in the backdrop of reality. It is certainly an idea that provides food for thought.

While "Lazarus" manages to execute this idea in a believable fashion, the pieces don't completely come together. The case revolves around Scully's ex-boyfriend Jack Willis. While it's nice to see the writers once again delving into Scully's pre X-Files life, our only glimpse of him is in the teaser, as he is shot during a bank robbery and subsequently "possessed" by the shooter, Dupre. Thus, we don't really have a baseline to compare his later actions. There are also quite a few gaps in logic, just in the hospital scenes alone. How anyone could not have noticed Dupre's body convulsing on the stretcher remains an X-File in itself, and it makes absolutely no sense that a physically and psychologically suffering Willis would have been allowed right back on the case.

Still, this episode earns points for Scully's scenes. Duped by Dupre/Willis during a chase of his girlfriend Lula, Scully is kidnapped (for the first of many times), yet never lets her situation get the best of her. There are some great Scully "backbone" moments here, including the final scene in which she attempts to resurrect memories in Willis's trapped conscience. It provides tension in an otherwise tension-lacking affair.

"Lazarus" earns points for a solid premise (that would later be revisited in a different manner in "Dreamland"), fine acting and for reminding us that Scully has a spine. If it were a more engaging, logically consistent episode, I would probably rank it higher. As is, I give it a 6 out of 10.

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.

Lazarus is a fine, body-switching episode. Although it's difficult to tell who got the better end of the deal. True, Jack Willis' body is still alive, but he has another man's soul in him. Warren Dupre has lost his body, but his soul is very much alive in another man's body. What a perfect disguise for a criminal, as an officer of the law! In Fire, two episodes before, Mulder had a past love interest show up. In Lazarus, it's Scully's turn, as Jack Willis is her former FBI academy instructor whom she dated. But the results are not similar, as Mulder shows no hints of jealousy at all. In Tempus Fugit, Scully comments that in the four years she's known Mulder he's never remembered her birthday. In Lazarus, Mulder gives Scully a birthday card signed by Willis two months early to test him. I wouldn't exactly call that never remembering. Another excellent guest performance given by Christopher Allport as Jack Willis. Plus, this episode has a nice little twist at the end that surprised me.

FBI agent Jack Willis is involved in a bank robbery shoot out with robber Warren Dupre.Both men are rushed to hospital as a result of their injuries.Dupre dies when Willis pulls through and lives.When Willis leaves hospital and returns to his FBI duties his behaviour seems a bit bizarre and totally out of character.Mulder comes to the conclusion Dupre has come back to life in Willis's body.Scully has doubts about this as she reveals she had a relationship with him before.

Its welcome to catch a glimpse into Scully's past revealing a lot more of the character plus Mulder appears to take this Revelation well not displaying any jealousy or animosity towards her.

I enjoyed this episode a lot and the twist at the end provides a good ending