E.B.E.

At this point in the series only two or three mythology-related episodes had aired and the direction of the alien/conspiracy plot arc was largely indiscernible. "E.B.E.," written by Glen Morgan and James Wong (better known for their early standalone episodes), takes things up a notch as government lies and cover-ups lead Mulder to question his trust in the only person he has trusted, Deep Throat. The entire feel of the episode is a very subtle one, lacking any cheap or sudden thrills - anyone expecting to see an aptly-named E.B.E. will be sorely disappointed - but compensates for this in its paranoid overtones and character development. The scene in which Mulder ransacks his entire apartment to find a bug behind an electrical socket is a case in point of the former, and even Scully panics upon finding something similar in a ballpoint. This episode is also notable for introducing the Lone Gunmen, who would make subsequent appearances in all nine seasons. While "E.B.E." took a few views to really appreciate, I consider it to be one of the best of season one. Great writing and acting, an eerie soundtrack, and just an overall sense of paranoia not found in later episodes make this one a classic.

E.B.E is a taught and suspenseful episode, teetering on the verge of paranoia. Up to this point the show's been feeling its way along, mostly aimlessly, trying to figure out where it's headed and what it's going to be about. We've got some hints and bits of disjointed and apparently unrelated events and phenomena of the overarching plot, but that's all. The producers knew it and we knew it- they had to dig up a solid theme. E.B.E. was the answer, and a good one at that.

The introduction of the Lonegunmen added yet another layer of texture and substance, broadening the show's background, bringing a refreshment and further ingenuity and, to some extent, taking some burden off Mulder and Scully's shoulders, giving them somebody to bank on every now and then.

Not showing too much was also a nice touch, raising the tension and expectations higher. We know now that the US government is in the possession of an extraterrestrial being, and later on we become privy to the government's intentions in relation to it. As the episode went along, we got one answer followed by a dozen lies, as frustration was growing stronger in Mulder on screen. It was even more successful on an emotional level that on story line, come to think of it. The lead characters were apparently becoming more and more unnerved as they realized they'd been spied on, lied to, and purposely fed misinformation.

Toward the end of the episode Deep Throat hints at Roswell Incident as being the beginning of an international agreement on destroying any E.B.E. should it establishes a contact with a particular country. This suggests that the Roswell Incident was in fact authentic, which contradicts another statement from DT later made in The Erlenmeyer Flask, dubbing it a 'smokescreen'.

But I guess that's the price you pay when you get tangled up in a plot so convoluted- it's hard to keep everything in check. Be it as it may, this episode bears enough merit as to grant it a pardon for the mistakes it made.

Main thing I can point out is that E.B.E. is a quintessential X Files episode that pretty much stands out among the crowd.

Now this is a turning point.

Previously, the pair of detectives had all sorts of close encounters with strange phenomena, with sundry evidence establishing proof. This is complicated here. We have the usual conspiracy and cover-up by secret government, but also we have doctored evidence, and even a whole close encounter staged to dupe the pair away from the 'real' thing.

So when in the end we have deep revelations about Roswell, and the alleged UFO at Hanoi, the narrator is unreliable and could be making up any part of what he reveals, and even the whole secret compound can be a hoax set up because it is something we would expect to discover, wanting to believe. It makes little sense why any of this should happen, but that's the series for you.

The notion is that the most convenient place to hide a lie is between truths, a statement which in our case can be both a lie and true.

Other than that, this is the most cinematic and evocative of the episodes so far.

The seventeenth episode of "The X-Files," titled "E. B. E.," directed by William A. Graham, serves as a pivotal entry in the series' ongoing exploration of government conspiracy and extraterrestrial phenomena. This episode not only advances the overarching mythology of the show but also deepens the characterization of Mulder and Scully while introducing the iconic trio known as the Lone Gunmen. The narrative revolves around Mulder's pursuit of an extraterrestrial biological entity (E. B. E.) following a truck driver's encounter with a UFO and subsequent mysterious events that unfold.

The episode begins with a gripping prologue that sets the stage for the unfolding mystery. A truck driver witnesses a UFO and later becomes embroiled in a violent confrontation, leading to his death. This chilling start effectively establishes an atmosphere of tension and intrigue, drawing viewers into the world of government cover-ups and alien encounters. As Mulder and Scully investigate, they discover that the driver was transporting something significant-an E. B. E.-and they must navigate a labyrinth of deception as they pursue the truth. The pacing is well-crafted, balancing moments of suspense with character development, particularly highlighting Mulder's relentless quest for proof of extraterrestrial life.

Visually, "E. B. E." retains the series' signature aesthetic, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of unease. Graham's direction builds suspense effectively; scenes where Mulder interacts with government officials and the Lone Gunmen are particularly impactful, showcasing their paranoia and determination to uncover hidden truths. The cinematography captures both the sterile environments of government facilities and the more chaotic settings associated with UFO sightings, enhancing the narrative's tension. However, some critics have pointed out that certain plot points feel predictable or lack depth, particularly regarding how quickly Mulder connects his findings to the E. B. E.

The performances in this episode are commendable, especially from Duchovny and Anderson. Duchovny's portrayal of Mulder captures his characteristic charm and obsession with uncovering hidden truths; he embodies a sense of urgency that drives the narrative forward. Anderson's Scully provides a rational counterbalance; her skepticism grounds Mulder's wild theories while showcasing her growing curiosity about their cases. The introduction of the Lone Gunmen-Byers (John Fitzgerald), Langly (Bruce Harwood), and Frohike (Tom Braidwood)-adds an intriguing dynamic to the story; their eccentric personalities and unwavering belief in conspiracy theories provide both comic relief and critical information to Mulder and Scully.

Thematically, "E. B. E." delves into issues of trust and deception within both personal and societal contexts. The character of Deep Throat (played by Jerry Hardin) serves as a complex figure whose motivations remain ambiguous throughout the episode; he provides crucial information to Mulder but also reveals his own capacity for manipulation. This raises questions about loyalty and truth in a world rife with conspiracies. The episode culminates in a powerful confrontation between Mulder and Deep Throat, where Mulder grapples with feelings of betrayal as he realizes that his informant has been withholding vital information about their investigations.

In conclusion, "E. B. E." stands out as an engaging entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of science fiction with psychological drama 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 the episode.

True, a couple of earlier episodes deal with UFO's and the like, but "E.B.E." is the first episode which takes the form of your average season 2-5 mythology episode, and is the first to show an indication of the extent of the government cover-up and conspiracy, well beyond what we had seen in previous episodes, and this time directly in relation to Mulder and Scully.

"E.B.E." is an oddity as a mythology episode since it was written by James Wong and Glen Morgan, who usually wrote spooky standalone episodes. This is a different sort of script for them, but they pull it off brilliantly, with a lot of excellent dialogue and memorable scenes, such as Scully's first meeting with the Lone Gunmen, us learning more about Deep Throat's background, if he is to be believed. I do find it odd that the episode which was very much the launching point for the mythology story was not written by the people who eventually carried on the story.

"E.B.E." features some outstanding use of smoke cinematography-wise, which lends the episode a great atmosphere. The same trick would continue to feature prominently in the second and third seasons which were also photographed by John Bartley. The musical score is also excellent, with one tune in particular being quite haunting and memorable.

"E.B.E." is very much a personal favorite as it was the first episode I properly sat down and watched, and got me hooked instantly. In a first season with precious few great episodes it shines even more than it does in comparison to most episodes in later seasons, and it lays the foundation for not only the masterful season finale "The Erlenmeyer Flask", but for the many great mythology episodes to come.

What an outstanding episode.

10/10