Emily

The arc at the end of season four and beginning of season five had me worried that a lot of mythology plotlines were essentially being retconned, but now seeing a mythology episode following up on plotlines from season two/three is great so see. I love X-files mythology episodes, and this episode is that and is great.

I found this episode refreshingly exciting after the dreary snowbound plodding of Christmas Carol. Mulder helps to inject some action and intrigue back into the story.

As predicted little human alien Emily didn't survive. I wasn't emotionally attached so that's ok. We didn't expect her to get out of this. Also it looks like Mulder found a bunch of other mini Scullys in jars so we have a backup.

In terms of alien hybrids it's nothing we haven't seen before: toxic blood, neck piercing, shape shifting. I don't think anything was actually advanced mythology wise - we knew eggs were being taken and we knew hybrids were being created already. Still I had fun watching it.

The episode really hooked me during the scene where Mulder gets to bash up the smarmy doctor in his office. That told me things were exciting again.

It seems Scully feels she is doomed to an eternity of loneliness- but at least she has great style roaming through those snowdrifts like an ethereal wraith. Stunning.

The seventh episode of the fifth season of The X-Files, titled "Emily," directed by Kim Manners, is a poignant exploration of motherhood, loss, and the complexities of identity. Following the emotional narrative established in "Christmas Carol," this episode delves deeper into Dana Scully's (Gillian Anderson) character as she confronts the implications of discovering she has a daughter, Emily, conceived during her abduction.

The episode begins with Scully's adoption hearing for Emily, where she must navigate the bureaucratic obstacles while grappling with her feelings about motherhood and her connection to the child.

As the story unfolds, Scully learns that Emily is suffering from a mysterious illness that leads to a series of alarming medical complications. The pacing of "Emily" is both urgent and reflective, allowing viewers to experience Scully's emotional turmoil as she fights to protect her daughter from those who wish to exploit her. A particularly striking moment occurs when Scully discovers a cyst on Emily's neck, which releases toxic green fluid when punctured. This scene not only heightens the tension but also symbolizes the dangers that surround Emily's existence as an alien-human hybrid.

Visually, "Emily" employs a dark and somber aesthetic that enhances its themes of despair and maternal instinct. Manners's direction captures both the sterile environment of hospitals and the intimate moments shared between Scully and Emily. The cinematography utilizes muted colors and soft lighting to evoke feelings of melancholy, particularly during scenes where Scully reflects on her relationship with her daughter. Critics have praised this visual storytelling for its ability to create an immersive experience that resonates emotionally with viewers.

The performances in this episode are particularly noteworthy, especially from Anderson. Her portrayal of Scully showcases a range of emotions, from fierce determination to profound vulnerability as she navigates her complicated feelings regarding motherhood and loss. Anderson effectively conveys Scully's internal struggle as she grapples with the possibility of having a child she never knew about. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances; Mulder (David Duchovny) serves as Scully's ally, demonstrating unwavering support even as he uncovers unsettling truths about Emily's origins.

"Emily" raises significant questions about identity, agency, and the nature of motherhood. The episode critiques how societal expectations can complicate personal relationships; it examines how Scully's role as a mother is intertwined with her identity as an FBI agent. Additionally, it highlights societal attitudes toward alienation; characters like Emily represent those who struggle for acceptance in a world that often misunderstands them. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their beliefs regarding love, loss, and the importance of familial ties.

This episode just drags on and on (even from a previous one) without a single interesting thing happening. I really don't care about Scully's pregnancy, baby, cancer or any of this. I also don't care about Mulder's search for his sister. All of this stuff involving Scully's side plot boils down to sappy drama with a sci-fi background. Same with almost all of the Mulder episodes. It's boring. And irrelevant.

I'm on my fifth (or so) run of X-Files, and the fourth run was the first time I made it through the last two seasons because it diverges almost completely into this stupid drama. I had previously just skipped all the Scully (and most Mulder) episodes, but I wanted to watch them this time. It's excruciating. Not because of Scully herself, but they always wrote her episodes to be this sappy garbage. She never just goes off and does something cool by herself without any stupid sap. Season 5 has some great episodes but between this and the only mildly interesting alien stuff, it's very hit-and-miss.

I see that this show, or at least as far as the episodes dealing with its "mythology" were concerned, was always idiotic.

The "monster of the week" episodes could sometimes be interesting, but the perfervid "mythology" arc was execrable.

And having Mulder assault a suspect really gives a great picture of the FBI; but they didn't need some overheated fantasy to show that, they could have taken case examples of actual FBI dealings with the Civil Rights movement, or with AIM. None of those involved aliens, either extraterrestrial or terrestrial, but native born citisens of the USA.

And now, I'm switching over to the 1970 version of "Ned Kelly", and whatever historical fallacies it might contain, it's still a world truer, and far less pretentious, that the Excrement-File crap.

I watch the X-Files and I see how the USA has become such a cesspool.