Empedocles

A man is fired from his job, and after witnessing a horrendous car accident, he walks back into his former place of work, and kills the two executives that terminated his contract.

7.1? Seriously, I thought this episode was absolutely phenomenal, I loved it. There's just so much content, so much going on. For me it felt like a hugely satisfying passing on of the baton.

Is it getting to the point where Mulder and Scully are being phased out, in favour of Doggett and Reyes? That's the way it seems to be heading. On the previous episode, I stated that I was concerned that Agent Doggett was being sidelined, I was wrong, his character and story are developed, with Mulder and Scully fitting in around him.

Nobody is sidelined here, all four Agents have a part to play, plus we get to see some super sweet moments between Mulder and Scully.

I loved that while concept about evil being something out there, and who knows, why are some people just bad? There was a terrific scene where Mulder and Doggett discussed the whole concept.

Some amazing special effects, the opening sequences were awesome, totally attention grabbing sequences.

Loved it, 9/10.

Empedocles is the first, full Doggett episode. Previous episodes hinted at his son's murder, but this is the first one that focuses completely on it.

The teaser is tricky because you see this car accident and the car engulfed in flames. A man then emerges from the burning car, also engulfed in flames. The burning man walks over to Jeb Dukes and into him, disappearing. All the people surrounding Jeb Dukes appear not to notice this occurrence, which is quite puzzling. Later in the episode, it is revealed that it appears that the evil soul of Bob Harvey, or something to that effect, entered him, not a real flaming body that nobody could see.

The special effect of Jeb tearing at his face is hokey because the lines are already on his face that he tears away. There is then some sort of fire underneath, probably symbolic of the evil within him. I think they could have done without it.

I like seeing Mulder's concern for Scully and her unborn child. They have a funny dialogue in her apartment about the pizza man.

Just as Mulder got upset at Doggett in the previous episode and got rough with him, Doggett returns the favor and roughs up Mulder when he discovers Mulder was looking into Doggett's son's case.

Reyes makes her second appearance on the X-Files, the writers hinting at her future regular appearance on the show. She does a fine job in this episode.

In this episode and in the previous episode "Three Words", you can notice that Gillian Anderson is sick with some sort of illness. Her voice is very raspy in both episodes. My wife pointed that out.

Empedocles is a nice, solid episode that explores more in earnest Doggett's back-story. This is the only time that you'll see all four of the agents working on a monster of the week case together, though Scully is in the hospital most of the time. So, enjoy it, because you won't see it again.

This episode's entire plot is an absolute mess. Even if you buy into the central premise (which is ridiculous and convoluted even by X-Files standards), most of the episode has a very shaky connection to it. Characters do or say over-the-top things, just to immediately change their minds.

On the plus side this episode has some legitimately funny/witty dialogue, mostly involving Mulder. I don't know why the dialogue was sporadically great for just one episode, but it made the entire episode much more bearable than it would've been otherwise.

"Empedocles," the seventeenth episode of the eighth season of The X-Files, directed by Barry K. Thomas and written by Greg Walker, presents a "Monster-of-the-Week" narrative that explores themes of evil, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions. This episode marks the return of Special Agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish), who teams up with Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) to investigate a series of bizarre murders linked to a man named Jeb Dukes (Jay Underwood), who becomes possessed by a malevolent force after witnessing a traumatic event. While the episode has its merits, it has received mixed reviews from critics regarding its execution and thematic depth.

The plot begins with Jeb Dukes, who is fired from his job and subsequently witnesses a car crash that culminates in a fiery explosion. After this incident, he becomes possessed by an entity that compels him to commit violent acts. As Mulder and Reyes delve into the case, they uncover connections to Doggett's (Robert Patrick) past, particularly the unresolved murder of his son, Luke. The investigation leads them to explore the nature of evil and how it can manifest in individuals under extreme stress or trauma. The episode's title references the ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles, who posited that all matter is composed of four elements-earth, air, fire, and water-suggesting a thematic exploration of elemental forces at play in human behavior.

Visually, "Empedocles" employs a dark and foreboding aesthetic that enhances the episode's themes of horror and suspense. The direction by Thomas captures the eerie atmosphere of New Orleans, where the story takes place, effectively using shadows and dim lighting to create tension. Notable scenes include Jeb's transformation as he claws at his face to reveal burning embers beneath his skin-a striking visual that underscores the horror of possession. However, some critics argue that certain special effects feel dated or lack the impact necessary to elevate the narrative.

The performances in "Empedocles" are generally strong, with Jay Underwood delivering a haunting portrayal of Jeb Dukes as he grapples with his inner demons. Duchovny's Mulder exhibits a sense of urgency as he tries to piece together the puzzle surrounding Jeb's actions while also confronting his own emotional turmoil regarding Doggett's past. Anderson's Scully provides a grounding presence amidst the chaos, though some critics feel her character is sidelined in favor of developing Doggett's backstory. Patrick's portrayal of Doggett adds depth to the narrative as he confronts his feelings about his son's unsolved murder.

Thematically, "Empedocles" raises significant questions about guilt, responsibility, and the nature of evil. The episode critiques how trauma can lead individuals down dark paths and how society often fails to address these underlying issues. Reyes' belief in psychic connections between events adds an interesting layer to the investigation; however, some viewers may find this aspect less convincing or overly reliant on supernatural explanations. The notion that evil can be contagious-spreading like a disease-serves as a chilling reminder of how unresolved pain can affect not only individuals but also those around them.

"Empedocles" is a thought-provoking episode that attempts to grapple with complex themes surrounding evil and trauma while advancing character arcs within The X-Files universe. Although it may not resonate with all viewers due to its uneven pacing and reliance on familiar tropes, it offers compelling performances and visual storytelling that contribute to its overall impact. The exploration of guilt and responsibility invites audiences to reflect on their own beliefs about morality and the consequences of one's actions in an increasingly chaotic world. Ultimately, "Empedocles" serves as both an engaging narrative and a poignant commentary on human nature.

The early seasons of the X-Files would always be hard to follow. But there were some real highlights across the years with several episodes per season demonstrating the writers' imaginations had not entirely abandoned them. Season Eight remained short on ideas though and the pace of programmes slowed to a point where even committed fans might have a hard time maintaining interest. I applaud the guy who found so much to like in his review. I found myself inwardly grumbling that the script writer wasn't even trying while the plot was so thin it barely existed. Characters had to explain themselves not because it was complicated but because it defied belief on the grounds of zero credibility. That's it guys? Evil is contagious? Wow..

Agent Reyes lifts things, and its true, the presence of Mulder, Scully and Dogget together is a bonus but Scully is 17 months pregnant, puffing her cheeks and making eyes at Mulder while the poor sop grins and spouts short lines of insight and Dogget flails about from one angry extreme to the other. Chris Carter must have been a little bit embarrassed to sign his name to this one.