Wetwired

How this episode continues to slip under the radar of season three favorites is beyond me, but "Wetwired" is a personal favorite and a strong mix of mythology and Mulder/Scully psychology that few episodes were able to entwine so flawlessly. Written by visual effects supervisor Mat Beck, the script borrows bits and pieces from previous episodes "Blood" (the concept of mind control) and "E.B.E." (the paranoia of surveillance). As good as those episodes were, I think this one is even better. There are enough twists and turns to keep the viewer asking questions, and it serves as a nice segue into the season three finale, "Talitha Cumi." One thing I enjoyed was the subtlety the writers and director used to portray Scully's descent into paranoia - just the way the camera zooms in creepily on a motel wall adds an interesting touch. We also see the returns of the Lone Gunmen, Informant X (Steven Williams), whose presence is integral to the show's final act, and Sheila Larken as Margaret Scully, who is always a delight. There are also some spooky special effects in the teaser and a scene with a running faucet. Revisiting this episode made me remember how much I missed the gray Vancouver backdrops and the eerie atmosphere they provided. All in all this is a great representation of a standalone/mythology hybrid and one of the better episodes of the series. 10 of 10.

The twenty-third episode of the third season of "The X-Files," titled "Wetwired," directed by Jim Charleston, presents a compelling narrative that explores the intersection of media influence and violence in society. Written by Mat Beck, the episode opens with a series of brutal murders committed by seemingly ordinary individuals who have been exposed to subliminal messages transmitted through television. As Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate these bizarre occurrences, they uncover a conspiracy involving mind control and the manipulation of public perception.

The pacing of "Wetwired" is engaging, effectively balancing moments of suspense with character-driven storytelling. The narrative cleverly intertwines Mulder's determination to uncover the truth with Scully's growing paranoia as she becomes increasingly suspicious of her surroundings. This tension is heightened when Scully begins to experience hallucinations and doubts Mulder's loyalty, leading to a dramatic confrontation between the two. The episode's structure allows for a seamless blend of action and psychological drama, culminating in a climax that forces both characters to confront their fears about trust and betrayal.

Visually, "Wetwired" employs a dark and atmospheric aesthetic that enhances its themes of paranoia and manipulation. Charleston's direction captures both the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the investigation and the emotional turmoil experienced by Scully as she grapples with her deteriorating mental state. The cinematography effectively utilizes shadows and stark lighting to evoke feelings of unease, particularly during scenes where Scully confronts her fears regarding Mulder's intentions. Critics have praised this visual storytelling for its ability to immerse viewers in a world where reality is distorted by external influences.

The performances in this episode are particularly noteworthy, especially from Anderson. Her portrayal of Scully showcases a range of emotions as she navigates her growing paranoia and fear of betrayal. Anderson effectively conveys Scully's internal struggle, making her descent into doubt both believable and compelling. Duchovny delivers a strong performance as Mulder, embodying his characteristic curiosity while also demonstrating concern for Scully's well-being. The chemistry between the two remains a highlight; their relationship is tested in this episode, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

"Wetwired" raises important questions about the impact of media on society and individual behavior. The episode critiques how sensationalized news and entertainment can shape public perception and incite violence; it examines the moral implications of using technology for manipulation. Additionally, it highlights societal attitudes toward trust and betrayal; Scully's fear that Mulder may be involved in a conspiracy reflects broader anxieties about loyalty in relationships. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their beliefs regarding media influence, personal agency, and the complexities of human relationships.

Mat Beck was the visual effects supervisor for the x-files all the years while they were filming in Vancouver. Somehow, he wrote an episode for them as well that turned out to be one of the best "pseudo-myth/arc" episodes. I don't know if the producers asked Mat to put myth/arc elements in his story or if he just did it that way, but he really got it down well. Wetwired is an intriguing story with good drama, suspense and action. It features the Lone Gunmen, X, and the Cigarette Smoking Man. It certainly is a jam-packed 45 minutes. I'm sure Mat Beck also produced the cool special effect of the paranoid people experiencing the TV-like vision of a signal being adjusted. Scully becomes affected as well, and it highlights her fear of being betrayed by Mulder. She runs to her mom, as the only person she feels she can trust. This episode even leads into the season finale myth/arc 'Talitha Cumi' in a way, which additionally makes me wonder if the producers requested that Mat include certain elements in his script. Mat Beck does an 'A' job in his only stint as a writer for the show, which begs the question stated in the summary of this review.

Mind control, surveillance, and something dodgy coming out of the television, the pair have their work cut out.

I have been a huge fan of this third series, and lavished praise on it, I think perhaps this has so far pipped the others, and become my favourite episode, I thought this was utterly, utterly brilliant.

They haven't explored the concepts of mind control as often as I had expected, this does so in huge style, to me it has quite a vintage feel about it, there is something almost 60's about it.

We learn more about puppet masters and string pullers, and the relationship between Mulder and Scully is stretched and tested, we haven't seen that for some time.

I loved the imagery, that scene where that woman in her kitchen started to experience something strange was awesome, really freaky.

A superb penultimate episode, 10/10.