Young at Heart

"Young at Heart" starts off strongly enough with an eerie teaser in which proclaimed dead prisoner John Barnett blinks toward the camera with glazed-over eyes, but quickly loses steam thereafter. I think an episode delving into Mulder's beginnings at the FBI was a great idea, but this one is a mess and can't hold a candle to later ones like "Grotesque" or "Paper Hearts," which attempted to do the same thing after a fashion. The idea of reverse aging makes for an intriguing X-File alone, yet wanton inclusions such as Barnett's salamander hand and deteriorating vision are never thoroughly explained and haven't the slightest impact on the storyline. This episode was penned by Chris Carter and Simon Kaufer, and it would appear as though the two had to compromise their own distinct visions of the plot to come up with this jumble.

There is some good guest acting on the parts of Dick Anthony Williams, who plays Mulder's ex-partner Reggie Purdue, and Christine Estabrook (who I immediately recognized as Desperate Housewives' Ms. Huber), who has great chemistry with Duchovny in her respective scenes. That one of these characters is killed off and the other not seen again is lamentable, as their performances are the highlight of an otherwise pedestrian effort.

On a side note, I think John Barnett is one of the most annoying villains of the entire series. Just the sound of his voice is enough to tarnish a scene. Throw in some poorly-explained genetic mumbo jumbo and you have one very unfulfilling episode.

A generous 5 out of 10.

Another blast from the past, a man Mulder helped put away some years ago, returns to torment him.

It's a little bit disjointed at times, but on the whole, it's pretty good. It's always good to learn more about Mulder's past, Barnett makes for an interesting foe, although I prefer his older characterisation to the younger one.

The salamander hand thing didn't make any sense to me I'm afraid, I found the ending a bit predictable.

Great music, very dramatic, added a theatrical feel to the episode.

"Young at Heart" belongs to the group of episodes which focus on a case from Mulder's past coming back to haunt him, and although it is not as good as some of those, such as "Beyond the Sea" from earlier in the first season, it is probably Chris Carter's best standalone script for season one outside of "Darkness Falls".

There are some issues with the episode. I don't care at all for the actor who played Barnett, although he was acceptable when he was just a voice, but his appearance towards the end is hammy and ridiculous. Duchovny isn't quite as capable dramatically as he would be later on, so the full emotional aspect of the script isn't conveyed as well as it could have been.

Still, "Young at Heart" has an interesting plot and is more or less a confident script, but if it had come in a later season I probably would have been harder on it. In comparison to some season one episodes it's a masterpiece.

7/10

"Young at Heart," directed by Michael Lange, presents a complex narrative that intertwines themes of obsession, resurrection, and the consequences of past actions. The episode centers around Mulder's confrontation with John Barnett (played by John Diehl), a criminal he believed to be dead, who has returned after undergoing genetic experimentation that has reversed his aging. As agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate a series of murders linked to Barnett, the episode explores Mulder's guilt over a past incident that left an agent dead, adding emotional depth to the storyline.

The episode opens with a flashback to a bank robbery where Mulder, as a rookie agent, had the opportunity to shoot Barnett but hesitated, leading to tragic consequences. This prologue effectively sets the tone for the episode, establishing Mulder's internal conflict and the stakes involved in confronting Barnett again. As Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the investigation, they discover that Barnett has been using his newfound youth to exact revenge on those who wronged him. The pacing is well-structured, allowing for moments of tension while also providing insight into Mulder's psychological struggles.

Visually, "Young at Heart" maintains the series' signature aesthetic, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of unease. Lange's direction builds suspense throughout; scenes where Mulder confronts Barnett are particularly gripping, showcasing both characters' vulnerabilities. The cinematography captures the sterile environment of the prison alongside the more chaotic settings associated with Barnett's violent actions. However, some critics have noted that certain plot points feel predictable or lack depth, particularly regarding how quickly Mulder connects his findings to Barnett's motivations for revenge.

The performances in this episode are strong, especially from Duchovny and Anderson. Duchovny's portrayal of Mulder captures his characteristic charm and determination; 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. Diehl delivers a compelling performance as Barnett; he effectively conveys both menace and vulnerability as he grapples with his transformed identity. The emotional weight of Mulder's past decisions is palpable throughout their interactions.

Thematically, "Young at Heart" explores profound questions about identity and the moral implications of scientific experimentation. The character of Barnett serves as a representation of how obsession with youth can lead to destructive behavior; his transformation raises critical questions about what it means to be truly alive and whether one can escape their past. Additionally, the episode examines the consequences of choices made in moments of hesitation; Mulder's guilt over not taking the shot at Barnett becomes a central element that he must confront in order to move forward.

"Young at Heart" stands out as an engaging entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of horror 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.

An episode from season 1 which gives an insight into Mulder's past and its pretty dark.Earlier in his career Mulder sticking to procedure had a clear chance to shoot a criminal called John Barnett.Mulder didn't want to endanger any other life and didn't take the shot.However Barnett then shot a cop dead.This affects Mulder significantly and struggles to suppress the memory.Barnett is sent down but before he is he threatens Mulder that he will get him.It is believed that Barnett died in prison.Years pass.Mulder starts to receive threatening notes and grows worried that Barnett has seemingly returned from the grave but cannot convince himself this.Barnett is indeed back alive and has the perfect disguise-youth.Its a race to find Barnett before he tries to carry out his threat and kill Mulder.

For me the quality of this episode is augmented by the supporting cast.The actors who play John Barnett,the young John Barnett,Reggie Purdue and Dr Joe Ridley are excellent.It helps hold the episode together and makes it all the more enjoyable