The Unnatural

'The Unnatural' is cute humorous episoode that was written and directed by David Duchovny himself. He based the character Josh Exley on real life pro-baseball playes Joe Bauman who held the home run record, but still never got to play in the major league. Unfortunately Darren McGavin couldn't reprise his role as Arthur Dales because of illness, but the replacement player M. Emmet Walsh did equally charming job as Dales' brother Arthur Dales. It also gave nice quirky joke about Dales' parents.

Also the episode playes on the idea that many incomparable artists and sportsmen are every once in a while speculated to be aliens.

This episode also includes one of my favorite quotes from the show - I have seen the life on this planet, Scully and that is exactly why I am looking elsewhere.

I think this is one of those episodes where you depend entirely on finding the right person to play the part. They just hit the nail on the head with Exley, this guy is so charismatic, I was hooked. Of course, baseball is the most north-american sport to have ever been invented, so I can't say I relate to it, but I can get over that, for the most part. It's a nice change of pace from the usual stories, and I can see why some people have an issue with it, but to me, this was always the best part of the show: you can have funny episodes, you can have dramatic ones, action packed ones, I mean, it's not always taking itself seriously. Some plot holes are there, but it's nothing too bad in this type of stand alone episode. I just have a bit of an issue because the show is so white, and this episode kind of tries to be all like "we are not racists" but, after mister x died, there were zero black recurring stars (Kersh had a minuscule part, it doesn't count). I could never get over the fact that CCH Pounder never had another appearance, she was amazing and totally deserved it, and would be an awesome addition to the show's more suspenseful episodes. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I didn't buy the trying to be "we are all inclusive" when the show was, unfortunately, not.

As we get into the "swing" of baseball season, I thought it was about time to revisit this episode of The X-Files, which was written and directed by David Duchovny.

I think what sets this episode apart from many others in the series is the genuine admiration the writing shows towards its subject. Duchovny very clearly has a deep passion for baseball and found a way to seamlessly incorporate a classic baseball tale into a X-Files alien twist. This episode works as a standalone better than perhaps any episode, while also contributing valuable details to the overall mythology.

The performances by the main cast are excellent throughout, and the honesty with which this story is told lend it absolutely legitimacy. Any baseball fan, regardless of opinion on the X-Files, should absolutely watch this episode of television. There is a certain romance and magic within the sport of baseball that cannot be found in even the most vivid fairy tale. Incorporating a sci-fi element seems almost natural when telling a story about such an integral part of American history.

The humor is spot on throughout, but what is really impactful is the emotion. It's hard to watch without getting choked up.

I would have easily loved this story even more if it was twice as long, but I'm thankful for the glorious 42 minutes it has to offer.

The X-Files is my favorite show of all-time. It never fails to draw me in through the combination of nostalgia and overall quality. I consider this Sixth Season to be the apex of the entire show, and I'm also an enormous baseball fan. All of those factors converge into an utterly perfect 42 minutes of television drama.

For a very basic overview, "The Unnatural" tells the story--through flashbacks told to Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) by former FBI agent Arthur Dales (M. Emmet Walsh)--of Josh Exley (Jesse L. Martin), a pre-integration black baseball player whose origins may not be from this particular sphere.

The key to the greatness of this entire episode might be the tag "written & directed by David Duchovny". At the time, he was "just" Mulder--only the most iconic character on weekly network TV. But since X-Files, Duchovny has proven himself a remarkable comic, author, and even musician. A man absolutely brimming with creative talents, and they all show here. The way he is able to weave traditional X-Files elements in with baseball themes is remarkable.

Even if you don't consider yourself an X-Files fan, this episode can still be enjoyed if you have a heart for the national pastime whatsoever. In other words, it is very much a stand-alone hour. Sure, nuanced fans can and will appreciate an appearance from the alien bounty hunter (Brian Thompson) and some of the extraterrestrial stuff, but baseball fans will easily be drawn in by Duchovny's--and show creator Chris Carter's--obvious love for the sport.

If all the above isn't enough, the final scene of the episode is as perfect a moment as anything I've ever seen reflected out from a television screen. As Mulder & Scully (Gillian Anderson) take some batting practice, quite literally everything that made the show such a rousing success is showcased: Mulder's witty banter, a hint of the supernatural, and even the subtlest of romantic overtures. Simply perfection.

This is an episode I watch every year before the start of the baseball season. Each viewing I pick up something new and marvel at the elements that make this installment stand out about the rest even within a show that usually utilizes much darker alien, UFO, or conspiracy fare.

This episode gets 10 stars just for the Mulder/Sully flirting! especially the last scene! so cute!