The X-Files Review by John Keegan

The X-Files 10.02: Founder's Mutation

The X-Files 10.02: Founder's Mutation

Written By:
James Wong
Directed By:
James Wong



If the premiere of this short season was something of a mixed-bag, this was the more substantial and meaningful follow-up.  By focusing on an element of the wider mythology that is more or less unaffected by the ridiculous level of retconning in the premiere, that being Scully’s pregnancy with William and the potential that it was not what it seems, this episode manages a much greater rapport with the original run.  





This isn’t so surprising, as this episode was written by James Wong, one of the more reliable writers compared to Chris Carter.  The entire scenario of genetically-altered children is one that strikes at the heart of Mulder and Scully’s fractured relationship and their fears regarding William.  In particular, both of them muse over what might have been and each ends up facing something that has scarred them fundamentally.


The titular “Founder” was conducting experiments with the same kind of alien DNA that Scully found in herself and Sveta in “My Struggle”, and sure enough, those kids came out of the process with some serious abnormalities and (in a couple cases) some interesting abilities.  All of which is perfectly in line with the original run’s mythology, right down to the potential connection to William’s nature.  Mulder even seems to revert his thinking back to the familiar mantras and plot points of yesteryear!






That’s not a minor point, as it may suggest what I was hoping would be the case: not so much that the mythology was being revised yet again, but rather, that Mulder had been led down the garden path by a conspiracy theorist who was, ostensibly, being manipulated by Cigarette-Smoking Man and whatever neo-Syndicate he might be working with now.  It reduces things back to the notion that the Syndicate staged many of the “alien” activities seen over the course of the mythology, which is actually consistent. 


The episode also reminds the audience that William would now be fifteen years old and a potentially superpowered teenager.  Oddly, despite the years since the end of the original run, this was a factor that completely slipped my mind.  Mulder and Scully might not have the slightest idea if they were to run into their own son, and the potential for that to happen in catastrophic fashion before this short season is finished is now on the table.






Why else focus so much on the guilt that both parents feel?  Mulder’s fears are neatly tied to everything that happened with Samantha, which is communicated almost entirely through visual reference during the “abduction”.  It stood fine on its own, but is informed greatly by knowledge of the original run.  Similarly, Scully’s experiences in the past with mutated children from the experiments by the Syndicate (not to mention the whole Emily scenario) melds perfectly with what is seen in her musings in this episode.


Had the premiere presented Mulder and Scully’s rift a bit more organically rather than forcing it so much, then this would have been a nice step in what appears to be a process of reconciliation.  If the entire tenth season is centered on Mulder and Scully focusing on their son and what might have become of him, then it makes sense that it would remind them both of the reasons they had been a couple in the first place.  It might not be a full reconciliation on the level that many would appreciate, but that makes sense, too; none of the elements that pushed them apart would suddenly disappear.  Whether Carter can handle that with care at the close of the season is a question worth asking.

Our Grade:
B+
The Good:
  • The sharper focus on the alien DNA mystery and William
  • Concerns about the revisions to the mythology are almost entirely resolved
The Bad:
  • There’s no certainty that Carter won’t demolish the repairs done by superior writers by season’s end

John Keegan aka "criticalmyth", is one of the hosts of the "Critical Myth" podcast heard here on VOG Network's radio feed Monday, Wednesday & Friday. You can follow him on twitter at @criticalmyth

The X-Files by - 1/26/2016 9:41 AM210 views

Your Responses

Flaco_Jones
Flaco_Jones
CONCURRING OPINION

Grade: A
Enjoyed this much more than the premiere and it really had me on the edge of my seat. They did a great job weaving the mythology into what appeared at the beginning to be one of their creature of the week episodes. I though the direction was fantastic, from the pool scene to the meeting of the siblings. Loved that line Mulder gets in at the end about things "you can't unsee" as well. Really had me rolling. Overall fantastic episode.

Registered Participants can leave their own Concurring/Dissenting Opinion and receive Points and Loot! Why not sign in and add your voice?

Comments

Log in to add your own voice and receive points by leaving good comments other users like!