X Reflections

I've been watching The X Files lately, the first time I've gone back to watch the show since it first aired. I rewatched some episodes when the series was first airing but this is the first time in 25 years or so I've actually gone back to those first episodes. One thing that's surprised me is that the show was clearly more influenced by Twin Peaks than I thought it was. The first two episodes, both written by Chris Carter, feature the FBI agents going to small towns and meeting the locals. The first episode has a young woman die mysteriously and the local sheriff talks about how he knew her. The series did get its own identity but I know the Twin Peaks shadow never went away.

The X Files, at least in the U.S., doesn't have quite the legacy of Twin Peaks. Partly, I think this is a benefit of Twin Peaks getting cut off at the end of its second season. The X Files outstayed its welcome by a very long stretch. The revival series didn't generate the interest the Twin Peaks revival did.

Anyway, it's nice to watch a show with decent writing. The third episode, the first one not written by Carter, is a little weaker though the character of Eugene Tooms is great. It's kind of silly that the other FBI agents are scoffing at Mulder for thinking Toom's the culprit when he has the guy's fingerprints at the crime scenes. Mostly, the writing's good but it was pretty lame that they gave Mulder this smoking gun and contrived not to have him share it with the agents who said he was crazy. The episode is carried by how intriguing Tooms is and the great chemistry between Mulder and Scully.

The X Files is available on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ elsewhere.

X Sonnet #1887

The broken bulb extends beyond the house.
Reliant names were changed beyond the dream.
Though dark, the fire's more than hats can dowse.
With brick and mortar, walls repel a beam.
Conditioned air resembled frozen flame.
Decipher codes before you send your mail.
We knew the plan before we knew the name.
The lettuce wilts because it envies kale.
The trouble bit the webbing gauze to glue.
Above the startle chimney, moons retreat.
They lied to say that purple's never blue.
Some others say the hat was nigh complete.
Addition tails improve the fish's dance.
Contrition jails disprove the wish's chance.