“The X-Files” has returned to FOX. Join Mieke Zamora-Mackay as she recaps episode five, “Babylon.”
In this episode, the show lightly treads into the area of extremist terrorism. Two young Middle Eastern men blow up an art gallery in Texas. The matter is brought to the attention of our agents, Mulder and Scully, by a pair of younger versions of themselves, Agent Miller (Robbie Amell) and Agent Einstein (Lauren Ambrose).
One of the bombers is still barely alive in a hospital in Texas. Agent Miller hopes to find a way to communicate with the bomber gain information the terror cell responsible and to prevent future attacks. He hopes Agent Mulder will be able to help them, while Agent Einstein dissuades him with logic.
The older agents split the younger ones apart, showing them their signature approaches. Scully shows Agent Miller how to approach the matter with science. Mulder, on the other hand, shows Agent Einstein a more novel approach – by attempting to reach the bomber on a different astral plane with the help of some magic mushrooms.
After a ridiculous sequence of Mulder tripping out on the mushrooms, they eventually learn what the bomber knows and foil the potential bombers from executing their deadly plot.
I honestly cannot say which episode I disliked more: this or the last one. While this episode was by far the more humorous of the two, it bordered on the absurd. I’ll admit Mulder’s shirtless line dancing was kind of trippy, but the whole sequence just took too long. Though this may be the only time we’ll see The Lone Gunmen in this season, I still thought it was a waste of valuable screen time.
I wonder though about the introduction of the young agents. Is this an attempt to see if these two young versions can spark interest in a revamped show? Especially since in the teaser for the finale, we see that Agent Einstein will be making an appearance. If this is the case, I wish they’d used some of the time during Mulder’s vision scene to explore the younger agents’ characters.
Honestly, after this episode, I feel like I shouldn’t take the return of the show so seriously anymore. Come to think of it… perhaps that’s what the creators had planned all along.
I’m so glad you’re reviewing this series, Mieke. I’m hoping, like you, that this comedy element that’s been added to the series is intentional and not me understanding what is going on. Love your posts.