X-Files Recap- ‘Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster’

SPOILERS! If you haven’t seen the latest episode of “X-Files” then avoid this post. I’ll be talking openly about tonight’s episode, so you can expect spoilers down below.  Here we go!

The third episode in the six-part “X-Files” revival forgoes the usual doom and gloom for a bit of levity as Mulder and Scully set off to investigate a newly discovered monster.  However, instead of finding a bloodthirsty beast, they find a creature have an existential crisis.

Some of the best “X-Files” episodes have been the ones that dipped into the lighter side of the supernatural and “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster” is up there with the best of them.  This episode was filled with tributes, fan service, and lots of goofball humor.  It also served as a welcomed examination of Mulder’s psyche after so many setbacks.

The episode starts with the return of a recurring character that few might have noticed during his earlier appearances.  Tyler Labine makes his third appearance in the X-Files as a doped up stoner.  Tyler originally played this character back in season three where he had two small appearances in “War of the Coprophages” and “Quagmire.”  Here he is in tonight’s episode along with a shot from his first appearance.

While high on paint Tyler and his female companion come across a giant lizard man killing a regular sized human man.  Or is?!

Meanwhile, Mulder is in the throes of a midlife crisis as he realizes that so many of the monsters and supernatural phenomenons that he invested his time into have been disproven by various scientific discoveries and revelations since his departure from the FBI.  This leads him to question why he would allow himself to be duped into believing so many monsters exist.

Enter Scully who catches Mulder throwing pencils into the classic “I Want to Believe” poster.  To which she says “Mulder, what are you doing to my poster?” That’s right, Scully has her own poster now.  And Mulder is kind of a dick for jabbing pencils into it.

And just as Mulder is ready to give up on monsters forever Scully reveals that she has a case about, you guessed it, monsters.  Their case soon has them crossing paths with two special guest stars: Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords” and the leader of the werewolves in “What We Do in the Shadows”) and Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley”).  Rhys plays our titular monster who reveals that he’s having his own crisis as well.  You see, he’s not a man turning into a monster.  He’s a monster turning into a man.  And when you’re a peaceful creature without a care in the world, it can be quite traumatizing turning human.

In a great not-so-subtle nod to one of the biggest inspirations for the “X-Files” Rhys is dressed up as classic monster hunter Kolchak from the short lived “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.”

Ultimately Mulder track’s down Rhys’ character (humorously named Guy Man) and confronts him about his monster heritage.  During this confrontation, which takes place in a cemetery, we get another loving tribute to two people who had a big influence on the series.

Both names in this shot belong to real people who, sadly, passed away before the X-Files returned to television.  Jack Hardy was a long time assistant director that worked with Chris Carter throughout his career and had a big presence on the set.  Meanwhile Kim Manners was a prolific television director who had a career that spanned decades.  However, he was heavily involved in the “X-Files” as he directed 52 episodes for the series.  Including the final one “The Truth.”

With the aid of the monster Mulder is able to finally restore his faith in the unknown, rejuvenating his passion for cryptozoology and giving him a bit of hope after a couple of dire cases.  Oh, and what of the killer? Well, turns out man is the greatest monster of them all!

But before the episode ends we get one last throwback to a fan favorite theory.  Is Scully immortal?  If you don’t recall there was an episode in season three called “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Response.”  In this episode Scully had a psychic friend who could see how people were going to die.  When Scully finally asked him how she would he replied “You won’t.” This has since launched a flurry of speculation over whether or not Scully was immortal with even the show creators giving conflicting answers.  In tonight’s episode Mulder lectures Scully about going after a dangerous suspect by herself, to which she says “Did you forget? I’m immortal.”

Let the debate rage on.

What’d you think about tonight’s episode? Let us know down below.