The X-Files - Familiar

Do you know what's "Familiar" about this episode of The X-Files?  They didn't solve the crime.

Well, they did in a sense.  They were there for most of the mayhem.  They figured out what was going on.  But they certainly didn't prevent anyone from being killed and you could even argue they were complicit in some of the deaths.

By my count, seven people died.  Including two children!

This isn't the first time an X-Files episode was constructed this way.  A lot of the time Mulder and Scully are there just to bear witness to whatever strange goings on are swirling about them.

I thought I'd bring light to this because it's been something I've thought of before but never really discussed.  It seems odd that a series that involves law enforcement so often has a tough time apprehending the evil doer.  But, in their world, it's just another day at the office.  Or woods.

Besides, you can't really 'cuff an alien or a Hellhound for that matter.

So, how were they complicit in a crime?  Since Scully decided to share speculative information with Officer Wentworth, (Roger Cross) who then went to the bereaved Officer Eggers, (Jason Grey-Stanford) who subsequently chased down the suspected Melvin Peter.  Whom he shot dead in front of all those people.  So, ultimately, our two heroes share the burden of guilt.

Scully would have been better served keeping her theories to herself.

Do I have a problem with this form of narrative?  Not really.  We should all be used to it by now.  Maybe the fact that two children died shook me a little and made me think back on the events of the episode and how it was constructed.

It didn't help that an innocent man was gunned down either.

I also might add, episodes such as these allow Mulder to espouse on his more fantastic theories.  A child disappears and is later found dead.  There is a history of witchcraft in the town with a tale of one women who spontaneously burst into flames.  

Ergo, witchcraft. I know, it seems like a bit of a leap.  By the way, did you notice there was no exposition to the episode?  No idle office chit chat at FBI headquarters before they head off?  They just appeared out of nowhere at the crime scene.  Also, a little jarring.

When salt is found around a Puritan grave site the plot thickens.  More innocent lives are lost and events spin wildly out of control.

As it turns out, Mulder is right.  They really are facing off against a supernatural threat. 

It's interesting how this episodes provides commentary for today's political climate and society in general.  Mostly, we've seen The X-Files argue against big government, the propensity for lying and wild accusations being hurled about.

Here, Mulder takes a slightly different tact.  He rails against a rush to judgement with it's mob mentality.  It's as if he wants to give the wild speculation and conspiracy theories a break because pursing them only leads to trouble.  (i.e. a town ripped asunder with many deaths.)  The current American administration is known for their unsubstantiated claims (voter fraud, for instance) and The X-Files has repeatedly called them out on it.

Now, Mulder sees the danger of casting aspersions.  More frighteningly, I get a sense we are being told all these things are beyond our control anyway so why fight it? 

Maybe the writer's room wanted to document an argument for both sides.  But I have to say, pretty jarring for an X-Files episode.

The danger of our current society to "spontaneously combust" seems to be a real and present danger so maybe Mulder has a point.

The frustrating thing is, when Mulder and Scully discuss the case at the end, with her arguing for the gates of Hell and him putting the blame on the candles, they resolve to get out of town!  Moreover, Mulder says there's no getting out of that kind of "Town" it's everywhere we go.

It's like they are saying, this is too big for the both of us so why try fighting it?

So very odd.  It's not like Mulder and Scully to sit on the sidelines and let circumstances dictate their actions.



The Cast as Co-star

What a terrific cast this week.  So many connections, crossovers and common history.

We can start with the ubiquitous Roger Cross who played Officer Wentworth.  Is there an actor out there that has more Science fiction street cred than he?

This is at least his fifth appearance on the X-Files.  He goes all the way back to an un-credited role (as an officer, naturally) in "E.B.E." plus, he was in the classic, "Pusher".  He's been in, "Orphan Black" and starred in, "Dark Matter" and "Continuum".  The man is sci-fi rock god. 

Speaking of Continuum.

Actress, Sharon Taylor, who played Diana Eggers, had a bit part in that series.  She's also noted for "Ghost Wars" and "The 100".  Check out her IMDB page for her expansive sci-fi street cred.


I think Taylor deserves special mention for her portrayal of Diana.  I found her broken-hearted anguish to be quite convincing.  Well done Sharon.

Diana Eggers husband was played by Jason Grey-Stanford who is also an X-Files alum.  He goes all the way back to 1993's "The Jersey Devil".  (Yup, he played a policeman then too.) In fact, Grey-Stanford may be a bit typecast as a police officer.  He played one in, "Monk" and an FBI agent in "Mistresses".   Here's the link to his IMDB page.

Any more X-Files vets?

Sean Campbell, who played, "Officer Sean" was in 1997's "Leonard Betts" (He played a "Local cop", duh!) and 1995's "731".  Naturally, he's played a sheriff in "Shut Eye" too.  Here's his IMDB page.

Here's a "Familiar" face, veteran actor, Alex Carter.  This is his first X-Files turn but, sharp eyed TV viewers will remember him from such series as, "Burn Notice" and "CSI".  His credits are a mile long too.  Good to see he finally made it on this show.

Has this clown been on the X-Files before?

Of course he has, it's actor, Keith Arbuthnot.  He put the Ghoul in "Ghouli" and the Alien in, "The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat".  Always good to see him. (I say that as I run out the door in abject fear.)

Arbuthnot added an extra dimension to the "Clown component" of this show.  His "Mr. Chuckleteeth" was frightening indeed.  I particularly liked the way he would shove his head back into position.  He did it on the TV and when he leaned around from behind a tree.  His head would tilt and he would push it back with his hand.  Creepy.

Clown props also go out to actor, Ken Godmere.  He played sad sack sex offender, Melvin Peter.  There is something about clowns that is terrifying.  Are they too happy?  Are they hiding something behind that permanent grin?  Should we let them close to kids?


Nope.

By the way, the Judge was played by actor, Kwesi Ameyaw.  He shares a link to the rest of the cast by being in ""Ghost Wars" too.  (Maybe I should watch that show.)


Odds and Ends

"Familiar" was the first acting role for little Emma Oliver.  Welcome to the dark side kid.  Too cute to survive I suppose.

The irony behind her story is, her mother claimed nothing could drag her away from the screen.  Except when one of the "Bibbletiggles" manifested itself outside the door.  Now she'll go!  

See, TV is bad for our kids.

Adorable child actor, Sebastian Billingsly-Rodriguez, has been on TV before.  He played, "Toddler David" in FX's "Legion".  See him in the lower left hand corner in the above picture?

I included this shot because the forest plays such an important role in this episode and in the X-Files in general.  So primeval, so foreboding.  Certainly, no place for a wayward child.  Especially one clutching a spooky clown doll.

Andrew appears in the road as his anguished mother leaves Chief Strong.  She flips her car and dies.  This happens a lot in TV and movies.  Someone appears out of nowhere and crash!   

One of the more memorable examples of which was from the 007 flick,"Casino Royale", when Eva Green is left tied up in the road.  Daniel Craig's Bond flips his Aston Martin in order to miss her.

Here it is.

They've gone through a lot of Aston Martin's in that series.  Such a waste.

Okay, here's a scene that perplexed me. 

Mulder and Scully attend another autopsy of a child.  Someone's son!  And no mention of William?  So strange.  Scully sobbed uncontrollably over what she thought was her dead son.  She also remarks how tough a thing it is to do.  But they don't mention their own pain or suffering?  They don't even bat an eye!

Weird.  This had to have brought back painful memories.

The last "Grimoire" reference I remember from TV was from "Sleepy Hollow".  Where's John Noble when you need him?

I liked how Mulder noticed the book missing when he went back to the Strong home.

It gave them the chance to use this cinematic touch when they reversed the perspective.  Loved it.

I also love it when Mulder and Scully completely take over the scene.  Mulder fires a shot to chase the mob and Scully declares, "Any further violence will be viewed as attempted murder!"  Yikes, she really means business.  I think I froze on the couch.

Nice framing shot of Sculls and Mulder as Anna Strong (Actress Erin Chambers) burst into flame.  These two have seen it all.  As actors, Anderson and Duchovny can still muster the subtleties of shock when they see something bizarre.  (And yes, Erin Chambers shares a CSI link with the rest of the cast.)

Here's my last pun, there is something "Familiar" about this wolf.  

When I saw "The Crucible" on Broadway in 2016 a live wolf sauntered out on stage to open the second scene.  It gave me chills and there were more than a few gasps from the audience.  

It was a great effect.

Oh, I get it, The Crucible.  The Salem witch trials.  Have I been cursed?  I guess there is no way to get out of this town.  

Thanks Mulder!