Anyone who didn't realize Skinner's (Mitch Pileggi) lack of upward mobility at the FBI was connected to his relationship with Scully and Mulder hasn't been paying attention to prior stories in the series. If anything, he both supported and backed off on their various investigations depending on circumstances, and you can't forget his association with the Cigarette Smoking Man. But this was a different kind of story that reached back half a century to the conflict in Viet Nam and Skinner's military service which comes back to haunt him regarding a fellow soldier affected by the use of an experimental gas intended as a mind control agent. The real X-File here might be what happened to the cute kid from "The Sixth Sense". Man, what a difference a couple of decades made on Haley Joel Osmont's appearance, and apparently his choice of film roles, having appeared in junk like "Yoga Hosers" and "Izzy Gets the F--- Across Town". I haven't seen those, but they're on his list of cast credits, and don't rate very highly by IMDb viewers. What the episode concludes, just as Skinner does, is that mistrust in government took a huge leap during the era of the Sixties and early Seventies resulting from the Viet Nam experience, and hasn't really gotten any better since. You don't need an X-File to figure that out.
8 Reviews
Decent episode
tsoderlu15 February 2018
I'm completely amazed I recognized the guy as the little kid from A.i. The look in his eye just completely told me it was him even though I haven't watched the film in years and years. On to the episode.
The episode gives us some depth on Walter Skinner's backstory, It was pretty good but not on par with "My struggle III" and "This" this season. I do like the constant changing of the words flashed before each episode (instead of the truth is out there) and not just for plot episodes like up to after season 9 seemed to be, usually thoughtful stuff if you can use your head.
The episode gives us some depth on Walter Skinner's backstory, It was pretty good but not on par with "My struggle III" and "This" this season. I do like the constant changing of the words flashed before each episode (instead of the truth is out there) and not just for plot episodes like up to after season 9 seemed to be, usually thoughtful stuff if you can use your head.
Kitten
bobcobb3019 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode definitely had that old school one-off vibe to it. They could have done a better job crafting the actual story, and I was a little let down by the lame spreading of the gas by the overhead airplane at the end, but this was still entertaining TV for sure. The continued driving down our throats of an intersectionality between the government and people becoming less intelligent these days is a theme I wish the show would abandon.
Nevertheless, a good Skinner-centric episode with some solid Scully and Mulder banter tonight.
Nevertheless, a good Skinner-centric episode with some solid Scully and Mulder banter tonight.
"Fear is Man's Best Friend"
XweAponX13 February 2018
A true classic X file, with Director Kirsch even.
We knew from the last episode he was in, "The Truth", that he wished he had supported Mulder and Skully more.
But Kirsch is a 5th floor guy, one of those guys all worried about career.
And he's worried about Skinner. And we're worried about Skinner, because of his involvement with Cancerman.
And Mulder and Skully are also worried, they suspect Skinner of not being on the level, but in the end, he is their Friend.
Which is mostly what this is about. And it is about Skinner's past in Vietnam.
I was hoping this would go into more about the White haired lady, Skinner's "Ghost". But this will do.
And, the Alex Jones followers might even like this X-File, it deals with a common conspiracy, as in, is the government dumping chemicals on us?
This X-File makes us think, is this happening? I personally don't think so, but this episode will have conspiracy hacks drooling. And, if it were happening, would it be happening like this?
I have enjoyed all of the Season 11 stories, and this one was one of the best.
The John kale song really adds some thing.
We knew from the last episode he was in, "The Truth", that he wished he had supported Mulder and Skully more.
But Kirsch is a 5th floor guy, one of those guys all worried about career.
And he's worried about Skinner. And we're worried about Skinner, because of his involvement with Cancerman.
And Mulder and Skully are also worried, they suspect Skinner of not being on the level, but in the end, he is their Friend.
Which is mostly what this is about. And it is about Skinner's past in Vietnam.
I was hoping this would go into more about the White haired lady, Skinner's "Ghost". But this will do.
And, the Alex Jones followers might even like this X-File, it deals with a common conspiracy, as in, is the government dumping chemicals on us?
This X-File makes us think, is this happening? I personally don't think so, but this episode will have conspiracy hacks drooling. And, if it were happening, would it be happening like this?
I have enjoyed all of the Season 11 stories, and this one was one of the best.
The John kale song really adds some thing.
Walter S. Skinner
josua_daniele11 February 2018
Wow!! I really liked this episode! It's not the best of the season but hey! This season really kicks ass!!! I really really love this new season! Hope they do more seasons! The X Files is the one in a million, The X Files is different from the rest of the series that are out there. I don't care what people think as long as I can enjoy this! Thanks CC, DD, GA, MP, WBD, the writers, directors and cast & crew!!
Ignore the low ratings. After ten seasons we finally get Walter Skinners backstory !
NatashaJAmos201519 June 2020
I am so happy we finally get Skinners backstory ! We get to see what happened when he was in Vietnam . This episode was a long time coming and it's worth the wait.
I'd advise you to ignore the low ratings and negativity about this episode. They're just haters. They arent true X-Files fans.
I'd advise you to ignore the low ratings and negativity about this episode. They're just haters. They arent true X-Files fans.
Incompetence that hurts
kuarinofu8 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Everything in this episode ranges from being barely watchable to just OK.
The premise is OK and the idea to finally give us some of the Skinner's backstory is always welcome. But there's just so many holes and outright stupid things in this script I can't handle it. It's like the creators forgot who their characters are.
Skinner goes AWOL for absolutely no reason, there was no reason for him to leave like that than just to attract attention and to have a scene to remind you that Kersh is still around. Then he just roams the woods unseen watching people die in booby traps until the scripts roughly connect him to Scully and Mulder through a very convenient deer cam. Having zero suspicion about the son of an ex-vet who got his brains screwed up by some sort of mind control gas, Skinner literally falls for a simple "follow me".
Mulder and Scully see a vehicle that was probably driven here by Skinner, talk to Davey who's all shaking and nervous and only AFTER decide that there's something fishy around here. They make a circle and come back for some reason, instead of just ACTUALLY BEING AN FBI AGENTS. Just arrest the kid, interrogate him, search the premises, what the hell, obviously Skinner is here somewhere and he's obviously connected to the kid.
Then Benny Hill music starts playing. Scully disappears out of the movie instead of covering Mulder when he finds Skinner and just turns his back while STANDING IN FRONT OF A DEATH PIT. Mulder's IQ is heavily reduced in this episode I guess. Now they are both down and Skinner seems just mildly agitated, not that hurt at all. Then Anakin comes, Skinner has a gun but refuses to shoot or incapacitate him to save his and Mulder's life while Scully is using the Wi-Fi hotspot in the product placement car they've established in the previous episode. Anakin tries to burn them alive with a glass of gas but then we realize that Scully does exist and she gets something to do in this episode.
Then we get an actually good 3 min scene of the duo listening to Skinner's confession. And then it ends with yet another "government is bad" message.
Every scene in this episode was written to show something specific, but 99% of them only showed stupidity and out-of-character actions. Scully and Mulder look and feel so bored and old in this one. It's like they can barely move.
Please, next time, first ask the actors if they are ready for a series revive before starting the production. Why do I have to see my favorite characters old, tired and bored to death? This hurts me...
The premise is OK and the idea to finally give us some of the Skinner's backstory is always welcome. But there's just so many holes and outright stupid things in this script I can't handle it. It's like the creators forgot who their characters are.
Skinner goes AWOL for absolutely no reason, there was no reason for him to leave like that than just to attract attention and to have a scene to remind you that Kersh is still around. Then he just roams the woods unseen watching people die in booby traps until the scripts roughly connect him to Scully and Mulder through a very convenient deer cam. Having zero suspicion about the son of an ex-vet who got his brains screwed up by some sort of mind control gas, Skinner literally falls for a simple "follow me".
Mulder and Scully see a vehicle that was probably driven here by Skinner, talk to Davey who's all shaking and nervous and only AFTER decide that there's something fishy around here. They make a circle and come back for some reason, instead of just ACTUALLY BEING AN FBI AGENTS. Just arrest the kid, interrogate him, search the premises, what the hell, obviously Skinner is here somewhere and he's obviously connected to the kid.
Then Benny Hill music starts playing. Scully disappears out of the movie instead of covering Mulder when he finds Skinner and just turns his back while STANDING IN FRONT OF A DEATH PIT. Mulder's IQ is heavily reduced in this episode I guess. Now they are both down and Skinner seems just mildly agitated, not that hurt at all. Then Anakin comes, Skinner has a gun but refuses to shoot or incapacitate him to save his and Mulder's life while Scully is using the Wi-Fi hotspot in the product placement car they've established in the previous episode. Anakin tries to burn them alive with a glass of gas but then we realize that Scully does exist and she gets something to do in this episode.
Then we get an actually good 3 min scene of the duo listening to Skinner's confession. And then it ends with yet another "government is bad" message.
Every scene in this episode was written to show something specific, but 99% of them only showed stupidity and out-of-character actions. Scully and Mulder look and feel so bored and old in this one. It's like they can barely move.
Please, next time, first ask the actors if they are ready for a series revive before starting the production. Why do I have to see my favorite characters old, tired and bored to death? This hurts me...
Fox Mulder: As much as I appreciate any reference to my juices, Scully... My only concern here is for Skinner.
bombersflyup9 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Kitten is about Skinner's fellow Vietnam veteran, who was exposed to a mind-altering gas in the war during a mission involving a crate. His son's now killing those involved in said mission, in a place known as Mud Lick.
There isn't anything wrong with this story, most certainly it's the delivery that falters. The problem's that the characters are still lifeless, last episode they introduced William who brought life to the show and now is gone again. If we aren't going to get an investigation, then we need to delve deeper into the story. No resolution here either, where's Mulder or Scully's monologue about what happened and why.
There isn't anything wrong with this story, most certainly it's the delivery that falters. The problem's that the characters are still lifeless, last episode they introduced William who brought life to the show and now is gone again. If we aren't going to get an investigation, then we need to delve deeper into the story. No resolution here either, where's Mulder or Scully's monologue about what happened and why.
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