Cigarette Smoking Man: Men can never be free… because they are weak, corrupt, worthless and restless. The people believe in authority. They’ve grown tired of waiting for miracle and mystery. Science is their religion. No greater explanation exists for them.
Written by: Chris Carter
Directed by: R.W. Goodwin
Original Air Date: May 17th, 1996
Principal Setting: Washington D.C, Quonochontaug, Rhode Island, and Arlington, Virginia
Episode Summary:
The agents hear of a shooting that has occurred in a fast food restaurant, although when they arrive everyone involved has been healed by a mysterious man. The man placed his hand over all the wounds of the victims who were shot and miraculously healed them. He also has the ability to change his appearance at will and Scully discovers there are duplicates of him all across the US.
Meanwhile the Cigarette Smoking Man is up to his usual shenanigans as he desperately wants to track down the shape shifting man and also wants something from Mulder’s mother that she doesn’t want to give him. We discover that CSM has known her since Mulder was born and hint on them even having an affair together. After their encounter, Mulder finds out his mother has suffered a stroke. It turns out that CSM is not the only one looking to kill the shape shifting man as the alien bounty hunter makes a reappearance.
Personal Commentary:
This episode isn’t quite as good as a myth arc finale as last season, but it still opens up a new chapter of the shape shifting hybrids that was hinted at in the beginning of the Season 3. The dialogue has a very Chris Carter vibe, especially when the CSM is talking with the capture shape shifting man. When you hear deep, cryptic dialogue like, “We appease their conscience. Anyone who can appease a man’s conscience can take his freedom away from him”, you know it came from the mind of Chris Carter. This episode makes you beg the question, is the CSM Mulder’s biological father? (gross!). Also, a very good fight scene between Mulder and Mr. X is a big highlight of action in an otherwise slow paced, dialogue heavy episode.
Overall a pretty great myth arc episode with a cliffhanger begging you to watch the next episode. Thank goodness we don’t have to wait months to find out what happens next.
Episode Grade: B
Favorite Scene:
Fun Facts:
- Talitha is an uncommon feminine name meaning “little girl” in Aramaic, given in reference to the Biblical story in the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus Christ was said to have resurrected a dead child with the words “Talitha cumi” or “Talitha kum” or “Talitha koum,” meaning “Little girl, I say to you, arise!
- The reference to the Cigarette Smoking Man water-skiing is an inside joke, since William B. Davis is a champion water-skier.
Faces You May Recognize:
Not really any stand out actors that are recognizable outside the regulars.
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