The X-Files: E.B.E. (1.17)

The best conspiracy episode so far, this is both fun and frustrating, and a perfect template for future episodes of this kind. From an audience perspective, we realize that only Mulder and Scully can trust each other, and that we too can only trust them. The paranoia created here even throws Deep Throat's final revelations into question. As the show always said: Trust No One. There's a great feeling to this script, with our protagonists constantly hurtling toward something and trying to uncover the truth. And it's just a lot of fun to watch, the scenes with Mulder and Scully discovering they've been bugged; the lengthy attempts at trying to derail any possible pursuit with their alternating flights out of Washington; the scenes in the warehouse at the end. It's a really entertaining mystery episode, and even without any answered questions, the journey getting to that (lack of) resolution easily makes up for it. The Lone Gunmen, introduced here, were pretty fun. I loved Scully's line about their paranoia about all things conspiracy gave them a sense of individual importance that they really don't deserve. Pretty funny. And accurate. A ridiculously fun episode all about cover-ups and distrust, E.B.E. is another season one classic. Just as Beyond the Sea was an indication of what the case-of-the-week episodes are capable of, this is the same for the mythology hours. Rating A Credits Guest stars Jerry Hardin (Deep Throat) Writers Glen Morgan, James Wong Director William Graham