The X-Files: Sein und Zeit (7.10)

I've always liked episodes of this show that aren't overtly science-fiction, in which Mulder and Scully investigate mysterious phenomena that feels just a little outlandish but still entirely believable -- instead of horror movie monsters and aliens, like the wackadoo that occurred last week. Sein und Zeit reaches back into X-Files continuity with the return of one lingering plotline from the past: the disappearance of Samantha Mulder. What the episode does well is have the girl actually lingering in the background for at least half the episode, allowing the audience to see the clear similarities between the disappearance of a young girl and Mulder's long-lost sister, as well as allowing us to watch in understanding as Mulder becomes far too wrapped up in the case than is presumably recommended.

The traditional genre elements to the episode were, tying in with the overriding naturalism, more eerie and ambiguous than anything totally outlandish. It only furthered the sense of believability to the whole thing, parts of the episode resembling a routine (if particularly effective) procedural series. But it's the elements of reality that only make the story more chilling, in particular moments like the FBI betting on whether Amber-Lynn is alive, as well as the newscast imagery of similar real-life abductions.

David Duchovny can't be criticized for being a particularly showy actor, and his performance here was convincingly insular as he depicted Mulder's rapid self-destruction of sorts. I bring this up because a story like this is ripe for potentially melodramatic acting, and Duchovny gave the hour real gravitas. It's an even quieter performance than usual, but projects something which instantly rattles the audience, notably in that moving scene where he almost crawls into a ball right next to Scully.

The writers have always created interesting serial killer characters, and Ed Truelove is no different. There are a ton of ghoulish characteristics to the part, from the scariest Santa Claus car ornament in the world, to the inherent creepiness of a Santa's Village operating at the height of summer.

Sein und Zeit brilliantly pulls from X-Files lore while simultaneously undermining a lot of what we thought we knew. It's a brave decision, and one that proves mightily effective and overwhelmingly intense. A

Credits
Guest stars Mitch Pileggi (Walter Skinner); Mark Rolston (Bud LaPierre); Rebecca Toolan (Teena Mulder); Shareen Mitchell (Billie LaPierre); Megan Corletto (Amber-Lynn LaPierre); Spencer Garrett (Harry Bring); Kim Darby (Kathy Lee Tencate); Martin Grey (Agent Flagler); Randall Bosley (Ed Truelove)
Writers Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz Director Michael Watkins