The X-Files: One Son (6.12)

There seems to be a concerted effort this season to bring The X-Files back to basics. The number of conspiracy episodes has been reduced, standalones are a lot more accessible and humorous. And with One Son, we appear to be getting something that previously felt impossible. We actually got some damn answers. While the show continued its tradition of showcasing some revelations while simultaneously setting up some new questions, this episode was another impressive mythology hour, the only weak element being some messy characterization.

There were two moments which significantly pushed the reset button. Wiping out the Syndicate should prove beneficial to the show in the long run. They were a pretty stagnant nemesis, and I liked the funny irony of their murders. Like Krycek's too-soon 'evil mole' reveal in season two, I felt Spender's death occurred too quickly. He suddenly became a multi-faceted character over this two-parter, and I feel like they could have done more with him. At least he went out on a noble high, standing up to his father and demanding Mulder and Scully get their old jobs back.

While I was disappointed in his demise, his final scene with his father was obviously shocking. The CSM is deeply disturbed, devastated that Jeffrey never followed in his footsteps like Mulder did with his father. It's a horrible sucker punch moment, confirming his insanity once and for all.

A couple of character bits weren't entirely necessary. The Marita Covarrubias appearance felt superfluous, while Fowley's 'maybe-evil' subplot sure wasn't as affecting as the writers presumably intended. I enjoy Mimi Rogers, but I'm not sure she fits into the X-Files universe at present, especially with the writers seeming hesitant to give her anything consistent to work with.

Besides a couple of blips, One Son is great. There was something undeniably cinematic about those final moments in the airplane hanger, and the show's frustratingly irrational forward momentum seems to be back on track again. B

Credits
Guest stars William B. Davis (The Cigarette-Smoking Man); Chris Owens (Jeffrey Spender); Nicholas Lea (Alex Krycek); Mitch Pileggi (Walter Skinner); Mimi Rogers (Diana Fowley); Veronica Cartwright (Cassandra Spender); Laurie Holden (Marita Covarrubias); Tom Braidwood (Melvin Frohike); Dean Haglund (Ringo Langly); Bruce Harwood (John Fitzgerald Byers); Don S. Williams (Elder #1); Al Ruscio (Elder #4); Frank Ertl (Elder #5); James Pickens, Jr. (Alvin Kersh); Robert Lipton (Surgeon); Peter Donat (William Mulder)
Writers Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz Director Rob Bowman