Review of The X-Files, Season 10, Episode 2 by Dan Bullock, February 2016.
While the opening episode re-established who everyone was, what happened in the past, and who these new people were in The X-Files universe, we kick off ‘Founder’s Mutation’ with a classic-style beginning where something extreme and mysterious is unquestionably occurring. Following Scientist Dr Sanjay’s (Christopher Logan) unusual behaviour in a boardroom meeting, we learn he’s been hearing high-pitched noises and before we really know why, he locks himself in a secure room and stabs himself through the head with a letter opener. Nice. Cue title sequence.
Initially the investigation continues the vibe of the first chapter, where our leads appear a little too self-aware. It’s coupled with a reminder of their relationship, explaining that their son that was given up for adoption and although visually impressed with a change through time sequence, it’s all revealed via somewhat slightly clunky explanation progression. This aside, it thankfully doesn’t stay that way for too long because, quite frankly, The X-Files is better than your typical show which has to explain the plot to people in order to keep them on-board and, thankfully, it doesn’t take long before long-term producer James Wong, who writes and directs, brings it smartly back.
After shedding the skin of the recap past, we quickly discover a murky world of secretly controlled experimentation and genetic twisting. Whatever this is, it’s led by an archetypal untrustworthy Scientist named Augustus Goldman (Doug Savant). We’re given the impression that they’ve been breeding young, human, test subjects who are being kept under lock, key… and in a sealed room. But whoever is actually running it, is displaying it as a centre trying to cure diseases. In these days of X-Men and mutants, there’s a much bigger connection to this modern world fascination than their ever used to be and our show wastes no time in picking up on that theme and running with it.
As the episode progresses, we’ll get everything from Mulder being infected by something, to mysterious stories of babies disappearing from car crash victims – a visual flashback that even I had to look away from – this is the kind of world we remember and loved. If you look closely, you’ll notice that James Wong’s story offers out the antagonist quite early on and while this isn’t to uncommon in scripting, it’s done with enough suggestiveness to not making it fully noticeable.
What also makes ‘Founder’s Mutation’ stronger is the return of Mulder and Scully to their more expected state. Although they’re obviously both changed characters over the years, here we get a touch of that dark humour and a much more interesting story to delve into. I felt the re-connection that we crave alongside great performances, a story that surely has more to come and a really intense finale. I loved the telekinesis angle that was portrayed effectively and it holds the right kind of tension that groups us together into an excited throng of anticipation for what’s next. Letter-opener sharp.
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