UNCUT - The X-Files S2E12 - Aubrey

Genetic memory, while not completely out there, doesn't exist. The two closest things that exist are instinct and epigenetics. Instinct is preprogrammed "firmware" generated by evolutionary processes. Epigenetics is gene expression via environmental factors. The most famous epigenetic experiment involved mice. They have a gene that causes them to grow large. If you starve a pregnant mother, the gene is turned off in the children, and also in the children of the children, but is turned back on in the following generation. The environmental effects on one individual has a multi-generational effect. But serial killer multi-generational memories? Science fantasy.

I was in my late teens and early twenties around this time. Also the second half of the 90's was the Monday night wars of WCW and WWF (attitude era). A great time for tv. It was noticed a little while back Mulders taste in entertainment. David Ducovny starred in a Showtime(?) series The Red Shoe Diaries before the X Files, for fun I like to think that show is Mulder in his spare time. It's an adult type of show

Scully get exponentially hotter from here on out. I remeber so many people had posters and desktop background of her. I don't remember any posters of Mulder in the red speedos mind you.

Rob Bowman's direction is off the charts. Mark Snow's score is off the charts. We have a human-centered mystery with paranormal edges where a bunch of small details all come together at the end. There's the suggestion that this whole problem might just continue. This is everything I love about the X-Files. Good call on the Lone Gunmen, too. I have to think they were early adopters of Josta. Probably bought it by the case.

You're back. Not the absolute best. It's a B/ Banger . . .closer to an A. I also see some future A/S in my opinion. Love that this is chilling. scary. Years ago I didn't figure out it was BJ. Terry O'Quinn is such perfect casting. He gives off the vibe that he could be the villain. Great. I thought her later "crazy" portrayal was only okay. I didn't love it. But I don't know. The episode works.

Bring on Irresistible

B-tier for me. Interesting story idea and well executed. Not one I would return to on re-watches.

Probably the best one since One Breath, but it didn't blow me away or anything. Always cool to see John Locke Pressman(also Cpt. Tracy, a TOS and TNG cast connection in the same ep), and the genetic memory idea is intriguing. Still, it just ended up being decent for me. Good direction from Rob Bowman as usual, but it's not one that stuck with me before, and I don't expect it will this time either.

I always liked this one when I was younger and every time I rewatch it I admire it more. Has some very good horror elements to it. I think you missed it but when moulder is looking at the photos on the staircase you see the buildings shaped from BJ’s crap drawing from the beginning.

Morgon Woodward had a great long career playing heavies on tv his greatest part came in Cool Hand Luke

Seems like this detective may have inspired another Chris Carter character

Sometimes I think dreams are the true reality and life is the simulacrum.

Harry Mudd was in an episode of the 1966 Batman as a villain.

Love this one, it's really exceptionally well done, and IMO quite underrated. I love, among many other things, how the photo on the wall "activates" something in BJ that almost prevents her from attacking the old lady. And Mulder notices the photo when visiting the first time, because BJ drew that same shape on a piece of paper, what she saw in her dreams. There are just so many "little things" here which turn it into a great episode. Many things one doesn't even notice when watching the first time, but notices them later, and realizing the episode is just so much better than on the first watch. At least that's how it was for me. It was a forgettable episode for me on the very first watch, but I was only like 11 or 12 years old at the time. Later I realized just how good it was, after being able to pay more attention to everything that's happening in it. Really enjoyed your reaction and analysis.

Loving the opening discussion about new TV shows and cancellations. It's amazing how much just hasn't changed, despite the change of how we now consume media. I've never forgiven Fox for cancelling Firefly. I think they were also responsible for cancelling Threshold and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, too, which I really enjoyed. Anyway, back to the episode, great to see that you've really enjoyed it. After a little slump the season gets back to form. Episodes such as this are particular favourites of mine and my wife (especially as her work used to bring her into close contact for some of the more dangerous people in society and she's fascinated by the nature/nurture debate). Also, thanks for making me feel really old by discussing the time difference from this episode to now and how it was closer to TOS when it released.

When I first saw lost I recognized the actor who played John Loch as a guy who was on the X-Files.

Good eye, spotting Morgan Woodward from Dagger of the Mind. Also, Captain Ron Tracy in The Omega Glory in season 2, which you also correctly noted. He was a long-time character actor, usually playing bad guys. Did a lot of westerns and was a pretty fair cowboy in his own right.

World Fairs became Expos. The jet age, mass media, and then the internet made the world a smaller place, so having expensive live exhibitions became less necessary and more costly.