The X-Files
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Its a Skinner episode!
It all started in Vietnam.
John takes the brunt of the chemical impact, and instantly sees a figure in a terrifying skull mask.
Mulder and Scully head to Skinners apartment and find no personal items, mementoes, or family photos.
They do discover the clue needed for this weeks adventure dont you love how conveniently that always happens?
in an envelope addressed to Skinner that reveals he was a Marine.
Whats in the envelope?
They learn that theres been some weird happenings around town, including hunting traps and missing teeth.
People are even saying theyve seen a monster in the woods.
Cut to a hunter falling in a trap and Skinner appearing at its edge.
Is he setting the traps?
Its the Vietnam vets nickname and Skinners nickname is Eagle!
Cut to Eagle walking around a house in the woods.
He sees a picture of John on the wall with the faces of his family cut out.
We get a really disturbing flashback to what the gas did to John.
He brags about cutting off his enemys ears, and wearing them around his neck like trophies.
Then we see Skinner save Johns life when an enemy approaches with grenades strapped to his body.
Skinner wanted to make amends, but the government vanished John.
Skinner was forced to stay quiet and keep a dangerous man off the street, but at what cost?
Meanwhile, Scully and Mulder have a conversation about whether or not they can trust Skinner.
The point is that Scully and Mulder cant decide how much to trust someone theyre now trying to save.
As Mulder and Scully drive up, Davey pulls a tarp over the trap.
He plays nice and the agents come inside while Skinner tries to get cell service in his death trap.
It turns out MK Naomi wasthe successorto MK Ultra.
While she goes to get cell service, Mulder will rescue Skinner.
Dont bend over when you dont know where your attacker is, Mulder!
Davey pours gasoline on Mulder and Skinner.
Hes just about to light them up when Scully comes to the rescue, shooting him once.
He couldnt protect John, a kid who was drafted and turned into a monster.
That failure planted seeds of mistrust that made him a natural third musketeer for Mulder and Scully.
Hes also searching for the truth and wants to bring down a government that betrayed so many people.
He owes that kid who really died in Vietnam.
After the nice beat of Skinner, were with you, things end a little goofily.
You cant win em all, I guess.
In case you missed it, the credits tag this week says, A War is Never Over.
In an episode that was seriously light on humor, I did enjoy Mulders reference to his juices.
On the other, keeping that secret made him more likely to support the X-Files.
Its nice to have these three closer together than theyve been all season.
Its not the same show without Skinner.
