The X-Files Season 1 Episode 7-Ghost In The Machine

Episode 7 is Ghost In The Machine, which happens to be one of my least favorite episodes of the whole series.I think one of the reasons I really don't like it, is that I'm sure 20 yrs ago, it was a high tech episode. For the most part, the X-Files holds up well over time. This episode however does not, it's a tech heavy episode, and the tech is early 90's at best. Also the cinematography isn't that impressive and the acting, outside of DD and GA, isn't that great either. During this re-watch, I'm noticing that there is some good character development on Mulder's part. This is an episode where we get a look into Mulder's professional past, back when he was a young, up and coming agent that dazzled the higher ups. He meets up with an old partner, Jerry, who has a checkered past in the Bureau. He comes to Fox for help and ends up taking advantage of Fox and steals his profile to make himself look good. Despite which, Fox forgives his friend and still tries to encourage him and tells him that he is a good agent. It was interesting to see Fox cover for Jerry multiple times and how Fox stuck with his friend and had compassion for him. This is a side of Fox that we don't get to see much of on a professional level. Outside of his relationship with Scully, we usually see Fox in conflict with everyone else he interacts with at work. Some things that I don't like about the episode, the COS trying to kill Scully in the vents; COS being able to electrocute people when they touch the door handles; a not so interesting appearance of Deep Throat (in my opinion); the COS being a poor ripoff of HAL9000. Interesting fact: Scully's Agent ID# is 2317-616. Good thing this episode is followed by one of my favorite episodes of Season 1 - Ice!

*This review was originally published on X-FilesNews.com in early 2012.