The X-Files: E.B.E.

Case: An apparent close encounter for a truck driver in Tennessee.

Destination: Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and Washington State

‘E.B.E.’ marks the return of the overarching show mythology, and finds Mulder and Scully in pursuit of suspected alien craft wreckage and/or an extra-terrestrial biological entity (E.B.E.) while trying to dodge shadowy government conspirators following their every move. The episode features several callbacks to events of the pilot episode, including scrambled radio signals, sudden power losses, and bright lights, and represents Mulder’s closest shot yet at getting his ever-elusive proof of the Truth. However, the episode is most notable for introducing the recurring characters of the Lone Gunmen (an extremely paranoid government watchdog group), and for tearing the scales off Mulder’s eyes when it comes to his secret informant, Deep Throat.

The latter development is the heart of the episode for me. Deep Throat’s motives and methods have always been extremely suspect, and I’ve often wondered just how much he is stringing Mulder along. Yet Mulder has pretty much always accepted Deep Throat’s assistance and counsel without question, seeming to believe that the information sharing comes at great personal risk to Deep Throat and is, therefore, legit (as evidenced by Mulder’s “thank you” speech in his apartment, which was pretty uncomfortable to watch). I was fascinated watching it all fall apart as Mulder discovers that Scully is correct and Deep Throat lied to him. The confrontations between them at the aquarium and later at the power plant were enthralling, primarily because they seemed chock full of revelation, but still completely shrouded in mystery. Is Deep Throat really one of only three men to have exterminated an E.B.E.? Is he really helping Mulder in order to atone for this supposed act? Like Mulder, I find myself “wondering which lie to believe” when it comes to Deep Throat.

‘E.B.E.’ is also notable for the way it demonstrates subtle changes in Mulder and Scully’s relationship. I was impressed by Scully’s attempts to get Mulder to see the realities of his relentless pursuit:

Scully: “For all we know, this Deep Background is the one responsible for the bug.”
Mulder: “He’s never lied to me. I won’t break that confidence. I trust him.”
Scully: “Mulder, you’re the only one I trust.”

Scully: “I have never met anyone so passionate and dedicated to a belief as you. It’s so intense, that sometimes it’s blinding. But there are others who are watching you, who know what I know. And, whereas I can respect and admire your passion, they will use it against you. Mulder, the truth is out there, but so are lies.”

I was even more blown away when he actually listened to her, and discovered that he was being played by Deep Throat. In many ways, it really does feel like just the two of them against the world now.

Other Thoughts

I love the Lone Gunmen, and Scully’s reaction to them (and them to her) makes me smile every time. Plus, it was good for our agents to gain a shred of outside help just as their inside help was proving to be less trustworthy than Mulder thought.

Why are Mulder and Scully now being forced to take the bus? Especially from D.C. to Tennessee? The government couldn’t spring for airfare or at least a rental car? Is this fallout from previous bad behavior, or are they engaged in another unauthorized investigation?

I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse sequence with Mulder and Scully trying to ditch the guys tailing them. Where’d they get all the cash? Even back in the early ‘90s I doubt it was cheap to buy last minute airline tickets (especially one way).

Mulder’s false identity was ‘Tom Braidwood,’ who is one of the show’s assistant directors and is also the guy that plays Frohike. I’m assuming that Scully’s identity, Val Stefoff, is also a member of the production crew.

A young Roger Cross (Curtis, 24) played the military security guard at the power plant. He’s going to show up again in later seasons in several different roles. There must be a shortage of character actors in Vancouver, because they sure love to recycle them on this show.

Quotes

Mulder: “Swamp gas?”
Scully: “It’s a natural phenomenon in which phosphate and methane arising from decaying organic matter ignite, creating globes of blue flame.”
Mulder: “Happens to me when I eat Dodger dogs.”

Byers: “Hey Mulder listen to this. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Russian social democrats? He’s being put into power by the most heinous and evil force of the 20th century.”
Mulder: “Barney?”

Scully: “I think you give the government too much credit. I mean, the government can’t control the deficit or manage crime. What makes you think they can plan and execute such an elaborate conspiracy?”
Frohike: “She is hot.”

Langley (laughing): “Yeah. UFOs caused the Gulf War Syndrome. That’s a good one.”
Byers: “That’s why we like you, Mulder. Your ideas are weirder than ours.”

Scully: “Those are the most paranoid people I have ever met. I don’t know how you could think that what they say is even remotely plausible.”
Mulder: “I think it’s remotely plausible that someone might think you’re hot.”

Deep Throat: “In our line, nothing is just what it seems.”

Deep Throat: “There still exist some secrets which should remain secret. Truths that people are just not ready to know.”

Deep Throat: “And a lie, Mr. Mulder, is most convincingly hidden between two truths.”

Final Analysis: ‘E.B.E.’ is a very solid episode. It didn’t necessarily advance the overall mythology much --- we already knew that the government was concealing evidence of extra-terrestrial life and watching Mulder and Scully --- but the agents seemed to get closer to the truth than in the past, and they now realize more than ever how dangerous their search is and how alone they really are.

Jess Lynde is a highly engaged television viewer. Probably a bit too engaged.

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