In this stand-alone Mytharc episode we are treated to probably one of the greatest X Files episodes, of not just Season 4 but of the whole series. This episode is all about the Cigarette Smoking man and enough has already been said about the fine technical aspects of this episode, so I will concentrate my review on the character played magnificently by William B. Davis. Hitherto, the viewer has virtually no knowledge of CSM, however in this episode some answers are laid bare, while other questions are merely touched upon. But most importantly we are shown what lies beneath the mysterious facade of a man seemingly without any human qualities, who we can only guess does the sinister things he does because he works for a secretive organisation and he has no qualms of conscience when it comes to his work. But as we delve in and out of his past memories, we discover that CSM is actually a complex character who from an early age has felt alienated by all of his peers, instead of trying to fit in with his peers , he steadily gains power after assassinating JFK and seeks to control people instead, not only this but we see that he doesn't think of himself as a bad man, he tries to rationalise his job by insisting that he is doing good. Some may say that the inability to fit in with society in a normal way as well as his cold and distant relationships with other human beings is a well-known characteristic of a sociopath. But as we watch his prolonged alienation and eventual realisation of his dream being shattered in front of his eyes, we realise that he is human like everybody else, only a little more flawed. Also the fictional character for his own novel clearly mirrors himself as it offers us another glimpse into CSM's mindset and tribulations (interestingly, the magazine that publishes his novel is named 'Roman A'Clef', a term that is used for when actual persons are disguised as fictional characters). In the end we see as CSM's original novel is brutally edited and distorted by the magazine his novel is published in, and it's hard not to feel at least a little sympathy for him because for a brief moment he felt the acceptance that the publication of his novel brought him, going as far as trying to shed the cold veneer of the Cigarette Smoking man. But before he has the chance to resign from the syndicate he comes back down to reality with a bang and so he lights up another Marlboro.
In summary, the 'Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man' is a very enjoyable episode that has a bit of everything - a good plot, some action, interesting cinematography and most importantly of course, great acting. While on top of that there is plenty of depth for repeated viewings. So for that I give this episode 10 out of 10 stars.
In summary, the 'Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man' is a very enjoyable episode that has a bit of everything - a good plot, some action, interesting cinematography and most importantly of course, great acting. While on top of that there is plenty of depth for repeated viewings. So for that I give this episode 10 out of 10 stars.