Season Seven is widely regarded as the year that polarized the X-Files fanbase, perhaps more so than any other did. Though it wrapped up the series's long-running MacGuffin, the search for Samantha Mulder, it often - and more times than not - strayed from its blueprint by way of late-introduced myth-arc entanglements and bizarre one-offs. Thus, it is refreshing to see the series take a breath, so to speak, and return to its traditional monster-of-the-week format in "Chimera," in which mysterious deaths involving ravens and broken mirrors lead Mulder on a solo excursion while Scully handles a case of her own.
The script was written by David Amann, who had brought some interesting concepts to his previous episodes "Agua Mala" and "Rush," but for some reason never really wowed me. This one didn't either, but I liked it. Here, Amann strays from the awkward humor that crippled "Agua Mala" and builds a more interesting premise than the one from "Rush," this time telling a story of a woman's repressed anger and the frightening way in which she deals with her emotions.
The guest acting in "Chimera" is commendable. John Mese believably plays the shamefaced cop caged in an unhappy marriage, and the late Gina Mastrogiacomo is equally capable as the resentful homewrecker. Cliff Bole's (Small Potatoes, Bad Blood) artful directing highlights every prismatic nuance, starting with the excellent teaser, which shifts from a sunny Easter egg hunt to a nightmarish collision.
There are quite a few startling moments in this episode, starting from the teaser and continuing until Mulder's confrontation with Ellen Adderly (Michelle Joyner). Although Scully is absent for the majority of the episode, there is a poignant scene in which Mulder's feelings for her are called into question, and presents some nice foreshadowing of their post-platonic relationship which would emerge shortly after. Still, in another episode dealing with the victimization of women, a popular theme since season two's "Aubrey," putting a strong female character front and center may not have been a bad call.
"Chimera" is not an essential viewing, but it is a solid X-File and hearkens back to earlier seasons in its simplicity and creepiness. One of the better stand-alones of season seven, as well as one of the better scripts from Amann. 8 out of 10.
The script was written by David Amann, who had brought some interesting concepts to his previous episodes "Agua Mala" and "Rush," but for some reason never really wowed me. This one didn't either, but I liked it. Here, Amann strays from the awkward humor that crippled "Agua Mala" and builds a more interesting premise than the one from "Rush," this time telling a story of a woman's repressed anger and the frightening way in which she deals with her emotions.
The guest acting in "Chimera" is commendable. John Mese believably plays the shamefaced cop caged in an unhappy marriage, and the late Gina Mastrogiacomo is equally capable as the resentful homewrecker. Cliff Bole's (Small Potatoes, Bad Blood) artful directing highlights every prismatic nuance, starting with the excellent teaser, which shifts from a sunny Easter egg hunt to a nightmarish collision.
There are quite a few startling moments in this episode, starting from the teaser and continuing until Mulder's confrontation with Ellen Adderly (Michelle Joyner). Although Scully is absent for the majority of the episode, there is a poignant scene in which Mulder's feelings for her are called into question, and presents some nice foreshadowing of their post-platonic relationship which would emerge shortly after. Still, in another episode dealing with the victimization of women, a popular theme since season two's "Aubrey," putting a strong female character front and center may not have been a bad call.
"Chimera" is not an essential viewing, but it is a solid X-File and hearkens back to earlier seasons in its simplicity and creepiness. One of the better stand-alones of season seven, as well as one of the better scripts from Amann. 8 out of 10.
