"This Is Not Happening"

"You ever hear of an alien in Nikes?"
Originally Aired 2/25/01

In previous mythology installments, they'd always bring back the role call of guest stars and make these two-parters jam-packed with characters. By mid-Season 8 a great many of these characters are long since deceased, so now the guest star credits is left with only supporting characters from last year's "Requiem" episode. It's really slim pickens at this point. It is a nice way to return to the events of "Requiem" though, with abductees being mysteriously returned, giving Scully hope that Mulder may be next.

The idea of a "UFO cult" being introduced is a bit silly. What I recall from the late 90's around the time of this episode being written is that people would join these cults, and then everyone would kill themselves in order to join a "mothership" that would take them to the after-life. Instead, what happens in "This Is Not Happening" is the opposite. Dead bodies are discovered, then taken to a compound where they are restored to full health, and after that they just kinda hang around with each other in the woods. Seems like while they're brought back life, they're left mute because none of them speak when questioned by Scully. This is also a way to re-introduce a character from Season 3, the shape-shifting Jeremiah Smith. Scully recognized his face from a video tape and explains that he has the power to heal, yet I can't recall her sharing any scenes with him prior to this. I guess her becoming a full-fledged believer this season means she is now fully embracing her role as Mulder, so she too makes quick leaps in beliefs.

Along with the returning Jeremiah Smith, two new characters are introduced as well, cult leader Absalom and FBI Agent Monica Reyes. I believe Absalom hangs around briefly, while Reyes will stick around for the rest of the series' run. It's now apparent that both are introduced to serve Doggett's character and further his beliefs. This really doesn't do the character of Monica Reyes any favors though. She is instantly presented as a "fruitcake" and even Scully quips that it feels like a therapy session, with Skinner rolling his eyes in the background. The scene she shared with Doggett at a hospital is the opposite; she comforts him when the case reminds him of what happened when he discovered his abducted son. Here she seems to stand on her own as a character and not just a "Mulder-wannabe" when she's on-screen with Scully. However I quickly realized she's not a "wannabe." Mulder's character echoed the sentiments and conspiracies stemming from the events of JFK's assassination, Watergate, and Vietnam, with Carter tapping into those feelings. Now, Reyes seems to be closer to the feelings from the 90's, such as the new-agey trend of Americans adopting Buddhism and being "spiritual"; kind of like Gillian Anderson and how she created her own episode, "All Things." I'll bet Reyes even wears a mood ring, were they ever to show a close-up on her hands.

Robert Patrick is the best part of this episode and the majority of this season thus far. Here, his character of Doggett is a bit more subdued than previous episodes, less dickish than normal. I feel like that's why Reyes was introduced this way, as Doggett gets to play one way with Scully and another with Reyes. Isn't that how Mulder was originally? He appeared "spooky" around everyone else, while Scully was able to see who he really is. Doggett isn't a believer but I like how he does buy into the alien stories enough to suit his real-world theory- its's like he'll only dip his toes in the water but if you mention that Alien Bounty Hunter again, he's outta here.

"This Is Not Happening" doesn't do much for me, and I much preferred the way The X-Files returned to the conspiracy in last week's "Per Manum". Although it seems that previous seasons only had one conspiracy involving the Syndicate, Season 8 has two mysteries being woven- the mysterious pregnancy of Scully and the abduction of Mulder. Never did I think I would ever enjoy the baby subplot more than Mulder's arc.