Plot: Mulder and Scully investigate a case of a military test pilot who disappeared after experiencing a strange psychotic behavior. When his actions start effecting his home life, his wife has doubts over whether he is really her husband. Mulder suspects foul play from the government. Meanwhile, a mysterious insider ("Deep Throat") approaches Mulder with some information crucial to the case.
Original Air Date: 17/09/93
A solid building blocks episode, many of the classic elements that would become beloved by fans over the next few seasons are introduced in Deep Throat. Firstly, the idea of a government informant adding further credibility to the themes of the show. The character opens up fresh storyline prospects, not least for the Mulder and Scully relationship, with Fox maybe desperate to believe him, and Scully suspicious of the new character's intentions. Deep Throat is brilliantly played with icy resolved by character actor Jerry Hardin (Cujo, Big Trouble in Little China). Appearing like a ghost in the mirror, Deep Throat passes his vague information onto a bemused Mulder, before slipping away into the shadows. Interesting that Fox does not pass this information onto his partner until later, perhaps wanting to wait and see if there was any value to it, or maybe at this early stage Fox and Dana don't yet have the trust.
If you want something cool and retro, check out the kitsch 90's bar the agents meet in! This breezy space is captured with a drooling sweep pan from director Daniel Sackheim, taking him time capturing the energy of the place. The dead eyed FBI agents are very much like aliens in this yuppie environment. Of course this is another nice touch, that Mulder wants to meet Scully in an alternative place keeping information secret. One thing I did get a kick out of was the Saloon style door Mulder exits to enter the bathroom, a random choice from the production team, ha! I love the exchange between Mulder and Scully when he offers to buy her a drink, Dana points out its 2.00 clock in the afternoon, to which he wittingly replies, "Its not stopping the rest of these people." Another great exchange is when Scully questions Mulder's interest in the case, and responds "Let's just say this case has a distinct smell to it, a certain paranormal bouquet."
This second episode also introduced the famous title theme by Mark Snow replacing the generic theme of the pilot. It builds nicely on Mulder's suspicions of the government's influence, and their true links to UFO related activity. Mulder's ability to think outside of the box is shown in the scene at the Budadhas house, when he poses some basic everyday questions to Robert, of which he passes, but then catches him out on a question which any military should know. This leads to an interesting stand off between Mulder and Scully with Fox trying to convince her that the government have mysteriously re-wired Robert's brain to erase his memory of his UFO experience. His partner stands firm on the more logical everyday reasoning and believes that Fox is crazy. They play this back and forth dance for much of the episode. The Budadhas' are nicely played by Gabrielle Rose (touching), and Andrew Johnson.
Much of the episode ties into the area 66 and Roswell UFO theories. One of its strongest features is how it brings up the issues of who can you trust (Deep Throat?). Another strand to that is the government official posing as a local journalist (another strong supporting performance from Michael Bryan French), who complicates Mulder's search for the truth. There's a class theme running throughout the episode I think. First of all with the idea that a washed up pilot and the lack of support for such figures once they are no longer working for the state (a very real anxiety). Then you have the stoner kids (Lalainia Lindbjerg and a pre-Buffy Seth Green), who direct Mulder to the entrance to the crash set (that scene is quite comical), and who Scully dismisses because they are high. Mulder trying to be down with the kids is a blast! Then there's the woman in the diner who gives Fox a picture of what she believes is UFO (again Scully is sceptical). These characters are all outsiders of some kind (as is Mulder), who are dismissed by the people in power. This theme is built on throughout the show. Including with another character from this season who has a bigger role.
Deep Throat takes a sharp left turn in the second half, with Mulder being kidnapped and experiencing the same treatment as Col. Budadhas resulting in him completely forgetting the events of the episode. The best thing about this development is how Scully goes the extra mile to rescue her partner (Anderson direct, bad ass), showing her concern.
And the ending where Deep Throat fills Mulder in is pretty cool, and this exchange:
Mulder: "Their here aren't they?"
Deep Throat: "They've been here for a very long time"...
Verdict: A big improvement on the pilot. Its a tighter episode, with the central pairing starting to come into their own. It sets up many of the trademark's of the series and Deep Throat makes an impression on his debut. Its nicely shot, with some good supporting roles, and decent suspense. The main flaws are the generic action scenes or the heavy handed military scenes (this is one television stereotype that runs through the X-Files), and the scenes involving Mulder having his wiped look really bad. It has its weaknesses, but does take good strides forward.
Rating: 6.5/10
