“How can I disprove lies that are stamped with an official seal?” – Fox Mulder.
FALLEN ANGEL [Mythology] Aired November 19, 1993
Episode: 1×09 / 10 Overall
Director: Larry Shaw • Writer: Howard Gordon & Alex Gansa
The future of the X-Files project is jeopardized after Mulder secretly infiltrates the government cover-up of a UFO crash
After a string of monster of the week shows, Fallen Angel brings us the third mythology episode of season one, penned by Gordan & Gansa who seem to be improving with each turn in the writers chair. The mythology of the X-Files was nothing if not convoluted, an arguably labyrinthine mess of loose ends and unresolved plot arcs. With some considerable effort it is possible to form a cohesive structure and timeline for the ‘mytharc’ when viewing the series in retrospect, however at this considerably early stage of the production the various conspiracies are very much open for interpretation. Unlike more recent television series that involve intricate story lines, such as J.J Abram’s Lost which had plot arcs mapped well in advance, the production team behind The X-Files never had a clear end in mind for the show. Consequently, the ambiguous nature of The X-Files mythology is arguably due to the uncertainty of the the writers long-term intentions. As such, this episode ultimately explains very little and the machinations of the shadow government and their motivations are still in their infancy. Nevertheless, Gordon & Gansa still manage to deliver a intriguing entry that paves the way for many of the following mythology episodes, and as a bonus including for the first time, the now famous phrase, “Trust no one.”
Mulder’s complete disregard for FBI protocol and his contempt for the powers that be are in full force as he risks his career to expose the lies propagated by the unnamed government organisations. While disapproving of his behaviour, Scully is nonetheless defensive of her partners actions. Her attempts to defend Mulder’s behaviour to the review board despite their differing approaches is evidence of her respect for Mulder’s determination. Even though she may disagree with his methods Scully still recognises that Mulder’s position in the X-Files somewhat justifies his extreme measures as she argues that it is unfair to judge him by the same standards as other FBI investigators. This is a key element of their relationship throughout the series. Even though the pair have quite often diverging viewpoints they manage to maintain an admiration for their respective skills. Mulder needs Scully to ground him, she is the necessary level headed counterpoint to his recurrently recklessness conduct. As seen in this episode, Mulder is too often willing to jeopardise his career without Scully’s reasoning in his ear. It is sometimes argued that Anderson’s character was too disbelieving when considering everything she saw, yet as the creator himself, Chris Carter, reasoned, without Scully’s scepticism the show would have been too imbalanced. She is the necessary voice of the audience asking the pertinent question, “Isn’t there a more logical explanation?”.
Deep Throat’s appearance is far more justified than his inclusion in ‘Ghost in the Machine’, Gordon & Gansa’s previous MOTW show. His character is given some more depth in the conclusion as his decision to overturn Mulder’s expulsion from the FBI forces us to question his true motives. His justification to the review board is that Mulder’s knowledge would be far more destructive in the ‘wrong’ hands, whomever they may be, and that in keeping him close, under FBI surveillance, they are able to more closely monitor his actions. This is a sentiment often reciprocated in later episodes by the cigarette smoking man. “Keep your enemies closer”, Deep Throat explains. Whether this is simply a line he is feeding the review board in order to justify his true intentions is as yet unknown. The audience is left to ponder the implication of these words and question whether Deep Throat is either a help or a hindrance to Mulder’s search for the truth. As mentioned we are left with far more questions than answers, and though this is sometimes a frustrating way to conclude an episode, at this point the intrigue outweighs the ambiguity. Fallen Angel serves it’s purpose of drawing us in deeper to the shows mythology, whetting our appetite for more.
★★★☆☆
The X-Files Retrospective Project 