“Every problem has a solution.” – The Cigarette Smoking Man.
SLEEPLESS [Mythology] October 7, 1994
Episode: 2×04 / 28 Overall
Director: Rob Bowman • Writer: Howard Gordon
Mulder searches for a Vietnam veteran who can project his consciousness into other people’s minds.
Working alone for the first time on the series, having until now collaborated primarily with Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon delivers easily his best script so far. When comparing an episode like Sleepless to Conduit or Ghost in the Machine, one would be forgiven for thinking we’re dealing with a different writer. The quality of this script far superior than his early work, it certainly helps that the pages are brought to life with the stunning visual clarity that we would expect from director Rob Bowman who, along with David Nutter, are my personal favorites in the early seasons. Sleepless excels for a number of reasons, not least due to the seamless blend between science fiction and reality. The concept of experimenting on soldiers with the aim to eradicate the need for sleep is certainly an extreme theory but one that feels wholly believable. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with fantastic premises that stretch far beyond the realm of possibility, this is a sci-fi show after all, there’s also something particularly scary about exploring an idea that could actually happen in real life. It lends a sense of realism and therefore heightened tension. Two recurring characters make their on screen debut in this episode, firstly ‘X’, played by Steven Williams, whom we have previously only heard speaking to Mulder on the telephone. Secondly, Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) who worked with director Rob Bowman in season one episode Gender Bender. Bowman was impressed by Lea’s performance and had him cast in a role that had the possibility of repeat appearances. Thankfully, the producers were happy with Lea’s character and he continued to be a regular presence on the show until it’s conclusion.
The story is near flawless, it’s a struggle to find a weak link anywhere in this episode. The guest characters all turn in wonderful performances, particularly Tony Todd as the enigmatic ‘Preacher’. The pain on the veteran’s faces feels authentic and this helps to sell the idea that these men have been through hell, not being able to sleep for the past 24 years. Preacher is a sympathetic character, despite his violent actions, we feel for him and his squad and the pain that these experiments have caused them. Bowman’s moody lighting and atmospheric direction really helps to deliver a visually striking episode that adds to the eeriness of the on screen action.
Krycek is an interesting character, for the most part in this episode he comes across as an unseasoned F.B.I rookie who genuinely seems to appreciate Mulder’s unique vision and harbors an honest desire to work with him. This of course is a lie, as in the episode’s open ended conclusion we see that he is working beneath the authority of the Cigarette Smoking Man, who’s true motives are still very much unclear. Krycek is perhaps the most morally ambiguous character on the X-Files, he is consistent only in his unpredictability throughout the series as he swings from side to side. What ultimately becomes clear throughout the course of show is that Krycek is driven solely by his own ego and desire for self preservation. While he appears to be working with CSM at this point in time, he fundamentally has no allegiance to anyone’s cause but his own. This makes his character very difficult to read and sometimes as a consequent of this he’s somewhat unlikeable from an audience perspective. Of course this is personal opinion and Lea’s role on the show is often cited as a fan favorite and a crucial element to the series mythology. Krycek will generally make appearances in myth-arc episodes and although ‘Sleepless’ seems to be mostly a standalone episode it sets up the following two-parter that is perhaps one of the most significant advancements to the series mythology.
★★★★☆
The X-Files Retrospective Project 