The X-Files Review: The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat (Season 11 Episode 4)
The X-Files returns to its roots on Season 11 Episode 4, “The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat.”
No episode perfectly encapsulates the nonsensical, delightful vibe than The X-Files is at its best at like “The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat.”
Did the episode make sense? Not entirely. But did it have to? Absolutely not.
NOSTALGIA ULTRA
Underneath the layers of Reggie’s Mandela Effect is a core message of nostalgia’ danger: what can be rebooted, perhaps shouldn’t be rebooted.
Despite the joy of seeing Mulder and Scully back on screen, there is an argument to be made that the memory of them is more beloved than trying to recreate the show’s original 90’s magic.
SCULLY: I want to remember how it was. I want to remember how it all was.
The struggle of the reboot is that we as an audience remember a feeling more than we do anything else. The feeling of delight at Mulder and Scully’s growing relationship, the fear of Scully’s abduction, the horror of the Flukeman.
All of those feelings cast a haze over our memories of the show as it was — even if we’ve only just rewatched it. Even if the old episodes are in front of us, much like Scully’s jello, there’s a certain merit in placing the remote down and enjoying things as they were.
THE MULDER/SCULLY RELATIONSHIP WATCH
Welcome to a new segment, in which we try to make some kind of sense out of where Mulder and Scully are as a…couple? (See what I mean?)
First, they were partners, then lovers, then parents, then partners again, then lovers again, and now they’re…dating? Right?
SCULLY: Well, this is romantic.
It’s interesting to see Mulder and Scully actually date each other like regular people. After their conversation in “Plus One,” they’re clearly exploring something between them.
After 11 seasons and at least one kid, and three kisses or so, Mulder and Scully are ready to actually, like, admit their crushes on each other.
Besides the fact that it’s such a thrill to see two people over 40 find each other and fall for each other, there’s an element of hilarity in how dense they both are for two very intelligent people.
Neither Mulder nor Scully have spent their lives with anyone as long as they have with each other. Scully seems to treat Mulder’s house as her second home. As far as both of them know, they have a child together. But only now do they realize “hey, we should, like, be together.”
Well, it wouldn’t be Foxy and Sculls if they didn’t miss evidence in front of them, but still manage to solve the overall case in the end.
STRAY THOUGHTS
- In your head, is it Berenstain Bears or Berenstein Bears? Because I always remembered it as the second, and I refuse to believe it’s anything but.
- “I’M FOX MULDER!”
- I can’t believe Skinner had one line in this episode, and it was straight-up the best one. The magic of Mitch Pileggi cannot be understated.
- Sculls and Foxy is how I will be referring to Mulder and Scully from now on. Thank you for your time.
Next episode is titled “Ghouli,” which seems to be the blog of a certain man named William. Do with that what you will.
What did you think of this episode of The X-Files? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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The X-Files airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX.
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Brittany Rae
Brittany is a writer and avid TV blogger hailing the infamous year of 1989. She trained at Vancouver Film School in screenwriting for television and film, and has gone on to become a graphic designer and blogger in her free time. When she’s not watching the Food Network, she’s trying to consume every bit of sci-fi television she can get her hands on (current favorites include The 100, Person of Interest, and Doctor Who). She’s always up for female-led dramas and, of course, a literal interpretation of the phrase “Netflix and chill."