The X-Files: Top 5 Moments from “Kitten” (Season 11 Episode 6)

The X-Files takes a deep dive into Walter Skinner’s past in Season 11 Episode 6, “Kitten.” Now that we know a little more about everyone’s favorite (and mysterious) FBI boss man, let’s count down some of our favourite moments from the episode!

5. Mulder and Scully Ransack Skinner’s Place

‘The Monsters are Here, Mulder. Does that get your juices flowing?

I truly feel bad for anyone who has had Mulder and Scully go through their stuff. Scully’s reticence at invading Skinner’s privacy is understandable and even relatable. Mulder’s glee at finding Metamucil is…also understandable, let’s be real.

How they manage to find anything while also making time to flirt with one another is another mystery entirely.

4. Skinner’s Past

Mitch Pileggi truly shines as Skinner relays the regrets he’s lived with his entire life. Though much of his story is told via Davey, the son of Skinner’s imprisoned and fellow veteran, it’s clear to see how hard living with his secret has been.

Scully says that Skinner has a strict moral compass, and that’s true. The exploration of what happens when Skinner’s past comes to haunt him and throws that compass off is a long overdue moment for The X-Files, and for Pileggi.

3. Scully’s Faith vs Mulder’s Skepticism

Though Scully is always labeled as the Skeptic and Mulder the believer, the truth is that they trade that role back and forth many times through the series. In “Kitten,” Scully is the one telling Mulder that they should have more faith in Skinner than Mulder does.

Mulder, burned after Skinner’s disappearance in “My Struggle III,” is reluctant to believe Skinner is up to anything good.

Scully, who is a victim of one of the many secrets Skinner is keeping, nevertheless remains steadfast in believing that they need to give Skinner the benefit of the doubt. Though her reasoning is logical, it’s clear that she wants to believe in the man they’ve known for so many years.

2. Scully to the Rescue

Mulder falls into a hole, Scully rescues he and Skinner from a hole.

Where would anyone be without her? This is why you never tell Dana Scully to stay in the car. Not only will she not listen, but she’ll do a better job at the foolhardy task you’ve taken on.

1. Skinner, Mulder, and Scully

Skinner is often left behind in the overall narrative of The X-Files. Mulder and Scully are (rightly) the heart and soul of the show, but they’ve always had a third partner whose presence ensures that they can do the jobs we love them for without restriction.

It’s not that Skinner believes in the government, or in the system he serves. But he does serve it. Why? So that Mulder and Scully can do what he can’t — fight.

Skinner isn’t the hero in his own story, Mulder and Scully are. They question their government, they uncover conspiracies, and they protect the greater portion of humanity from meddling by not only their fellow man but from those beyond this world, too.

Mulder and Scully can’t do that without Skinner. And Skinner can’t fight back without them. So he protects them. He saves them whenever he can, and he looks out for them.

And in turn, Mulder rewards Skinner with the only message Skinner has ever needed:

We’re with you.

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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