The X-Files Review: Nothing Lasts Forever (Season 11 Episode 9)

The X-Files has Mulder and Scully grappling with ageing and faith in Season 11 Episode 9, “Nothing Lasts Forever.”

Guys, did you know that Mulder and Scully aren’t 20 anymore? Because I think Mulder just figured that out. One pair of glasses, and suddenly he’s thinking about his future and very clearly not being old.

I mean, nevermind that Mulder was wearing glasses the very first time we met him way back in 1993. He’s just going through some stuff right now, okay?

Cult of Faith

“Nothing Lasts Forever” takes an interesting look at how we as a society explore faith, particularly Christianity. Religion is often warped by those with ill-intentions (like a cannibalistic cult) in order to justify their actions.

If you take communion, that’s clearly just one step away from eating people, right? If it’s you taking the body of Christ inside you, then why not other people?

It’s terrifying in its insane simplicity, but it works so well. This week’s Monster of the Week is much scarier than an out-and-out monster — it’s a desperate woman eager to lure impressionable people into her cult so that she can harvest them for their youth.

The standout character of this episode is Juliet (Carlena Britch), who flits in and out of the plot as a young vigilante looking to take down the cult that took her sister from her. She’s unrepentant in her quest and fully aware that her actions (namely, murdering everyone responsible for keeping the cult going) will land her in jail, but she does it all anyway. She believes it’s the right thing to do. The best and most complex characters always do.

Mulder/Scully Relationship Watch

Unlike last episode’s straight-up horror set up, “Nothing Lasts Forever” allows Mulder and Scully more time on screen. This is used to tell us as an audience that perhaps our heroes are ready to move on from working on The X-Files.

A running theme this season (which I believe has been largely unintentional) is Mulder and Scully’s lack of place in our current world. However, this episode gives a compelling argument: perhaps pop culture has grown beyond The X-Files, and perhaps Mulder and Scully are characters displaced out of time, but the one place they do belong is with each other.

What Scully whispers to Mulder is largely irrelevant, because the message of their very frank and honest conversation was clear: even though they both had chances to leave, they always stay by each other’s sides. Scully in particular has lost so much of her life to their pursuit of the truth, but in her eyes, she wouldn’t do anything differently.

In a way, Mulder and Scully standing in a church and having such a life-changing conversation about their relationship is a declaration. Before God, they stand in a gold-lit room and tell one another that the way forward is together.

Whatever comes next, they’ll face it as one.

 

What did you think of this episode of The X-Files? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

The X-Files airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!