It's a new beginning for The X-Files (hence the title), as the whole conspiracy has been explained to a degree during the recent movie that bridged seasons five and six. Just in case you haven't seen the movie, the episode begins with a brief recap of events from last season's finale (The End) and the film. In fact, for those who saw the film, but came out going 'Eh?', there is also a scene at the beginning of the episode where Mulder and Scully go in front of an FBI board to explain their findings, giving a neat potted history of what we now know relating to oily aliens, killer bees and a governmental conspiracy. For those who are trying to keep up: the bees spread a virus that allows the 'oiliens' to gestate inside a human body until they're ready to come out by bursting in true Alien fashion out of the stomach.
Okay. The Beginning relates the story of a lone alien popping out and going on the run. Mulder and Scully are taken off the X-Files, which are (in all their charred glory) handed over to Agents Spender and Fowley (yes, she's recovered from her shooting). Thus begins a race to see who gets to the alien first: Mulder, Scully, nasty Spender, nice (or is she?) Fowley or the Consortium. In the midst of all this, Gibson Praise, the child genius who can read minds makes a reappearance, having escaped from the Consortium after some serious brain surgery that's left a particularly hideous scar on his head.
After the film told us some of what was going on, this episode is much easier to follow. The Consortium plan openly in their meetings rather than talking in riddles, and Cancer Man now seems to be in charge after the Well-Manicured Man's demise, which can't be good for anyone. Also, we now know just what the oiliens are. Taking Mulder and Scully off the X-Files is an odd idea, as it's going to be difficult to get them to investigate the unexplained week after week if they're not supposed to be doing so. It'll be interesting to see how the writers get around this, and also how Skinner can be kept involved in the series, as the pair now have to report to Assistant Director Kersh, with the FBI having finally noticed that Skinner was being a bit too kind to Mulder's insane theories.
The Beginning is pretty much a minor series revamp, setting up the new way of things, making Spender and Fowley more major characters. It's still The X-Files though,and as such it's exciting, well-written but more gory and unpleasant than most other episodes. It also contains a superb final revelation at the end that goes a long way to tying together the series continuity. A great return for a superb series.
****
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