Scully is about to give birth, but the alien formerly known as Billy Miles is interested in it and so are various other agencies with their own agendas.

The conspiracy ramps up to a new level in this penultimate episode of the season, bringing back familiar faces such as Krycek and Reyes and providing a tense and exciting action story. It's not perfect, however. There's still a little too much of Chris Carter's patented gibberish dialogue where people hint at things without actually saying them. There are also some coincidences to move the plot along that aren't done well, especially in the final couple of scenes. Doggett couldn't have predicted things as well as he seems to have done. On the other hand, there are some nasty moments that stretch The X-Files a little further and it's good to see.

What's good to see is everyone working together. It brings Krycek into the action more, and it's a relief to see things moving forward, as Skinner requests the identity of the father of Scully's child, she prepares to give birth, and an alien invasion force seems to be just around the corner. Everyone seems to be bringing their experience to bear and forging a strong dynamic amongst the various main players, and it's good that the Mulder/Doggett animosity has settled into a reasonable working relationship.

There's still quite a lot we don't know by the end, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes out, even if I have a curious feeling I won't be satisfied...

***

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