The X Files - Sleepless

Sleepless is a good example of a matter of dual plots on top of one another, the story arc of the entire series maintaining its foothold while a case of sleep “eradication” resulting in “Vietnam Avenging Angel murders” lies within its binding framework. The case introduces a new “Deepthroat” named X (Steven Williams), far more paranoid and less friendly than Hardin’s from the first season and the insidious Agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea), the Cigarette-Smoking Man’s “plant” to spy on Mulder and Scully as they have been separated, no longer allowed to work on the X files. The end would hint at CSM and Krycek plotting to get rid of Scully as her split up from Mulder has seemingly strengthened their bond and brought then even closer together. Mulder is provided information on a “sleep scientist” murdered in his hotel by way of “induced telepathic hallucination”. Dr. Grissom (Claude de Martino) had been associated with a unit of soldiers having lost a portion of their brain that removed the need to sleep, allowing them to remaining in a waking state. This condition required serotonin, though, and those soldiers, when in Vietnam, went mentally “off the grid”, killing innocent women and children in Phu Bai, not facing prosecution. One among this team of soldiers, Augustus Cole (Tony Todd), has escaped from a cell and is meeting up with his former acquaintances, seeking to right the wrongs they committed 24 years ago in Vietnam. The two doctors who conducted the surgeries and were heavily involved in the sleep science and soldiers connected to the experiments are targets for “the preacher”, Cole. Interestingly, another soldier considered dead, played by Jonathan Gries, is interviewed by Mulder and Krycek, “spared” the same fates as others (or is he, really? To continue on with no sleep and to live with the misdeeds of his squadrom…). He tells them of what his team did 24 years previous in Vietnam.

Mulder appears so alone. So dreadfully alone. Scully his only ally, Mulder is doing “FBI grunt work”, listening to wiretap conversations. He had requested to work on the Grissom case, and Skinner eventually allows it but he must accept a partner, Krycek. Krycek supposedly picked up the case prior to Mulder and is the lead…matter of convenience? Later it is revealed he is in fact working for CSM and is not to be trusted but Mulder is in this episode unaware. Mulder involves Scully in autopsying Cole’s victims. Signs of something beyond aneurism bursts and natural causes for the victims emerge in Scully’s findings linking their deaths to what the hallucinations provided…bullets firing and fire leave subtle hints as to the true causes of death.

While trying to catch Cole, Mulder and Krycek go through a feeling-out process. Obviously, Mulder doesn’t trust him and eventually he gives a little because he needs to solve his case. Scully speaks quietly to Mulder off to the side as to keep Krycek at a distance. Mulder speaks to Scully when he’s not around and meets X at a hockey rink being renovated. This is a concerted effort to conceal as much as possible from anybody “outside the loop”. Because, truthfully, who can Mulder and Scully really trust? Because Scully is Mulder’s ally and Krycek is needing to gain his trust, she is a nuisance in need of “resolving”. To CSM, Scully is a problem that can be brought to resolution. It is a nice hook to leave us X files fans curious as to how she’ll persevere going forward. X tells Mulder that the truth is still out there but so is the danger. CSM and his subordinate, Krycek, are that danger. Good closing image of CSM putting out a cigarette when discussing Scully’s hinted demise adds to the hook. The show was really humming at this point, providing a threat to our heroes and setting up a new villain to accompany CSM for the foreseeable future. Mulder trapped in the doldrums of “typical FBI” work, unable to dedicate himself to his X files and not allowed to partner with Scully—not to mention the wolf snarling with an appetite at his henhouse, in Krycek—allows us to see him wounded professionally and vulnerable. The series was indeed hitting its stride. The “Duane Barry” episodes coming would further send off our agents (and Krycek) into significant territory, as CSM and his secrets regarding extraterrestrials were always endangered because of the pursuit for the truth. Mulder and Scully endured their hardships and went through so much loss, encountered near-death experiences and their results accrued (as seen at the end of the episode) taken away before the proof could be published. They did often ask themselves if the pursuit was worth it.

Todd as the tortured preacher (and Gries, to boot) shows us the weight of what has remained from 24 years ago. When he mentions at the end that he is tired, you believe him because it wears on his face, his countenance. The work of Mulder and Scully is taken from them by Krycek who gives it to CSM. It never fails. Todd “influences” Krycek into believing his bible is a gun aimed for Mulder. He’s put out of his misery and can finally sleep. The case regarding Todd fills up some time but I think the greater story is Krycek, obviously. He’s the new introductory character that will serve as an “on scene” adversary to the pursuit of the truth. Not only the eyes and ears of CSM, but also a potential weapon for him if needed.