The X Files - Young at Heart

I do like the further exploration of Fox Mulder. Learning of his FBI past before the X files gives us an understanding of the details that mark the man he currently is. Each case that returns him to his past--and those associated with his past--further develops him into the man he becomes over the tenure of the series. Scully's skepticism this go-around is to challenge the theory that a killer Mulder shot after he killed an armored truck driver and an agent is on the loose--not dead as was reported--along with the extraordinary development of potential "age cure", brought about through the study of "kids dying of old age". I think the development part of Mulder--the tormenting "mistake" of "following by the book" instead of just killing Barnett when he had the chance--is good backstory and it allows Scully to learn extra background on her partner. I don't think the killer-taunting-the-agent-that-put-him-away followup to that is as solid, though. And at the end, Deep Throat is included just so Mulder can learn that the "Doktor Mengele" who operated on Barnett, giving him the youth (and a salamander arm that replaced the infected right hand amputated!)--through his successful experiments--might have lost all of the papers that spell out all his work to the Barnett. Barnett now can negotiate with the government and retrieve freedom and monetary gain because of it. And yet Barnett throws all of that away because the vendetta appeals to him more? The ending just kind of blew it for me. Just seemed too easy for Mulder--a piano recital among a bunch of folks in a theater letting himself be known in this bold execution (or so he thought) of Scully--as Barnett just risked everything so promising for him just to hurt Mulder. A cop out ending I thought.

Review from January of 2016:

A ghost from the past returns to haunt Mulder, a reminder of a traumatic experience when he was starting fresh out of the academy…John Barnett, responsible for the cold blooded murders of an armored car driver and a FBI agent. Mulder has never really gotten over those two deaths because he had a clear shot from behind Barnett, but following FBI regulations, he didn't fire his gun. Mulder assumed that Barnett (considering he was caught, dead to rites, Mulder figured he'd just surrender, not imagining he'd open fire on two unsuspecting victims). A scientist (certainly no humanitarian) named Joe Ridley (Robin Mossley) has perhaps discovered the cure for reversing aging, using this process during an experimental procedure on Barnett. What Ridley is unable to halt is the disease that causes eventual death in those kids who age too fast (progeria), his sole success being Barnett (except his eyes which are gradually going white and blind). Barnett has a great plan to kill Mulder and all those he loves (he succeeds in strangling Mulder's former boss, Reggie (Dick Anthony Williams)) with the episode culminating at a recital (Barnett was in Scully's house, listening to her answering machine which had a message from a relative inviting her to a recital).

The show developed a constant during its first few seasons: Scully or Mulder in jeopardy with one or the other having to come to their rescue. Scully, in this episode, is the target of Barnett, luring Mulder into facing him with another hostage's life threatened. The government is very interested in Ridley's notes in the reverse aging, and Barnett stole them from the scientist his ashamed medical colleagues nicknamed Dr. Mengle. So Barnett has some leverage according to Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin). A lost arm, Ridley even grows a new one (granted using the genetic material of a salamander!) for Barnett. Ridley used his age experiment on himself, unknowingly sealing his own fate. Mulder's past, which like Scully is revealed in increments during various episodes of the first season, allows him to face his demons and conquer them as Barnett's need for revenge gets the better of him. Mulder isn't the same green agent Barnett once encountered. Mulder's testimony during Barnett's trial is shown in flashback, with Barnett's warning at getting even is quite chilling (Barnett also calls him up and leaves little antagonistic notes to prepare Mulder until they meet again). I'm surprised Barnett would open himself up so vulnerably considering his identity was rather well concealed, but I guess the desire for vengeance clouded his judgment. I think you are starting to see the love and care between Mulder and Scully strengthen as the season continues. These two are in it through to the thick and thin. I think you can just see in how they share long looks at each other...it is apparent; this is beyond just two people in a working relationship.