The X Files / The Blessing Way / Notes

 I can't imagine what that have been like for Mulder's mother to be attending her husband's funeral, not knowing where her son is. Poor Scully is back in DC, not knowing where Mulder is, fearing he's dead, finding a chip in her shoulder, finding John Neville (called The Well-Manicured Man) at Bill's funeral with a warning that she would be killed my hitmen setup through members of his consortium (who "predict the future by inventing it"), put on suspension from the FBI, seemingly without any allies until Skinner eventually (and surprisingly) saying he has the digital tape to give to her, and loses her sister when she comes by her home to visit. So not only does Krycek kill Mulder's father, but he also kills Scully's sister. Skinner's loyalties are often ambiguous as he must ride a fine line between helping Mulder and Scully while avoiding the wrath of The Cigarette-Smoking Man. 

Mulder's health is in bad shape when Albert Hosteen (Floyd 'Red Crow" Westerman) and his people find him under some rocks beside a dead alien. When Scully is pulled over by CSM's military chopper and her documents taken from her, that bit of evidence is enough to worry the "Syndicate" (the consortium Neville refers to). She's a threat, but CSM considers her not enough to not send Krycek to off her. That is what Krycek has become: a hired assassin sent on hits for CSM. X file fans sure hate his sticking guts, so Krycek avoids death and seems quite slippery despite efforts later from our heroes to make him pay for what he does. Skinner, though, always remains such an intriguing character because there is this sliver of doubt that seems to remain where Mulder and Scully try to trust him even though CSM is so often around, taking drags from his smokes, listening for whatever information is available. "No loose threads".

I totally get that critics and some fans were just not into the Navajo spiritual "blessing way" addition to the episode. Carter himself was unsure if it would work or not. I actually dig that aspect to the X Files. It embraces a mystical side that you rarely see. And 'Red Crow' Westerman at Mulder's side while he recovers, calling upon the spirits (and Mulder) to awaken from near death to take on life; I guess I just don't mind a bit of spirituality included even if a lot of folks who watch the show pooh-pooh it. I also rather enjoyed the spiritual scene where Deep Throat and Bill request Mulder not give up, to continue on in his pursuit of the truth, still fighting even though they cannot. Bill's role in the Syndicate, what those men were he was once a part of, what was a "pox and poison on his soul"; Mulder can pursue that and bring to light what was hidden.

And after what we were shown in regards to the little aliens massacred in the boxcar...the truth about that horrible act should be known. Why wouldn't that be a pox and a poison to those responsible for it if they have a soul?