The X Files - Emily

I think she was born to serve an agenda. - Mulder

This child was not meant to be. - Scully

Scully tells Mulder that Emily was born to be loved. The above is what Mulder said in response as Scully accepted in heart in retort the next words. "Christmas Carol" feels different than "Emily". The former offers hope for Scully, the idea that she could get the chance to be a mother. I think after revisiting this episode, I will learn to appreciate what Chris Carter and company attempted to do with Season 9, even as Mulder was absent. When Mulder is out and about trying to find evidence of how Emily came to be, how she was born, by whom, and how Scully is tied to her, this feels very much like one of those alien conspiracy X-Files episodes. You get the alien clones returning, the metal spike emerging to kill Dr. Calderon (responsible for Emily's treatments that kept her alive), the green alien blood that is toxic to humans, Mulder finding fetuses in vials of green fluid and green vials with Dana Scully's name on file, and a nursing home with names of residents connected to the births of children in the mid-to-late 90s. With help from Frohike, Mulder tries to get answers for Scully while she tries everything to help Emily survive. Dr. Calderon won't give up any medical records or files that might help Emily, with Mulder unable to use physical intimidation or his gun to unearth information Scully and Emily's doctors desperately need.

The episode, as expected, shows poor Emily worsening, her own neck showing a green growth that, when injected, lets out the same toxic gas that other aliens (like the bounty hunter who shapeshifts) do, nearly killing a nurse looking to take a sample. Despite all their efforts, Emily goes into a coma. While there is a brief period after an alien imitating Calderon does inject Emily with some of the green fluid that the child does somewhat recover better vitals, ultimately, necrosis sets in and starts to destroy her living tissue.

I think what I responded to the most is Scully's pain. "Christmas Carol" really sets up such a possibility that Scully might have this arc as a mother, which might have created a new dynamic in her relationship with Mulder and how tethered she could be to the X-Files. While Season 9 seemed to show how difficult it could be for her to be a mother and still function as an agent, in this two-part arc, Scully's instincts to preserve offspring, she realizes that Emily was created as a lab experiment, not to have a chance at life as a functioning human. No matter what Scully tries, she seems powerless to stop the inevitable decline of this little girl. That father I am, who has a 17 year old girl, was just wrecked by the end. The pain of having this chance to be a mom and have it taken from you because forces are working against that very plan is given serious consideration here. I still think Anderson gets plenty of material to act her ass off to, even if Mulder's part in the episode is to be FBI Agent. I will not take from Duchovny the great moments his Mulder has with Scully, though, in regards to remaining a dear, caring, and loving friend.

There is a reason this show has such a devoted following. Maybe it doesn't have as many passionate fans, but those of us who love the show look back at certain moments during its tenure -- like when Mulder lays roses on the coffin of Emily and be at Scully's side, working hard to find out why they did what they did to her without her consent or knowledge -- can explain just why we love X-Files to this day. 3.5/5

***How Bill looks at Mulder really says a lot about how he continues to consider him a serious detriment and danger to his sister.***

***Mulder's Mr. Potato Head to make Emily smile I'm sure had a lot of his diehard fans just falling more in love with him***